Author: Momo Chan

I was born with a unique gift: my blood is a natural antidote, capable of neutralizing any poison. The aloof heir of a powerful family, Damien Blackwood, was bitten by a venomous snake and was on the brink of death. In that critical moment, I sliced my wrist and bled to save him. Only later did I learn that whoever saved Damien Blackwood’s life would secure their place as the future Mrs. Blackwood. But the first thing Damien did after inheriting the family empire was drain me dry, then had me chopped up and fed to his dogs. “Willow clearly brought the antidote. If I’d just waited five more minutes, I could’ve openly married her.” “But you had to butt in, snatching her rightful place as Mrs. Blackwood, driving her to desperate suicide.” “You claim your blood can cure all poisons. I’d like to see how many antidotes your blood can produce now.” My blood was completely drained, and I was thrown into a fight pit, my body torn to shreds. My parents, after being driven to bankruptcy by the Blackwoods, both took their own lives, driven to despair. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Damien Blackwood was poisoned. Mrs. Blackwood looked at me with hopeful eyes. “I hear you have a unique medicinal constitution. Would you be willing to save my son’s life?” I quickly shook my head. “Everything they say outside is just rumors. Besides, using blood as medicine, how unsanitary is that?” “You don’t need to worry, Mrs. Blackwood. I heard Ms. Willow Hayes is rushing over with a special antidote. Young Master Blackwood will surely pull through!” A faint sense of anticipation stirred within me. Without me to cure his poison… Damien Blackwood wouldn’t just lose his chance at inheriting the family business; he’d be lucky to last another month!

Mrs. Blackwood hadn’t even had time to hide her disappointment when suddenly, a heart-wrenching shout echoed through the hall. Everyone fell silent instantly, not daring to make a sound. A flurry of urgent footsteps approached from outside the door. Several bodyguards worked together to carry Damien Blackwood in. His eyes were tightly shut, half his arm a horrifying black-purple. It was a ghastly sight. The grand hall erupted into chaos. Many people shrieked, backing away. Mr. Blackwood’s face was a dark storm cloud, truly terrifying. “What good are you useless bodyguards?! I told you to protect him closely! How could you let the Young Master get bitten by a venomous snake?!” The bodyguards hung their heads, sweat dripping down their temples, but not one dared to talk back. Just then, Willow Hayes was pushed to the front. “It wasn’t their fault… Damien always said he didn’t like too many people following him.” A doctor rushed forward, quickly examining Damien Blackwood’s injury. Damien’s body suddenly trembled violently, and he slowly opened his eyes. “It’s Willow. She risked her life to bring me the antidote. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be dead already.” The doctor beside him quietly added, “Indeed. If it weren’t for the unique effectiveness of Miss Hayes’s antidote, the consequences would have been unthinkable.” Hearing the doctor’s words, Mr. Blackwood’s expression finally softened slightly, his gaze shifting to Willow. “You saved Damien’s life. You are a great benefactor to the Blackwood family. Tell me, what do you want? As long as it’s within my power, I won’t refuse.” Willow’s eyes flickered with a faint light. She stole a glance at Damien, her lips moving, but she couldn’t seem to utter a single word. Damien’s expression was grim. Suddenly, he reached out and took her hand in his. “Dad, Willow is too shy to speak. I’ll speak for her.” His voice was firmer than ever before. “I’m going to marry Willow. I don’t care what anyone says outside. She saved my life, and I want to spend my life repaying her.” The atmosphere in the hall abruptly froze. Everyone gasped. Willow was just the daughter of the Blackwoods’ housekeeper. Though she and Damien had grown up together, her background was simply not respectable enough. The Blackwood family had never once considered her as a future daughter-in-law. Mr. Blackwood frowned, a clear look of displeasure flashing in his eyes. Mrs. Blackwood suddenly spoke, her voice chilling. “You want to marry a housekeeper’s daughter? Do you want everyone to laugh at the Blackwood family?” “You are the future heir of the Blackwood empire. Are you truly unaware of the stakes involved?” Damien turned his head to look at Willow, who stood beside him. He made up his mind and slowly spoke.

“I understand the responsibilities of the Blackwood heir, but I believe managing this corporation requires capability and skill, not clinging to a partner’s influence!” “The position I want, I’ll fight for it myself. I won’t rely on outsiders.” With that declaration, the room fell into a brief, stunned silence. Mr. Blackwood’s face turned a dangerous shade of green, a vein throbbing in his temple. I lowered my head, rubbing my fingers, a faint smile playing on my lips. Damien Blackwood, that man, was truly arrogant and heartless to the core. What a pity, he’d forgotten that his father had only managed to turn the tide during the company’s crisis back then because the Stewart family had extended a helping hand. At that time, Mr. Blackwood had made a verbal pact with my father, promising my hand to Damien. “Good! Very good!” Mr. Blackwood was enraged to the extreme, slamming his hand down on the table. “Since you’re so capable, then I’ll grant your wish. Let’s see how long you can last!” With that, he stormed off in a huff, Mrs. Blackwood hurriedly getting up to follow him. Damien extended his long arm, pulling Willow into his embrace, and solemnly promised her, “Don’t worry, the position of Mrs. Blackwood will always be yours. No one can ever shake it!” Watching the lovey-dovey pair, I was about to leave. But Damien’s low voice stopped me. “Wait.” He brushed off Willow’s assistance, swayed for a moment, then came after me. He leaned close to my ear, speaking in a voice only we could hear: “Stella Stewart, did you come back too? With your memories?” “Good, you’re smart enough to know your place this time and didn’t get in Willow’s way again.” “In the last life, if you hadn’t interfered and made me lose Willow, I wouldn’t have been so ruthless with you. This life, as long as you stay quiet and know your place, I can spare you and the Stewart family.” “If you want to stay close, let me make one thing clear: you’ll never have any official title from me.” I subtly raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “What are you talking about, Mr. Blackwood?” “The Stewart family might not be old money, but we have our pride. We don’t do ‘mistress.’” I lifted my gaze, meeting his eyes directly. I didn’t want him to know too much, nor did I want the bloody vengeance from the last life to bring disaster upon my family again. I glanced down, catching sight of his still-darkened arm, and smirked inwardly. He thought a few sweet words could erase the blood debt of the past life? Damien Blackwood truly underestimated me. Once the poison in his right hand flared up, his life wouldn’t even be safe. I ignored him, scoffed, and ruthlessly shrugged off his hand. “Did you eat something funny, Damien? Because you’re clearly out of your mind, spouting such nonsense.” With that, I walked around him and quickly left. Unexpectedly, Damien, rushing to grab me, suddenly lost his balance, stumbling and falling to the floor. Willow screamed in terror. “Damien!” I straightened my cuff, not bothering to look back. Heaven had granted me a new life. I would never let anyone harm me or my family again. Early the next morning, I heard the frantic shouts of the downstairs staff, saying someone had broken in. Willow, her eyes red, stormed in, pointing at me and demanding loudly, “Stella Stewart! You’re an heiress of a prominent family, you lack nothing, so why do you insist on fighting me for Damien?” “Don’t you know, he was supposed to be mine!” I sat up directly, my hair still a mess. “Are you mistaken? When have I ever fought you for anything?” “You!” Willow bit her lower lip, tears almost spilling again, her voice full of resentment. “Then what were you two talking about yesterday? After Damien fainted, he kept calling your name!” I raised an eyebrow at her, my tone so faint it was almost a laugh. “Didn’t he tell you? He’s begging me to marry him now.”

Willow’s face instantly paled. She bit her lip, her voice suddenly shrill. “How is that possible! You must have used some cheap, underhanded tricks, you bitch!” I was about to explain when she suddenly shrieked and lunged at me, her palm aimed for my face. The next second, that round, white furball in the corner shot out like lightning. It viciously bit her wrist. Willow screamed, stumbled back several steps, and plopped onto the floor. I instinctively reached out, wanting to help her up. But the front door was kicked open with a loud bang. Damien Blackwood stood in the doorway, his face cold. “Stella Stewart, how dare you incite this beast to harm Willow?” Damien’s dark eyes swept over Snowball, finally settling on me, his lips forming a thin, cold line. “I said, anyone who harms Willow deserves to die.” “Why are you all just standing there?” His next words, spoken with menacing intensity, shattered all my illusions. “Throw this beast into the shredder!” The two bodyguards at the door immediately responded, lunging forward and seizing Snowball by his small neck. Snowball’s eyes were filled with terror and rage, his four paws desperately struggling, but he couldn’t break free from the men’s thick arms. My heart leaped to my throat, and I screamed, “Stop!” But a bodyguard held me firmly in place, unable to move. “Mr. Blackwood, it was Miss Hayes who came here to insult my young mistress! Snowball only bit her in defense!” one of the maids spoke up for me. “Nonsense!” Willow clutched her hand, her voice choked with tears. “She deliberately raised a mad dog to hurt me!” Damien cast a cold glance at me, then bent down to help the fallen Willow. “Get rid of this mad dog, now.” Snowball was lifted into the air, his neck visibly twisting. My heart turned cold. I didn’t think twice, I just wanted to snatch Snowball back from their cruel hands. “Damien Blackwood! Snowball was just protecting me! Willow was the one who provoked first, she was the one who struck out—” But he didn’t even look at me, casually tossing Snowball aside. Snowball twitched twice on the ground, his neck went limp, and then he was still. I knelt there, stunned, painful images flickering in my mind. In the previous life, Damien had been just as heartless. He bribed a vet, and Snowball was treated like a lab animal, dying on a cold, sterile table. I bit down hard on my lower lip, swallowing back my sobs. “Damien Blackwood, you can’t even tolerate the dog I raised since I was a child?” I clenched my fists, my voice hoarse. But Damien was dismissive. “Stella Stewart, I’ve already shown you mercy by sparing your life. Don’t push your luck.” “My heart has always belonged to Willow alone. If you dare to bother her again, you’ll be the next one to die.” Damien put his arm around Willow and left without looking back. I lowered my head, my fingernails digging into my palms. Willow looked back and glared at me, her lips curling with disdain and triumph. Damien probably didn’t know that he hadn’t just killed Snowball; he’d also killed his last hope for life. Forget inheriting the family business; he’d be lucky if the Grim Reaper granted him another month. Snowball’s body was already stiff. I trembled as I cradled him, digging a grave in the yard. From childhood, only Snowball had always stayed by my side. Even in the previous life, tortured to death, he never let go of my hand. Tears streamed down my face, splashing onto the soil. At that moment, the pain was so intense even breathing hurt. “Need a hand?” I looked up, meeting Julian Vance’s dark, kind eyes. At yesterday’s banquet, besides Damien being bitten by a venomous snake, Julian had also been poisoned. In my last life, my heart was entirely focused on Damien. I cut my wrist and bled to save him, which led to Julian not receiving timely treatment and dying from the poison. But yesterday, I had someone deliver the special antidote made from my blood to Julian in advance. He took it immediately after being bitten, which is why he survived. I wiped the tears from my face. I spoke with utter seriousness. “Julian Vance, interested in a deal?” “I’ll help you ruin Blackwood Inc., and you marry me.” The moment the words left my mouth, Julian’s eyes lit up with surprise. A smile played on his lips, like he’d finally gotten what he’d been waiting for. “Okay, it’s a deal. Don’t you dare go back on your word.”

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My husband has a mistress. It’s his childhood friend, Chloe, who just married and moved overseas. At Chloe’s wedding, he actually walked up to the altar, took her hand, and warned the groom, “If you ever hurt her, I swear, I’ll take her back.” My friends secretly said I was too soft, that I didn’t even get mad. When I needed his signature after a severe car accident and heavy bleeding, he flew to Africa for Chloe’s birthday: “Chloe will be lonely in a foreign country; she can’t celebrate her birthday without me.” The day Chloe came back, her friends forced me to chug 99 shots of hard liquor. My husband poured 98 of them down my throat himself. The last one? I smashed it in his face. He didn’t know that the day before, I’d already sent a message to my father, a powerful figure in the underworld: 【Dad, I was wrong. I’ll be back in three days to take over the family business.】 I had spent seven years trying to be a good girl for him, almost forgetting who I really was. … My actions froze everyone in the room. One of Chloe’s friends shouted at her, “Chloe, your friend is so rude!” Chloe glanced at Derek, her face twisting in anger. “Derek, what’s wrong with your wife? My friend was kindly inviting her for drinks, and she acts like this?!” Derek’s face was still dripping with liquor, his expression dark. He glared at me, pointing at my face and yelling, “Autumn, what the hell is wrong with you?!” I ignored him, turning around and walking out of the club. Behind me, I heard Chloe’s snarky, ‘I’m not like other girls’ kind of comment: “See, this is why I don’t like dealing with women. So much drama!” When the rideshare arrived, I got into the passenger seat. But my hand brushed against something soft – a piece of lingerie. And right under my feet were two used condoms. Derek had driven this car earlier today to pick up Chloe. It was obvious who they belonged to. My stomach lurched with disgust. I stumbled out of the car, throwing up until my vision swam. Almost as soon as I got home, Derek arrived. Seeing me look at him, he slapped me hard. “Do you have any idea how much embarrassment you caused Chloe today?!” My face stung, instantly red and swollen. I winced in pain. But Derek’s expression softened in a panic, and he cradled my face. “Why didn’t you dodge?” I recoiled from his touch, forcefully swatting his hand away. Derek swallowed his anger, trying to soothe me. “That man was Chloe’s friend. Don’t you know you made things really difficult for her?” His words ignited a furious fire in me. I looked at him coldly and asked, “Derek, have you forgotten who your wife is?” Derek paused, then quickly pulled me into a hug. “Of course it’s you, honey. Are you jealous? Chloe and I are just like siblings. Don’t overthink it, okay?” Siblings? Do siblings wear lingerie and use two condoms in a car? I wasn’t in the mood to expose Derek’s lies, but at that moment, he received a text message. His body was pressed against mine, and I instantly felt how hot he was beneath his clothes. Derek immediately let me go. “Honey, I left something at the club. I’ll go grab it.” Before leaving, he even kissed my cheek tenderly. “I’m sorry. I’ll help you with your face when I get back.” Watching his desperate, eager back disappear, even though I had already decided to leave him, my eyes still welled up. Seven years of marriage, and it was still nothing compared to his childhood friend. To marry him, I had cut ties with my father, not returning home for seven years. For seven years, I had built our life with him from scratch. When we were at our poorest, we squeezed onto a bed barely bigger than a twin. Back then, Derek would hold me, promising earnestly, “Autumn, I’ll always be good to you.” He said he liked docile girls, so I changed all my bad habits, learning to be a kind and sensible wife. I suffered with him year after year. Now that we had everything, his promises were long forgotten. My tears had dried on my face. My phone vibrated with a text from Chloe. The picture showed her and Derek’s clothes scattered on the floor, with three used condoms nearby. 【Derek told me you two haven’t done it in ages. He said he loves a ‘little firecracker’ like me; he’s been bored of a good girl like you for ages.】 I wiped my tears, cursing myself for just moments ago feeling sad. Derek was trash. He wasn’t worth my tears. The next day, Derek dragged me out of bed. Before I could even figure out what was happening, he frantically shoved me into the car. “Derek, what are you doing?!” Derek didn’t speak, driving the car at over 100 mph down the road. I could only grip the seatbelt tightly, watching him pull up to the emergency room. My arm was throbbing where he’d pulled me. Derek practically threw me in front of the doctor. “Doctor, she’s ready for the blood!” He held me down, forcing the doctor to draw a full 800cc of blood from me. I was so lightheaded from blood loss I couldn’t even sit straight. But Derek abandoned me again, rushing to another patient’s room. While resting, I overheard the nurses talking: “You know that couple next door? Apparently, the woman had severe internal bleeding from… well, let’s just say ‘overdoing it’ in the bedroom last night.” “But then, one of their friends—or whoever she was—actually volunteered to give 800cc of blood! Who in their right mind could handle that? Luckily, nothing serious happened.” The nurses’ voices faded as they walked away. My heart pounded, a dull, aching throb spreading through me. So that’s why he dragged me here in such a hurry – Chloe had gotten herself into trouble because of their excessive ‘bedroom activities,’ and I was just here to be her involuntary blood donor. Why should I pay for their mistakes? I rested in the hospital room all afternoon. Then, Chloe, clutching her stomach, actually walked into my room. Seeing my pale face, she chuckled. “Oh, sorry, Autumn. We were just a little too intense last night. Hope we didn’t embarrass you.” Derek, who was supporting her from behind, quickly explained after hearing her words, “Her husband actually came home last night. And honestly, it’s my fault for not… ‘supervising’ them better. Honey, don’t get the wrong idea.” I merely glanced at him. “Is that so? Then why isn’t her husband by her side?” Derek was momentarily at a loss for words. Chloe chimed in, “He has to work, Autumn. Not everyone is as lucky as you, being a stay-at-home wife.” With that, she slowly shuffled toward my bed, but just as she reached out to touch me, she collapsed onto the floor. Derek quickly helped her up. Chloe pointed at me, her face contorted in pain. “Autumn, I just wanted to thank you! How could you push me just because of one little comment?!” More blood stained the bed beneath her. Derek, frantic, scooped her up and rushed her back to her room. Less than half an hour later, he stormed back, his face furious, and shoved me hard. Having lost so much blood, I was still disoriented. Derek pushed me directly to the floor. My head hit the bedside table, and blood trickled out. “Autumn, how can you be so vicious? Chloe came specifically to thank you, and you actually pushed her!” “What she said was true! Aren’t you just a lazy freeloading wife who does nothing but live off my money?!” Derek’s words made my heart tremble even more. I had co-founded our company with him. In the early days, to secure clients, I drank with those bosses until my stomach bled. To raise funds for him, I practically begged like a dog outside their company buildings every day. Later, as the company earned more and more, Derek told me to stay home and rest. “Autumn, things are better now. I can’t bear to see you suffer.” “I told you, I’d take care of you.” But I had only been home for less than half a year, and now, to him, I was “lazy and good-for-nothing.” I looked at the man I had loved for seven years, disappointed, realizing he had become such a stranger. I raised my hand and slapped him without hesitation. This slap was the final punctuation mark on our seven years together. That night, the nurse let me go home after confirming I was stable. As I passed Chloe’s room, I saw Derek bustling about, bringing her water and cutting her fruit. So attentive, so gentle. I swallowed the bitter ache in my heart and went home. Just as I arrived, my front door began to pound. I instinctively grabbed the baseball bat leaning against the wall. The door instantly flew open, unlocked with a key. My heart jumped into my throat when I saw the group of men stride in. I spoke to them in English, “Who are you? Get out of my house, or I’ll call the police!” The leader of the group held up a key. “We’re not breaking in, are we? Isn’t this your key?” But only Derek and I had a key to this house. Before I could speak, they grinned menacingly and lunged at me. They snatched my baseball bat and started laying their hands all over me. My skin crawled. “Get off me!” Their touch made me nauseous; a wave of disgust brought tears to my eyes. They forced me onto a table, tearing at my clothes, taking countless photos with a camera. “Chloe was right, this woman is damn hot!” “Her man is so generous, he even gave us the keys.” Rage blinded me. I kicked out at the man in front of me with all my might. In their stunned faces, I snatched up the baseball bat and swung it at them. I fought back with all I had. They quickly reacted, trying every way to subdue me. In the end, those men lay groaning on the ground, clutching their heads. I stood huddled in a corner like a cornered animal, unwilling to lower the baseball bat. The next second, Chloe’s shrill scream pierced the air: “Ah! What happened to you all?!” Tears streaming down her face, she looked at Derek. “Derek, these are my husband’s friends! I just thought it was dangerous for Autumn to go home alone, so I asked them to protect her. Why did Autumn hit them like this?” “If my husband finds out, how will I face him?” It was the first time I realized Chloe wasn’t just a snarky manipulator, she was a total snake, too. Derek didn’t notice the dark bruises on my face from their punches. He looked at me with a cold, furious face. “Autumn, you’re so ungrateful!” Chloe nestled into his arms, her eyes fixed on me with venom. “Derek, I heard Autumn is terrified of snakes. My friend happens to have a bunch of non-venomous snakes. How about we put her in a room with them? Otherwise, I don’t think she’ll ever learn her lesson.” Derek’s eyes flickered with hesitation. Seeing this, Chloe immediately pulled away from him. “If you don’t want to, then fine. Don’t come looking for me anymore.” Derek agreed without a moment’s hesitation. He and Chloe’s friends locked me in the room, and he spoke to me in a low voice: “Autumn, don’t worry, these snakes aren’t venomous. But if you’re willing to apologize to Chloe and her friends, I can persuade Chloe to let you go.” I sneered, spitting on his face. “Derek, you’re truly blind!” The reason I was terrified of snakes was that once, while running an errand for Derek, I went to a boss’s hillside villa to find him and got bitten by a venomous snake. That time, I almost died. Since then, I’m absolutely terrified of snakes. And now Derek was using this to force me to apologize to Chloe. For the first time, I felt like everything I had done before was so foolish. Derek’s face turned beet red with rage, and he slammed the door shut. Half an hour later, they brought in two baskets of snakes and emptied them all into the room. The slithering sounds of the snakes on the floor made my skin crawl. In the darkness, I could almost see them flicking their tongues, moving closer to me. A cold, slithering sensation wrapped around my ankle. I struggled to break free, only for the snake to bite down hard. More and more snakes coiled around me. My calves, my thighs, my waist, my arms. I was covered in their cold, icy scales. Fear made me tremble uncontrollably. The pain felt like it was crushing my will. I crawled toward the door, but outside, I could hear Derek and Chloe’s joyful laughter. “Open… the door…” My voice made the laughter outside abruptly cease. A moment later, I heard Chloe’s triumphant voice: “Autumn, if you’re willing to kneel and beg for forgiveness, I’ll let you go, how about that?” The next second, she spoke in a voice only I could hear: “My friends took a lot of pictures of you just now, you know? What do you think would happen if I leaked those photos? Would Derek still want you?” Another snake bit my thigh. I had countless wounds all over my body. Blood was gushing from the wounds, and combined with the blood I’d already lost today, I was so dizzy I was about to pass out. I regretted it. I regretted not listening to my father, regretted marrying Derek. I was supposed to leave after tonight. I couldn’t accept being bitten to death here. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. I couldn’t even speak. Just before I lost consciousness, I heard a commotion erupt outside. The door in front of me burst open, and I fell into a familiar, warm embrace. “My sweet girl, Daddy’s late.” I opened my eyes and saw my father’s reddened eyes. The accompanying doctor immediately began treating me. After I had recovered slightly, my father carried me to the bed. Chloe and her friends, along with Derek, were all pinned to the ground by my father’s men. Seeing my bruised state, Derek’s face flashed with surprise and worry. He tried to rush over to me but was held down, unable to move. “Who are you people? Why are you breaking into my house? Let me go!” Seeing that I was finally okay, my father walked up to Derek and kicked him hard. Derek coughed up a mouthful of blood. Chloe shrieked in fright. “I never approved of Autumn marrying you. Seven years, and this is how you treat her?” Derek finally recognized who was standing before him. Because he said he liked ‘good girls,’ I had never told him about my family background. Seeing the group of men in black, even Derek, as foolish as he was, started to guess. “Father-in-law, you’ve misunderstood. Autumn was in the wrong, and I just wanted to teach her a lesson. I never expected it to be this serious.” My father scoffed, kicking Derek again with unrestrained fury. Before his foot could land, Chloe screamed, “Stop! You’re not allowed to touch him!” Derek’s eyes welled with a touch of emotion. “Chloe, don’t say anything, they might hurt you.” My father chuckled. One of his men brought a chair for my father to sit on, then tossed a phone onto the ground in front of Derek. On the video, Chloe was embracing her husband, whispering sweet nothings. “Don’t worry, honey. Derek is such an idiot; all I have to do is lift a finger, and he’ll give me all his money. Once we get the cash, we’ll run away and live happily ever after.” Chloe’s voice echoed in the room, replaced by her panicked explanations. “No, it’s not! Derek, don’t listen to them, the video is fake!” Derek stared intently at the video, then looked at Chloe with a betrayed expression. “You’ve been lying to me all along!” Chloe shook her head fearfully. “I, I haven’t, Derek. Don’t you believe me?” Derek sneered, watching as my father’s men retrieved the photos they had taken of me from the men’s phones. Seeing those pictures, Derek was completely consumed by regret. Looking at my body, covered in snake bites, he fell to his knees, remorseful. “Autumn, it’s all my fault. I just lost my mind for a moment.” He crawled towards my bed, only to be kicked to the ground by one of my father’s men. “Autumn, I want to see you.” I sat up with the doctor’s help, calmly looking at Derek at the foot of the bed. “Derek, do you want to see how much you and your friends have hurt me?” Derek frantically shook his head. “No, Autumn. I’m just worried about you.” His words made me laugh. Worried about me. If he hadn’t discovered Chloe’s true colors, would he be regretting it now? How laughable. My father sat beside my bed, stroking my hair. “Autumn, Dad’s here to back you up. Do whatever you want.” My heart warmed, and when I looked at Derek, only coldness remained in my eyes. “Derek, I’ll deal with our business later.” With a glance from me, one of my father’s men dragged Chloe forward. Chloe was trembling with fear. “Autumn, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. Please, let me go.” I couldn’t be bothered to waste words on her. I simply instructed my father’s man, “Do to her exactly what she did to me.” Chloe, terrified, rushed towards the door but was caught and thrown back into the midst of her friends. “She’s all yours. You know what to do.” Immediately, the men exchanged glances, and their hands reached for Chloe. Chloe screamed in horror. “Don’t touch me! Get your filthy hands off me! Ah!” Gradually, her screams turned to whimpers, then back to gut-wrenching wails. Two hours later, Chloe was half-dead. My father had the captured snakes placed in the bathroom, then ordered his men to throw Chloe in. Hearing this, Chloe desperately fell to her knees, begging for mercy, gathering all her strength to kowtow to me again and again: “No, I was wrong, I really was wrong! Please, spare me, please spare me!” Seeing that begging was useless, she hugged Derek’s leg, pleading: “Derek, save me! Didn’t you say you loved me the most? Save me!” “I did all this for you! You go instead of me, okay?” Derek looked at Chloe like that, and a flicker of disgust crossed his face. He kicked Chloe away, then personally grabbed her hair and threw her into the snake-filled bathroom. The door slammed shut, and Chloe’s heart-wrenching screams echoed from within. The sounds quickly faded. I didn’t know if Chloe was dead or alive. As for her friends, my father’s men had already broken their arms and thrown them out, half-dead. After all that was done, I finally closed my eyes with a satisfied sigh. Derek was still at the foot of my bed, pleading: “Autumn, are you in a lot of pain? Can I take a look?” Seeing his fake concern, I said calmly, “Derek, we’re getting a divorce.” The word “divorce” hit Derek like a shock. He instinctively cried out, “No! I won’t divorce you! Autumn, I know I was wrong. I promise, I’ll treat you well from now on. Please, let’s not get a divorce, okay?” … Seeing me close my eyes and say nothing, he turned and knelt before my father: “Father-in-law, I truly know I was wrong. Please, help me convince Autumn, okay? We have seven years of history; we can’t just end it like this.” My father remained silent, waiting for my decision. I carefully sat up in a wheelchair with the doctor’s assistance. Seeing my movements, Derek’s eyes filled with tears of regret and heartbreak. He suddenly began slapping himself repeatedly on both sides of his face. “It’s all my fault, all my fault! Autumn, I was wrong. Hit me, please, hit me!” Too little, too late, Derek. I looked at one of my father’s men, who placed a prepared divorce agreement in front of Derek. “Sign it.” A pen was forced into his hand, but Derek refused to sign it, fighting with all his might. My father, enraged, ordered his men to drag Derek aside for “education.” But even as he was beaten until he spat blood, Derek still wouldn’t sign. “Autumn, you’re my wife. I… I won’t divorce you! Please, just give me one more chance, okay?” As soon as he finished speaking, several of my father’s men held him down, grabbing his hand and forcing him to write his name on the divorce agreement. I kept one copy and gave him the other. Staring at the divorce agreement, Derek suddenly broke down. He lay on the ground, clutching the papers to his chest, crying uncontrollably. As I was pushed away in the wheelchair, he lunged, grabbing a wheel. “Autumn, don’t leave…” The doctor didn’t stop, continuing to push me forward. Derek’s hand was crushed under the wheel, and he sweat profusely from the pain. His leg was broken, but enduring the pain, he still crawled after me. “Don’t leave…” My father glanced at me worriedly, as if afraid I would soften. I looked up at him with a reassuring smile: “Dad, when I’ve made up my mind, I don’t look back.” Seven years of history, lost is lost. Trash isn’t worth picking up. I followed my father back home. The journey back to my hometown, a city just a few hundred miles away, was a path I hadn’t set foot on for seven years, all for that ridiculous love. Looking at the gray hairs at my father’s temples, a wave of deep guilt washed over me. My father patted my shoulder. “Autumn, I never blamed you.” The tears I had held back for so long finally burst forth. I buried my face in my father’s embrace, sobbing. Crying for my foolishness, for my naivety, for finally escaping that absurd marriage. After returning home, my father hired the best doctors in the world to treat me, and the scars on my body slowly faded. Once I recovered, I began to take over my father’s businesses. Though my father was once a powerful figure in the underworld, he had begun transitioning to legitimate business years ago. “Autumn, I don’t want you to come back and live a life of fear like I did.” Remembering my father’s words, a warmth spread through my heart. Perhaps I was lost in thought, because I accidentally twisted my ankle. Just as I was about to fall, Lucas quickly caught me. Lucas was more than just my father’s trusted butler; he was his right-hand man, and my father had assigned him to be by my side after I returned. Lucas was mature and handsome; I understood my father’s intentions perfectly. I was about to say thank you when I saw Derek running towards me, holding a bouquet of flowers. “Who are you?!” Derek pointed at Lucas and demanded. I hadn’t expected him to follow me here. Seeing the jealousy in his eyes, I deliberately leaned into Lucas’s embrace. “Isn’t it obvious?” Derek’s eyes filled with hurt. “Autumn, I know you’re still mad at me, but don’t just pick up a random man to spite me. Come here.” Derek’s words made me laugh in anger. “Who do you think you are? And Derek, we’re divorced. Who I’m with is none of your damn business, is it?” Derek’s face turned ashen at my words. He held out the red roses he was carrying. “Autumn, I know what you’re mad about. Trust me, Chloe and I are really just like siblings. There’s nothing going on between us.” “Nothing?” I scoffed, pulling out the photos Chloe had sent me and showing them to Derek. “This is your ‘nothing’? Derek, I never realized how truly disgusting you are.” Derek’s lips trembled. Faced with undeniable evidence, he was speechless, his face pale as he pleaded with me: “Autumn, I just lost my mind for a moment, she seduced me. My heart has always been with you. Didn’t you used to love red roses the most? I specially picked the most…” He didn’t finish his sentence. I took the roses from his hand and tossed them directly into a nearby trash can. “Derek, you’re just like these red roses now. To me, you’re nothing but trash.” I watched his face crumble, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction. I guess I was never a ‘good girl’ anyway. “I don’t believe it!” Behind me, Derek’s heartbroken roar ripped through the air: “Were seven years of love all fake?! Autumn, I don’t believe you don’t love me anymore!” He screamed, completely unconcerned about his image, drawing curious stares from passersby. This utterly unhinged display bore no resemblance to the powerful businessman I once knew. “Autumn, I’ll keep begging you until you change your mind! I won’t give up on you! You can only ever be mine!” I heard some young girls nearby whispering enviously. I clenched my fist, about to step forward, but Lucas was quicker. He landed a punch directly on Derek’s face. “She said she doesn’t want to see you anymore. Don’t you understand?” Derek crumpled to the ground like a broken rag, utterly defenseless. He clutched his swollen face, looking at me with pathetic hope. “Autumn, I’m hurting so much.” I smiled. Did he really think I would rush over to comfort him, to worry about him, like I used to when he got hurt? I looped my arm through Lucas’s and said, “Well done. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.” Then, Lucas and I got into the Maybach. Leaving Derek sitting there, stunned, regretful, and heartbroken. He clutched his face, sobbing loudly, oblivious to the people passing by. He didn’t understand. Why did Autumn, who had loved him so much, suddenly stop loving him? He had only made a mistake any man could make, right? He had already repented, so why wouldn’t she forgive him? He sprawled on the ground like a drunkard. Autumn’s words had torn his body in half, the pain unbearable. After that day, Derek never gave up. Every day, he came up with new ways to send me gifts. I simply instructed my butler to throw all of them in the trash. Until one day, he appeared before me, his hands red and raw, holding a bowl of soup. “Autumn, didn’t you say you loved my homemade soup the most? You’re not feeling well, please have some.” His pleading eyes were clear to me. I raised my hand. The diamond ring on my finger stung Derek’s eyes. “Don’t ever come looking for me again. I’m getting married.” Lucas was incredibly good to me. At the very least, he knew how to respect me, how to care for me, making me feel a tenderness I hadn’t experienced in years. I wasn’t the kind of person who, after being hurt by one relationship, would refuse to believe in love again. So, faced with his sincerity, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Seeing the engagement ring on my finger, Derek completely panicked. His eyes red-rimmed, he knelt before me. “Autumn, you loved me the most! How can you marry someone else?” “Love? Don’t you think it’s hilarious hearing that word come from your mouth?” I ignored his pale face and said calmly. When I had loved him so much, he still betrayed me so easily for Chloe. So he was the last person who had the right to talk about love. Just then, Lucas drove the car up. He ignored Derek, who was still kneeling on the ground, and smiled as he opened the car door for me. Today was the day we were taking our wedding photos. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Derek chasing after the car, eventually stumbling and falling to the ground, like a pathetic, abandoned stray.

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My boyfriend secretly took annual leave and didn’t tell me. He hid it from me, traveling for seven days with his female ‘best friend.’ After the trip, they were still clinging to each other, unwilling to part ways. They were wrapped in an embrace right outside my apartment building. His female ‘bestie’ quickly pecked him on the cheek. Her voice, sickeningly sweet and soft, a syrupy whisper. “You’ve served this queen well this week. Consider this your reward.” Liam Miller’s gaze was light and wild, but when he looked up, he accidentally met my eyes. I smirked, walking forward to fling my keys at Liam. “What, not going to continue? Go on up. I’ll leave the bed free for you two.” The playful smile vanished from Liam’s face. His pale skin instantly flushed crimson. It was around eight or nine in the evening, prime time for people to be out in the neighborhood park. My sarcasm had already drawn quite a crowd. “Chloe, don’t overthink this. Serena’s just like that, we’re nothing…” Serena Davis practically stumbled out of Liam’s embrace, giving his shoulder a mock punch. Her tone was overly casual, almost too carefree. “Chloe, really, don’t misunderstand. We’re just best buddies. I’m just used to it, I couldn’t help it.” Used to it? I didn’t get angry; instead, I laughed. Liam and I had been together for five years. What kind of habit was that hard to break? Liam was completely under Serena’s spell. Seeing her feigned guilty expression, he playfully reached out to pinch her cheek. I felt like nothing more than an irrelevant prop in their disgusting little flirt show. Just another pawn in their twisted game. “Oh, I’m not overthinking. I just think you two have such an amazing relationship. Your ‘brotherly’ bond truly moves me.” “Go on, keep hugging! What’s the fun if only I know? Let everyone see how you ‘besties’ normally interact. Just hugging isn’t enough, is it? Kiss again! Besties are supposed to be devoted to each other, right?” The atmosphere around us instantly froze. Liam and Serena wiped the playful smiles from their faces. The stares from onlookers were like daggers piercing right through us. Even the kids, who had been playing, clung to their parents, seemingly waiting for the drama to unfold. Serena’s eyes instantly welled up, her voice thick with a sob. “Chloe, what do you mean? You’re being so disrespectful.” Liam’s face was awful. He took a step towards me, glaring down. “All the good mood I built up on the trip, you just ruined it. I even brought you a gift, but I didn’t expect you to make such a big deal out of nothing the moment you saw me. Guess I was just deluding myself.” He walked towards me, not out of concern, but to shield Serena behind him. His tone was full of contempt and displeasure, aggressive and demanding. In the past, I would have burst into tears, begging him, emphasizing how much I loved him, panicked and speaking without thinking. But now, I suddenly felt disgusted. I even felt a little annoyed at myself for being so tongue-tied, only able to spit out such toothless insults. My eyes were dry and aching. I looked past Liam to gaze at that simpering ‘best friend’ behind him. I’d known Liam for almost seven years. I always knew he had a group of close friends he’d grown up with. But I never expected his relationship with Serena to be this deep. They drank from the same cup, ate from the same bowl. They went to the movies together, went hiking and camping together. I’d questioned him, showed my vulnerability, thrown tantrums, cried. In the end, all I got was their perfectly synchronized reply: “We’ve always been like this since we were kids. It’s just habit.” “We’re just best friends. You’re too sensitive.” When Liam pursued me, he told me I was the only woman he’d ever love. Little did I know that Serena, who called herself his “buddy,” had already infiltrated every aspect of Liam’s life. Because of her difficult childhood, Serena always got more attention from Liam. “Serena’s just a little girl, who never knew a shred of parental love. It’s only right for me to look out for her, it’s a good deed.” Right, Serena grew up without parental love. So what about me? Someone who clawed her way out of an orphanage, fighting for every single step just to get to him? Guess I was just unlucky. Every time I got jealous, he interpreted it as unreasonable fussing. Every time I questioned him, he saw it as distrust. I couldn’t say anything bad about Serena, because she was his “good friend.” I had no right to interfere with his friendships, nor could I question how they interacted. Liam would occasionally give me some sweet words, saying that after we got married and had our own little family, Serena would keep her distance. She’d also get married, and we’d all remain good friends. But the old me, completely blinded by love, was always fooled by his sweet words and empty promises. For our future, I worked tirelessly, overtime until I was exhausted, just so we could get married sooner. Yet, he and Serena still refused to change their ways, hiding behind the label of ‘friendship,’ doing every single ambiguous, flirty thing imaginable. 0

The late autumn wind felt chilling, making my head spin and my thoughts scatter. Liam reached out, trying to pat my shoulder as if to comfort me. “That’s enough. Go back and cool down.” I instinctively recoiled. “Yes, that’s enough. It’s time to end this.” I sniffled, looking past Liam at Serena behind him. The feigned victimhood was gone from her face. Her lips were curled into a slight, almost triumphant smile. I turned my face away, suppressing a wave of nausea. “Liam, let’s break up.” Liam grabbed my arm, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Chloe, don’t be so dramatic. I finally got a chance to relax and clear my head. Do you really have to upset me like this?” “You just met my mom two weeks ago. Even though she wasn’t completely happy with you, I already convinced her to agree to our marriage.” Liam wanted to say more, but I had no patience left to listen. My mind felt tangled, as if thick, suffocating threads were winding around my brain, leaving me dizzy, numb, and unable to think. I yanked my hand free and walked straight towards the elevator. Liam roared at my retreating back, clearly annoyed: “Go home and think about this properly!” At the same time, Serena’s sickeningly sweet voice cooed. “It’s all my fault. I upset Chloe again. I’m so sorry, buddy, I really didn’t mean to…” The elevator doors reflected their figures. The moment I turned, they were clinging to each other again. “You didn’t do anything wrong. She’s just overreacting.” “Don’t cry. Come on, I’ll take you to get something you love to eat.” I stared blankly as the elevator numbers changed, my heart feeling like it was stuffed with a sodden ball of cotton, making it hard to breathe. I don’t know when it started, but our sweet moments had been replaced by endless arguments. Nine times out of ten, it was because of Serena. Abandoned as a child, I lacked security. I always bowed my head to Liam, again and again. It was my love that made him so complacent, taking advantage of every inch I gave. I was stupid enough to think that if I just waited, Liam would eventually settle down and build a proper life with me. 0

I sluggishly entered the password for our apartment—it was Liam’s and my anniversary. The blinding glow of first love always makes you lose your mind. Seven years ago, I finally managed to get into college on my own merit. I fell for Liam, the freshman representative, at first sight. He exuded an elegant, gentle, and friendly aura. Standing tall at six feet, he commanded everyone’s attention the moment he walked in. A deep-seated insecurity that had clung to me like a shadow since childhood made me hide that affection deep inside. So when Liam confessed his feelings to me, I felt as if my suffering had finally ended, as if the gods had blessed me. From that moment on, I became Liam’s shadow. I transferred to his major, joined the same company as him, worked in the same department, and collaborated on projects. I opened the apartment door. Every corner showed traces of my careful decorating. Even though this was a complimentary apartment from the company for Liam and me, I treated it like our own little home. Last month, I met Liam’s mother. She had quite a few complaints about my background. When I returned from the restroom, I overheard her telling Liam outside the private room: “Those who bring bad luck aren’t welcome in a blessed home.” My heart sank. To marry Liam, I told him I didn’t need a dowry or any expensive wedding jewelry. Liam seemed a little guilty and bought me a gold ring, weighing only about two grams. By the time it reached my hand, it was already slightly bent out of shape, almost as if it had been worn by someone else. “I told them it wasn’t Serena’s size, but she insisted she’d never worn a gold ring and wanted to try it on.” “It’s fine, it’s not that noticeable once it’s on.” I let him slide the ring onto my ring finger. It was a little loose. My heart, at that moment, felt loose too. “Once I save enough money for the down payment, I’ll get you the proper wedding jewelry.” I forgave him again. A few days later, I saw a post Serena put on Ins— A selfie, and a photo of a necklace. *“My gold addiction kicked in. Liam said he wanted to get me some. That ring was too light, so I said no! So happy with this new necklace~”* The more I remembered, the more my heart ached. Thank goodness I finally woke up before the wedding. I’m so tired. I don’t want to love you anymore, Liam. 0

I started packing my clothes, wanting to move out. To save money for a house with Liam, I usually skimped on food and clothes, so I didn’t have many belongings. I only wore a few outfits regularly. I walked to the bathroom to pack my toiletries. Opening the door, I saw a black lace bra hanging conspicuously on the hook. I froze in the bathroom doorway, the damp mist inside choking my nose and mouth, making it hard to breathe. Liam came back then. I turned to face him, my nose stinging. He casually placed the things in his hand on the table and started taking off his clothes. A bowl of dessert—from that shop Serena loved, the one she always posted about on Ins. “I bought you something to eat, chestnut sweet soup. The owner said it’s a new autumn special.” I didn’t reply. My brain buzzed, and then the frantic drumming of my heart drowned out all other sensations. The feeling of my blood rushing to my head was terrible. I was allergic to chestnuts. Liam belatedly noticed my abnormal stillness. He walked towards me with a hint of helplessness, his tone softening considerably. “I sent Serena away so I could come back to you sooner. And I even brought you something delicious. Not mad anymore, right?” “If you keep this up, I’ll actually get mad.” He propped his hand against the doorframe, leaning in to kiss me. He always did this. Whenever I was angry or upset, he’d just try to kiss and hug me, hoping to sweep everything under the rug. After the kiss, he’d rub his nose against mine, looking into my eyes with tender affection. My anger would just melt away, succumbing to the warmth of the moment. But now, I forcefully pushed the bathroom door open, pointed at the black lingerie inside, and demanded in a low voice. “What is that?” He paused, then straightened up and explained. “It poured rain on the way back, and Serena got soaked, so she came in to borrow the bathroom and take a shower.” He habitually added, his tone the usual dismissive command: “You put it away for her. I’ll take it to her tomorrow.” “Oh, and when you make breakfast tomorrow morning, could you brew some ginger tea? She got rained on today, she’s probably not feeling well.” Liam was recently promoted to team leader. He was busy with work and often forgot to eat. To take care of his health, I woke up an hour early every day to prepare his breakfast and lunch bento. He was a picky eater and didn’t like vegetables or fruits, so I changed up the dishes to ensure he ate a balanced diet. And now he wanted me to take care of Serena too? Ha. He sure knew how to use me—a free, dutiful nanny. Sure enough, whoever gave their heart was the loser. I suddenly let out a cold laugh, wiping my eyes. I took off the ring on my finger, placed it on the nightstand, and pointed at it as I told Liam: “Here’s your ring back.” Liam looked confused: “What do you mean?” I didn’t reply, turning to continue packing my luggage. Liam finally saw the suitcase on the floor. His voice became agitated as he rushed forward and grabbed my arm. “Chloe, how long are you going to keep this up? I’m already trying to be nice.” His grip on my hand was tight, my skin turning faintly red. The old me would always fear Liam like this, on the verge of losing control. I’d immediately wonder if I’d gone too far, making everyone unhappy. But now, why should I care about him anymore? I stopped my internal struggle, forcefully pulled my hand free, closed the suitcase, and walked towards the door. “You’re ridiculous!” “You’re overreacting!” “If you leave, don’t come back!” He cursed loudly from the center of the room, but his words went in one ear and out the other. While waiting for the elevator, I even heard Liam forcefully open and slam the door. It seemed he wanted to see if I was truly determined to leave. Since I had decided to stand up for myself, I wouldn’t look back at him again. Liam, I’m truly letting you go. Stepping out of the apartment complex, the evening breeze whistled past. I reflexively hunched into my clothes, the dizzying sensation in my head becoming even more pronounced. I raised my hand to my forehead, feeling a distinct warmth. I squatted by the roadside, trying to hail a cab to a hotel, but my hands were shaking, stiffly unable to open my phone screen. A Mercedes pulled up in front of me. A burly man got out of the car, scaring me so much that I quickly hid behind my suitcase. “Chloe?” A gentle voice spoke, sounding kind. I looked up at him. He walked towards me, silhouetted against the light. In a haze, I thought I recognized him. But before I could reply, I collapsed.

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I loved Asher for a decade. But he was the one who destroyed my life. I was three weeks pregnant when Asher dragged me onto the operating table. He was my husband, yet here he was, disregarding my life and our baby’s, demanding I undergo a bone marrow transplant to save Willow. “Mr. Asher, Ms. Scarlett is pregnant. Do you still wish to proceed with the surgery?” I heard the lead surgeon ask repeatedly before the procedure. The impeccably dressed, strikingly handsome man leaned over me, his gaze devoid of any tenderness. Through my tear-filled eyes, I saw his thin lips part, each word a dagger twisting in my heart. “Proceed with the surgery!” In that moment, I heard my heart shatter into a million pieces. “Hahaha, hahaha…” In the operating room, where the silence was deafening, my laughter was both desperate and desolate. Someone yanked me from the hospital bed. “If you’re not dead, get up!” “Mr. Asher, if you have something to say, just say it.” He scoffed, the disgust in his eyes overflowing. “Don’t put on an act in front of me. It’s sickening.” With that, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. “You’d better behave until Willow wakes up.” I clawed at the bedsheets with all my strength. “Get lost!” He loomed over me, grabbing my throat, pinning me against the wall. “Scarlett, I advise you to face reality. Before, you were the precious jewel I held in my palm, but now…” “You’re nothing but trash.” Then, without a shred of pity, he yanked my arm and dragged me out of the hospital room. All the way, I felt like a puppet, my strings manipulated by an unseen hand, powerless against him. He forcibly dragged me to a tombstone. “Kneel!” he commanded coldly. The biting autumn wind tangled my long hair around my face. I guessed that in that moment, I must have looked breathtakingly beautiful. Because he stared at me for several long seconds. Ever since he became convinced that I had harmed Grandpa, he hadn’t truly looked at me. But he quickly regained his composure, pressing me forcefully to the ground. I saw a name carved on the tombstone: Alexander Asher. This was the name we had found together, leafing through dictionaries, for our future son. My heart ached, and I was about to speak when I heard his voice above me, “This is my child with Willow, Scarlett. If you hadn’t been so vicious and caused her miscarriage, I would be a father by now.” “What did you say? Your child with Willow?” I stared at him in disbelief, an agonizing pain ripping through my chest. “Scarlett, don’t push your luck,” he clenched his fists, as if trying to restrain himself. “You owe him an apology!” I owe no one! The late autumn wind raged, chilling me to the bone, and hurting me to the core. Prostrate on the cold concrete ground, it took me a long time to find the strength to speak. “Asher, listen to me. This Scarlett only kneels before heaven, earth, and her parents. No one else is worthy!” He looked down at me, all the past tenderness replaced by bitter hatred. “Scarlett, don’t make me say uglier things.” The silence around us was suffocating. After a long moment, his voice, cold as frost, spoke again. “Grandpa’s life was saved by Willow. Because of that, she can never stand on a stage again. For that alone, my devotion to her is absolute, until death.” I closed my eyes in anguish. The tears I had held back for so long cascaded down my face the moment I bowed my head. I didn’t cry when my hair was burnt off in the fire, nor when I was pregnant and forced into a cold operating room to have my bone marrow extracted, which led to a miscarriage. But in this moment, tears streamed down my face like a relentless storm. There truly is a pain that cannot be put into words.

A gnawing stomach ache woke me up. Opening my eyes, I saw a blood bag hanging above me, and the small nurse’s guilty explanation. “I’m sorry, Ms. Scarlett, Ms. Willow urgently needs a blood transfusion. There’s no matching blood type in the blood bank, so Mr. Asher ordered…” Ordered them to draw my blood! Heh. I frowned, glancing at the needle in my arm, then nonchalantly closed my eyes. Out of sight, out of mind! Let them do whatever they wanted. I swallowed a few stomach pills with cold water and drifted back to sleep. When I woke again, I didn’t know how much time had passed, only that the sky was a dull gray, even gloomier than my mood. I struggled to get up, wanting to go to the bathroom, but despite all my effort, I couldn’t straighten myself. Finally, Martha, the cleaning lady, saw me and helped me. “Dear, you’re so weak. Why don’t you call your family to come and take care of you?” Family? The only person I could call family, my husband, had abandoned me. Where did I have family now? The thought brought a fresh wave of sadness. I had originally planned to tell him the happy news of my pregnancy when he returned from overseas, so our family could be happy and together forever. But instead, what awaited me was such devastating news. *Scarlett, let’s get a divorce!* “Why?” I couldn’t accept it. “If there’s no love, we separate. You were the one who said it.” He slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his tone indifferent. My eyes welled up, but I forced a smile, maintaining my last shred of dignity. “Yes, I said it.” “I’ll have someone send over the divorce papers. Remember to sign them.” Then, he stood up and left. I stared at his retreating back, my heart utterly broken. In that moment, I despairingly believed that he truly didn’t love me anymore, which was why he was so cruel. Later, I realized things were far more complicated than I had imagined. And the mastermind behind all of it was lying in a hospital bed, playing the pitiful role of a damsel in distress saved by a hero. Who would believe me if I said she framed me? Even Grandpa, the only one who could prove my innocence, had become a vegetable, unable to speak a single word. Everything was so coincidental, it was terrifying to think about. Only Asher, however, believed it without a doubt. He was convinced that I was the culprit who caused Grandpa to become a vegetable! He hated me to the core! But fortunately, he hadn’t completely lost his humanity. These past few days, he would send a nurse to bring me food every day. Sometimes it was chicken soup, sometimes my favorite lotus seed porridge, or something else. My heart swelled with a foolish hope, thinking he had uncovered the truth and changed his mind. But then I overheard him, telling the nurse, “Make sure you keep a close eye on her. Until Willow is out of danger, I need to ensure she’s alive.” So that was it! My existence, to him, was nothing more than a tool. I lay in the hospital for twenty days straight. My body didn’t improve at all; instead, I grew weaker. It turned out Willow was experiencing severe rejection after the bone marrow transplant, so I was forced to become her personal blood bank. In Asher’s words: fresh blood would be more beneficial for his precious Willow’s recovery. Grandpa was a vegetable, and Willow was in the ICU. Asher’s temper was as volatile as it could get. Before, when I rescued Grandpa from the fire, my hair had accidentally been burned off, damaging the follicles. Later, I finally found a specialist who patiently treated me until my hair grew back. All because Asher said he liked me with long, flowing hair. But now, my hair was falling out in handfuls, looking like dull, withered grass. I was terribly thin, a shadow of my former self. Finally, after one transfusion after another, the doctor couldn’t help but warn him, “Mr. Asher, if this continues, Ms. Scarlett’s life will be in danger. Don’t you think…?” But all I heard was Asher’s cold reply, “Her life doesn’t matter!” All he cared about was Willow. Tears silently slipped from the corners of my eyes. In the quiet hospital room, I buried my head in the blankets and sobbed silently. When you are favored, you always act without fear. I would fuss, and he would laugh. But once the love died, he could turn away instantly, while I was trapped in memories, unable to move forward. …A month later, Willow’s condition finally stabilized, and I got a temporary reprieve. That afternoon, several severely injured car accident victims arrived at the hospital. The entire staff was swamped. I took advantage of the chaos, secretly changed into a cleaning lady’s uniform, and slipped out. I stood on the street in late autumn, gazing up at the brilliant blue sky. In my hazy memory, everything seemed unchanged, yet everything had changed. I couldn’t stop the surge of grief. Under the dim streetlights, I crouched in a deserted alley, weeping uncontrollably. It was that day I saw an old classmate I hadn’t seen in ages – Caleb Sterling. “You’re awake?” A deep, magnetic baritone. I stared blankly at him, unable to speak for a long moment. “What, don’t you recognize me?” He held a cup with a straw to my lips. After I took a few sips, he lowered the cup, smiling, and extended his hand. “Scarlett, long time no see!” “Long time no see!” I tried to make my voice sound normal. Five years ago, I chose Asher over Caleb. The day after Caleb heard the news, he processed his paperwork to go abroad and never returned. I thought we would never see each other again. I never expected that five years later, we would meet again in this way. Suddenly, past memories flooded my mind, churning my insides with a sickening feeling. After much thought, I simply managed a small smile. “Caleb, welcome back.” Caleb smiled too. “I’m waiting for you to throw me a welcome party!” “In my current state…” “It’s okay, I’ll wait for you!” He wore gold-rimmed glasses, and when he smiled, his perfectly white teeth added to his scholarly charm. He slowly merged with the image of the young man in my memory. *Scarlett, I like you!* *Three years or five years, I’ll wait for you.* That afternoon, with dappled tree shadows, the wind blew my hair, brushing his face. The young man in white, looking at me, had eyes full of starlight. I smiled brightly at him, yet spoke the cruelest words, “I’m sorry, Caleb, the person I like is Asher.”

I still couldn’t escape. Because, no sooner had Caleb left, than two men in black suits and sunglasses dragged me into a car. “Meeting someone right under my nose, Scarlett, you’ve really grown audacious!” In the extended limousine, Asher squeezed my chin with one hand, making tears well up in my eyes from the pain. “For the sake of the love we once shared, let me go!” I almost pleaded. “Love we once shared?” He sounded as if he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “Scarlett, after all these years, you’re still so delusional!” “What do you mean?” I knew he wanted to tear me apart limb by limb, to make me suffer a slow, agonizing death. But I didn’t blame him. “I never loved you!” His thin lips parted, slowly spitting out the words. It felt like a lightning bolt had struck me, leaving me utterly shaken and about to collapse. “So, the one you’ve always loved is Willow?” Despite the immense humiliation, I couldn’t help but ask. His narrow, phoenix-like eyes stared at me. “What do you think?” *What do you think?* In that moment, my world imploded. I was taken back to Deerwood Manor. It was ironic, really. This manor, Asher had built it with his own hands for me. In the throes of our passionate love, he jokingly called it our “love nest.” Now, it felt more like an exquisite cage. It trapped me, but not necessarily him. “Quick, tell me, who was that man?” The moment we entered, Asher violently threw me onto the bed. My forehead hit the headboard, and I immediately felt blood seeping out. But before I could even try to deal with it, he grabbed my throat and pinned me against the wall. “Tell me, who was that man?” “If you don’t love me, why bother?” I looked at him. Blood still flowed freely, down my face, my neck… finally blossoming into crimson stains on the pristine white bedsheets. My brows were so tightly furrowed with pain that I knew I must look hideous. But he stared at me, unblinking, his gaze so complex that for a second I almost thought he was worried about me. “Do you think I can’t find out?” I stayed silent, my face flushed, slowly struggling for breath. He sneered, not only refusing to let go, but tearing off the clothing I had used to cover myself. “Scarlett, we’ve known each other for so many years, and I never knew you could be so cheap.” I still looked at him. I watched him talking to himself, suddenly bursting into a furious rage. With a ripping sound, he stripped the clothes from my body, then bound my hands and feet. Rescued from the brink of suffocation, I retorted mockingly, “Oh, so now you don’t find me dirty anymore? Mr. Asher is really desperate, isn’t he!” *Slap!* One blow, and half my face went numb. He stood over me, looking down, and every word he spoke sent chills down my spine. “Scarlett, I’m dragging you to hell with me!” Two hours later, he was done with me, sated and uncaring. He pulled up his pants and slammed the door shut, leaving without a backward glance. I lay there like a dead fish, feeling nothing but profound humiliation. On the bedroom wall, our framed wedding photo still hung. He had his arm around me, and I leaned on his shoulder, smiling as if we were a match made in heaven. But it was all a cruel irony. The next day, I received an anonymous email. I opened it, and the content nearly made me faint. “Scarlett, why do you think he married you? Do you think your parents’ car crash was merely an accident? Scarlett, you fool, stop being so delusional. Asher has always loved Willow, from the very beginning.” Just a few lines, but they hit me like a lightning bolt, snapping me awake. I thought everything he had said was just empty words, spoken in anger. But it was all true. Thinking back to how my parents both died in a car crash, forcing me to transfer all the shares of our family company to my name, I couldn’t help but feel a chilling dread. So, that was it. That was his true motive. And I, a complete fool, had thought he loved me! Scarlett, how could you be so stupid! I looked at the family photo in my wallet, wanting nothing more than to bash my head against the wall and die. But I couldn’t.

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My first day at the new job. I rode to the company in Caleb’s car. After getting out, I handed him a portion of the breakfast Mom had made. But as soon as I settled into my cubicle, my brother’s assistant called, her voice sharp and accusatory. “How can an intern like you be so shameless, trying to hit on men the minute you walk in?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Caleb wasn’t my biological brother, but he was Mom and Dad’s adopted son. Why would I ever try to seduce him? Fresh out of college, I started my internship at our family’s branch company. Caleb Sterling happened to work there, and he’d offered to drive me on my first day. I never expected it to turn into such a ridiculous misunderstanding. Listening to the shrill scolding over the phone, I recognized her. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that voice – Caleb’s assistant. Caleb had chattered away on the phone with her in front of me more than once. He often talked about how sweet and innocent his little assistant was, calling her an angel. He even listed a bunch of her adorable blunders. Like how she always accidentally mixed up the meeting documents. Or how she’d offer customers milky tea instead of actual tea. And how, when booking travel for clients, she’d book them economy class but herself first class… I felt it was inappropriate and once asked Caleb: “If that’s the case, why don’t you just fire her?” “We should give ordinary people more chances. She works hard, she’s kind, she’s just a little scatterbrained.” Caleb’s answer was perfectly reasonable to him. I didn’t say anything else. She was just an assistant, what kind of trouble could she really cause? The woman on the phone was bossy and rude, and I couldn’t help but frown. Seeing my silence, Willow Davis’s arrogance grew. “Must be great having a man drive you to work, carrying your bag, huh?” “How can you be so shameless? We’re both women, so don’t pull your fake innocent act with me, it won’t work!” “Do you know how busy Caleb is as the General Manager? How dare you waste his time making him pick you up?” My face burned red. It was just a quick ride since he was going that way anyway. Was it really that big of a deal? But seeing how Caleb always defended Willow in his words, it seemed like they were either flirting or already dating. I could somewhat understand her possessiveness over her boyfriend. “He’s my brother,” I explained. I thought that would make Willow change her tone. Instead, her words became even more venomous. “Oh, so you’re the clingy pest they warned me about. Seducing your own brother at such a young age? You’re truly disgusting.” Her insults completely stunned me. How could such an unreasonable person be the kind, scatterbrained angel Caleb talked about? A vein throbed on my forehead, but I still patiently tried to explain: “Don’t say such terrible things. We grew up together. Is it really too much for my brother to drive me on my first day of work?” “Shut up! How can you be so ill-mannered? Didn’t your parents teach you about the separation between men and women? Even if you’re his sister, you should know better!” Willow’s voice was terrifyingly cold. “I’ve seen plenty of manipulative, backstabbing women like you. You even compete with other women at home, seducing your own dad and brother—” Those words were truly disgusting. Even with my generally good temper, I couldn’t take it anymore. My face darkened: “Where did you come from, you psycho? Are you saying this because you do such things at home?” “Fine, you bitch, just you wait. I won’t let you off easy.” Willow hung up after that. I didn’t take it seriously. I sent the recording of the call to Caleb. I figured he would handle it. Caleb’s message came back quickly. He seemed panicked: “I’m so sorry, Skylar. Your sister-in-law is just childish, and very possessive of me, but she doesn’t mean any harm.” “I’ve already talked to her. I promise this won’t happen again.” “Next time we meet, I’ll make her apologize properly to you, okay?” Caleb was my brother, the one I’d grown up with. Since he was humbling himself like that, I found it hard to stay angry. I didn’t want to make things difficult for him, so I agreed to reconcile with Willow.

I thought my forbearance would lead to a graceful end to this matter. Instead, the next day, Willow tagged me in the company chat. In a group of nearly five hundred people, she unleashed her fury on me. “You rotten snake, when I curse you, just take it! How dare you tattle to my boyfriend?!” “Brother, brother, endlessly! Are you a broken record? Complaining non-stop.” “Not only did you make him drive you to work, but you dared to sit in the front passenger seat? Don’t you know the front passenger seat is reserved for *me*, his girlfriend? How can you be so shameless?” She even attached a few pictures. The photos showed her using a high-pressure washer to clean the front passenger seat. Willow didn’t forget to add: “Disgusting, that seat reeked of cheapness.” I stared at those messages, my mind completely blank. I sat in the front passenger seat only because I get severe motion sickness. And I didn’t know Caleb had a girlfriend at the time. Even if he did, I didn’t think sitting in my brother’s front passenger seat was a big deal. The group chat fell silent for a while because of Willow’s craziness. Some people were watching the drama, others felt it was inappropriate to act like that in a work chat. But everyone knew she was Caleb’s girlfriend, so no one dared to voice their displeasure. All my good mood was ruined by Willow. Meeting the curious, scrutinizing gazes of my colleagues, I unleashed my fury. “Ms. Willow Davis, first, I must make one thing clear: Caleb is my brother. We’ve lived under the same roof since childhood.” “Second, this is a work chat, not a place for you to throw tantrums. Please keep your personal and professional lives separate.” After I sent the messages, the chat exploded. Some people messaged me privately asking for details. Others in the group played the peacemaker, trying to ease the tension. Some subtly advised Willow to calm down, urging her not to be impulsive. But Willow was clearly blinded by jealousy. She then threw out a screenshot of a chat. It was a message Caleb had sent her yesterday. [Stop it, Skylar is my sister. She’s always been clingy with me since she was little. I can’t exactly be mad at my own sister.] When I saw that message, my head buzzed. It looked like he was defending me, but his words were strange and off. Willow continued to furiously spam the chat. “Skylar Sterling, are you f***ing disgusting or what? You know he has a girlfriend, but you still cling to him every day! Are you trying to engage in an incestuous relationship with your brother?!” My head was ringing from her insults. I previously had been very clingy with Caleb, it’s true. Mom and Dad were always busy, traveling all over the world for business. From a very young age, Caleb had always taken care of me. That was also why Mom and Dad adopted him. I relied on Caleb a lot. Plus, I was a very high-maintenance child when I was little, so I loved sticking to Caleb. Because of this, people around us always joked that I was his little shadow. Just as the atmosphere was thick with tension, Caleb suddenly tagged Willow in the group: “Alright, Willow, don’t be mad anymore. I bought you your favorite pink diamond as an apology, okay?” Willow replied with a haughty emoji. And just like that, the two of them started flirting in the chat. I became part of their little couple’s play. A surge of anger got stuck in my head, unable to rise or dissipate. I felt my temples throbbing. Just then, the department director suddenly sent a message in the group: “This work chat is for work-related discussions only. Violators will be dealt with according to company regulations.” The farce temporarily ended. But my nightmare had only just begun.

The next day, as soon as I got to my cubicle, I found it drenched in red ink. My computer was completely dead. A fellow intern whispered to me that Willow had come in early to do it. I was furious, practically breathing fire. But I could only swallow my anger since I was at work. And Willow wasn’t even at the company; she had gone on a business trip with Caleb. As soon as I clocked out and reached the company’s ground floor, someone doused me with a bucket of cold water. Willow emerged from the crowd. She held up her phone, with the live streaming camera on. Beside her were several of her girlfriends, all seemingly on her side. Willow pointed at me, drenched like a drowned rat, and looked into the live camera. “Family, this is the psycho who coveted her own brother. Absolutely disgusting.” At her words, sharp laughter mixed with jeers erupted around me. Many people gathered to watch the show. Those who didn’t know the full story started pointing fingers at me. I clenched my fists. “Are you crazy?” Willow let out a short, mocking laugh. “So what if I am? If you dare to seduce my boyfriend, you better be prepared for the consequences.” The live stream comments were frantically scrolling. I glanced at them; almost all of them were insulting me, calling me cheap. I pushed Willow away. “Willow, does Caleb know what you’re doing today?” “So what if he knows? I’m going to marry him someday, I’m your sister-in-law. As your future sister-in-law, I’m practically family, and I have the right to teach you a lesson! Who can say anything?” Willow spoke as if it were obvious. She lunged forward and grabbed my hair, pulling so hard my scalp stung. I tried to struggle, but her girlfriends came up and grabbed my arms. I was forced to look up at Willow. She sneered: “You bitch, you’d better tone down your innocent act, or you’ll regret it once I’m officially part of the family.” As she spoke, she eyed the bag on my shoulder. Her eyes lit up instantly. “That’s the latest Chanel bag!” Then she reached out to snatch it. Of course, I wouldn’t allow it. But there were too many of them. I was slapped several times, and my bag was still snatched away. Many people were coming and going from the company, but no one dared to intervene. “Willow!” I suddenly broke free. But Willow grabbed my hair again and violently shoved me away. I fell to the ground, my forehead throbbing with a dull pain, the world spinning. During this, I heard the continuous sound of gift notifications from the live stream, mixed with the shrill laughter of Willow and her friends: “Family! Our little ‘innocent’ sister is bleeding! Send rockets, and I’ll make her kneel and beg!” Then, several rockets appeared in the live stream. Willow’s high heel suddenly kicked my hand. She triumphantly held up the bag she’d snatched from me. “The Sterling family will be mine and Caleb’s. You need to understand that every penny you spend now is mine. How dare dead weight like you spend so lavishly?” “Caleb told me you get a six-figure monthly allowance. From now on, that money won’t be yours.” As she said this, Willow’s heart ached. She already considered the Sterling Group as good as hers. Me spending my parents’ money also felt like *her* loss. “Are you insane? What does me spending my parents’ money have to do with you?” I truly couldn’t follow Willow’s twisted logic. Willow giggled at the camera, then turned to me: “Of course, it’s your sister-in-law helping you get rid of your wasteful habits.” I gasped for breath. “You? You think you’ll ever step foot in my family’s house?” Willow was enraged. She raked her long nails across my face. In a few swipes, glaring red scratches appeared on my face. Just then, a furious shout came from outside: “What’s going on?! Who dares bully my sister, Skylar Sterling?!”

It was Caleb. The group of girls quickly released me. I looked at Caleb, filled with hope. “Caleb.” Seeing the scene, he looked at Willow in shock. Willow ran over and wrapped her arms around his waist, tears still clinging to her eyelashes. “Caleb, you’re here.” “It was her! She just said I wasn’t worthy of entering the Sterling family home, and I got so mad that I…” Her voice trailed off, but her meaning was clear. My heart clenched. Caleb… he wouldn’t believe her, would he? We’d known each other for so many years. I was the sister he’d watched grow up. He should know my character. But Caleb still disappointed me. His gaze fell on my pale face, and a fleeting flicker of impatience and blame passed through his eyes. But he said nothing, only told Willow to turn off the live stream. Willow reluctantly ended the stream. After that, Caleb walked back and helped me up. He still had that high-handed, patriarchal air about him. “Sister, you really went too far. I’ve spoiled you these past few years.” “Apologize to your sister-in-law, and this whole thing will be over.” I felt cold all over. This Caleb was so utterly foreign to me now. “Apologize? I’m the one with scratches all over my face, and you want *me* to apologize?” I suddenly laughed. Meeting my sarcastic gaze, Caleb’s expression remained unchanged. Willow, hiding in his arms, looked at me with a smirk of triumph. “Caleb, you need to rein her in. She’s too stubborn.” A chorus of boos rose from the onlookers. A few passersby holding phones started shouting at me: “Homewrecker, get lost!” “Original wife beats the homewrecker, how exciting!” “Young girls these days, no sense of morality, just looking to hook up with rich guys. Society’s gone to the dogs.” Seeing that I remained silent, Caleb’s eyes showed clear displeasure. “Still not apologizing? Do you even have any respect for me as your brother?” “And you? Do you have any respect for me as your sister?” I stared fixedly at Caleb. Caleb seemed to realize, belatedly, that he’d gone too far. His tone softened a bit. “Sister, no matter what, you were too clingy with me, which made Willow uncomfortable.” “Her hitting you once is understandable, but your saying she’s not worthy of entering the family is going too far.” Willow watched me, arms crossed, a smug look on her face, fanning the flames. “Caleb, you can’t let this go! You’re the future heir of the Sterling family. Her daring to bully me shows she looks down on you.” “If you don’t teach her a proper lesson today, how will you establish yourself in Sterling Corp in the future?” I looked at Caleb in surprise. The heir to Sterling Corp had always been me. What did that have to do with Caleb Sterling? But Caleb showed no sign of guilt. He frowned at me: “What are you waiting for? Apologize! Otherwise, get out of the Sterling household.” “Do you think you have the right to say that, Caleb?” I found it utterly preposterous. Had Caleb lost his mind? Caleb was visibly enraged and looked like he wanted to hit me. But he barely managed to restrain himself. “I’m your brother, Mom and Dad’s only son. Of course I have the right.” “Are you sure?” I tilted my head, looking straight into Caleb’s eyes. I leaned close to his ear and whispered, “But I’m their only biological child.” At my words, Caleb’s pupils constricted. It had been so long since anyone had mentioned his adopted status, he must have forgotten. He’d gotten too arrogant these past few years. Because of my presence, Mom and Dad had placed a lot of importance on him. They even gave him full authority over this branch company. Our kindness to him had made him lose sight of his true place. I ignored him, pulled out my phone, and messaged Mom and Dad: “Caleb says he’s kicking me out of the house.” I also shared Willow’s live stream with them. The next second, Caleb’s phone rang.

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My mom’s life motto was “Taking a Loss is a Blessing.” She firmly believed that every concession and sacrifice in life would eventually transform into good fortune. When I asked her why, she’d say it was the wisdom of our ancestors: “A little patience calms the storm, and stepping back gives you endless possibilities.” What’s ridiculous is that no one in our entire family could sway her even an inch. Until I turned 20. I’d just won half a million dollars in a startup competition and landed an investment offer. But Mom, wanting to help my uncle Gary, whose business had tanked, used emotional blackmail to make me lend him all the money so he could get back on his feet. I refused and had a huge fight with her. What I got back wasn’t family understanding, but everyone’s moral judgment. My dad, Arthur, sighed and said, “Your mom’s doing this for your own good.” My younger brother, Leo, chimed in, “Come on, Chloe, just think of it as accumulating good karma. Uncle Gary will pay you back later.” My mom, Brenda, burst into tears, accusing me of being unfilial and predicting I’d suffer huge losses someday for being so petty. In the end, after Uncle Gary ran off with all my hopes, and my whole family turned around to blame me for even entering the competition in the first place, I leaped from the rooftop in despair. If I get to live again, I swear, I’m going to see if your “Taking a Loss is a Blessing” philosophy can truly protect our family. … The study window was open, and the wind blew in, scattering papers on the desk. I stood at the study door, my “well-meaning” family inside. My mom was trying to persuade me with a bitter look on her face. “Chloe, just listen to your mom this once. Let your cousin Isabelle have that spot. She’s not as good at studying as you, and she needs this chance more to broaden her horizons. Stepping back is how we accumulate blessings for our family.” My younger brother, Leo, who’d just started college, nodded along. “Yeah, Chloe, it’s just a summer intensive, right? There’ll be plenty of other opportunities later. Isabelle is so pathetic.” “So pathetic”? That was the *only* spot I’d earned, pulling all-nighters, out of thousands of applicants. And they just so casually demanded I give it up. If I hadn’t been good enough, fine, but I won this fair and square! My dad, Arthur, noticed my sour expression and tried to smooth things over. “Chloe, your mom’s right. Taking a Loss is a Blessing.” And my mom, Brenda, pulled me aside immediately and began her brainwashing. “Why are you so stubborn, child? If you take all the good things for yourself, your blessings will be thin. Share some with others, and Heaven will truly bless you. Listen to your mom; I’m the most farsighted person in this family, I’d never harm you.” Hearing this, I felt a chilling wave of despair. Ever since I was little, everything in our family ultimately had to follow my mom’s “taking a loss” philosophy. No matter how absurd the decision was. She believed her patience and sacrifice were the roots of our family, the source of our good fortune. My maternal aunt, Diane, Isabelle’s mom, saw I wasn’t budging and immediately squeezed out a few tears. “Chloe, I know this is hard for you. But look at your cousin. If she doesn’t get this chance, her life might be ruined. You’d be doing a great deed, accumulating good karma.” I looked at my family, not a single one truly cared about me. But they didn’t know how many disasters, caused by their “taking a loss” mentality, I had subconsciously helped them avoid over the years. Yet, when it was my turn, they collectively handed me the knife. Thinking of this, I gave up all hope for this family and decisively gave in. When I woke up again, I heard my dad’s excited voice. “Chloe, I’m almost certain to get that internal promotion at the office this time! It’s all thanks to those project reports you helped me organize last time. So clear and logical, my boss praised me!” The familiar voice and scene made me instantly dazed. Was I… alive again? From my dad’s words, I knew I was back to the day his colleague stole his credit. In my previous life, my dad was full of confidence, but then Mr. Davies, his most trusted colleague, stabbed him in the back, stole all the credit, and took the promotion spot. When I found out, I stayed up two days and a night, found evidence of Mr. Davies’s fraud, and told my dad to confront him. But my mom stubbornly blocked him, saying we couldn’t be so extreme. Losing credit was fate, she said; we should accept it. This was “taking a loss,” and blessings would come eventually. My dad, talked out of it by her, ultimately gave up on the confrontation. He didn’t get any blessings. Instead, because of this “loss,” he became known as a pushover at work and was miserable for many years. Thinking of my mom’s “blessings” theory from my past life, my heart turned to stone. You all love “Taking a Loss is a Blessing,” don’t you? You all listen to her, right? This time, I’m going to see where your blessings come from. With that thought, I gave my dad a worried smile. “Dad, you really shouldn’t think that way.” My tone changed, and I took his hand. “Dad, have you forgotten what Mom always says? The closer something good is, the more low-key you should be, or you’ll scare the good fortune away. Our whole family listens to Mom; I’m sure she wouldn’t want you to fight for this.” 2 As soon as I mentioned Mom, my dad’s smile instantly froze. He awkwardly rubbed his hands together. “Chloe, this is different, this is Dad’s own hard-earned…” “Dad, I know you’re capable,” I nodded understandingly, “But Mom says, the more capable you are, the more you should know when to step back. She calls it ‘keeping your edge hidden,’ and it’s an even bigger blessing.” My dad clearly hesitated; he knew how stubborn my mom was. Sure enough, at dinner that night, as soon as my dad mentioned the promotion, my mom’s face dropped. The others at the table just kept their heads down, eating, as if nothing was wrong. But I still asked, “Mom, if Dad gets promoted, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Why aren’t you happy?” Hearing me, my mom immediately put down her forks and launched into a long lecture. “What good thing? The nail that sticks out gets hammered down! Your dad’s current position is stable and secure, what’s wrong with that? Why push to be the one sticking out? What if something goes wrong? All our blessings will be gone. The old saying goes, ‘Taking a Loss is a Blessing,’ and a simple, peaceful life is the true path.” Under the tablecloth, my dad’s fists clenched, but he still didn’t dare to argue. Just then, my dad’s phone rang. It was a colleague from work, saying the final list was out, and it was my dad. My dad just started to show a hint of joy when my mom snatched the phone. “Hello, Mr. Davies? This is Arthur’s wife. About this promotion, our family discussed it, and we think you’re more suitable than Arthur. We’re giving it to you, so please don’t refuse. We’re all colleagues; helping each other is just what we do. Think of it as our family accumulating some blessings…” My dad stared, dumbfounded, trying to grab his phone back, but my mom’s glare made him stop. The people at the table still didn’t dare to say a word. In my previous life, I would have argued fiercely. Now, I just found it utterly ridiculous. One willing to beat, one willing to be beaten. As expected, my mom hung up and triumphantly told my dad, “See? Wasn’t I right? Mr. Davies was almost in tears on the phone, saying our family is like living saints. See, aren’t the blessings coming now? He’ll definitely look out for you at work from now on.” My dad’s face was ashen; he couldn’t utter a word. Leo, my brother, acted like it had nothing to do with him, just focusing on his phone. Only I noticed a glint of tears in my dad’s eyes; he must have been fuming. But if he was willing to put up with it, then so be it. My mom, with pride in her eyes, proclaimed to us, “People just shouldn’t be too calculating. The more you give, the more blessings you get. So you all must listen to me!” Then, she pulled my brother Leo closer. “Leo, you failed your exam again this time. Did your classmates bully you and keep you from studying properly?” My brother, who was playing on his phone, immediately slumped, because he simply didn’t like studying. In my previous life, my mom asked the same thing, and I’d directly pointed out that Leo was just lazy and didn’t study. That earned me a scolding from my mom. “How can you talk about your brother like that? He must have his reasons. As his older sister, you should share his burdens more, take some losses for him, and your blessings will transfer to him.” But for my brother’s future, I stuck to my guns and signed him up for tutoring. Eventually, my mom compromised, and my brother’s grades didn’t completely fall apart. At that moment, Leo’s eyes pleaded with me because he knew that in this family, only I dared to tell Mom the truth. But this time, I was going to disappoint him. Didn’t he say in my previous life that Mom was always right? Well, this time, let him taste the consequences of Mom’s “Taking a Loss is a Blessing” philosophy himself. My usually domineering mom, seeing that I didn’t step forward to “scold” my brother, glanced at me displeased. After some hesitation, she turned to my dad, Arthur. “Honey, what are we going to do about Leo? Maybe we should talk to his teacher. It must be the teacher’s fault for not teaching him well.” My dad, still fuming, bristled at her words. He couldn’t believe that after his own major life event had been ruined, my mom still had the nerve to twist the truth like this. Before any of us could react, he slammed his hand on the table. “Enough! A doting mother spoils her child! If he doesn’t study, it’s *his* problem! You keep talking about ‘Taking a Loss is a Blessing,’ but I think our family’s blessings will be completely ruined by you and this boy sooner or later!” With that, he stormed back to his room and slammed the door shut. My mom, Leo, and I were all stunned. Because this kind of outburst was something we were all too familiar with in our family. Normally, I would have gone to comfort my dad and tried to convince my mom not to be so extreme. But today, I wanted to be as indifferent as my brother. All because my mom, such a “kind” person, could make excuses for my brother’s laziness but wouldn’t say a word for the hard-earned opportunity I’d achieved. It turned out she understood everything; it was just a matter of prioritizing interests, and I was always the one to be sacrificed, the one to “take the loss.” My mom looked at me for help, thinking I’d mediate as I always had. But I didn’t move until the very end. Finally, my mom’s gaze turned resentful. I was shocked, and I didn’t understand. 3 She didn’t hate herself for ruining her husband’s future, didn’t hate that her favorite son was a disappointment. Instead, she hated *me*. Finally, my mom wiped her tears and spat at my brother, “Worthless thing! When did this family ever need your dad to worry? Honestly, you can’t handle a little loss, no wonder you have no blessings. I’m telling you, in this family, only what I say counts!” Then she turned to me. “Chloe, what do you think?” At this point, I was too tired to argue with her. How could I dare to say no? I could only nod quickly, indicating, “Whatever Mom says!” Over the next month, my dad became a complete joke at work. That Mr. Davies wasn’t grateful at all; instead, he went around proclaiming how my dad had voluntarily stepped aside, making himself look like the popular choice. My brother, Leo, emboldened, watched his test scores plummet. My mom, Brenda, went to the school every day, causing trouble for the teachers, insisting it was their fault. And I grew even more silent, though the coldness in my eyes when I looked at my mom was impossible to hide. Then came the day my brother was caught cheating at school and even got into a fight with a teacher. By the time my mom arrived at the school, Dean Miller had delivered a final ultimatum. “Mrs. Harper, your son’s behavior has seriously violated school rules. We’ve decided to expel him.” As soon as my mom heard “expel,” she immediately panicked, cautiously asking, “Dean Miller, no, that can’t be right. My Leo is usually so well-behaved. Is there some misunderstanding?” Dean Miller shook his head. “No misunderstanding. We have witnesses and evidence. You should complete the paperwork as soon as possible, so it doesn’t affect other students’ learning.” But my mom couldn’t hear him anymore. The word “expel” echoed in her mind. For her, who firmly believed in “Taking a Loss is a Blessing,” this consequence was a disaster, a sudden misfortune before any blessings arrived. My brother, Leo, standing beside her, said nothing when he heard the disciplinary decision. After Dean Miller left, my mom turned to my brother and immediately demanded, “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you to take more losses at school? Why did you get into a fight with the teacher?” Leo looked startled, wanting to argue, but seeing my mom’s furious glare, he could only shut his mouth sheepishly. Finally, my mom slapped her thigh and declared, “Leo, don’t listen to that Dean Miller. They just want to push the blame. Your mom has a great idea that will let you stay in school!” My brother’s eyes lit up when he heard Mom had a solution, but then a flicker of suspicion crossed his face. “Mom, you’re not the principal. What good idea could you have?” My mom got annoyed when my brother dared to question her. “Leo, your mom is the backbone of this family. There’s nothing I can’t solve. Just listen to me. If I say you can stay, you can stay!” Leo had no choice but to follow my mom’s plan. And the plan my mom came up with was to stage a sit-in protest outside the District Office! She confidently told my brother, “Leo, remember last time when Mrs. Miller’s son next door was wrongly accused, and she went and sat in, and the problem was solved? If she can do it, so can we. We’ve suffered a huge injustice. We’re taking this loss, and Heaven will give us blessings.” My brother’s confidence immediately surged when he heard my mom say this. “Oh yeah, that did happen. Mom, you’re so smart!” Listening from the side, I just found it absurd. A sit-in solving a problem? Only a fool would believe that. And yet, no one in our family, not even my dad, dared to question my mom’s ridiculous idea. Since that was the case, I could only grit my teeth and go along with them. But that wasn’t the end of it. My dad, Arthur, started having problems too. In these two days since Leo was expelled, no one at home was looking after him. He finally got to cut loose, spending all his time outside with a bunch of shady characters. My mom had specifically told me to keep an eye on my brother and “take more losses” for him. I agreed verbally, but actually, I was preparing for my startup competition these two days and had no time to manage him. My dad also felt sorry for Leo, and Leo kept complaining. “Dad, you don’t know how bored I am at home every day. If it weren’t for Mom, I’d still be in school.” My dad then gave me a meaningful look. “If your sister had convinced your mom more back then, you might not have been expelled.” I scoffed internally. He was trying to pass the blame onto me. My brother, hearing this, immediately shoved me twice. “It’s all your fault!” I just coldly watched the two of them. Eventually, my mom found out about my brother’s troublemaking outside. That day, I came home after my preliminary competition, and the house was a mess. While I was still wondering what happened, a neighbor suddenly poked her head out and told me, “Chloe, hurry to the police station! Something big has happened with your family!” 4 When I got to the police station, I learned from the officers what had happened. It wasn’t anything “big.” It was just my brother getting into a fight, and my dad getting dragged into it. My dad was okay, but my brother, Leo, was in bad shape. After my mom returned from her fruitless protest at the school, she found my brother wasn’t home. At first, my mom didn’t believe it; she couldn’t accept that her precious son would secretly defy her. She stormed out to find him and eventually found him gambling at a pool hall, getting into a fight after losing money. My mom felt her authority challenged. So she grabbed a nearby stool and joined the brawl. “You punks! How dare you bully my son! You’re barely grown, and you think you can turn the world upside down?” As luck would have it, the other side had more people, and my mom and brother were quickly overwhelmed, both beaten black and blue. My dad, Arthur, rushed over when he heard the commotion, let out a yell, and charged into the fight, clawing and scratching at the group. My dad was completely enraged. For so many years, he had silently endured my mom’s “Taking a Loss is a Blessing” philosophy. But today, for his beloved son, he finally learned to fight back. You see, it really depends on the person. If I had been the one in trouble today, I believe my dad wouldn’t have said a word, even if I was beaten to death. Let alone muster the courage to get into a fight. Thinking of this, my eyes welled up. Even though I knew the outcome, experiencing it firsthand was still bitter. But how could their three people stand against a group of thugs? They all ended up beaten and lying on the ground. My brother Leo could only watch helplessly, groaning and clutching his arm, yelling, “Mom, my arm, my arm feels broken!” My mom finally realized the seriousness of the situation, called the police, and everyone was taken to the station. My brother was still at the hospital. The police said Leo’s arm had a comminuted fracture, meaning it was likely crippled for life. My mom refused to accept this fact, gripping the officer’s uniform. “Officer, no, that can’t be right. They just pushed him once. How could he have a broken bone?” The officer asked my mom if Leo had been getting enough calcium. A flicker of guilt crossed my mom’s eyes when she heard the question. “It’s nothing much, I was doing it for his own good, making him take more losses.” The officer looked confused. “He’s only a teenager, still growing. What kind of losses are you making him take?” My mom, even at this point, hadn’t realized her mistake and retorted discontentedly, “Taking a Loss is a Blessing! When I was a kid, I was hungry all the time. Why can’t he do it?” The officer rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Everyone’s body is different; you can’t generalize. Now, we can only hope for the child’s recovery!” My brother, Leo, lay on the hospital bed, eyes vacant. He still didn’t know he’d be half-crippled for life. I went to my dad’s room. As luck would have it, he woke up just as I entered. He woke up, grabbed my hand, and burst into tears. “Chloe, your mother, she’s not human. She actually harmed your brother like this. Didn’t she say Taking a Loss is a Blessing? Your brother is her son too!” Seeing my indifference, he viciously pinched the back of my hand, making me wince in pain. “Chloe, what do you say we cut ties with your mom?” No sooner had he spoken than his eyes widened in terror. He turned around and saw my mom, Brenda, standing at the door, her face dark. My mom, holding a payment slip, walked step by step to my dad’s bed, slamming the slip onto the table, and coldly questioned him. “What about cutting ties?”

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My fiancé’s childhood sweetheart returned from abroad, and the first thing she did was make a bet with me, Samantha. The agreement stated that if my fiancé, Ethan, left me nine times for her,I would willingly give up my position as his wife. I agreed.On the ninth time, his childhood sweetheart, Willow, cried, “Ethan, if you don’t marry me, I’ll marry that spoiled rich kid from the Johnston family in the city!” He frantically hung up the phone, abandoned me yet again, stole his family’s household registration book, and got married to Willow. That day, they announced their relationship on social media, and everyone in our circle eagerly awaited to see me and the Johnstons make fools of ourselves. Then, Jaxon Johnston approached me, saying casually,”Your fiancé stole my wife, so it’s only fair that you become my wife, right?” I nodded. “Fair. When are you getting married?” His jaw dropped. He stared at me for a long time, his ears turning red. “Since you don’t have any objections, it’s settled then.” “We’re getting married in three days. If you dare to run away, you’re dead!” He said this as he ran off, bumping into people and knocking over ornaments, in a panic as if I were going to eat him alive. I let my fingers glide across the piano keys, a slight smile playing on my lips. As soon as Jaxon left, Ethan arrived. I glanced at him, then coldly looked away. His face turned pale, and he rushed towards me. “Samantha, are you angry?”

After escaping from the casino, Scarlett Richardson’s first stop was the police station. Captain David Morgan looked at her with confusion and said, “Ms. Richardson, you barely managed to escape from that casino. Why would you want to act as bait? Those criminals are extremely vicious and ruthless—one wrong move and you could lose your life.” Scarlett silently covered the scar on her wrist, then nodded firmly at David. Over the past three years, she had endured unbearable torture at the casino. Now, death would actually be her greatest relief. But she wouldn’t die easily until that criminal gang was caught. After leaving the police station, Scarlett relied on her memory to walk toward the address she had longed for during those three years. With no money on her, she walked for a full four hours on foot before reaching the front door of “home.” The villa’s main gate stood open, and a party was being held inside. Looking at the familiar surroundings, Scarlett froze. She walked in, but no one noticed her presence. As soon as she reached the entrance, she saw that familiar face. Anthony Morris held a wine glass, leaning lazily against the sofa. The dim lighting cast shadows on his stern face, and his entire being radiated an aura that warned people to keep their distance. A woman suddenly stood up from the corner and whispered something in Anthony’s ear. Anthony pulled the woman into his arms, then lifted her chin and kissed her. The moment their lips met, Scarlett finally saw clearly—the woman was her sister, Natalie Richardson. Cheers and whistles erupted around them, growing louder by the moment. A man called out, “Looks like Anthony’s got some good news coming. When are you planning the wedding? Don’t forget to invite us when the time comes.” Anthony didn’t release Natalie until her cheeks turned crimson. He said, “Will do.” Scarlett’s face went pale as memories flooded back like a tidal wave. Three years ago, she had been Anthony’s legal wife. She and Anthony had gone from campus sweethearts all the way to the altar—they were everyone’s idea of the perfect couple. But then Anthony was unfortunately kidnapped by a criminal gang. The kidnappers demanded one billion dollars for his release. The Morris family gave Scarlett the billion dollars and sent her to the designated location to ransom Anthony back. During the exchange, however, Scarlett suddenly had a change of heart. She kept the billion dollars for herself and refused to hand it over to the criminals. At that point, Anthony had been tortured nearly to death, but he still managed to force open his bloodied mouth to ask her why. Scarlett would never forget the look of devastation and despair in Anthony’s eyes as he stared at her. She nearly crushed her own bones with the force of her grip, but she still smiled mockingly and said, “I never loved you. I was only with you for the money. Now I have a way to both leave you and walk away with a fortune. Why wouldn’t I take it?” After Anthony was rescued, Scarlett’s name became taboo—no one dared mention it. Her name became synonymous with malice and heartlessness. But only Scarlett knew that her refusal to pay the ransom wasn’t because she wanted to run away with the money, nor had she approached Anthony for financial gain. That day, when she went to pay the ransom, the criminals had a last-minute change of plans. They knocked her unconscious and brought her to where Anthony was being held, forcing her to watch from a hidden spot as they humiliated and tortured him. In just half an hour, Scarlett had nearly cried herself dry. Such a proud man was being beaten and abused by a group of thugs, the blood from his mouth staining his shirt red. The criminals told her that even if she paid the billion-dollar ransom, they would still cut off Anthony’s legs before releasing him. Unless she was willing to trade herself for Anthony and put on an act in front of him, pretending she abandoned him for money. Anthony was born perfect, and losing his legs would destroy his entire life. Scarlett knew she wouldn’t fare well after being captured by those criminals, but for Anthony’s sake, she agreed. After being imprisoned, those people weren’t satisfied and directly beat her until she miscarried at three months pregnant. They then forced Scarlett to write a suicide note and had someone deliver it along with that pool of blood and flesh to the Morris Villa’s doorstep. After tormenting her enough, they took her to an underground gambling den, where she spent three full years before escaping. Originally, Scarlett wanted to take one last look at Anthony before ending her own life. But she saw news reports saying Anthony had received threatening letters from those criminals three years ago. She couldn’t let Anthony fall into danger again. As someone who had escaped from those criminals, Scarlett was the perfect bait to draw their attention. As long as she stayed by Anthony’s side at all times, Anthony would be safe. Being able to die protecting Anthony would give her life its final bit of value. Nanny Maya Cruz was the first to notice her figure, saying in surprise, “Mrs. Morris?” Instantly, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone’s gaze focused on Scarlett. She clearly heard the sound of a wine glass shattering. “Scarlett.” The hatred in Anthony’s voice almost became something tangible, piercing through her chest. Her heart trembled as she awkwardly avoided that sharp gaze. Someone said with a mocking tone, “Scarlett, you actually dare to come back? You’re truly shameless.” Scarlett’s nails had already dug deep into her palms, but she still had to smile and say, “Of course it’s because I’ve run out of money. Anthony is the richest among all the men I’ve dated, so naturally I had to come back to find him.” Her soul had already died three years ago. Now, only one thought remained in her mind: protecting Anthony. She would bear all the pain and truth herself. Others began cursing her one after another. A man roared angrily, “You vicious, evil woman actually dare to appear before Anthony. Damn it! You ran away for three years, and the moment you come back, you’re asking Anthony for money.” Others chimed in as well. The man who spoke first wanted to vent for Anthony and continued, “You want money, don’t you? As long as you kneel down and loudly say ‘I’m a cheap woman who only loves money,’ I’ll give you ten thousand dollars for each time you say it.” After speaking, he threw his wine glass at her feet, and it shattered into pieces. During those three years in the gambling den, Scarlett had endured far worse harm than this. As long as she could stay by Anthony’s side, this pain meant nothing to her. Under everyone’s gaze, Scarlett knelt down. The shattered glass dug deep into her knees, blood staining them red. She gritted her teeth and said with difficulty, “I’m a cheap woman who only loves money.” Contemptuous gazes fell upon her as everyone burst into laughter. The man said, “As expected, for money, you’re willing to do anything. Keep going.” A stack of hundred-dollar bills was harshly slapped across Scarlett’s face, the sharp edges of the bills cutting her cheeks painfully. Anthony hadn’t spoken since saying Scarlett’s name, but she could feel that hate-filled gaze constantly on her, stabbing her heart with pain. Scarlett didn’t know how many times she shouted it; by the end, she had gone numb. Hundred-dollar bills were scattered all over the floor. The man who first spoke still wasn’t satisfied. He said, “Now, crawl like a dog and pick up all the money, and I’ll give you another twenty thousand dollars.” Scarlett’s lips were nearly bleeding from biting them, but she had no choice. The prolonged kneeling combined with the wounds on her knees left her entire body swaying, barely able to stand. Her hands, pressed against the floor, trembled uncontrollably. Just as Scarlett was about to take her first step, a glass shattered precisely in front of her. A deep, icy voice rang out: “Get out!” Scarlett’s heart clenched violently. Flying glass shards cut her cheek, but she seemed oblivious to the pain. Only one thought consumed her mind—she couldn’t let Anthony throw her out. However, before she could speak, Anthony swept his icy gaze over those present who were waiting to watch the drama unfold. He said coldly, “All of you, get out!” Everyone was startled but didn’t dare object, immediately walking out of the Morris Villa’s front door. With the outsiders gone, Anthony grabbed Scarlett’s wrist with enough force to break her bones. The piercing hatred in his eyes felt like a massive stone pressing on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. Anthony said coldly, “Scarlett, three years ago, you ran away with the ransom money and aborted my child. Now you actually dare to show up in front of me. How dare you?” Every word was filled with rage. Caught off guard, Scarlett stumbled as Anthony yanked her. The glass on her knees dug deep into her flesh, making her gasp in pain. After a long moment, she recovered and forced a pale smile. She said, “Because you have money. I can get money from you. Why wouldn’t I dare come back?” Anthony’s grip on her hand tightened continuously, his eyes bloodshot and filled with fury. He said, “You want money, do you? Fine. Starting today, you’re a servant at the Morris Villa. Whatever I say, you must do.” With that, Anthony pulled out a card and threw it at Scarlett’s face. Then he continued, “The first thing you’ll do is clean up this hall. I don’t want to see a speck of dust when I wake up tomorrow morning.” Anthony swept his cold gaze over the other servants present. He said coldly, “None of you are to help her. Give her all the work in the villa. Also, she’s not Mrs. Morris. I don’t want to hear anyone call her that again.” The servants all bowed their heads in agreement. Scarlett picked up the card with her bloodied hands and said hoarsely, “Alright.” She knew Anthony was keeping her as a servant to humiliate her, seeking revenge for when she had abandoned him and fled with the ransom money three years ago. But she didn’t care. As long as she could stay, she was willing to accept any role. Anthony carried Natalie upstairs in his arms. Scarlett struggled to her feet, enduring the pain as she picked out the glass shards embedded in her knees and palms piece by piece. That night, she wiped down the entire hall inside and out with a cloth. The unbearable panting and a woman’s pleasured moans from upstairs echoed in her ears all night long. At first, Scarlett felt like her heart was being carved out alive. Later, she became numb. She had been the one to abandon him. Now he had someone new by his side. It was only natural, wasn’t it? The sounds from upstairs didn’t stop until morning. Anthony commanded, “Come upstairs and help Natalie bathe.” He was wrapped in a towel, his chest covered with conspicuous red marks. The sight stung Scarlett’s eyes. Once, she had been the only one who could leave marks on his body. In the end, she said nothing and silently went upstairs. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, along with seven or eight opened condom packages, showing just how intense their night had been. Scarlett’s heart was already shattered. She helped Natalie wash her body bit by bit. After three years apart, they were no longer the intimate sisters who once shared a bed and whispered secrets. Natalie was the first to break the silence. She said, “Scarlett, actually, I fell for Anthony a long time ago. Back then, he was your husband. He only had eyes for you. I could only secretly bury this feeling in my heart and silently bless you both. But why did you abandon Anthony? Do you know how brutally the kidnappers tortured him? After he was rescued, he stayed in the hospital for a whole month. Even now, he still needs regular psychological therapy. These three years, I’ve been by his side, helping him get through that painful past.” Natalie paused, looking at Scarlett with deep-seated jealousy hidden in her eyes. Then she continued, “Actually, the first time he and I were together was because he was drunk and mistook me for you. He kept calling your name in my ear over and over again. I never thought that after you heartlessly abandoned him, he would still think of you. But I didn’t care. As long as I could be with him, that was enough. You know what, Scarlett? We’re planning to get married. You shouldn’t have come back. Please leave Anthony, okay?” Scarlett never knew that her only sister had feelings for Anthony. Thinking back carefully now, every time she brought Anthony home, there seemed to be a different light in Natalie’s eyes. But Scarlett hadn’t returned to the Morris Villa to steal Anthony back from Natalie. Her entire soul had been worn away during those three years at the casino, leaving only an empty shell. Now, Scarlett’s only reason for living was to prevent Anthony from suffering any more torture. Once she cooperated with David to catch that criminal gang, she would leave this place. Scarlett said, “Natalie, I will leave, but not now. I still have things to do.” Natalie’s expression gradually turned cold. She said coldly, “Scarlett, then don’t blame me. I won’t let you destroy my happiness.” Before Scarlett could react, Natalie grabbed the showerhead, turned the water temperature to its lowest setting, and poured it over her head. Then she screamed, “Ah! Anthony!”   The screaming left Anthony no time to think. He kicked down the door and carefully lifted Natalie into his arms. Anthony felt Natalie trembling all over, her face turning deathly pale. He roared, “Scarlett, you ruined me before, and now you want to hurt your own sister? Three years later, you haven’t changed at all. You’re still the same ruthless, heartless woman.” Scarlett’s body shook, but she didn’t speak up to defend herself. The deeper his hatred for her now, the less it would hurt him when she left. Seeing Scarlett’s silence, Anthony assumed she was admitting guilt. He gritted his teeth and told his bodyguards, “Throw her in the lake for three hours.” It was winter, and the lake’s surface was covered with thick ice. The bodyguards mercilessly threw Scarlett into the lake. The broken ice shards cut her thighs, and blood stained the surrounding water red. The bone-chilling cold seeped through her wounds into her body. Scarlett gritted her teeth and endured the pain. She had spent three years at the casino, and her body was already weak. After just five minutes in the water, she was swaying and could barely hold herself up. Anthony held Natalie in his arms, watching her coldly from the shore. He said, “This is your punishment. You have to bear it.” With that, Anthony turned and left, instructing the bodyguards to keep watch on the shore. As Scarlett soaked longer in the icy water, her body grew colder and colder. Only when the bodyguards said the three hours were up did she drag her pale body step by step onto the shore, shivering all over. Just as she reached the entrance of Morris Villa, Scarlett used up all her strength and collapsed. When she woke up again, there was a hot towel on her forehead. On the bedside table sat a fever reducer and a piece of candy. Scarlett had never liked taking medicine since childhood, usually relying on her immune system to fight off illness. After Anthony learned this habit of hers, every time he gave her medicine, he would magically produce a piece of candy and hold it to her lips. Over time, she developed the habit of eating candy after taking medicine. Maya carefully pushed the door open, and seeing that Scarlett was awake, she breathed a sigh of relief. She said, “Mrs… Ms. Richardson, I’m glad you’re awake. Please take your medicine quickly. Your fever reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit. I remember you used to have the habit of eating candy after taking medicine, so I specially prepared some for you.” Scarlett smiled stiffly. Anthony hated her so much now—how could he have prepared candy for her? She was overthinking it. Scarlett took the medicine, then unwrapped the candy and put it in her mouth. But that little bit of sweetness still couldn’t mask the endless bitterness in her mouth. After the medicine took effect, Scarlett fell into a deep sleep and naturally didn’t hear the conversation outside after Maya closed the door. ***** Over the next few days, Scarlett’s temperature never came down. She had recurring fevers, and Anthony never came to see her. She lay in the servants’ quarters in a daze. In her confusion, Scarlett seemed to feel burning eyes watching her, but when she struggled to open her eyes, there was no one by the bed. Until one night, agonized roars from upstairs woke Scarlett up. She recognized that voice—it was Anthony’s. Scarlett forced herself out of bed. By the time she reached the second floor, the pain in those roars seemed even more intense. She couldn’t care about anything else and pushed open the door. Anthony was acting like a madman, frantically beating his own head. Natalie was crying anxiously beside him, wanting to approach Anthony but being pushed away by him. Scarlett had never seen Anthony like this. She quickly asked Natalie what was wrong. Natalie answered, “Ever since the kidnapping, Anthony has suffered from severe PTSD. He has episodes from time to time and hurts himself. But this year, his condition had been well controlled—he hadn’t had any relapses. I don’t know why this is happening today.” Her words hit Scarlett’s heart like a sledgehammer. Scarlett understood that it was likely because of her appearance that Anthony was reminded of those painful experiences during the kidnapping. Anthony’s eyes were red as he threw off the covers and banged his head against the wall. Seeing that his forehead was already bleeding, Scarlett bit her lip and hugged him tightly from behind. Anthony, in the midst of his episode, couldn’t tell who was holding him and kept struggling. But Scarlett held on, refusing to let go. Unable to break free, Anthony grabbed her right hand and bit down hard.

Scarlett could clearly feel Anthony’s teeth piercing through her skin, the pain nearly making her let go. But seeing the cold sweat constantly breaking out on Anthony’s forehead, she held on. After what felt like an eternity of biting, Anthony finally quieted down. Watching Anthony close his eyes again, Scarlett endured the pain and helped him onto the bed, then suddenly felt all her strength drain away. She looked at her trembling right hand, where a bleeding bite mark was clearly visible. Natalie looked at her with a complex expression and said softly, “Scarlett, tonight, I was the one who calmed Anthony down, right?” Scarlett remained silent for a moment. Then she said, “Yes.” After speaking, Scarlett covered her injured arm and left wearily. The next day, Anthony heard that he had hurt Natalie during his midnight episode, so he sent her many gifts that nearly filled the entire room. He and Natalie also became more intimate. Even when he had business dinners, he would bring Natalie along, unwilling to be separated from her for even a moment. People around them teased about how close they were, but Anthony accepted it all with a smile. However, no matter where they went, Scarlett would follow behind them. When Natalie wanted chocolate cake, Anthony would send Scarlett to buy it from 10 miles away. When Natalie wanted coffee, Anthony would have Scarlett brew it over and over until Natalie was satisfied with the temperature. When Natalie was eating, Anthony would have Scarlett stand nearby, serving Natalie like a servant. Many people in their circle knew that Scarlett had been Anthony’s wife three Christmases ago. Now, seeing her following behind them, some couldn’t help but ask curiously. To this, Anthony would smile coldly and say, “You’ve got the wrong person. How could she be worthy of being my wife? She’s just a servant in my house.” Scarlett’s heart, which had become like stagnant water, still couldn’t help but ripple upon hearing these words. Three Christmases ago, he had held her like a treasure, introducing her to everyone as his wife. Now, she was just a servant. As for the identity of Mrs. Morris, she wasn’t worthy of it. At that evening’s dinner party, Natalie left early. Just as Scarlett was about to follow, Anthony called out to her. He said, “Come here and drink for me.” The private room was full of Anthony’s business partners. Seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but cheer. One man said, “Mr. Morris, you really have quite the charm. Your fiancée left, but you still have a beauty to drink for you. It’s pretty boring for us men to drink alone. Let’s see how well Mr. Morris’s person can handle her liquor, shall we?” Another man chimed in, “I agree. It’s only interesting when you have both fine wine and beautiful women. Mr. Morris, don’t be stingy.” As they spoke, they had someone pour 99 full glasses of liquor. Anthony chuckled softly, his fingers tapping the table rhythmically. He said, “Why would I be? It’s her honor to entertain you all.” In the past, during business entertainment, Anthony never let Scarlett drink, always helping her finish the drinks himself. But now, she had no other choice. Scarlett smiled and picked up a glass, downing it in one gulp. She heard exclamations from everyone around, while Anthony’s gaze seemed to grow colder. Scarlett didn’t stop, drinking glass after glass. During her time at the casino, she often went hungry, and her stomach had long been damaged. The continuous intake of strong liquor made her stomach burn with each gulp. By the end, Scarlett’s hand holding the glass was visibly trembling. After setting down the last glass, Scarlett staggered a few steps, nearly unable to stand steady. Her stomach churned violently. Not caring that Anthony was still present, she quickly pushed open the door and stumbled toward the restroom. Before this drinking session, Scarlett hadn’t eaten anything. All she could vomit was acid and the liquor she had just consumed. When Scarlett returned to the private room, the dinner party had already ended. She shook her dizzy head, wanting to find Anthony. But just as she stepped out of the private room, a tall figure pressed toward her. The man said, “Beauty, Mr. Morris doesn’t know how to treasure you. How about being with me instead? I promise to treat you well.” His greasy hands wandered all over Scarlett’s body. His breath, reeking of alcohol, sprayed on Scarlett’s neck, instantly pulling her back into those painful memories from the casino. Scarlett desperately tried to break free from the man’s grasp. But having just consumed 99 glasses of liquor, her body had no strength left. She could only cry out helplessly to passersby, “Help! Save me!” But such incidents were common in the club, and no one wanted to cause trouble for themselves over a stranger. The man’s behavior became increasingly bold. The club’s heating was turned up high, so Scarlett was only wearing a thin camisole on her upper body. The man easily lifted her shirt up to her navel. He smiled wickedly and said, “Beauty, Mr. Morris has already left. No one can save you. You might as well behave and come with me.” Scarlett’s shirt had been lifted to just below her chest. The man’s breathing became heavy, and his movements grew urgent. Scarlett used all her strength to pound against him, but it was useless. Her heart was nearly filled with despair. She had thought that during these final moments, she could at least leave with her dignity intact. Couldn’t she even fulfill this one wish? Just as the man’s hand was about to touch Scarlett’s chest, he was suddenly kicked to the ground. A fist slammed hard into his body. Then, an angry roar rang out: “Who gave you permission to touch her?” Anthony grabbed the man by the collar and kept beating him. The man begged for mercy continuously, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth. Scarlett hastily straightened her disheveled clothes, worried that someone might die if the beating continued, and quickly stepped forward to grab Anthony’s hand. “Stop hitting him,” she said. Anthony’s fist, about to land another blow, froze mid-air. His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fist, his gaze piercing Scarlett like a blade. Her wrist suddenly ached, and before she could react, Anthony had pulled her into the car. In the cramped vehicle, Anthony gripped her wrist tightly, pressing her against the seat, his face dark with rage. He roared, “Scarlett, how long have I been gone? Are you already this eager to seduce other men? If I hadn’t come back, would you have abandoned me again and left with him?” Scarlett knew Anthony had misunderstood, but she just turned her head away with reddened eyes, offering no explanation. She wanted him to hate her like this. That way, when she left, he wouldn’t feel heartbroken. Scarlett’s silence completely enraged Anthony. He grabbed her chin and kissed her forcefully. “Scarlett, you brought this on yourself,” he said. Anthony’s familiar, dominating presence invaded her mouth, making Scarlett’s nose sting as tears nearly fell. This kiss was passionate and lingering, making her want to lose herself in it. But she bit down hard on her tongue, forcing herself to stay alert. Anthony suddenly stopped, looking at her with a dark expression. “You can obediently let other men touch you, but you act pure and innocent with me?” he said. Scarlett smiled bitterly. “Too dirty,” she said. Scarlett felt she was too dirty. How could she face Anthony with such a filthy body? Anthony’s eyes reddened as he said harshly, “Scarlett, you’re calling me dirty? What right does a woman who abandoned her husband and caused her child’s death have to say that about me?” With that, he began tearing at her already thin clothing without restraint. “No!” Scarlett frantically tried to cover her body. Over the past three years, she had suffered harm every day. Her entire body was covered with permanent bruises and scars that could never be erased. She didn’t want Anthony to see any of this. Scarlett only hoped that in Anthony’s memory, she would always remain as she was three years ago. But the bruises covering her body were still seen by Anthony. He froze, his trembling hand wanting to touch those scars, his throat seeming blocked by something. “You… what happened to these injuries on your body? Where exactly have you been these past three years?” Anthony asked. After seeing the bite mark on her right arm, Anthony seemed to recall some scattered fragments, but couldn’t quite remember what they were. “Who bit this mark?” he asked. Anthony’s voice trembled slightly, with a barely perceptible hint of hope in his eyes. Seeing the expectation in his eyes, Scarlett forced herself not to look at him, then spoke with icy words. “Of course it was left by my new boyfriend from the past three years. Mr. Morris, you don’t actually think I still had you in my heart and stayed chaste for you, do you? With a billion dollars, naturally I can find as many men as I want. This is just bedroom fun. You don’t even understand that much, do you?” she said. The hint of hope in Anthony’s eyes instantly vanished, replaced by fury. He gripped her neck tightly, using considerable force. Then Anthony roared, “Scarlett, are you really this shameless? Wasn’t I good to you back then? Did you ever love me at all?” Scarlett was being choked and couldn’t breathe, but she stared at Anthony’s bloodshot eyes and said with difficulty, “No.” Anthony threw her to the ground, his eyes filled with nothing but ice-cold hatred. He said, “I’m such a fool for letting you deceive me for so long. Not only did you nearly get me killed by those kidnappers, but I also lost the child I’d been longing for.” Scarlett collapsed on the ground, clutching her throat and coughing desperately. Upon hearing his words, she actually laughed. She said, “Anthony, if you still have feelings for me, I’d be more than happy to stay with you. I don’t mind serving you alongside my sister. You’re the richest man I’ve ever dated, and we were even married. Getting back together would be nice, wouldn’t it? I want your money, and you want my body. I’ll spend a night with you for two hundred thousand dollars. How about it?” Anthony threw his suit jacket over her and never looked at her again. He said, “Scarlett, I truly regret ever loving you.” With that, Anthony slammed the car door shut and drove away quickly. The car soon disappeared, so Anthony didn’t see the tears streaming down Scarlett’s face. She silently put on the suit jacket and struggled to her feet. From now on, Anthony shouldn’t have any lingering feelings for her, right? Clutching her heart that ached to the point of suffocation, she staggered toward the Morris mansion. Perhaps because he was too furious, Anthony stopped bringing Scarlett along when he went out over the next few days. Left with no choice, Scarlett secretly messaged David, asking him to assign people to protect Anthony’s safety. But on this particular day, Scarlett went out alone. She had learned from Maya that the Morris family had bought a burial plot for her unborn child and even erected a headstone. Following the address Maya had given her, Scarlett arrived at the cemetery. Before coming, she had made a detour to buy many snacks that babies would like and fresh flowers. This was Scarlett’s first visit to see this child in three years. She didn’t know if the child still remembered her or harbored any resentment. She approached the headstone. Unlike other graves, this one had no photograph—only the words “Anthony’s Child” carved into the stone. With trembling hands, Scarlett gently caressed the headstone. Anthony hated her so much that he would even strip away her identity as the child’s mother? She whispered, “Baby, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. It’s not that I didn’t want to safely bring you into this world, but I couldn’t watch your father lose his legs. You understand me, don’t you? Wait for me—I’ll come to be with you soon.” Scarlett leaned against the headstone, tears streaming down her cheeks. She carried so many burdens in her heart, yet couldn’t confide in anyone around her. Only here, beside her child’s grave, did she finally have the chance to pour out everything. But before Scarlett could speak again, she was yanked up by a powerful force. Anthony roared, “How dare you come here?” Seeing Anthony’s dark expression, Scarlett felt bitter inside. She said, “I just wanted to visit the child. I am his mother, after all.” Anthony’s mother, Harper Morris, who had been walking behind him, became agitated upon seeing Scarlett and slapped her hard across the face. She screamed, “How dare you mention my grandson? You’re the one who killed him with your own hands. Back then, our family treated you so well, but not only did you run away with the ransom money, you nearly got my son killed. And while my son was hospitalized recovering from his injuries, you had an abortion and sent the news to break his heart. How can there be such a vicious woman like you in this world? You murderer! You heartless woman! Get out of here!” After Scarlett became part of the Morris family, Harper had loved her almost like her own daughter. So when she learned of Scarlett’s betrayal, she simply couldn’t accept it. Harper was so furious that she gave Scarlett a hard shove. The recent ordeals had left Scarlett’s body even weaker. She couldn’t steady herself and her forehead struck the headstone hard, blood trickling down her cheek. Anthony frowned and pulled her up. He said coldly, “You don’t deserve to appear before this child’s grave. How can someone as vicious as you be his mother? Leave now.” Scarlett left in despair, tears mixed with blood dripping from her face. The words “you don’t deserve” echoed repeatedly in her mind. In a daze, Scarlett remembered the joy she and Anthony had shared three years ago when they learned of her pregnancy. Anthony had said excitedly, “Scarlett, I’m going to be a father, and you’re going to be a mother. I hope our child is an adorable daughter just like you. I’ll spoil her into the most envied little princess in the world.” Scarlett had replied, “I won’t play favorites like you. I’ll love both sons and daughters equally. I want to be the best mother in the world.” Those words from the past still seemed to ring in Scarlett’s ears, but everything had changed. Everyone hated and resented her. But she had also lost her child. That child had stayed in Scarlett’s womb for three whole months, connected to her by blood. How could she not feel heartbroken? More than anyone, Scarlett had wanted to see the child born safely. But compared to an unborn child and herself, Anthony meant more to her than anything else. Even today, Scarlett didn’t regret the choice she had made back then.

Harper gasped for breath, her eyes red as she looked at Anthony, who remained silent beside her. She said, “In the past, I stopped you from being with Natalie because I didn’t want you to have any connection with the Richardson family. But I never expected Scarlett to come back, and you even kept her by your side? I’m telling you, I will never allow a woman who nearly killed my son and aborted my grandchild to marry you, not unless I’m dead. You either marry Natalie or arrange a marriage with someone else. Anyone can be your wife, as long as it’s not Scarlett.” Anthony stared at the words carved on the tombstone. After a long while, he finally heard his own voice: “Fine, I’ll marry Natalie.” ***** After returning to the Morris mansion, Anthony handed Scarlett a divorce agreement. Looking at the document in her hands, Scarlett momentarily forgot to maintain her facade, her eyes reddening slightly. She had thought her marriage to Anthony had already been dissolved. According to the law, if spouses are separated for two years, either party can file for a forced divorce. Scarlett had been gone for three years, long meeting the criteria for a forced divorce, yet Anthony had never filed. “Scarlett, are you reluctant to get divorced?” Anthony asked, noticing her reddened eyes while suppressing his rapidly beating heart. Scarlett bit her tongue to clear her head, then put on a greedy expression as she flipped through the property division section. She deliberately pointed to several properties and said, “I just think you’re giving me too little money. Give me a few more houses, will you? After all, these properties are worth quite a lot.” Anthony’s eyes filled with anger: “Scarlett, how can you be so greedy?” When the revised divorce agreement was delivered to Scarlett again, she signed her name without hesitation. Given their three-year separation, they received their divorce certificate the same day they signed the agreement. Scarlett and Anthony’s brief four-year marriage had come to an end. After leaving the courthouse, Scarlett received a text from David: [We’ve received word that the criminals might make their move in the next couple of days. Be careful.] Scarlett stared blankly at the message. She thought, “Is it finally going to end?” Coming back to her senses, Scarlett called out to Anthony, who was about to leave. She said, “I’m Natalie’s sister. I should at least see her get married before I go, right?” Anthony didn’t turn around, standing silently for a long time. Just when Scarlett thought he would refuse, she heard his voice: “Fine. Scarlett, you truly are heartless.” Scarlett’s heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by a large hand, making it hard to breathe. Yet her face still maintained a smile. Anthony and Natalie’s marriage would surely be a happy one. During the wedding preparations, Scarlett stayed close to them both. She watched them select wedding dresses, finalize guest lists, and take wedding photos. Everything she and Anthony had experienced before, Anthony and Natalie were now experiencing again. Watching them embrace intimately in their wedding dress and suit, Scarlett’s ears were filled with praise for the couple. One woman said, “Mr. Morris and Miss Natalie Richardson are such a perfect match.” Another woman agreed, “Yes. They’re sure to be the happiest couple.” Natalie shyly buried her head in Anthony’s chest. She said, “Marrying Anthony is the happiest thing in my life.” In a daze, Scarlett felt as if she had returned to when she married Anthony years ago. Everyone had envied how their years-long romance had finally reached fruition. At their wedding, they had vowed to each other never to part, never to separate for life. But who would have thought that four years later, the bride by his side would be someone else, while she could only offer her blessings. On the way back after the photo shoot, Natalie excitedly clung to Anthony, discussing the day’s wedding photos. She said, “Anthony, let’s pick the best shot and put it right in the center of the villa’s first floor, okay? I’d like to hang the beach set in our bedroom.” No matter what Natalie said, Anthony always responded with an indulgent smile, gently ruffling her hair in agreement. Natalie glanced at Scarlett, who had remained silent, and said, “Scarlett, tell me—where do you think Anthony and I should go for our honeymoon after the wedding? And when should we start trying for a baby? Scarlett, you have experience with this. You could teach me.” Scarlett dug her nails into her palms, forcing a strained smile. Just as she was about to speak, a black car suddenly shot out from the side, slamming hard into their vehicle. Their car was thrown against a roadside utility pole, the body crumpling inward with a massive dent. Anthony, sitting in the driver’s seat, took the worst of the impact. Blood streamed down his forehead as he lost consciousness. Natalie screamed, frantically trying to call 911. But Scarlett felt ice-cold, as if all the blood in her body had frozen. With just one glance, she recognized the people in the black car—the same criminals from three years ago. They had tortured her for half a month straight, and she would never forget their faces for as long as she lived. With trembling hands, Scarlett quickly sent a message to David. When they’d gone for the wedding photos today, Natalie hadn’t wanted too many people following them, so Anthony had dismissed all the bodyguards. Now, only the three of them were in the car. God knew how long it would take for the police to receive word and arrive. Watching the black car slowly approach, Scarlett had only one thought—she absolutely could not let Anthony be captured by them again. Gritting her teeth, Scarlett struggled to pry open the mangled car door, then shouted at the panicked Natalie in the back seat, “We need to get him out of the car, now!” Thinking Scarlett was planning to abandon them and flee alone, Natalie’s eyes turned red as she screamed, “Three years ago, you left Anthony behind and ran away. Are you going to abandon him again today?” Scarlett didn’t have time to argue with her. She pulled Anthony directly from the driver’s seat. Seeing that Natalie was still frozen in the back seat, Scarlett grabbed her and dragged her out regardless of her struggles. Then Scarlett said, “Stay here and watch him. The police will be here soon.” Without waiting for Natalie’s reaction, she climbed into the driver’s seat. Since the police hadn’t arrived yet, Scarlett couldn’t just sit there waiting—otherwise, all three of them would be captured. Behind the black car stretched a bridge spanning the river. Scarlett’s eyes filled with grim determination. She restarted the engine and, before the black car could get any closer, floored the accelerator and drove straight toward them at full speed. With a thunderous crash, the massive impact sent Scarlett’s car careening into the black vehicle, both cars smashing through the guardrail and tumbling off the bridge. Scarlett’s consciousness began to fade as she watched the icy river water slowly rise over her head. Her brief life flashed before her eyes, finally settling on the last words Anthony had spoken to her: “Scarlett, you truly are heartless.” Using the last of her strength, Scarlett managed her first genuine smile in ages. She thought, “Keep hating me, Anthony. You and Natalie will live happily ever after. I’ll never appear in your lives again.” As the river water completely covered her head, Scarlett slowly closed her eyes. She thought, “Anthony, I still owe you an apology. And… congratulations on your wedding.” When David arrived at the scene, he only saw Anthony unconscious and Natalie holding him tightly. He looked around but didn’t see that familiar figure, and urgently asked, “Where’s Scarlett? What about those criminals?” Natalie was still terrified. Thinking of Scarlett’s resolute figure from moments ago, her heart felt like it was blocked by a huge stone, making it hard to breathe. She had originally thought Scarlett would abandon them and flee alone, just like three years ago. But she never expected that Scarlett would choose to use her own body to stop the criminals. For a moment, Natalie’s mind was in chaos, not knowing what to say. Under David’s pressing gaze, after a long while, she finally spoke with difficulty: “To stop the criminals, she drove her car into theirs. Both cars fell off the bridge up ahead.” David immediately became tense and quickly arranged for rescue through his radio. When he reached the top of the bridge and saw the horrific scene on the road, his heart had already sunk. There was an extremely deep scratch mark on the road, and the guardrail was broken in the middle. This indicated that both cars had collided at high speed before falling into the water. The river below this bridge was very turbulent, and after such a violent impact, the car doors would easily deform, making it very difficult for anyone inside to open the doors and escape. Moreover, under such severe impact, people would easily get injured and lose consciousness. In other words, the possibility of Scarlett surviving was extremely slim. But David still held onto a glimmer of hope and ordered the rescue team to begin salvage operations immediately. Before Scarlett came to the police station offering to be bait, David, like everyone else, had thought that three years ago Scarlett had taken the ransom money and left, abandoning Anthony. However, when he saw the deathly look in Scarlett’s eyes, he realized things weren’t as they had imagined. After hearing about her ordeal at the casino, even David, who had been a police officer for twelve years, couldn’t help but take a deep breath. He cursed those vicious criminals in his heart. They were the real culprits who had torn apart this once-happy family. Whether it was Anthony or Scarlett, they were both victims. Scarlett had endured pain she never should have experienced, all for Anthony’s sake. During these three years, the torment she suffered was no less than Anthony’s. David didn’t want to see Scarlett, who had finally escaped from the devil’s clutches, lose her life. Her life shouldn’t end so suddenly like this. Moreover, if the truth ever came to light one day, wouldn’t that be an indescribable agony for those still living? After a day and night of rescue efforts, the two cars were finally salvaged. When the almost completely deformed cars were lifted and placed on the ground, everyone fell into deep sorrow. The cars had been submerged underwater for a full 24 hours and were so badly damaged that their original appearance was unrecognizable. Every detail told everyone present that there was no possibility of survival for those inside. David remained silent for a long time before finally having someone contact the coroner. Even if it was just a body, he had to find Scarlett. The car was cut open, revealing the interior that had been compressed to almost no space. The corpse, already swollen and pale from being submerged, appeared before everyone. Endless guilt and regret filled David’s heart. If he had arrived with his team earlier, perhaps Scarlett wouldn’t have had to pay with her life. But now Scarlett was dead, and they couldn’t bring back this vibrant life. ***** In the hospital, Anthony’s forehead was wrapped in thick bandages, and his face was somewhat pale. When he regained consciousness again, he was already lying in a hospital bed, with only Natalie and the Morris family members by his side. Anthony only remembered getting into a car accident on the way back after taking wedding photos, then losing consciousness the next second. The police called to tell him that it was the same group of criminals from three years ago who had acted again, planning to kidnap him. However, they got their comeuppance and had already died after falling into the river. The moment he learned this news, the nightmare that had haunted Anthony’s mind for three years was finally dispelled. But… Anthony pressed his lips together and looked around, but still didn’t see that familiar figure. He asked, “Where’s Scarlett?”

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My husband’s mother, Eloise Fowler, and I, Hazel Wilson, became pregnant almost simultaneously and gave birth via C-section on the same day, each delivering a baby boy. However, Eloise’s son Henry Fowler died unexpectedly in infancy. Heartbroken, she poured all her love into my son Jasper Fowler. Shortly after Jasper officially took over the company, Stephen and I died in a rafting accident. After death, my soul remained by Jasper’s side. Yet I witnessed him kneeling before Eloise, calling her “Mom”! Only then did I realize that the son I had painstakingly raised for twenty years had been secretly switched by Eloise! When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day Eloise and I both had our C-sections. ***** My husband Stephen Fowler and I drowned in the rapids. After death, my soul didn’t dissipate but returned to Jasper’s side. I watched him solemnly hold our funeral. But as soon as the funeral ended, he said impatiently, “Those two are finally dead. This time it finally worked!” I was stunned. Was he talking about Stephen and me? Jasper stared at our portraits with pure hatred in his eyes, making my heart clench. I didn’t understand why he would hate us. We were his biological parents who had devoted over twenty years of our lives to raising him, even naming him as the beneficiary on all our insurance policies! Just then, Eloise cautiously approached and asked Jasper, “Will the police suspect this has anything to do with us?” Jasper gave her a reassuring look: “Don’t worry, I handled this cleanly. Besides, the accident report is already in—it’s ruled as accidental death. They just had bad luck.” I was shocked. So Stephen’s and my deaths weren’t accidents, but were orchestrated by our most beloved son! I couldn’t help but recall that ever since Jasper inherited the family business, Stephen and I had frequently encountered “accidents,” though we’d narrowly escaped each time. This time, he had also suggested the family rafting trip. The rope snapped, and Stephen and I were swept away by the rapids to our deaths. Why would he do this? Before I could think further, I saw Jasper kneel before Eloise, crying as he called out, “Mom! I can finally call you Mom openly! All these years you’ve suffered, having to watch me call other people Mom and Dad!” Eloise also had tears in her eyes as she held Jasper tightly: “The Fowler family fortune should stay with our own family. I couldn’t let it fall into outsiders’ hands.” Seeing this scene, I finally understood everything. Years ago, after Eloise’s husband John Fowler died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage, she discovered she was pregnant, ten days ahead of me. Stephen and I both advised her to terminate the pregnancy, but she knelt before us, crying that if we wanted her to abort the child, she’d rather die right then and there. Unable to persuade her otherwise, we let her have the baby. Since Eloise was an older mother and had always treated me well, during her pregnancy we provided the best nutrition and premium care, never missing a beat. We even arranged for her to stay with me at a high-end maternity center costing tens of thousands of dollars per day. From their conversation, I learned that Stephen wasn’t actually John and Eloise’s biological son. To control the family fortune, Eloise had risked the dangers of being an older mother to bear her biological son and switched him with our child. Fearing exposure and wanting her son to naturally inherit all the love and attention, she cruelly killed my biological son, then pretended to be devastated while coming to our home to care for that “replacement.” This meant that Henry, who died in infancy over twenty years ago, was actually my biological son! And the child I had raised with such dedication was someone else’s son, who had personally orchestrated Stephen’s and my deaths! I wanted nothing more than to rush forward and kill this mother-son pair! But the next second, everything went dark before my eyes.

When I woke up, Eloise was standing beside my bed, chattering away: “Hazel, thank goodness for you and Stephen. When I was carrying Stephen at Christmas, how could I have afforded a C-section at such a nice hospital like this! If John knew, he’d be so happy.” I realized I had been reborn, back to the day when Eloise and I were both scheduled for C-sections. Perhaps the hatred in my eyes was too obvious, because Eloise froze for a moment and asked cautiously, “Hazel, what’s wrong?” Stephen, who had been cheering me on from the side, also spoke up with concern: “Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?” Although hatred was surging in my heart at that moment, after all, nothing had happened yet. I thought for a moment, speculating that the baby swap must have taken place immediately after the C-section was completed. Because the hospital had arranged private rooms afterward, it would be difficult for her to find another opportunity. I suppressed my emotions, composed myself, and smiled at Eloise: “We’re family, after all. The baby in your belly is Stephen’s little brother. You’re taking such a big risk to bring him into this world – it’s only right that we take care of you!” Then I turned to Stephen and said softly, “Stephen, I need to use the restroom. Could you come with me? Let Eloise go to the delivery room first.” Stephen didn’t suspect anything and helped me up to walk to the bathroom. Along the way, Eloise kept staring at my belly, her eyes filled with determination. After hearing the nurse outside call for Eloise to enter the delivery room, I immediately grabbed Stephen’s hand and said, “Stephen, I think what they say online makes sense. I don’t want a C-section anymore. Let’s wait until full term and have a natural birth instead!” Stephen looked confused: “Didn’t you say before that you wanted to have the C-section with Mom? So you two could keep each other company?” I felt disgusted. If it weren’t for Eloise constantly whispering in my ear that natural birth was much more painful than C-sections and carried the risk of difficult labor, I never would have listened to her and agreed to have a C-section on the same day as her. I couldn’t directly tell Stephen that I had been reborn – that would be too absurd. I also didn’t dare try to switch the babies back after delivery, fearing that Eloise might harm the child again. The safest approach right now was to separate our deliveries, so she wouldn’t have the chance to swap the babies. Besides, my due date was still early – I had only moved it up to give birth on the same day as her. Although Stephen was puzzled, he still agreed to my request. After some complications, I finally left the hospital. On the way home, I ordered several cameras online, just in case. However, as soon as I reached the front door, I was stunned. “Eloise, here’s the nutritious meal I just prepared. Please try it.” Emma Hill, the nanny Stephen had hired to take care of me, was now enthusiastically serving Eloise dinner. And Eloise’s belly was still prominently rounded – she obviously hadn’t given birth yet.

Seeing Stephen and me return, Emma quickly turned and rushed into the kitchen, bringing out utensils to set the table for us. “Hazel, you’re back. Come try the nutritious meal I made.” I walked over and sat down at the table. Eloise pursed her lips with slight displeasure. “Hazel, you changed your mind about giving birth and didn’t even tell me. I was already on the operating table when I found out you weren’t going through with it. I said this won’t do, so I’m not having the surgery either.” “I’m not trying to criticize you, but you don’t trust the doctor you found yourself, yet you left me stranded at the hospital. What were you thinking?” Eloise continued to scold. Stephen quickly stepped in to explain for me: “How could Hazel possibly harm you?” Seeing Stephen take my side, Eloise’s mouth turned down in displeasure. “Stephen, I’m carrying your father’s child—your little brother!” I let out a cold laugh: “I was planning on a natural birth all along. You were the one who kept persuading me to have a C-section on the same day as you. Now that I don’t want to go through with it, what’s wrong with that?” Eloise’s face turned pale with anger, her finger pointing at me as her voice trembled: “What do you mean I pressured you? I was doing this for your own good! Natural birth is so troublesome—you changed your mind at the last minute and now you think you’re in the right!” Stephen quickly positioned himself between us, playing peacemaker while gently patting her back to calm her down: “You’ve misunderstood. The doctor actually recommends that Hazel wait until her due date for a natural birth, which is why we decided against the C-section and left the hospital.” Hearing that I wasn’t planning on a C-section anymore, Eloise’s eyes widened as she began trying to persuade me: “When I had Stephen at Christmas, it was also by C-section. Look how smart and tall he is now. You should listen to my experience!” Emma chimed in as well: “That’s right, Hazel. Natural birth isn’t as great as people think. Look how many women have massive hemorrhages during difficult deliveries—it’s so dangerous!” I interrupted them somewhat impatiently: “The doctor already said they recommend natural birth. Are you more professional than the doctors? Besides, how I give birth is my own business. If you prefer C-sections, go ahead and have one. I’m not doing it!” I set down my utensils with a heavy thud, staring coldly at Eloise: “If you think the doctor I chose isn’t professional enough, then go back to the countryside to give birth!” Eloise opened her mouth, momentarily speechless, finally managing only: “I’m just looking out for you.” If I hadn’t experienced my previous life, I might have believed her. There are always people in this world who do harmful things under the guise of “doing it for your own good.” What’s more, Eloise never had good intentions from the start. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes and said coldly: “I want to rest now. If there’s nothing else, have Stephen take you home.” Eloise, apparently plotting something else, looked at Stephen with feigned difficulty: “Look, I’m about to give birth, and living in the countryside is too far from the hospital—it’s just not convenient. How about I stay here with you and Hazel for the next few days?” I immediately understood her plan. She wanted to freeload at my house so she could continue pressuring me into having a C-section, thereby carrying out her baby-switching scheme. I firmly refused: “No way. If you get hurt while staying here, I’ll be the one to blame…” Eloise looked aggrieved: “Hazel, what are you saying? Don’t you consider me family anymore?” Seeing my resolute attitude, she turned to Stephen and tried to persuade him: “Stephen, hiring two nannies is too expensive. Now that I’m staying with you, Emma can take care of both of us, and you’ll save money. Isn’t that better?” Before Stephen could respond, I spoke up again: “Money isn’t the issue. If necessary, you should stay at the hospital. It’s safer and more convenient. I’m thinking about the baby in your belly!” Stephen also agreed with my suggestion: “Yeah, Mom, you’re due soon. It’s better to stay at the hospital.” But the next second, Eloise, with her big belly, sat down directly on the floor. Stephen and I were both startled. She was completely disregarding the baby in her belly! Stephen rushed forward to help her up, but she grabbed his hand and cried while shouting: “John, look at your son! He wants me to sleep outside with this big belly! I’m at such an advanced age and worked so hard to carry your youngest son, but Stephen is treating us like this. I don’t want to live anymore!” I finally witnessed what those unreasonable, troublesome relatives on TV were like. Stephen couldn’t bear it after all, and his tone softened: “Alright, Mom, Hazel is pregnant and in a bad mood. Don’t hold it against her. Just stay here!” Upon hearing this, Eloise immediately changed her expression, smiling as she took Stephen’s hand and stood up, her face full of smiles, as if the unreasonable tantrum from moments before had never happened. She said: “How could I hold anything against you? We’re family!” Over the next few days, Eloise did exactly as I expected, nagging in my ear every day, trying to convince me to have a C-section. I completely ignored her words. After all, her due date was earlier than mine. If we kept this standoff going, she would definitely give birth before me. While she and Emma were taking their afternoon nap, I secretly installed hidden surveillance cameras throughout the house. Now that Stephen had let them move in, I had to be on guard. Days passed, and I finally waited for the day Eloise went into labor. Emma helped the pale-faced Eloise into the living room, shouting anxiously: “Hazel, Eloise seems to be going into labor. Quick, call an ambulance.” I got up to dial, when a terrible thought suddenly occurred to me. At this moment, Eloise’s face was deathly pale, clutching her belly in pain, with amniotic fluid flowing down her legs onto the floor. If I found an excuse to delay getting her medical help at this moment, would she and the baby in her belly be in danger? But then I thought, Emma was still there, so she wouldn’t just ignore Eloise. Before I could think further, Emma saw that I wasn’t moving and suddenly let go of Eloise’s hand, rushing to make the phone call for an ambulance. As she passed by me, she slipped and fell straight toward me. I couldn’t dodge in time and was knocked heavily to the ground. The severe abdominal pain made me lose consciousness instantly. Before my consciousness faded, I saw Eloise in the distance with a triumphant smile at the corner of her mouth. When I woke up, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. I instinctively reached for my belly—it was empty! Stephen was keeping watch by the bedside. Seeing me wake up, he breathed a sigh of relief: “Emma said you accidentally fell at home, and then you and Mom both had C-sections. The baby has been born and is very healthy.” I frowned, thinking: Did I fall by myself, or was I pushed? I was so shocked at the time that I couldn’t remember clearly. The most urgent thing now was to confirm whether the baby had been switched. I asked Stephen: “Where’s the baby?” Stephen walked over to my bedside carrying the baby. I took just one look and nearly fainted again. This familiar little face was Eloise’s child Jasper, not my son Henry! In the end, the baby had still been switched!

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My mother, Maeve Nelson, made significant contributions to the Academy of Sciences and was awarded a special national medal of honor. After her death, I, Anna Nelson, also a researcher at the Academy, concealed the news of her passing and personally escorted her belongings to Chicago, planning to discuss engagement matters with Ivan Lewis, my childhood friend. However, the moment I stepped out of the train station, I was knocked down by Ivan’s assistant, Lucy Watkins. Watching the velvet box containing the medal fall open and seeing the medal’s edge crack from the impact, my heart sank. Yet Lucy had the audacity to blame me: “Don’t you watch where you’re going? You broke my bracelet!” I was stunned and tried to reason with her: “Miss, please get your facts straight. You’re the one who crashed into me first and damaged my mother’s belongings. How can you turn this around on me?” She acted as if she’d heard the most ridiculous joke: “Some dead person’s junk—who cares if it’s broken? This bracelet is a custom designer piece worth ten million dollars! Do you think you can afford to offend the wife of the Lewis family heir?” I was taken aback and immediately pulled out my phone to call Ivan’s mother, Camila Lewis: “Mrs. Lewis, since when does Ivan have two potential wives?” ***** When we were children, Ivan’s parents and mine arranged our engagement. I never really took it seriously, but Maeve kept bringing it up on her deathbed. She said Ivan was handsome, tall, successful, and that the Lewis family had helped us before, urging me to settle the marriage soon. But since he moved away as a child, we hadn’t seen each other since. So my return this time was less about getting engaged and more about clearing things up and giving each other our freedom. What I didn’t expect was for Camila, who I remembered as gentle, to get angry over one simple question. She said: “What business is it of yours? Who do you think you are to meddle in our family affairs?” Before I could respond, she hung up. I was stunned, then realized that in my rush to leave, I hadn’t switched back to my original phone number. Camila’s voice had been loud enough for Lucy to hear everything clearly. Now Lucy stood with her arms crossed, looking at me with complete disdain: “And here I thought you were actually somebody important. Turns out you were just bluffing.” Lucy let out a cold laugh, her voice dripping with mockery: “This bracelet is the latest limited edition—only five exist worldwide, priced at ten million dollars. But…” She smirked coldly, looking me up and down: “How about this—get on your knees and lick my shoes clean with your tongue, and I’ll give you a discount on what you owe me.” She raised an eyebrow, looking smug, as if certain I’d do it to save some money. More and more people gathered around, and hearing Lucy’s arrogant words, murmurs began to spread. “Ten million dollars! I could never earn that much in my lifetime!” “Who is this person? She damages someone else’s property and then demands compensation?” “Keep your voice down! Didn’t you hear her say she’s the wife of the Lewis family heir? In Chicago, who else would dare be this arrogant besides the Lewis family?” The crowd’s chatter made Lucy puff out her chest even more proudly. She said: “You hear that, you broke loser? You’d better wise up before Mr. Lewis gets here.” “Why should I listen to you?” My words made Lucy’s face stiffen. She gritted her teeth and slapped me across the face. Her sharp nails scraped across my cheek, leaving a bloody scratch. She sneered: “You pathetic loser, those jeans of yours are practically falling apart from being washed so much, aren’t they? Even if we sold you, you couldn’t afford my bracelet. I’ve changed my mind—I don’t want you licking my shoes anymore. I want Mr. Lewis to sell you into slavery.” Her tone was incredibly arrogant, making my eyes well up with tears of rage. My gaze fell on the cracked medal on the ground, heartbroken that Maeve’s life’s work was being treated so callously, and furious at this person’s complete disregard for others. I took a deep breath, and as Lucy leaned in to continue her taunts, I suddenly raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. Before she could react, I followed up with a second slap. I said: “This is a train station—there are cameras everywhere. The surveillance will prove that you hit me first, causing me to drop and break what I was holding. And you still want me to apologize first? I’m telling you—no way!” I put my hands on my hips, my anger nearly overwhelming my reason.

I don’t care how others bully me, but I absolutely won’t tolerate anyone insulting Maeve! “You bitch! How dare you hit me!” She lunged at me, raising her hand to slap me again. I dodged to the side and kicked her in one swift motion. Lucy fell to the ground, her palm pressing against the medal fragments. She screamed, “You bitch! I’m telling you, Mr. Lewis bought me this bracelet specially yesterday, and you’re not getting away with this! When Mr. Lewis gets here, you’ll be sorry!” Despite her disheveled state, she remained arrogant and domineering. I frowned. These past few years, I’d been staying at the country’s secret base for research, rarely interacting with the outside world. Because of this isolation, I was almost completely cut off from society and knew little about current affairs. But due to the marriage arrangement made in childhood, even though I hadn’t deliberately followed news about the Lewis family, I could still learn bits and pieces from Maeve. According to Maeve, Ivan was no longer the chubby little boy who used to cry and follow me around years ago. He had not only become successful in his career and strikingly handsome, but was also the dream man of countless women. However, coming back this time, I didn’t want to get too involved with him. I only wanted to fulfill Maeve’s wish and personally deliver her belongings back home. I never expected that right after getting off the train, I’d witness such shamelessness. I’d never heard of any family daring to be so brazenly arrogant. It seemed some people really needed to be put in their place. I was about to take out my phone to make a call when Lucy suddenly knocked it out of my hand. “Even if you call for help, you’ll only get a bunch of poor country folks, right? Mr. Lewis will be here soon, so I suggest you don’t waste your energy.” Lucy looked down at the blood on her palm, glaring at me viciously. I had just bent down to pick up my phone when someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed, “Mr. Lewis is here!” I looked up. Surrounded by the crowd, a tall, well-proportioned man in a tailored suit stood at the center. His gaze was cold and distant, and when he looked at me, I could hardly believe this was the Ivan from my memory. It wasn’t that he bore no resemblance to his childhood self—he was completely transformed. “What happened?” His tone was calm, but as soon as he saw the injury on Lucy’s hand, he immediately became concerned. Ivan quickly stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. “What’s going on?” He frowned, scanning the crowd of onlookers before his gaze finally settled on me. The warmth in his eyes instantly turned cold, even showing a hint of anger. He asked, “Did you do this?” I had opened my mouth to explain, but forced myself to swallow the words. My initial thought of greeting him was completely extinguished by that cold question. Seeing Ivan’s arrival, Lucy’s arrogant demeanor instantly softened, replaced by a pitiful expression as she nestled into his arms. “Mr. Lewis, you’re finally here! Right after I got off the train, she knocked me down. Not only did she verbally abuse me, but she also broke the bracelet you gave me. You know how much this bracelet means to me—if I weren’t meeting you today, I wouldn’t even have worn it out. And now, just a few hours later, look what happened.” Her eyes reddened as she put on a pitiful act. Lucy’s distressed appearance made Ivan look at me again. “You’re Anna Nelson?” “So what if I am?” I replied. His tone, flat yet contemptuous, instantly ignited my anger. From birth until now, regardless of my character or status, no one had ever dared speak to me this way. “How do you plan to compensate?” He merely glanced at the medal fragments on the ground, his voice low. “This bracelet is worth ten million dollars. If you don’t believe me, I can show you the receipt.” His condescending attitude made my blood boil. Maeve’s life’s work lay shattered on the ground, yet he wouldn’t even spare it a glance, only caring about some broken bracelet. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my last shred of rationality as I attempted to reason with Ivan. “Ivan, your assistant knocked over my suitcase, and the medal fell out and broke. That was my mother’s—” “Enough.” He raised his hand to cut me off, his tone clearly impatient. “Here’s what we’ll do—the bracelet cost ten million dollars. You can pay half. I can see this bracelet is beyond repair.” The last thread of rationality in my mind snapped. I had originally thought about leaving some dignity for both of us, but since Ivan didn’t want it, there was no need for me to show him any courtesy either.

From a personal standpoint, I’ve known him longer. Regardless, even if he didn’t want to honor our past, he should at least investigate the truth before passing judgment. From a professional standpoint, this medal is a specially crafted national honor, created solely to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the country. Yet he jumped to conclusions without getting the facts straight, instinctively assuming I was in the wrong. Was it simply because of these cheap clothes I’m wearing? Or perhaps Lucy’s alluring figure? I gritted my teeth, about to explain, when he cut me off again: “It’s just a medal. If you like it so much, I can have someone make you a hundred of them.” “Of course,” he paused, his gaze falling on me as if Christian were looking at a complete stranger, “you must first apologize, pay compensation, and earn Lucy’s forgiveness.” Seeing my slightly stunned expression, a flash of impatience crossed Ivan’s eyes: “Don’t think you can keep pestering me just because of your relationship with my parents. And that childhood engagement between us was just our parents joking around—you don’t need to take it seriously.” As soon as he finished speaking, the murmur of the crowd grew louder. “No way? Those two don’t look like they belong together at all.” “Looking at it now, that assistant beside Mr. Lewis seems like a much better match for him.” “Exactly. Look at her, making such a big fuss over a broken medal. Meanwhile, the rich guy doesn’t even bat an eye at millions in losses.” The crowd’s chatter seemed to fuel Ivan’s arrogance. A cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: “Since we’ve come this far, let me make things crystal clear today.” Ivan stepped closer, looking down at me with a cold tone: “From today forward, our engagement is officially null and void. As for my parents, I hope you’ll come with me to explain things to them. After all, you’ve been living in the countryside and don’t understand the rules of my social circle—marriage requires matching family backgrounds.” He casually slipped one hand into his pocket, his tone mockingly gentle: “Of course, I’m not looking down on you. I just think I deserve better.” “Mr. Lewis, I don’t necessarily need her to pay me back. I just feel we can’t let your gift to me go to waste,” Lucy chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. Seeing my cold expression, the last trace of patience vanished from Ivan’s eyes: “You don’t seriously think that with your current shabby appearance, you’re worthy of me, do you?” The surrounding chatter erupted again. “Come on, no matter how successful Mr. Lewis is, he shouldn’t treat a girl like this, right?” “You don’t get it. Mr. Lewis is doing this to cut ties with her and prevent her from clinging to him later.” “But I still think he’s being a bit too condescending toward poor people.” The crowd split into two camps. One side thought Ivan was going too far—not only bullying a girl but also discriminating against the poor. The other side believed he was doing the right thing, that people like me who try to climb the social ladder should be cut off completely. I looked up at Ivan’s impatient expression, my fists gradually clenching. Truth be told, the Nelson family and the Lewis family—one in business, one in politics—had grown distant by our generation. Moreover, Ivan and I had never had any real feelings for each other. I came back this time specifically to break off the engagement. But not only was he arrogant and domineering, allowing Lucy to destroy that medal representing my mother’s lifelong honor—a specially crafted national award—he also humiliated me repeatedly, even worrying that I might cling to him. I took a deep breath, my gaze falling on Lucy, who was hiding behind Ivan: “I believe that regardless of anything else, this lady should compensate me for the damaged medal.” “That piece of junk?” Before Lucy could respond, Ivan scoffed, “Fine, no problem. A hundred bucks each—I can make you a hundred of them.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over me with contempt: “For old times’ sake, since we were once engaged, I’ll throw in an extra hundred dollars. Pay for Lucy’s bracelet, and we’ll call it even.” “Even?” I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “I’m afraid even if you sold the entire Lewis family, you couldn’t afford to compensate for this medal!” Ivan froze, then burst into laughter as if he’d heard the joke of the century. The people around us also showed sympathetic, even pitying expressions, as if Christian believed I’d suffered a mental breakdown under enormous pressure. Lucy crossed her arms, her face full of disdain and disgust. Ignoring the stares and whispers around me, I pulled out my phone, switched to another system, and dialed Kane Schmidt’s number. The call connected quickly. Before he could speak, I said first: “Mr. Schmidt, the Skyward Medal has been damaged.” There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by an elderly, shocked voice. Then came a series of clattering sounds, as if something had been knocked over. He asked: “Where are you right now? I’m coming over immediately!”

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