Author: Momo Chan

I was born with a unique crimson mark between my brows, a sign of a rare and profound destiny. To save Marcus Thorne, the frail, only heir of the Thorne family, I used the power of my crimson birthmark to ward off his misfortunes. He not only recovered completely but also rose to become the top business magnate in the city’s elite circles. He called me his destined ‘crimson mark,’ the irreplaceable one meant for him. Everyone in the elite circles said I was the happiest woman alive. But in our third year of marriage, he became utterly obsessed with a college student. She wore a delicate, moon-white lace dress, with a striking painted crimson dot between her brows, smiling at him like a blossoming flower. That single image mesmerized Marcus, making him completely forget me, who had dedicated countless hours praying and seeking blessings for him every single day. He pursued her relentlessly and finally, after she became pregnant, he brought his new love home. When I confronted him, he casually said, “You can understand my desire for a child, Elara. You owe me this.” I didn’t cry or make a scene, because I knew he wouldn’t live much longer. In just one month, the power of my crimson mark would no longer be able to contain his fate. Once the fetus fully formed, his destiny would violently turn against him… … My phone screen buzzed with breaking news headlines popping up one after another. # Elite’s New Money King, Marcus Thorne, and His Co-ed Spotted at Hospital! # # CONFIRMED!!! Marcus Thorne’s College Girlfriend Is Pregnant! # The kitchen knife in my hand clattered to the floor. My foot instantly bled, a gash gaping open on my instep. The maids rushed over, one stemming the blood while shouting for the driver to take me to the hospital. “Madam, the cut is too deep, you must get it treated at the hospital.” “Don’t worry, I’ll have dinner ready on time. It won’t delay your and Mr. Thorne’s third wedding anniversary celebration tonight.” I looked at the dishes laid out on the counter, all Marcus’s favorites, and a self-deprecating smile touched my lips. My eyes burned, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. “No need.” I stood up and headed to the hospital. Due to an anesthesia allergy, I bit down hard, enduring the pain as the doctor stitched up my wound. Then my phone suddenly rang. I answered, and Lila Monroe’s sobbing voice came through the receiver. “Elara, you need to come to Metropolitan Medical Center now.” Marcus’s voice was filled with frantic urgency. A calling number echoed through the hospital lobby. The voice on the other end paused, then spoke again. “You’re at the hospital?” “Perfect. Hurry up and come to the eighth floor. We’re here.” He hung up before I could say a word. Looking at the disconnected call, my heart went cold and trembled. When did his eyes stop seeing me? Having endured years of suffering from illness, he knew the agony of pain all too well. That’s why he was always so protective, couldn’t bear to see me hurt in the slightest. Once, when my high heels chafed my skin, he spared no expense, hiring the world’s most renowned designers just to create custom-fit shoes for me. And now, hearing I was in the hospital, he only thought about how quickly I could come to their rescue. I closed my eyes, quietly considering my options. My promise to Eleanor was fulfilled. Since Marcus no longer needed me, it was time for me to make my exit. As I struggled to force my injured foot into my shoe, several urgent messages already popped up on my phone. As soon as I reached the eighth floor, I saw security guards blocking a crowd of reporters at one end of the corridor. When they saw me appear, everyone swarmed towards me frantically. “Mrs. Thorne, what are your thoughts on Mr. Thorne’s affair with a college student?” “Mrs. Thorne, are you here to catch him in the act?” “Mrs. Thorne, is your foot injured because of Mr. Thorne?” “Mrs. Thorne…” My heart felt like it was seized by a giant hand, and pain instantly assaulted every part of my body, leaving me breathless. So that was why Marcus wanted me on the eighth floor. To use me as a distraction for the reporters, allowing him to slip away with Lila Monroe. I was packed in so tightly, the flashing lights made me dizzy. Reporters surged forward, pushing and shoving. I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs. The scene erupted into chaos. In the second before I lost consciousness, I saw Marcus carefully shielding Lila Monroe behind him as they entered another elevator. He didn’t even glance my way. When I woke up again, a sharp pain flared between my brows. My eyes focused, and I realized I was lying in a hospital bed. The worried driver stood beside the bed. “Mr. Thorne said you should rest well. He’ll be over once he’s done with his work.” I scoffed inwardly. Completely absorbed in the joy of impending fatherhood, why would he be distracted by anything else? 2 The high fever plunged me in and out of consciousness. When I truly woke up, three days had passed. The driver had long been called back. Marcus’s chat window on my phone was still stuck on his terse message from three days ago: “Hurry!” My SnapChat was flooded with messages from friends. Only then did I learn that for the past three days, Marcus had booked out a private hospital in the suburbs to care for a startled Lila Monroe, staying by her side constantly. As I turned off my phone, my reflection appeared on the screen. The crimson mark on my forehead had faded even more. After being discharged and returning to the mansion, the main gate stood open. Maids hurried in and out, carrying luggage. Seeing me return, their eyes were filled with pity. It wasn’t until I saw Marcus cooing over Lila Monroe, coaxing her to eat fruit, that I understood where that pity came from. Seeing me enter, Marcus quickly waved me over. “Elara, you’re back just in time. Come tell Lila how good avocado is for pregnant women.” “I’ve been trying to coax her for ages, but she still won’t eat it. You’re the best at persuasion; even I didn’t want to eat it back then until you convinced me.” Yes, once, I gave my all for him. I heard avocado was a superfood, but he couldn’t stand its smell. I patiently coaxed him to eat a little every day, hoping he’d be healthier. But now, he was using the same tactics to coax another woman, completely oblivious to my limping foot. Only sarcasm remained in my heart. Perhaps my expression was too grim, for Marcus paused, then put down the avocado and walked towards me. “Elara, you know I love you deeply, but I really want a child, a child like you and me.” “Look closely at Lila, doesn’t she resemble you?” I stared at him in shock, unable to believe what I was hearing. Marcus’s eyes flickered nervously, then he impatiently said, “I know you’re going to talk about my fate of being childless again, but I don’t believe it. Look, haven’t I found a way now?” I lowered my head and smiled soundlessly. Since you insist on going down this dark path, I won’t stop you. Three years ago, to repay Eleanor Thorne’s kindness, I married Marcus Thorne when he was gravely ill. I used the crimson mark between my brows to seal away his misfortunes, but the cost was my inability to conceive, for he was fated to be childless. If that fate were defied, Marcus would be violently consumed by destiny. “As you wish.” With that, I walked directly upstairs. Next to the master bedroom, my private sanctuary had been emptied and converted into Lila Monroe’s room. The handwritten blessings I’d copied for him, filled with wishes for his well-being, were strewn haphazardly in the corridor, like forgotten trash. For three years, countless days and nights, I had knelt in that sanctuary, copying each stroke for him. Now, I felt like the biggest fool. And so, I truly laughed, tears streaming down my face, uncontrollably. Hearing the noise, Marcus rushed over, carefully shielding Lila Monroe, as if worried I might lash out. “Sister Elara, please don’t be angry, I’ll move my things out right away.” Lila Monroe spoke timidly, already moving to go inside and move her belongings. But Marcus pulled her tightly into his arms, glaring at me with a furious frown. “I told her to stay here. This room gets good sunlight, it’s suitable for a pregnant woman.” I nodded knowingly, wiping away my tears. “I understand!” I tossed all the handwritten blessings into the trash bin and turned to my room. I quickly packed my luggage—just one small suitcase, exactly as it had been when I arrived. I planned to return to my grandmother’s place first thing tomorrow morning. That night, I felt someone gently caressing my forehead, murmuring words in my ear, but I was caught in a nightmare and couldn’t wake up. Suddenly, my phone rang, jolting me awake from my dream. “Elara, your grandmother isn’t well! Come home quickly!” Brenda Miller’s anxious voice came through the phone from my hometown. It was so late; I had no choice but to ask Marcus for help. Crying and frantic, I scrambled up and rushed to knock on the door next door. Finally, Marcus, yawning, emerged from Lila Monroe’s room, his face etched with displeasure. Ignoring his mood, I grabbed his hand, weeping. “Marcus, please, please take me back to my grandmother’s place.” “My grandma is sick.” A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He paused, then turned to settle Lila Monroe. Only then did he grab his car keys to drive me back to my hometown. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled; a heavy rainstorm was clearly brewing. My heart ached with worry for Grandma, leaving me restless. Marcus drove, his hand tightly gripping mine. “Don’t worry too much, Grandma will be fine.” We had barely gotten onto the highway when the torrential rain began to pour. Then Marcus’s phone rang. The Bluetooth automatically connected, filling the car with Lila Monroe’s desperate sobs. “Mr. Thorne, save me! Your grandmother… she’s trying to force me to lose our baby…” 3 A cacophony of voices erupted from the phone, then the call was abruptly cut off. Marcus dialed back repeatedly, but no one answered. He kept redialing, becoming increasingly agitated. I looked at the heavy rain outside, worried about driving safety, and gently warned him, “Everything will be fine. Just focus on driving for now.” As I spoke, Marcus seemed to remember something suddenly. He turned to me, his eyes like shards of ice. “It was you!” “You and Grandma conspired, didn’t you?” “You lured me out, so Grandma could go after Lila.” He slammed on the brakes, stopping the car abruptly in the middle of the highway, speaking through clenched teeth. “What a cunning move you cooked up.” “Elara, how could you be so heartless? And you claim to be some kind of saint, a benevolent soul? How can you not tolerate a small innocent life?” As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed my throat, his eyes bloodshot, demanding answers. He squeezed harder and harder. I couldn’t make a sound, only frantically tried to pull his hand away. Just as I felt I was about to black out, the crimson in his eyes gradually faded. He scoffed and got out of the car. He dragged me, coughing violently, from the passenger seat and threw me onto the highway. “Remember this! I can’t stand being deceived!” With that, he turned, got back into the car, and was about to drive away. I struggled to my feet, desperately hitting the car window, trying to explain. “Marcus, it wasn’t me! I really don’t know anything!” Marcus rolled down the window, his eyes filled with disgust. “You’d better pray Lila is alright, or I swear, I won’t let you off the hook.” He rolled up the window, hit the gas, and did a U-turn right on the highway. I was flung several feet, tumbling along the asphalt, but he didn’t even look back, driving out of my sight. My phone was still in his car. Standing on the highway without a penny to my name, I was filled with despair. I tried to flag down passing cars, but no one dared to stop for a disheveled woman on a stormy highway at night. Helpless, I limped for five hours, dragging my bruised body, until I finally reached the nearest service area. With the help of the police, I finally made it back to my grandmother’s place. But in the end, I never saw Grandma one last time. I quietly handled Grandma’s funeral arrangements alone. To everyone’s questions about “why the grandson-in-law didn’t return,” I simply smiled. I bought a new phone in town. The moment I inserted the SIM card, messages started pouring in. Two unread messages from Marcus’s profile picture. Every single word pierced my heart. “Good thing Lila is okay. You should learn your lesson, and stop complaining to Grandma.” “Lila is young, and she’s been through a lot of fright this time. I’ll come back to see Grandma after I’ve calmed her down.” I blinked hard, trying to keep the tears from falling. I glanced at Grandma’s portrait in the living room, then replied directly with, “No need.” My phone rang. “Eleanor Thorne” flashed across the screen. “Elara, I just heard about your grandmother…” “I’m so sorry, Elara, and I’m so sorry for your grandma too!” Eleanor Thorne’s voice, full of remorse, came through the phone. Tears fell like broken pearls, impossible to wipe away. I choked out, “Eleanor, please, just let me go. Grant me this freedom.” “Elara, you can’t give up on Marcus! He truly won’t survive without you.” “I know he acted like a jerk and hurt you. But don’t worry, I’ll fix this mistake quickly.” I let out a soft laugh. “It’s too late.” I had counted the days. In three days, the fetus would be three months old. It was the seventh day since Grandma’s passing, and according to tradition, Grandma’s ashes were to be enshrined at The Serenity Monastery atop the mountain. It happened to be the monastery’s monthly communal prayer and meditation session, so the place was bustling. I saw Marcus, whom I hadn’t seen in days. He was standing among the college volunteer group, carefully protecting Lila Monroe, who was doing volunteer work. 4 He held an umbrella over her to shield her from the sun, periodically offered her water, and gently wiped the sweat from her temples. The surrounding students cast envious glances at them. Whispers filled the air. “Wow, he’s the epitome of a good man. I want to find a man like that someday.” “Lila Monroe is so lucky. Even if she’s the other woman, I hear she’s about to become the official wife.” “He’s such a great catch, I’d be willing to be the other woman too.” … I shook my head, carrying Grandma’s urn into the main hall. After the ceremony, as I prepared to place Grandma’s urn in the columbarium, A pair of hands suddenly reached out. Before I could even see who it was, I felt my hand lighten, Then I heard Lila Monroe shriek. *Crash!* The urn hit the ground with a heavy thud, shattering into pieces, and the grey-white ashes scattered everywhere. “I’m so sorry! I… I’m so sorry!” “I just wanted to help, I’ll clean it up right away.” Lila Monroe frantically tried to scoop up the ashes, only making a bigger mess. I trembled with rage, unable to bear it any longer. I slapped her across the face. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Lila Monroe clutched her cheek, looking utterly wronged. “I didn’t!” “The columbarium is part of my volunteer duties today, I just wanted to help! How could you just hit me?” Marcus appeared from somewhere, pulling the tear-streaked Lila Monroe into his embrace. His eyes, when he looked at me, were like shards of ice. “So what if an urn got broken? Was it really worth hitting someone over it?” I snapped my head up, my fingertips trembling uncontrollably. Heartbreak and despair surged through me again. “So what if an urn got broken?” “Marcus Thorne, are you even human?” Marcus clearly flinched. In three years of marriage, I had never said a harsh word to him, always gentle and poised. Perhaps my gaze had startled him. He softened his tone slightly. “Lila didn’t mean it.” “I can pay for it!” With that, he pulled out his checkbook from his inner suit pocket, and with a flourish, he signed a number and handed it to me. “Is that enough?” Looking at the check he offered, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain so intense I could barely breathe. Seeing me hesitate to take it, he frowned slightly, then tore off another check and wrote a new number. “Not enough?” His tone was so cold, as if he were merely discussing a business transaction. “What about this then?” The amounts grew larger and larger, but my heart grew colder and colder. Finally, I took the last check, and with all my strength, I said, “It’s enough.” Not just this check was enough… *We*, were enough! With that, I turned to clean up the ashes, but before I could, Marcus’s icy voice came from behind me. “Stop.” I paused, raising my eyes to him. “I’ve paid for the urn. Now it’s your turn to apologize!” I stared at him, my voice trembling as I said, “What if I don’t?” Marcus pulled Lila Monroe’s wrist, “Don’t be afraid. Hit her back.” My pupils constricted. Before I could react, I saw Marcus’s well-defined knuckles wrap around Lila’s hand, swiftly swinging towards me. *Slap!* My cheek stung, burning hot all the way to my scalp. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the agony in my heart, which felt like a gaping hole, hollow and whistling with wind. Marcus tenderly wiped away Lila Monroe’s tears with his thumb. “Feel better now?” After hearing Lila’s tearful “Mm,” he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and turned to leave. A sharp pain shot through my forehead, and a wave of dizziness swept over me. I collapsed weakly to the ground. In the distance, Marcus suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning ashen. 5 When I woke again, I was lying in a meditation room at the monastery, the pain in my forehead making me frown. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table. On the screen, the crimson mark on my forehead had faded to barely visible.

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My mom is a Forbes-listed billionaire, constantly traveling, almost impossible to pin down. My dad was her “supportive partner behind the scenes,” the one who raised me. He always claimed my mom looked down on us, seeing us as small-town people, only sending $120 a month for my expenses, calling us ungrateful dogs. Because of that, I absolutely hated her. Until my mom suddenly appeared on my college campus, frowning as she pointed at the cafeteria food and asked: “I send you $30,000 every month. Is *this* all you eat?” … My phone screen lit up. It was a bank text notification. [Robert Miller transferred $120.00 to your account ending in XXXX.] One hundred twenty dollars. The number felt like a needle, sharply piercing my already strained nerves. I put my phone down. My stomach was churning with an empty, aching cramp. To save money, I’d only eaten one meal yesterday. This $120 had to last me a whole thirty days. My roommate, Mia, leaned over to peek and immediately spoke up for me. “Skylar, is your mom made of stone? What can $120 do in a big city like ours?” “I grabbed a bubble tea yesterday, and it was over five bucks! Is she just trying to get rid of you?” As she spoke, she casually picked up a bottle of imported skincare from her desk. That tiny serum alone cost over $150. I managed a smile that was more like a grimace. She didn’t get it. My high-and-mighty mom probably *did* think we were just beggars. My mind was filled with my dad’s “helpless” face. From childhood, he’d always whispered in my ear. “Skylar, your mom is a city person. Deep down, she looks down on us small-town folk.” “She doesn’t think much of me, and even less of you, and your sickly Uncle Paul, and your elderly Grandma Rose and Grandpa Arthur.” “Every time I go to her, begging her to let you have a better life, how does she humiliate me? She says our Miller family is a bunch of ungrateful parasites, leeches trying to suck her dry.” Those words were like poisoned seeds, taking root deep inside me and festering. My phone rang. It was my dad. “Skylar…” His voice sounded tired. “This month… still $120.” “I begged her, I really got on my knees and begged her, but your mom said not a penny more.” He paused, then added, “It’s all Dad’s fault for being useless, making you suffer like this with me.” Anger and heartbreak surged within me. It wasn’t his fault! He had already endured too much humiliation from that woman for my sake! A grown man, reduced to begging on his knees for his daughter’s allowance—how much courage did that take? “Dad, don’t talk like that!” I urgently cut him off. “I can find a part-time job at school. I can support myself!” “Good girl…” On the other end of the line, his voice choked up. “Just don’t starve yourself, okay?” I hung up the phone. The dorm room was eerily quiet. I pulled out a two-day-old loaf of white bread from my drawer, tore open the package, and took a huge, desperate bite. It was dry and hard, almost impossible to swallow. My phone lit up again. It was a message from the class group chat about a get-together. Everyone was chatting excitedly. [Tonight we’re celebrating Ryan’s birthday! Karaoke and late-night eats at our usual spot, don’t miss it!] [I heard we’re going to that new Japanese place. It’s like $50 per person, minimum!] [It’s Dutch, by the way! But for Ryan, let’s all go big!] Jessica, the class belle, even tagged everyone specifically. [@everyone, come on out! No excuses tonight! Nobody’s allowed to miss this!] I flipped my phone face down on the table, trying to shut out their world. But the next second, Jessica tagged me precisely. [@Skylar Miller, Skylar, you should come too. It’s Ryan’s birthday, you can’t miss it! You’re usually so low-key, tonight you really need to come and have some fun!] My fists clenched. Fifty dollars. For them, it was just a regular dinner out. For me, it was ten days’ worth of living expenses. I picked up my phone, my fingertip hovering over the screen, typing and deleting, typing and deleting again. Finally, I left just one line: [Sorry, I have a part-time job tonight, so I can’t make it. Happy Birthday, Ryan!] It was a lie. But I had no choice. I was too poor to go. I quietly turned off the screen, retreating into the darkness of my own world. All the normal joys of college life had nothing to do with me. That night, I had a dream. My mother, who only existed on the pages of financial magazines, looked down on my father, who lay crumpled on the ground where she’d pushed him. “Robert Miller, you and your small-town daughter are just two pathetic, tail-wagging dogs!” 2 A few days later, a poster for a distinguished alumni lecture appeared on the school’s bulletin board. The name Vivienne Sullivan was boldly printed in the center. My mind buzzed, and I turned to leave instantly. But Mia grabbed my arm, screaming excitedly: “Skylar, look! It’s Vivienne Sullivan! The real-life Forbes billionaire!” “Oh my god, we actually get to see her in person! I heard she makes billions a year!” “Yeah, yeah! My mom worships her as an inspiration; her pictures are plastered all over our house!” Another roommate joined us, her eyes sparkling. They dragged me along, pushing and shoving me into the packed lecture hall. Vivienne stood on the stage. Dressed in a sharp, elegant business suit, she spoke clearly and logically about business strategy and future trends. She was completely different from the hysterical, mean-spirited woman my dad described. A strange unease began to stir in my heart. After the lecture, the college leadership swarmed her, surrounding her in the center. I blended into the crowd, head down, just wanting to slip away quickly. “Skylar Miller.” The entire hall instantly went silent. Hundreds of eyes swiveled to stare at me. There was nowhere to hide. I just stood there, frozen. She ignored everyone else and walked directly to me. “Come with me.” She pulled me out of the lecture hall. The whispers from the crowd surged around me like a tide. “Oh my god, is she Ms. Sullivan’s daughter?” “No way, look at what she’s wearing. Is that from a discount store?” “If she really is her daughter, how is she so broke?” Those words were sharper than knives, cutting me deeply. I clenched my fists, saying nothing. She took me to the cafeteria, right during lunch rush. I braced myself and got my food: the usual, a serving of greens and a small portion of white rice, totaling about $1.50. She frowned, looking at the meager greens and white rice on my tray. “I send you $30,000 every month. Is *this* all you eat?” Thirty thousand? Those words exploded in my mind. “What… what $30,000?” My voice trembled uncontrollably. I’d only ever received $120! My mom paused, surprised. “I transfer $30,000 to you on the 15th of every month.” She turned her phone screen towards me. There were dense, detailed transfer records, each for $30,000, with my dad’s name as the recipient. My world completely collapsed. My hands and feet turned ice cold, my mind a total blank. Where did all that money go? “Your dad didn’t give it to you?” My mom looked at me, confused. I forced myself to compose, managing a stiff smile. “Dad told me all about it. The money was received.” The moment the lie left my lips, I saw the tension in my mom’s furrowed brow visibly ease. “Skylar, it’s my fault. I’ve been so busy all these years, I could only try to make it up to you with money.” “Oh, and by the way,” she added casually, “The sports car I gave you for your eighteenth birthday, why don’t I ever see you driving it? Your dad said you didn’t like it, so I didn’t ask further.” A car? Another thing I’d never heard of. I squeezed my hands, hidden in my pockets, trying desperately to stay calm. “Driving at school… it’s too flashy, I don’t want to drive it right now, and parking is a hassle.” I threw out a random excuse, just wanting to escape. After saying goodbye to my mom, I practically ran back to my dorm. I slammed the door shut, leaning back against it, my body sliding uncontrollably to the floor. Trembling, I found the number in my contacts that I’d never dialed before. “Mom.” The call was answered almost instantly. “Skylar?” I bit down hard on my lower lip, forcing myself to speak. “Mom, I… I need to ask you for some money? It’s urgent.” There wasn’t a hint of hesitation from her. “Okay, how much do you need?” “F-five… five thousand.” I blurted out a number I barely dared to imagine. “I’ll transfer it to you right away.” “Mom, I’ll give you a new card number. Send it there.” “No problem.” Less than ten seconds after hanging up, my phone vibrated. A text notification: $7,500, instantly deposited. The message attached said: “If it’s not enough, just tell me, don’t hold back.” I stared at the words, tears streaming down my face. Was this… the mom I’d hated for eighteen years? I wiped away my tears, then with trembling fingers, opened another chat window. I took a deep breath and typed a line: “Dad, I urgently need some money. Can you please beg Mom for me again?” His reply was as quick as always. “You know your mom’s temper, don’t you? She won’t give it. Skylar, you need to learn to solve problems yourself.” “My begging her will only make her look down on us more.” “Don’t think about it anymore, Dad can’t help.” I stared at the words on the screen, my blood turning to ice. For eighteen years, I’d been a fool, completely manipulated by him. Using the money my mom had just transferred, I hired the most professional private investigator online. My goal was simple. My dad, Robert Miller’s, bank statements for all his accounts. 3 At 2 AM, I opened the encrypted file. Every month on the 15th, a transfer of $30,000 arrived promptly from my mom’s company account. And every month on the 16th, an amount of $29,880 was transferred out, like clockwork. The recipient’s name was Paul Miller. My very own uncle, the one my dad described as “sickly” and “bedridden for years”! One hundred twenty dollars. So my $120 allowance, Was what my dad and his dear brother scraped from between their teeth and deigned to give me. No wonder my cousin, Brandon, drove a sports car and wore designer clothes at such a young age. No wonder every time I went back to my hometown, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Arthur looked at me with scorn and disdain. They must have thought I was a pathetic waste, only fit to receive $120. And my dad, Robert Miller, was the hero of their Miller family. A great hero who endured humiliation to swindle wealth and luxury from his “wicked” wife for their family! I stared at the bank statement report, my heart feeling like it had been thrown into an ice-cold well. I dragged the file to the trash and permanently shredded it. The next day, it happened to be the 16th. My dad’s call came in right on time: “Skylar, you got the money, right? Spend it carefully, don’t buy anything frivolous.” “Got it, Dad,” I squeezed out, forcing my voice to sound small. “You had to beg her for me again. You really work so hard.” On the other end, I heard a satisfied sigh. “As long as you’re doing well, it’s worth any humiliation Dad has to endure.” I hung up, then expressionlessly clicked on my cousin Brandon’s social media. His latest post showed him grinning smugly in a brand-new Porsche Cayenne. The caption read: “Thanks to my uncle, he pulled off another huge deal! Legend!” Below it was a string of likes and nauseating compliments from our Miller family relatives. Auntie Clara: “Robert is truly the pillar of our Miller family! So successful!” Uncle Mark: “Our Miller family owes so much to Robert! Enduring humiliation, all for our family!” The suppressed hatred in my chest erupted like a volcano. I immediately called my dad back. “Dad, the school… there’s an overseas exchange opportunity, it’s really amazing, but it requires a $45,000 security deposit.” I tried to make my voice tremble. “Dad, this might be the only chance for our Miller family to truly hold our heads high! I don’t want to miss it!” I sniffled, performing the urgent and helpless tone to perfection. He exploded immediately, just as I expected: “$45,000?! Skylar Miller, have you gone crazy with all that studying?” “Where am I supposed to get you $45,000? That woman will kill me! She won’t give a single cent!” I dug my nails into my palms, trying to keep my voice steady. “But… I heard from a friend that for things like this, if it’s for the child’s good, moms usually support it…” I deliberately paused, then added: “Oh, by the way, last time Ms. Sullivan… my mom was at school, she gave me her new private number. She said I could call her directly if it was urgent.” “Maybe… I’ll just ask her myself? Maybe if she’s happy, she’ll agree?” The phone line went dead silent. One second. Two seconds. Even his breathing disappeared. Then, my dad’s voice, frantic and distorted: “No! Skylar! Absolutely not!” “Don’t go and humiliate yourself! You don’t know what kind of person your mom is! She’ll utterly humiliate you!” “Don’t worry about the money! I’ll figure something out! I’ll sell everything we own! I’ll get down on my knees and beg her!” “Wait for my news! Don’t you dare contact her yourself!” I listened to his rambling, incoherent rant without a word, until he hung up. Half an hour later, my phone vibrated. It was a text from my dad: [Skylar, I’ll find a way for the money. Just don’t contact your mom, otherwise, our father-daughter relationship will truly be over.] I looked at the word “over” and chuckled. No, Dad. *You* are over. 4

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I was in the middle of a crucial international conference when my younger brother’s call suddenly broke through. His voice on the other end was strained, tinged with a tremor, “Alex, someone stole my exchange student spot…” I rushed to the university, finding my brother cornered against the office wall, his eyes red-rimmed. A flashy jerk was pointing a finger at his nose, his face a mask of disdain. “Trying to compete with me? I’m Jaxon Hayes, from the influential Vance family of Sterlingwood City! My mom just donated an entire lab building to the university! Who do you even think you are?” Even Professor Davis, the course instructor nearby, chimed in, clearly siding with him: “Leo, Jaxon is the son of an important donor to our university. Just be sensible, don’t cause any more trouble for everyone.” I was about to step forward and argue, but the words “Vance family heir” stopped me cold. The Vance family of Sterlingwood? Since when did my mom have a third son besides me and Leo? I immediately dialed my mom’s number, a cold scoff on my lips. “Mom, when did you have another son behind Dad’s back?”

“What are you talking about?!” On the other end, my mom, Eleanor Montgomery, sounded caught between tears and laughter at the accusation. “Alex, you’re teasing me again. Besides you and your brother, where would I have any other sons in this life?” Hearing her firm denial, my suspicion instantly melted away. It made sense. My mom was famous throughout the city’s elite circles as the epitome of a devoted wife and doting mother. Her thirty years of unwavering devotion and tenderness toward my father, Richard Montgomery, made her “the kind of wife other high-society women were measured against.” It wasn’t news when women in our circle had affairs or kept toy boys, but everyone was certain Eleanor Montgomery would never be involved in such a scandal. “It better be that way,” I said coldly, hanging up the phone. I looked up at the arrogant blonde-haired punk. He was dressed in designer streetwear, his accessories piled on haphazardly, reeking of tacky nouveau riche. I reined in my anger, asking calmly, “Did you just say you’re a Vance family heir?” “Oh, another one? What, did the little one call in the big one?” He scoffed, crossing his arms. “Yeah, I’m Jaxon Hayes, the Vance family heir from Sterlingwood! What, got a problem with that?” “Oh. I get it, you’re trying to cling to our connections! Let me tell you, it’s too late! Besides my family, how many other Vance families in Sterlingwood are wealthy enough to be called an elite family? You two are just unsophisticated fools!” He finished, then turned to my brother, malice practically oozing from his tone: “Leo Montgomery, what good is your perfect GPA? What good is all that hard work, all that preparation for a year? My mom says one word, donates one building, and all your effort is worthless crap!” My brother lowered his head further, his knuckles white from gripping his fists so tightly. Seeing my brother’s subdued demeanor, I instantly understood. This Jaxon Hayes had probably been bullying my brother at school for a while. My dad always preferred to keep a low profile and wanted us to make our own way in the world. So, my brother and I were always discreet outside, never revealing our true background. Leo was especially introverted, pouring all his energy into his studies. I never thought this discretion would become a weakness others could easily trample on. I gently pulled my brother behind me, my gaze returning to Jaxon Hayes’s face, my voice chilling. “To my knowledge, all the application materials for the exchange student program, including the partner university’s approval, have already completed the process. Changing candidates now wouldn’t be by the rules, would it?” “Rules?” Jaxon Hayes sneered. He triumphantly pulled a stack of documents from his bag and waved them in front of me. “Are you talking about this? Leo Montgomery’s application materials? My apologies, but I held them back. They were never submitted!”

He smiled brightly, but his words were utterly vicious: “So, the final list the university submitted only had my name, Jaxon Hayes, from beginning to end. What good is all his preparation if it was never even seen?” With that, right in front of my face, he tore that stack of papers—the culmination of my brother’s countless nights of blood, sweat, and tears—into two! “Alex!” Leo cried out, his eyes instantly turning red. I watched those paper fragments flutter to the ground, and a surge of furious anger shot to my head. I’d seen shameless people, but never anyone so brazenly shameless! “You!” I was so angry my blood boiled, and a vein throbbed in my temple. “Me what, me what?” Jaxon Hayes casually threw the shredded papers onto the floor, grinding them with the tip of his shoe, a look of vindictive pleasure on his face. “Annoyed? If you’re annoyed, go tell your mom to donate a building to the school! Oh, I forgot, you paupers wouldn’t have that kind of money!” My temples pulsed with rage, and I clenched my fists. Professor Davis, who stood beside him, immediately sided with him: “Sir, the matter is quite clear. Jaxon Hayes’s mother has donated an entire lab building to our university, making a tremendous contribution to the school’s research development.” “After careful consideration, the university has decided to award the exchange student spot to the more suitable candidate, Jaxon Hayes.” That sycophantic grin on his face made my stomach churn. “Professor Davis, is it?” I turned to him, my gaze piercing. “My brother, Leo Montgomery, achieved the top GPA in his entire year for this exchange spot, participated in a research project that won a national gold medal, and has a near-perfect IELTS score.” “Please tell me, what does this ‘more suitable’ Jaxon Hayes have?” Professor Davis stumbled over his words, his face flushing crimson. Jaxon Hayes suddenly let out an exaggerated laugh: “What do I have? I have my mom! My mom is the matriarch of the Vance family, the CEO of Starlink Technologies! Having money is enough! Understand?” Starlink Technologies? Matriarch of the Vance family? I listened to every word that tumbled from his mouth, a cold scoff almost escaping my lips. The true power behind Starlink Technologies now wasn’t Eleanor Montgomery. “The Vance family of Starlink Technologies?” I feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow, my tone laced with confusion. “I think I’ve heard of them. A very powerful family, indeed. But how come I didn’t know the Vance family had a son named Jaxon Hayes?” My calm demeanor and skepticism clearly caught Jaxon Hayes off guard. In his mind, an ordinary person hearing the names “Starlink Technologies” and “Vance family” would either show reverence or obsequiousness. They certainly wouldn’t react with my probing curiosity. He paused, then bristled with indignation: “Who do you think you are, an outsider who needs to know about our Vance family affairs?” Professor Davis beside him immediately put on a stern face and lectured me: “Sir, please watch your words! Jaxon Hayes’s identity has been verified by the university. You are not permitted to spread baseless rumors and cause a scene here!”

“Verified?” I chuckled. “How was it verified? By his own word alone?” “Of course not!” Professor Davis pushed up his glasses, a haughty look on his face. “Jaxon Hayes’s mother, Ms. Eleanor Vance, personally spoke with our Principal over the phone, confirming the donation and Jaxon Hayes’s enrollment arrangements. Could Ms. Vance’s own words be false?” Hearing my mom’s name spoken by this man sent a sudden chill through my heart. On the phone just now, my mom’s reaction hadn’t seemed like an act. But now, the university professor was insisting with absolute certainty that she had personally confirmed it. Where exactly did things go wrong? Could it be… my mom was really lying to me? I looked at my brother’s pale face; he was clutching my sleeve tightly, his body trembling slightly with suppressed anger. I immediately shook off those wild guesses. This wasn’t the time for overthinking. No matter what, I couldn’t let my brother suffer this humiliation. I pulled out my phone and directly dialed the Board of Trustees. “I don’t care who you are, but what you tore up today wasn’t just an application. “You personally destroyed your eligibility to attend this university,” I said, staring at him, enunciating each word. “I’m calling the Board of Trustees right now to handle this. I want to see which holds more weight: your so-called donation, or the university’s rules!” Jaxon Hayes and Professor Davis’s faces changed simultaneously. They clearly hadn’t expected me, an ordinary-looking person, to have direct contact with the Board of Trustees. The members of the Board were wealthy and influential; ordinary people couldn’t reach them. Sweat started to bead on Professor Davis’s forehead. He wanted to snatch my phone but didn’t dare. Jaxon Hayes was both shocked and enraged. He was used to throwing his weight around campus, relying on his supposed status as a Vance family heir. He’d never tolerated such defiance. “You wouldn’t dare!” he yelled. “Who do you think you are, threatening me? Just you wait!” He glared at me viciously, pulled out his own phone, and rapidly punched in a number. When the call connected, Jaxon Hayes started wailing: “Dad, I’m being bullied! Right here in the university office! Get over here now! There are two arrogant jerks trying to steal my exchange student spot, you need to come back me up!” After hanging up, he seemed to regain his confidence, becoming smug and defiant again. “Just wait! My dad will be here any minute! When he arrives, I’m going to make both of you kneel and beg me!” Professor Davis looked troubled, glancing between Jaxon Hayes and us, wringing his hands, wanting to intervene but not daring to speak. I watched coolly, my faint trust in my mom starting to waver again. If this Jaxon Hayes had no connection to our family, where did he get the confidence to be so arrogant? If there wasn’t someone backing him up, I’d eat my hat. My brother tugged at my sleeve, whispering, “Alex, maybe… let’s just drop it. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” I patted his hand, my voice firm: “This isn’t your fault, and it’s certainly not trouble. What’s ours, no one gets to take!” Just as my words fell, a man in a garish suit burst into the office.

The man’s eyes were shrewd and calculating, with a hint of vulgarity. “Jaxon! My precious son! Who dared to bully you?!” The moment he entered, the man rushed to Jaxon Hayes’s side, checking him over from head to toe, as if his son had suffered some unimaginable grievance. Jaxon Hayes, seeing his backup arrive, immediately pointed at me and my brother, embellishing the story with malicious glee: “Dad! It’s these two! This Leo Montgomery insists on taking my exchange student spot, and his brother is helping him, saying our Vance family doesn’t follow the rules!” At that, the man’s eyes widened instantly. “How dare they! In Sterlingwood City, someone actually dares to say our Vance family doesn’t follow the rules?” He scrutinized me from head to toe, his tone full of contempt. “My son setting his sights on this spot is your good fortune! What’s our family’s standing? And who are you? What do you have to compete with us?” He paused, his voice suddenly rising, filled with a mix of boastfulness and intimidation: “Do you know who I am? I’m Victor Hayes, husband to Eleanor Vance, the CEO of Starlink Technologies, Sterlingwood’s wealthiest woman! My son is the Vance family’s only heir! If you dare bully my son, you’re going against the entire Starlink Technologies! Know your place!” “Sterlingwood’s wealthiest… husband?” I looked at this completely unfamiliar face before me, and the cloud of doubt in my heart grew heavier. I didn’t recognize this man at all. My father, Richard Montgomery, was a military man; his posture was upright, and his demeanor was composed. He always disliked flashy attire and would never speak with such vulgar, thuggish language. Could it be… my mom really was keeping a toy boy outside? The thought sent a chill through me. The man continued, his voice harsh: “I’m making it clear right now!” He pointed at my brother, giving Professor Davis an order: “This exchange student spot absolutely belongs to my son, Jaxon Hayes! Anyone who dares to object is going against our entire Vance family!” “I order both of you to apologize to me and my son immediately!” Jaxon Hayes, holding his father’s arm, looked at us with malicious glee, adding fuel to the fire: “Dad, is just an apology enough? They were so arrogant just now; they should kneel and apologize!” The man patted his son’s shoulder with satisfaction and nodded: “Jaxon’s right. Kneel and apologize. Otherwise, this isn’t over today!” “You wish!” My brother trembled with rage. Though introverted, he had an unyielding stubbornness deep down. “Fine! Still tough, huh?” Jaxon Hayes was provoked. He pulled out his phone and made another call. “Mom! You need to get to the university right now! Dad and I are being bullied terribly! If you don’t come soon, your husband and son will be trampled underfoot!” He hung up, a look of assured triumph on Jaxon Hayes’s face. About ten minutes later, the office door was violently flung open. Seeing the person who entered, my brother and I froze in place.

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My sister smashed the necklace the CEO had given her. “Who needs your cheap stuff? Don’t you dare insult me! I’m nothing like those gold-digging opportunists who cling to power!” Standing by, I crouched down to pick up the broken pieces. The CEO kicked my outstretched hand. “Get her to wear it, and I’ll pay for your dad’s medical bills.” My sister glared at me. “You’re truly pathetic, Lily. So desperate for money and status, sucking up to rich people like this?” But if I missed this chance, my dad’s surgery costs would be completely out of reach. I stubbornly held out the necklace to my sister. She closed her eyes, a picture of haughty arrogance. I didn’t manage to get her to wear the necklace. But the CEO still paid for Dad’s medical expenses. From that day on, both my sister and I were tied to Julian. But we were worlds apart. His blatant favoritism towards her was known to everyone. And I was just the “gold digger” who shamelessly clung on. Years later, my sister returned from studying abroad. I was currently held close in Julian’s arms. “Your sister is back.” I understood instantly. “Right. I hope you and Victoria will be happily ever after.”

Julian kissed my forehead in satisfaction. “Such a good girl.” He leaned against the headboard, his gaze distant. “If only your sister were as compliant as you.” A sharp, tearing pain spread through my chest. I didn’t reply, just quietly got up to get dressed. Julian suddenly grabbed my wrist. His grip was too strong, making me wince in pain. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” “What should I say?” I whispered. He scoffed, letting go of my hand and falling back onto the bed. “Before your sister left the country, she asked me to take good care of you.” My pupils constricted. The ache in my heart became sharper, clearer. The only reason I could stay by his side was because Victoria, my sister, had granted it to me. Of course. In Julian’s eyes, I was just a replacement for her. “Your sister is always like this. She’s soft-hearted with everyone else, but always so cruel to me.” Julian’s voice carried a hint of wistfulness and an undeniable fondness. I tried to go to the bathroom, but he grabbed my hand again. “Stay with me a little longer.” Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating his handsome profile. I suddenly remembered the first time I saw him. My sister had accidentally spilled hot coffee on his hand. His hand was red and scalded, but he just smiled and said, “It’s okay, as long as you’re not burned.” “Hmph, I wasn’t going to apologize anyway. You rich people are all so arrogant and self-centered.” I was startled and wanted to apologize. But Julian seemed even more interested. “You hate me?” “Yes, I hate spoiled rich kids like you who have nothing better to do all day.” My sister let out a soft huff and stomped her foot. Julian just laughed. I shrank behind my sister, watching the amusement and indulgence in his eyes. Only one thought ran through my mind: he… he’s actually a good person. Later, I found out he had fallen for my sister at first sight. And when he spoke of it, he didn’t even remember I was standing right behind her. My thoughts snapped back to the present. I saw Julian. He lit a cigarette and spoke. “I’ve already arranged for your father’s ongoing treatment.” “Thank you,” I nodded. “No need to be so polite.” He exhaled smoke. Through the hazy smoke, his gaze fell on my face. “If you want to thank anyone, thank your sister. I’m only willing to look after your family because of her.” … The sound of running water filled the bathroom. I poured cold water over my head, trying to suppress the sobs rising in my throat. When I came out, he was still there, which surprised me a little. Julian leaned against the doorframe, fiddling with his phone. “Tomorrow, I’m picking up your sister. Arrange my schedule for me.” “Okay.” He suddenly walked over, picked up a towel, and began to dry my hair. His movements were clumsy, pulling at my scalp. It stung. I closed my eyes, not struggling. Noticing my furrowed brows, he finally softened his touch. “Sorry, I’ve never done this before… I just wanted to learn, so I can dry your sister’s hair later.” “It’s fine. Just be a bit gentler, or Victoria will get mad at you.” I said, forcing a smile. He hummed softly, and his movements did indeed become much gentler. The next day at the airport. I followed Julian early in the morning to pick up my sister. Victoria emerged in a vibrant red dress, captivating and radiant. Everyone’s eyes were drawn to her. Including Julian’s, beside me. He practically sprinted forward, taking her luggage. “Are you tired?” His tone was one I had never heard him use before—so gentle. My sister gave a casual “Hmm,” her gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing on me, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Lily, you came too?” “Victoria, long time no see.” I stepped forward to greet her, my smile polite but distant. On the way back, my sister sat in the passenger seat. Julian occasionally turned to chat and laugh with her. He had never been so talkative with me. Their conversation flowed effortlessly from the weather abroad to mundane daily gossip, trivial yet natural. I sat in the back seat, like an invisible person who didn’t exist at all.

Back at the house, my sister motioned for me to pick up her luggage and follow her. I did as told. When we reached her “princess room,” she suddenly turned around and slapped me across the face. “Lily Evans, you are utterly pathetic.” “I was studying abroad, working on my career, and you were back here sleeping your way to the top. You, Lily, you’re just as cheap as your mother.” Victoria was my father’s first wife’s daughter. A year after their divorce, my father met my mother through mutual friends. They found each other suitable and started dating. But Victoria always believed my mother was a mistress. Even though my mother tried to win her over, treating her better than she treated me, her own biological daughter. But Victoria was never satisfied. She loved to humiliate me and my mother in front of others. Calling my mother a mistress, and me, the mistress’s daughter. From a very young age, I suffered endless glares and humiliation because of these unfounded rumors. All the bullying I endured at school came directly from Victoria. When Dad went to school to complain on my behalf, Victoria would always retort: “Dad, why does she get bullied while no one else does? Isn’t it because there’s something wrong with her?” The stinging pain on my cheek pulled my thoughts back to the present. “What, cat got your tongue?” Victoria looked down at me, condescendingly. I still didn’t say anything. Over the years, I had long understood my situation. I couldn’t afford to upset Victoria. Otherwise, Julian would be displeased, and Dad’s medical funds would disappear. Victoria wouldn’t care whether Dad lived or died. Seeing me still keeping my head down, she sneered. She walked into her walk-in closet and began to rummage through her clothes. “Here, iron this for me. Make sure it’s perfectly pressed. I hate wrinkles.” I softly replied, “Okay,” and exited the room. In the hallway, I ran into the housekeeper. Their gaze held a hint of sympathy and helplessness, but quickly shifted away. After all, no one would look up to a materialistic “gold digger.” While ironing the dress, the steam accidentally burned my wrist. A red blister immediately formed. I stared at the red mark and suddenly remembered a time when Julian was drunk. He had mistaken me for Victoria. He kept mumbling drunkenly, “Victoria, don’t leave.” His grip back then had also been painful, but I didn’t push him away. Sometimes, people are so greedy that they can’t bear to expose even a fake affection. Julian appeared then. His gaze fell on my reddened wrist. “What happened to your hand?” “I accidentally burned it,” I answered honestly. He anxiously grabbed my wrist, carefully examining the red swollen area. I was so startled I could barely breathe. “Who told you to iron it?” His voice was suppressed, hiding something. “Victoria.” I still told the truth. He smiled, letting go of my hand. “She’s still as bossy as ever.” I didn’t reply. He turned to leave but suddenly stopped. “Hand over that project you’re working on to your sister.” My eyes widened abruptly. By the time I fully registered what he said, he was gone. Why? A project I had dedicated half a year to, working day and night, pouring countless efforts into—just like that, I was supposed to hand it over? But I knew I had no right to refuse. Victoria and I, in Julian’s eyes, were worlds apart. Late that night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I got out of bed, wanting to go out for some fresh air. But I saw Julian in the living room. He was sitting on the sofa, smoking. The moonlight outlined his profile. “You’re still awake?” He saw me and instinctively put out his cigarette. “I got up to get some water.” He nodded in silence. Then, as I turned to leave, he suddenly murmured to himself. “I’ve waited so long, but now that she’s back, I feel… it’s just not the same.” My heart seemed to skip a beat. I thought I had misheard him. Julian looked up at me, his eyes filled with struggle. “If… if I said I couldn’t bear to let you go, would you think that was strange?”

That night’s conversation, Julian and I both pretended it never happened. Victoria started working at Julian’s company. She immediately became my direct supervisor. I took her around, familiarizing her with company procedures, but she just looked at me impatiently. “This is boring. That’s enough.” “But, there’s still…” I tried to explain, but she cut me off. “Isn’t that what you’re for? Don’t you, my subordinate, have the ability to assist your superior’s work?” Victoria rolled her eyes at me, then smiled again. “Oh, right. All you’re good for is pleasing men in bed.” The moment those words left her mouth, the office fell silent. Everyone around us gasped, covering their mouths in shock and awkwardness. But Victoria still wasn’t satisfied. She walked closer, her heels clicking, looking down at me. “What? Haven’t you told your colleagues that your mother was a home-wrecker? You and your mother, you’re two peas in a pod.” “My mother isn’t a mistress,” I retorted, meeting her gaze. She covered her mouth and scoffed. “You’re still denying it? Right, people like you are so shameless.” … The spectacle quickly spread throughout the company. After work, Julian called me to his office. His office was also filled with some of his friends. They all looked at me with mocking expressions. I thought Julian would issue a public statement to stop the rumors. But he only said: “You shouldn’t have made your sister angry.” I bit my lip, trying hard to hold back tears. Julian continued, “Your sister has been very good to you. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t even have had money for college — Lily, you need to be grateful.” I looked up, my eyes red-rimmed. Yes, I knew. If it weren’t for Victoria, we wouldn’t have received financial support from Julian’s family. Dad would have died long ago from lack of medical funds. And I would have dropped out of school early due to poverty. Now, Julian’s lecture was just to make sure I didn’t resent Victoria. As I left the office, I could still hear the laughter inside. “Oh, Julian, you’re really ruthless. She’s such a delicate beauty, how could you be so harsh?” “Yeah, aren’t you afraid you’ll actually scare her off?” “Even though Lily is more soft-willed and has no bottom line compared to her sister, she really is so obedient to you.” Julian replied nonchalantly. “She’s nothing like Victoria. They’re like night and day, really.” “If she didn’t look so much like Victoria, why would I even keep her around?” At those words, another burst of laughter erupted. I quickened my pace, escaping in a hurry. That project was ultimately given to Victoria by Julian. Victoria just signed her name at the end, and all the credit went to her. She instantly became a rising star in the industry. When people spoke of her as an industry new star, they couldn’t help but mention me. “These two sisters, one is a daring and ambitious woman, and the other is just a clinging vine who attaches herself to power.” “Lily Evans just rode on her sister’s coattails and isn’t even grateful.” The rumors, like vines, tightly wrapped around my neck, constricting more and more. At the celebration banquet. Victoria was surrounded by people. She held a champagne glass, smiling radiantly. Someone raised a toast in praise. “Ms. Williams is truly capable! Our CEO is so lucky to have such a brilliant and capable partner by his side.” Julian smiled in response. But his gaze unconsciously swept over the crowd and met mine. I smiled at him and turned to leave. I didn’t see his tightly furrowed brows after I left. I moved through the banquet like a transparent person. Victoria was a born leading lady; even stolen credit she could explain away eloquently and righteously. As for me, I didn’t even have the right to defend myself. Victoria’s reputation soared. Julian’s family elders softened their stance, stating that as long as Victoria performed well in the next quarter, she would be allowed to join the family. Upon hearing this, Victoria put on a proud and aloof act, as if deeply insulted. “Do you think I should be happy? What’s so great about you? You just have better luck than me.” “I won’t exert myself to please you just to get into the Harrington family.” “I study hard, I work hard, it’s all for myself, and has nothing to do with anyone else.” Her words left Julian’s family elders with pale faces, completely speechless. Julian quickly stepped in to smooth things over. His eyes were full of admiration for Victoria. “Victoria is just like that, real and unpretentious. Grandpa, please don’t take it to heart.” I stood by, watching the scene, finding it utterly absurd.

From then on, Victoria thrived like a fish in water. Julian indulged her every whim. Victoria never hid her dislike for me. She deliberately transferred me to a peripheral department, where I handled insignificant chores every day. People who used to work closely with me gradually distanced themselves. I didn’t care about any of this; I just quietly worked, trying to earn as much as I could. Dad’s recovery was going very well. I planned to take him away from this city once he was discharged from the hospital. The prerequisite was having enough money. Victoria didn’t remain smug for long. Julian had spoiled her, making her too self-confident and a bit too impatient for quick results. On an overseas project, Victoria, in her pursuit of speed, skipped the risk assessment and signed the contract directly. As a result, Julian’s company not only had to freeze hundreds of millions in initial investment but also had to pay double the penalty for breach of contract. When the news reached the company, the entire conference room fell silent. I sighed. I had warned Victoria to do a risk assessment. But she had scoffed at the time, “What I choose to do is none of your business.” That day, Julian called me into his office. He looked at me, silent for a long time. I had probably already guessed what he was going to say. I smiled and spoke first, “I understand what you mean.” He nodded. “Everyone is watching. Someone has to step up and take responsibility for this.” I said nothing more. Julian paused, carefully choosing his words. “Victoria lacks experience; it’s inevitable she’d make mistakes. And you, as her subordinate, didn’t properly advise her, which is your fault to begin with.” “She looks strong, but she’s really just a little girl who cries a lot. If people start pointing fingers and blaming her, I’m afraid she…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but I understood. I looked up, “Okay.” Consider it repayment for his kindness. Julian nodded in satisfaction, pulled a document from his drawer, and placed it in front of me. “This is a statement. It specifies that you concealed risk data during the follow-up, which led to the project failure.” I hadn’t hesitated at first, but at the crucial moment, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. Concealing risk data, what a serious charge. If the company pursued legal action, I could go to jail. He sighed, speaking casually. “I won’t let you go to jail, don’t worry.” I laughed. My laughter echoed in the office, sounding particularly ironic. “Alright.” I lowered my head, signing my name with careful strokes. As soon as I walked out of the office, I ran straight into Victoria. Her face was a bit haggard, but her makeup was flawless. “You shouldn’t feel like it’s unfair. If you hadn’t deliberately neglected to warn me, I wouldn’t have made such a huge mistake.” I ignored her, walking straight past her. I pulled my clothes tighter. The air conditioning made me shiver. My phone vibrated then—a call from the hospital. “Ms. Evans, your father is doing very well. He can be discharged next week.” “Okay, thank you.” I stumbled into the stairwell, crouched down, covered my face, and cried, trying to muffle the sound. I submitted my resignation to the company that day. HR was a bit surprised. “But Mr. Harrington didn’t say he was firing you.” “This is what he wants.” Seeing my reply, HR didn’t say anything more. After all, everyone knew I had “made a big mistake.” Julian found out about my resignation a few days later. At the time, I was at the hospital, accompanying my father. Julian called. “I didn’t tell you to resign.” “This is the best solution,” I replied. He fell silent on the other end. After a long pause, he spoke again. “Alright, you can lay low for a while. Once this blows over, I’ll transfer you to another position.” “No need to trouble yourself.” I was very polite. Julian caught the hint of distance in my tone. He sounded displeased. “Are you blaming me?” “No, Mr. Harrington. You’ve been kind to me. If anything, I should be thanking you. Why would I blame you?” I felt a little weak. Everything that had happened recently had truly exhausted me. “I owe you nothing. From now on, we’re even.” The sun shone down, warm and comforting. In the distance, car horns blared. I left the hospital with my father, heading for the airport, ready to start a new life.

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My high-powered CEO girlfriend, raking in millions every year, was so unbelievably cheap. She’d complain a single dollar for a bottle of water was too expensive, insisting I return it and just drink tap water. A two-dollar bus ticket? Pure luxury! She’d make me walk miles to a client meeting. But when I finally signed a multi-million dollar deal, my feet aching from all the walking, and happily treated the client to a cup of coffee, Victoria called, screaming that I was being extravagant. She even unilaterally processed a refund from my account without my consent. The coffee shop owner, humiliated, confronted us, not only voiding the order but also insulting us in front of everyone. My client, offended by Victoria’s arrogance, threatened to blacklist our entire company. I was about to call Victoria, who was out of town on business, to break the news. But then, I saw something on her male assistant Blake’s social media feed. It was a cheesy short video: Blake perched on the hood of a luxury sports car, the kind that costs a fortune and goes viral in trending videos. The caption read: “That feeling when you share a video, and the next second, what’s in it is right in front of you? Priceless.” Turns out, it wasn’t that she was cheap. It was just that I wasn’t worth it. I swallowed the bitter truth, simply liking the post. Moments later, Victoria called, her voice stern. “I know Blake’s young and his words can be a bit naive sometimes, but you shouldn’t cause a scene on social media. What will other employees think of him if they see this?” “Just hand over that deal to Blake, then clarify in the company group chat that I did it to celebrate his success. When I get back from my business trip, I’ll promote you and give you a raise.” Listening to her usual empty promises, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. She had no idea that the deal was already ruined because of her. And the client, who brought in 90% of our company’s profits, was so offended they planned to blacklist her and her company entirely. By the time she and Blake returned from their trip, the company would be bankrupt.

After successfully closing the renewal deal with our long-standing major client, I had just bought them a coffee and was about to share the good news with Victoria when her message popped up first: “Alex, are you trying to fly to the moon? Twenty bucks for one cup of coffee? Are the coffee beans made of gold or something?” On the phone, Victoria’s voice was exceptionally loud. Even without speakerphone, the entire coffee shop could hear her clearly. I felt a burning flush creep up my neck. I forced an awkward smile at the client and rushed outside the shop to explain: “Vicky, I’m treating a client. This client is crucial; they’re our company’s lifeblood…” But Victoria scoffed, cutting me off. “Look at you, all high and mighty now. I’m not in the office, so no one’s watching you, and you finally found a chance to spend money, right?” “Today, it’s twenty bucks for coffee. Next, will it be two thousand for a client dinner? And then two hundred thousand for gifts to maintain the relationship? Look at Blake; he never needs all this for business deals. If you’re not capable, stop making excuses. Go get that money refunded right now. I’m still on a business trip with Blake, I don’t have time to waste on you.” I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Right. Blake, of course, didn’t need any of those social graces. Because he was Victoria’s most trusted assistant. Blake had only been with the company for less than three months but had already taken on numerous projects, basking in glory. But no one knew that those were all deals my colleagues and I had already secured. Victoria had simply used the excuse that “the company should be like a warm family” to demand we cater to Blake, forcing us to unconditionally hand over our projects and clients to him. As for me, Victoria only gave me a meager $200 allowance each month. I was practically starving, surviving on cheap, generic ramen noodles bought in bulk, barely enough for two meals a day. My bargain-bin shoes, bought for less than ten bucks online, would fall apart constantly, and I just kept gluing them back together with Super Glue, over and over again. Because I couldn’t even afford to treat clients to a meal, I’d been sneered at by clients more times than I could count, so I had no choice but to constantly refine my proposals, often pulling all-nighters, organizing data and documents until three or four in the morning. But Victoria simply ignored all my efforts. Or perhaps, she just didn’t care. Snapping back to reality, I took a deep breath and pleaded softly: “Victoria, I finally secured this deal. Can we just… not do this? Just for my sake.” Victoria snorted coldly. “I’ve only been away for a few days, and your wings have grown, haven’t they? And ‘respect’? What’s your ‘respect’ even worth?” “If everyone in the company handled deals as lavishly as you, how would we even stay in business?” “Alright, I’ll ask you one thing: are you going to get the refund or not?” I glanced back at the client, who was growing visibly impatient, and clenched my teeth. “Vicky, believe me, this time…” But the next second, the call was abruptly cut. I couldn’t help but smile wryly. Victoria was always like this. Any slight inconvenience, and she’d immediately throw a tantrum and give me the silent treatment. But at least I had survived this hurdle for now. If Victoria was just angry, there was still a chance to explain later. However, Aether Corp. was a top-tier leader in the industry. If we pissed them off, not only would future collaborations be dead, but our standing in the entire industry would be jeopardized. I put my phone away and returned to the coffee shop to discuss the follow-up cooperation with the client. We hadn’t spoken more than a few sentences when the barista approached with two large iced Americanos. Just as I reached for them, the barista sneered and *dumped* both cups directly over my client’s head and mine. “Look at you two, so high and mighty, talking big about multi-million dollar deals, yet you can’t even afford a twenty-dollar coffee and demand a refund?” “Don’t you just love scamming people? Well, today, it’s on the house! Drink up!” Suddenly, all the customers in the shop turned their heads, staring at us. “No way, they can’t even afford a twenty-dollar coffee? And they have the nerve to pretend to be business elites?” “Isn’t that the Aether Corp. logo? I thought they were a top-tier industry leader. Still scrounging for freebies when they come out to do business? Doesn’t look so good.” Listening to the whispers around us, the client’s face immediately darkened. He looked straight at me. “Mr. Chen, I expect an explanation.” I quickly apologized, offering him a tissue, before turning to the barista. “Sir, I already paid. Are you mistaken?” The barista looked disgusted. “Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve seen plenty of your type.” “Dare you swear that the person threatening to leave bad reviews every day if I didn’t refund wasn’t you?” With that, the barista shoved his phone screen in my face. The text message showed the other person threatening the barista for a refund, or they would leave bad reviews daily. And that number was Victoria’s. A wave of bitterness washed over me. I had clearly told her I was on a business meeting. In her eyes, was my career and my reputation less important than twenty dollars? After a long moment, I sighed softly, ready to pay to smooth things over. But the next second, the payment page flashed a “password incorrect” message. Before I could react, Victoria’s triumphant message came through: “Who said it couldn’t be refunded? You should be thrilled to have such a thrifty, budget-savvy girlfriend like me.” “Oh, and I changed the password. Consider it a lesson for talking back. You can walk home today.” Seeing me hesitate to pay, the barista lost patience. Just as he was about to lay hands on me, the client stepped in and paid ten times the amount. I was about to thank him for his help, but the client looked down at the now-damp contract, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash. “Mr. Chen, I don’t see the need for this cooperation anymore.” “The person on the phone just now, was that your company’s Ms. Lin? We’ve cooperated for five years, yet in Ms. Lin’s eyes, I’m not even worth a single cup of coffee. This isn’t just an insult to me; it’s a blatant disregard for Aether Corp. itself.” “I will report everything that happened today to headquarters.” I panicked, quickly grabbing his arm and bowing apologetically. After all, Aether Corp. was our partner, accounting for 90% of the company’s profits. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say they supported the entire company. “Ms. Davies, I apologize on Victoria’s behalf. She might just be in a bad mood today…” But before I could finish, the client shrugged off my hand and left without looking back. I quickly pulled out my phone, ready to tell Victoria the news. After all, Mr. Henderson of Aether Corp. was infamous for his massive ego and how much he valued respect in the industry. Other suppliers had been blacklisted simply for not giving him the first toast at industry events—a sign of deep disrespect to him. Not to mention, today, our company had caused his company’s reputation to suffer. I had to act fast, before the matter was reported to headquarters. There was still a chance to salvage things. But I called Victoria ten times in a row, and no one picked up. As I was about to send her a message, I saw Blake’s Ins feed. It was a freshly recorded, cringey short video. In the video, Blake sat on the hood of a luxury sports car, striking a ‘deep’ pose, with a special caption: “That feeling when you share a video, and the next second, what’s in it is right in front of you? Priceless.” In the bottom right corner of the video, Victoria had even spent twenty thousand dollars to buy him a local trending promotion. The video’s likes kept climbing, but my heart grew colder and colder. All these years, no matter how incredibly stingy Victoria was with me, I always thought it was because she had been abandoned by her parents and grew up in poverty, which made her so afraid of being poor. I thought that’s why she developed such a personality. So, no matter how cheap or demanding she was with me, I always just smiled it off. But now, I finally realized. It wasn’t that she was reluctant to spend money. It was just that I wasn’t worth it. I gave a bitter, ironic laugh and casually liked Blake’s video. Everyone at the company knew that Blake and I didn’t get along. It was like throwing a rock into a still pond—ripples exploded everywhere. Soon, many colleagues were in the comment section, gobbling up the drama. Victoria called then. “Alex, can’t you just make my life easier for once?” “Blake’s young, so his words can be a bit naive sometimes, but you shouldn’t cause a scene on social media. What will other employees think of him if they see this?” “Go hand over that deal to Blake, then clarify in the company group chat that I did it to celebrate his success. When I get back from my business trip, I’ll promote you and give you a raise.” From the other end of the line, I could still hear Blake’s fake, whiny sobs, intermingled with Victoria’s words. I couldn’t help but laugh, a harsh, bitter sound. Even at this point, Victoria’s only concern was Blake. Since she clearly didn’t care about me at all, why should I break my back managing her company for her? Snapping back to reality, I scoffed. “Can’t do it.” Victoria was stunned, about to erupt in anger and threats, but I didn’t give her the chance. I hung up directly. Just then, the client sent me a file. It was a draft lawsuit from Aether Corp. They said it had already been submitted for processing and would be approved in three days at most. In the past, I probably would have called immediately, groveled and begged for forgiveness. But now, I just smiled faintly and replied with a simple “okay.” Three days. Victoria should be back from her trip by then. I wondered what expression she’d have on her face when she returned and realized she had completely ruined the company herself!

As soon as I replied, Blake’s video, which had just been trending locally, vanished. In its place was a ridiculously long “apology” post, spanning thousands of words, set to some sappy, over-dramatic music titled “We’re All Just Trying to Live.” I quickly skimmed it. It basically said he was just excited about closing a big deal and got carried away with a viral trend, never expecting to upset my supposedly “fragile ego.” Now, he claimed he was losing sleep and appetite, hoping for my forgiveness. It was less an apology and more a provocation. But Victoria couldn’t see through it. Or perhaps, it was a subtle warning from her. Soon, as Blake continued to embellish the truth in his post, his narrative gained momentum. The comment section was flooded with sympathetic and comforting messages for him. “Blake, I’m with you! Alex, that stingy, penny-pinching miser! We helped him so much, but after closing millions in sales, he wouldn’t even treat us to dinner, let alone a bubble tea. Don’t let him get to you!” “Exactly! He’s just jealous and trying to get under your skin because you get to travel with Victoria!” Many of the comments were from subordinates I had personally trained. Yet, now, they were all speaking up for Blake. I wasn’t surprised. Ever since Blake, despite only having an associate’s degree, was given a special promotion and parachuted in as Victoria’s personal assistant three months ago, Victoria spared no expense in networking for him and treating people to meals in the office. Within a week, everyone got the hint about Victoria’s intentions and started pandering to Blake. As for the old loyalists who insisted on performance-based results and spoke up for me? Over the past three months, they were either targeted with impossible tasks until they quit, or they were demoted to entry-level positions in distant branch offices for even a minor mistake. As for the business trip with Victoria, I was originally the chosen one. A week ago, Victoria, to reward me for becoming the top salesperson again that quarter, used the excuse of a business trip to say she’d take me to the beach I dreamed of, to feel the sea breeze. But the very next day, when the official notice came out, the person going on the trip was Blake. Even Blake’s selfie had replaced my photo as the sales champion on the incentive board. I was fuming and confronted Victoria. But she claimed she kept me back because she didn’t trust anyone else. She needed a “general” like me to hold down the fort. It was laughable. At the time, I was so touched, thinking I had finally earned Victoria’s trust. Looking back now, it was just another one of her manipulation tactics. Snapping back to reality, I was about to exit the app when Victoria replied in the comment section: “Ultimately, actions speak louder than words. To certain individuals, I say: Just watch yourself!” She didn’t name names, but immediately, dozens more comments insulting me appeared below. I couldn’t be bothered to read them anymore. I walked straight back to the company, intending to find HR and resign. After all, Victoria had already offended the industry leader. There was no point in staying with a doomed company. Better to resign early and find some peace. But as soon as I entered the office, many people quietly lowered their heads, stifling laughter, seeing my wet hair and shirt. I was used to it. I went directly to HR and requested to resign. The HR person just glanced at me out of the corner of their eye, then went back to playing on their phone. “Ms. Lin isn’t here, so she can’t sign. Unless she personally approves.” I immediately called Victoria, but the call was hung up instantly. Then Victoria sent a message: “What, anxious now?” “Too late!” “You didn’t just hurt Blake’s delicate feelings; you also severely affected the company atmosphere. Unless you personally apologize to him and hand over your current projects, you can just get lost!” Victoria had threatened me like this more than once. After all, my salary and savings were all in her hands. She was so sure I wouldn’t dare to quit easily. Before, I would always admit my mistakes and apologize, but this time, I had no patience left. I showed the chat history directly to HR. HR was stunned for a moment, then told me to come collect my resignation certificate tomorrow. But no sooner had I left than Victoria called me. “Alex, it’s working hours. I checked the monitors, why aren’t you at the office?” I didn’t explain, and I couldn’t be bothered to. Anyway, Victoria didn’t really care where I was or what I was doing. Seeing my silence, Victoria scoffed, as if she had expected this. “Absent without leave during working hours? Your quarterly bonus will be completely wiped out.” It seemed she still didn’t know I had already resigned. Before I could speak, Blake’s voice came through on the line, interjecting on my behalf: “Vicky, Alex might really have something important to deal with.” “He works hard too. How about I pay for this out of my own pocket?” Victoria was unfazed. “What’s so hard about Alex’s job? He’s probably just using ‘business’ as an excuse to go out and mess around.” I gave an ironic smile. Ever since I joined Victoria’s company, I had practically worked overtime every day until late at night. Even after the company found its footing, I was still the first one in the department every day and the last one to leave. Over these past seven years, half of the company’s client data was collected by me, door-to-door, one by one. There were times I faced outright hostility—getting spat on or having leftovers thrown at me was considered a mild inconvenience. But Victoria simply ignored all my efforts. Seeing my continued silence, Victoria, thinking I had chickened out, smiled triumphantly. “Admit you were wrong?” I nodded and hummed in agreement. Yes, I was wrong. Wrong for not seeing her true colors sooner, wrong for letting myself be miserable for seven years. Hearing this, Victoria thought I was genuinely repentant and seemed in a much better mood. She proactively asked: “Oh, right, why did you call me so urgently earlier today?” I simply brushed it off. “Nothing, just didn’t have money for the bus.” A triumphant laugh came from the other end of the line, and then she sent me a fifty-dollar Venmo payment. “Alright, don’t be so petty. The fried chicken place downstairs has a Thursday discount. Take this 50 and treat yourself to something nice.” I was momentarily stunned, thinking Victoria had changed her ways. But the next second, she changed her tone. “Oh, right, Blake and I will be back at the office tomorrow. Didn’t you say you negotiated a big deal? Remember to get the contract ready beforehand. If we’re going to put on a show, we might as well do it right.” I scoffed. Turns out, she was still doing it for Blake. I was about to refuse when a message from the Aether Corp. client popped up. “Today is the deadline. Since your company refuses to negotiate with us, our legal team will be at your office tomorrow. You have been warned.” No doubt, they hadn’t been able to reach Victoria. After all, she was still in a fit of rage, with only Blake on her mind. Who cared about business? Thinking this, I suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Fine. I agree to hand over all clients and projects to Blake.”

Seeing that I actually agreed to hand over the projects I had worked so hard to secure, Victoria was momentarily stunned, then smiled triumphantly. “See? Wouldn’t that have been easier?” “Given how sensible you’re being, I’ll consider that raise later.” With that, Victoria hung up. But she had no idea that she would never get a raise again. By the time she returned tomorrow, the company would be ruined. … The next day, I arrived to pick up my resignation certificate as HR had instructed. As soon as I entered, I ran right into Blake, who had just returned from the business trip. The moment he saw me, Blake couldn’t wait to show off all the luxury items Victoria had bought him during their three-day trip. “Alex, look at you. Your clothes and shoes combined, forget a hundred bucks, do they even cost fifty?” “You work yourself to death with all that overtime, and in the end, it all just benefits me, doesn’t it?” “If you still want to stay at this company, hurry up and hand over those contracts. Otherwise… I can’t guarantee what might happen to you.” Listening to Blake’s threats, I just smiled faintly. “You’re too late. The contracts are gone.” Blake frowned. “You gave them to someone else?” I glanced out the window and sneered. “I threw them away a long time ago.” Blake was so furious he was about to raise his hand, but then he saw Victoria approaching and immediately started putting on an act. “Alex, I know you must be upset that a new guy like me closed such a huge deal.” “But I was doing it for the company. How could you just throw away the contract?” Victoria immediately glared at me. “Alex, you should know, I hate people who don’t keep their word.” “If you don’t want to get fired, hurry up and re-sign a contract.” Hearing that, I simply handed her my resignation certificate. “Excuse me, I’ve already resigned.” Victoria was stunned for a moment, then, as if realizing something, she scoffed. “Alex, do you think I’m still some naive girl fresh out of college?” “That kind of manipulative game doesn’t work on me anymore.” “I knew you’d back out, so I already had HR use the system to contact the client. They’re on their way. Your resignation means nothing.” Suddenly, colleagues from across the department were secretly laughing at me, thinking I had brought this on myself, that I really thought I was the main event of the company. But I just looked out the window. A black Maybach had pulled up downstairs. It was Mr. Henderson’s private car from Aether Corp. Seeing their CEO personally arrive, Blake instantly beamed with delight. “Vicky, it looks like they really value their cooperation with us; even Mr. Henderson came himself!” “And he brought his legal team too! They must be so afraid we’ll break the contract.” The words had barely left his lips when Mr. Henderson stormed in, radiating fury. He swept his gaze over everyone. “Who is responsible for this cooperation?” Hearing that, Victoria smiled and stepped forward. “Mr. Henderson, I’m the head of the company. This cooperation was personally handled by our sales champion, Blake.” Watching Victoria’s triumphant expression, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She really had no shame when she lied. Blake had been out of town, yet she still claimed it was his achievement. But this time, she would finally pay the price for her greed. Sure enough. The moment the words left her lips, Mr. Henderson instructed someone to bring two cups of iced coffee. As Blake and Victoria smiled, reaching out to take them, Mr. Henderson snorted coldly. Without a word, he snatched the cups and splashed their contents directly onto their faces. “Didn’t you say our company wasn’t worthy of such high-class coffee?” “Legal team, issue an immediate industry-wide notice: Aether Corp. is severing all ties with VCM Solutions. Any company that chooses to collaborate with them will face the same blacklisting!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297313”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic

I was talking to my online girlfriend. During a boring meeting, feeling drowsy, I sent her a flirty text to perk myself up: “Man, I can’t even sleep well now. How am I ever gonna sleep *with* you?” The next second, that very message was projected onto the PPT screen in front of everyone. The worst part? The contact name at the top of the chat box read, ‘My Hubby.’ The whole room exploded. And the cool, reserved beauty pushed up her glasses, a slight smirk playing on her lips. “Sorry about that,” she said, her voice smooth. “My husband can be a little mischievous.” Lately, my boss has been in a foul mood. Everyone sensed it, working diligently, barely even slacking off. She was working crazy overtime, and no one dared to leave before her. So we all stayed until eleven or midnight, leaving me with dark circles and even worse skin. Honestly, I think I was the only one in the entire company who knew why she was so agitated, but I couldn’t say anything. Because she’d just gone through a breakup. Unfortunately, that “ex” was me. She just didn’t know it yet. It all started when my online girlfriend of two years wanted to meet up in person. We met on some online forum. She posted a desperate plea, titled ‘Why Can’t I Find a Date?’ I clicked it open. The post read: “I’m a 25-year-old female, 5’9″, 99 lbs, with a Master’s from a top-tier university in Management and Engineering. Currently a VP at a listed company, earning at least a million a year. I own a car and a house. I’m drop-dead gorgeous, but I’ve never dated anyone. What’s wrong with me?” The comment section was brutal, filled with sarcastic jabs. “Definitely a bait post. Confirmed.” “Is the OP living in a dream? A Master’s from a top-tier university, only 25, and a VP at a listed company? Please, before you brag, at least make it sound plausible.” “It’s common knowledge that someone so young becoming a VP usually means it’s a family business. And unfortunately, those trust fund kids usually go to college overseas.” With nothing better to do, I commented, “Maybe it’s your looks? Post a picture.” Then I closed the post. Not long after, the OP messaged me privately. “Hello, can I send you a private message?” Me: “?” I was curious, but I’m all for a good laugh, and drama’s my jam. “Sure.” Then she sent me a picture. I spat my coffee all over my desk. Seriously? 5’9″? I’d believe 5’0″. It was a mirror selfie, a third of her face covered, and the angle made her head look huge and her body tiny. She wore thick-rimmed black glasses that made her look dowdy and unattractive. But I had to admit, her face itself was flawless. Even with most of it obscured, those lips, that nose, those eyes—they screamed one thing: “I’m a beauty.” And yet, she looked strangely familiar. My mind was roaring, *Is there really a woman in this world who doesn’t know how beautiful she is?* At the same time, driven by my helpful nature, after zooming in and out like four times, I went all out, “Your styling and photo angles are all wrong! Ditch those glasses, get some frameless ones, or better yet, contacts! Never take pictures from that angle! Tilt your phone slightly, charger port facing you, and swap that dress for a slightly shorter black one…” She replied with a “Thank you very much.” After that outpouring, I didn’t pay much attention, but the next day, she sent me her “homework” based on my advice. I coached her, and she did the same on the third day, then the fourth, then the fifth. Just as I was getting impatient, she proactively asked to add me on SnapChat and even offered to pay me for my help. Thinking, ‘Only a fool turns down easy money,’ I gave her my private handle. Then, a familiar profile picture popped up, adding me as a friend. My junior boss? My hands trembled, and I accidentally hit ‘Accept,’ my blood ran cold. I quickly changed my settings to ‘limited chat.’ My brain raced, trying to figure out if I’d accidentally put my private handle anywhere in the company system. She was typing for ages, then sent, “Thank you so much for all your guidance and help these past few days. Here’s a small token of my appreciation.” Then came a transfer of fifty thousand dollars, with the note “Voluntary gift.” I froze. I took a screenshot, compared it to the SnapChat account, and confirmed it. It was indeed the beautiful woman from online, and it was indeed my junior boss from the company. My mind screamed ‘Whoa’ for ages, but I shamelessly accepted the money. Anyway, this was my private handle; she had no idea it was me. In the days that followed, I continued to help her improve, and she made rapid progress. Soon, she was fully able to showcase her beauty. However, just as I was ready to bow out gracefully, she confessed her feelings to me. I skipped over the emotional novel she wrote—I hadn’t written one of those since high school—and just flipped to the end: “Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time. I like you.” Me: “…” My silence was deafening. Me: “Thank you so much!” Her: “Huh???” Then: “I really like you!” “I *really* appreciate it!” “No, I’m serious.” I replied: “I *really* appreciate it!” My teeth clenched. Was this girl okay? She seemed stunned for a moment, then said, “Regardless, can you give me a chance to pursue you?” I didn’t reply. That night, I had trouble sleeping for once. The next day, she started sending me messages every morning, noon, and night, along with “I’m going to work,” “I’m leaving,” “I’ve arrived,” “I’m starting work,” and so on. Yep, that’s how this girl tried to pursue people. I’d occasionally throw her a bone, and she’d be over the moon. Things took a turn a month later. I was scrolling through beautiful women, having a blast, and casually shared a picture with my best friend. But my finger slipped, and I sent it to *her*. Me: “Phew, she’s gorgeous, I’m obsessed.” Me: “Video.” Her: “?”

By the time I saw the message, it was too late to unsend. While appreciating beauty is human nature, I felt inexplicably guilty. Just then, she suddenly messaged: “You like this kind?” Then she sent a video. It looked like it was shot in a gym. Not perfectly defined muscles, but very fair skin. A beautiful M-line flowed down, disappearing into her athletic shorts. As for above… Yeah, very pink! The owner of the video seemed shy; her face was flushed red at the end of the clip. I was officially hooked. Me: “Got more? Send more!” Then she shyly sent a few more videos. I admit, I was completely corrupted by beauty. I never thought my usually prim and proper boss was so… well. How do I describe it? It was strangely stimulating. I was enjoying myself when she suddenly sent a message. “If you agree to be my boyfriend, I’ll record videos for you every day. As much as you want.” Most people in life pursue four things: money, power, fame, and pleasure. The first three didn’t concern me, so the last one was incredibly tempting. Me: “…Well… I guess that’s not impossible.” It was just an online relationship, after all. Of course, I had conditions. No public announcements, no changing profile pictures, no video calls, and no meeting in person. She wasn’t thrilled but agreed anyway. And that’s how we dated for two years. As she got better at dressing up, I also enjoyed the perks, with her pulling off all sorts of stunning looks. Just when I thought these days would last forever, she proposed meeting up. Me: “Didn’t we agree not to meet? Just an online relationship, nothing in real life.” She sounded really upset: “I know, I’m sorry, but I really want to see you.” I knew what she was up to. A couple of days before, I had a college reunion, and afterward, a classmate confessed her feelings to me. I rejected her once, and she started sending me all these creepy, disgusting messages. So I blasted her on Ins, then blocked and deleted her. Since we were dating, Amelia saw it. She was probably thinking of meeting up and then openly declaring her claim on me. I knew exactly why I didn’t want to meet her, so the answer was definitely no. After she pestered me for a week, I got annoyed and broke up with her. That scared her straight. She looked like a wilting flower, utterly deflated. My phone displayed an incoming call for the umpteenth time. I sighed and silently flipped my phone face down on the table. Just then, my direct boss, Richard, called out to me. “Leo, can you take this proposal to Amelia?” Richard’s crush on Amelia was an open secret in the company. Normally, he’d jump at any chance to interact with her. But lately, she’d been in a bad mood. Last time, he’d tried to ‘comfort’ her, assuming too much, and got chewed out, which was incredibly embarrassing. So he stopped trying any of his little tricks. I winced, a wry smile on my face. “Richard, I’m a level below her. Isn’t going over your head a bit… much?” Amelia was my online girlfriend. While I had her contact info on my work phone, I’d never actually interacted with her professionally. Plus, this proposal had been dragging on forever, and Amelia was still unhappy with it. Even if she were in a good mood, I’d still get criticized, let alone now. This was clearly him trying to throw me under the bus. Richard rolled his eyes. “Just do what I tell you. Why all the questions?” …Fine. Even though I’d practically seen everything online, I was still a bit nervous about meeting her in person. Especially at work, she was notoriously strict, incredibly strong-willed. —And incredibly sharp-tongued. Hesitating for a moment, I pulled out my phone. After I broke up with her that day, she’d been constantly apologizing, clearly panicking, but I hadn’t replied. I’d just impulsively broken up with her and hadn’t really checked since. First, I was afraid I’d go soft, and second, I wanted to take her down a notch. Meeting was out of the question, but breaking up was fine. After thinking it over, I sent a message. “We don’t have to break up, but can you be good? I really don’t like people who don’t keep their word.” She replied instantly: “Baby, you finally replied to me! I know I was wrong, I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.” Then came a crying puppy emoji. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The person inside startled, then cleared her throat. “Come in.” As soon as I entered, my gaze was drawn to Amelia’s slightly red nose. Had she been crying? Noticing my gaze, she seemed a bit embarrassed and tapped on her desk. “Proposal? Put it here. You can go back now.” Her temper was clearly better. Otherwise, she would have already chewed me out for bypassing protocol. There was a colleague who got fired for bypassing protocol. While he also had issues with his work ethic and refusing assignments—and he did get a severance package—bypassing protocol is still a major workplace no-no. But the proposal was still no good; it eventually got sent back, and Richard put it back in my hands. No choice, I had to work overtime to revise it. But Amelia was in a good mood today and left on time. Plus, it was Friday, so the other colleagues, who had been working overtime for ages, also left early. Soon, it was just me and Sarah, the front desk admin. I had no idea when I’d finish this proposal, so I assured the admin I’d lock up and turn off the lights, letting her go home first. I don’t know how much time passed when I heard a sound from the facial recognition lock at the door. I froze, a little scared. Checking the time, it was already ten o’clock at night. Who could it be at this hour? All sorts of horror movie scenarios set in office buildings replayed in my mind. I comforted myself that ghosts weren’t real, while instinctively holding my breath, too nervous to move. A familiar figure approached. As I clearly saw her face, I let out a sigh of relief. It was Amelia. “Why are you here alone? Aren’t you going home?” Amelia seemed surprised I was still working overtime. I secretly gritted my teeth: *It’s all your fault!* “This proposal is urgent. I’m afraid it won’t be viable even tomorrow, so I thought I’d work overtime tonight to refine it.” “Oh, *that* proposal.” Amelia paused, then actually walked straight towards me. “Let me explain it to you in more detail; it’ll be easier to revise that way.” My heart tightened—since we’d made up, I had to reply to her messages, and I hated constantly opening my phone, so I’d switched my computer to my private handle. What was I going to do? Amelia walked closer. “Open it up, let me see.” My brain spun frantically, but my hands moved slowly. Just as she was about to adjust it, Amelia said, “Move over a bit, I’ll…” “Wait!”

I got so excited I slapped the desk, making her jump. Amelia’s expression was clearly bewildered, and in that dazed state, she actually looked kind of cute. It was only then that I belatedly realized that the person online and the person in front of me were the same. I cleared my throat. “…Sorry, Amelia, uh, I suddenly have a stomachache. I need to use the restroom. You can look at it first.” With that, I grabbed my phone from the desk and rushed to the bathroom. Amelia looked bewildered. “…Oh, okay.” There was a quick exit button on my phone, which I quickly tapped, letting out a sigh of relief. —Mainly because Amelia would talk about *everything*, even the smallest things, and those notifications would flash in the corner of my screen. Even accidentally hovering over them could give me away, let alone clicking. I replied to each message, then dragged my feet for a while before going back. When I returned, Amelia had finished looking it over and gestured for me to start revising the proposal. After telling me all the parts that needed modification, she went to her office. “I’m just going to grab something; I’ll be right back.” *She’s coming back?* My heart wept internally, and I buried myself in the work. I had to say, my junior boss really was a workaholic. Under her “guidance,” it was almost midnight by the time the proposal was done. “That’s about it. We’ll leave it at that.” Amelia nodded. I let out a sigh of relief. “Alright, good then.” Though I felt pretty resentful inside. Just then, Amelia suddenly asked, “You live in the employee dorms, right? Want me to give you a ride back?” “Huh?” I froze, quickly waving my hands. “No, no, that’s okay, I’ll just walk back, it’s pretty close.” “It’s not safe for you to walk alone.” Amelia was insistent. Unable to refuse, I agreed. At the same time, she sent me a message: “Giving a male colleague who worked overtime a ride home. Didn’t let him sit in the passenger seat.” Me: “OK.” Once in the car, neither of us spoke. I felt a little awkward, but it wasn’t appropriate to play on my phone in the car, so I just stared out the window like an idiot. “Oh, right,” she suddenly asked. “What kind of gifts do you guys, as guys, hope your girlfriends give you?” I froze—she was right, my birthday was coming up soon. I stammered, “Uh… well, actually, the gift doesn’t matter, the thought counts.” “…Mainly, I’ve given my boyfriend some gifts before, and he really disliked them and returned them, so I don’t know what to do.” She seemed troubled, but I wanted to curse. *Seriously?* My family is just average. She gave me high-end watches; I didn’t even have the clothes to match them. If I wore them, people would just think they were fakes. Why wouldn’t I return them? After a moment, I said, “You could make some small crafts or something. They’re not expensive, but since they’re handmade, they show the most thought.” She seemed speechless. “…Oh, you look pretty young. How old are you?” My heart tightened. “I’m one year older than you.” She: “What month?” Me: “August.” She made an “Oh” sound, then seemed a bit awkward. “Um… I still don’t know your name—you are?” Me: “…” “Leo Carter. Carter with a C.” Online, I’d told her my last name was “Grey.” Neither of us spoke after that. When we arrived at the dorm building, I politely said goodbye. “Thanks, Amelia.” “No problem. Go on in.” I nodded, ready to leave. “Leo Carter!” Amelia suddenly called out to me. “Hm?” I turned around, looking at her with a hint of confusion. “What is it?” “…Nothing. Just go back early.”

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My first night in Vegas, fresh off the plane, I thought I’d flex a little, being the former King of Gambling and all. Just a few quick rounds. But as I was leaving, some jerk insisted I cover his massive losses. “One hundred ninety-nine million, not a penny less!” The front desk girl looked up at me, startled. I quickly shook my head, saying I didn’t know him. That only made him bolder. “You know Stella Vance, right? She owns the casino next door, and she’s my wife! We’re all outsiders here, so helping me out is a compliment. Don’t push your luck!” I paused for a few seconds, then pulled out my phone and called Stella. “Heard you’ve got a gambling addict husband here in America?” … Seeing me dial, the guy probably thought I was calling the cops. He immediately yelled for his goons to snatch my phone. “Damn it, you dare call the cops? Believe me, even if they show up, you’ll still pay me, nice and easy!” I looked at him, puzzled. Did he really have connections at the precinct? Just a few days ago, I’d had dinner with the Governor. Could his connections really be higher than the Governor’s? While I was lost in thought, his crew had already surrounded me. Every one of them was in a sharp suit, dark shades, looking like a bunch of bodyguards. Before I could speak, Liam Sterling, who’d come with me, couldn’t hold back. “You’ve got some balls, huh? Do you even know this place belongs to the Sterling family? You dare mess with Mr. Sterling’s son?” Liam was the casino owner’s son, but this guy didn’t even flinch. “So what if he’s Mr. Sterling? I’m Stella’s damn assistant! Go ask around, who in this town dares disrespect me, Mick Reilly?” “Me asking you to pay is a chance for you to get on my good side. Can’t believe you two morons didn’t know a good thing when it smacked you in the face. Less than two hundred million to get in my good graces? You missed out on such a golden opportunity.” I actually laughed. “Randomly get blocked by a gambling addict, who then demands I pay hundreds of millions for his losses? Here, you can have that opportunity, you want it?” “Ignore him, Liam. Call Stella right now. I want to see how she explains this to me.” Stella had made a fortune over the years, all riding on my name. So many gamblers traveled from afar to her casino, just to catch a glimpse of me, the youngest King of Gambling in history. It brought in a ton of silent profit. But now, she was secretly shacked up with this lowlife gambling addict of an assistant, and it absolutely infuriated me. But just as Liam pulled out his phone, one of the bodyguards stepped up and slapped him! Then, they snatched his phone, quickly threw it to the ground, and stomped on it repeatedly until it was utterly smashed. “What are you doing?!” Liam never dreamed anyone would be so arrogant on his own father’s turf. But Mick Reilly just smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Still trying to call for help? I already told you, if you don’t cough up the money today, you won’t see tomorrow’s sun!” “Since you two are so disobedient, let’s teach you a lesson.” He gave a signal to his bodyguards. They immediately grabbed us, forcing us to the ground, and started mercilessly beating us, aiming for our vital spots. I’d been through a lot, traveling the world, so I could take it better. Liam, being a rich kid, nearly passed out on the spot. “Stop it! How much do you want? I’ll pay!” Seeing him about to be beaten to death, I grit my teeth and yelled for them to stop. After so many years of friendship, I couldn’t let him get beaten to death by a few thugs here. Mick Reilly, thinking I’d caved, swaggered over, knelt down, and viciously slapped me twice across the face. “See? If you were just cooperative from the start, you wouldn’t have had to suffer all this.” “Three hundred million. Not a single cent less.” My eyes widened instantly: “How did it become three hundred million? It’s only been a few minutes!” He roughly grabbed my hair, then punched my already bleeding left eye. He looked at his blood-stained fist, disgusted, and shook it off. “See that? Just because I had to teach you two idiots a lesson, now I’m hurt.” “This extra cash? One, it’s for my boys, their hard work educating you. Two, it’s for my medical bill.” “What, you got a problem with that? Too bad, swallow it. In this city, I, Mick Reilly, am the law. Go on, try and find someone who dares to say a word.” He glanced around casually. The gawking gamblers quickly lowered their heads. “Those two are out of luck. Of all people to cross, they had to cross this absolute tyrant.” “Mick Reilly is notorious for preying on people he sees as vulnerable, especially those new to the city, easy marks. If you run into him, you just have to accept your fate.” “Keep it down. His wife is Stella Vance, the casino owner. It’d be nothing for her to deal with a couple of tourists. Blame these two for being blind. They’re lucky if they walk out of here alive, let alone in one piece.” But three hundred million was something I couldn’t just pull out right away. I had no choice but to temporarily suppress my anger. “Mick Reilly, I advise you to know when to stop.” “I’m Stella Vance’s legal husband. We’re officially married. I’m also the World King of Gambling. Treating me like this won’t end well for you.” “Liam Sterling’s father is the owner of this casino. I suggest you take him to the hospital now. Otherwise, when Mr. Sterling comes back and sees his son this badly hurt, you won’t be able to escape.” I thought Mick Reilly would listen to reason, but instead, he burst out laughing, grabbed my neck again, and slammed my face into the floor, grinding it hard! “What are you, some nobody, daring to even *think* about my wife?” “And this punk kid, he looks like a broke loser. You two together can’t even cough up three hundred million, and you dare impersonate the owner’s son?” The casino floor wasn’t smooth. The rough surface had already carved several deep, bloody gashes into the side of my face. It was a bloody mess. Liam, enraged, yelled, “My dad really is Arthur Sterling! If you don’t believe me, call the casino manager, he knows me!” Chloe, the front desk girl, froze for a moment. Liam’s expression didn’t look fake. Better safe than sorry, she quickly dialed the manager’s number. A few minutes later, the portly manager, Frankie Costello, appeared at the entrance, hurried and flustered. Liam finally breathed a sigh of relief. “You still have time to let me go. Otherwise, when my dad actually gets here…” “Forget three hundred million, not even three *billion* will save you!” Liam’s attitude was so firm that Mick Reilly seemed momentarily flustered. His head bodyguard cautiously approached. “Mr. Reilly, I just did a quick search. Arthur Sterling does seem to have a son back home, who rarely shows up here.” “The kid’s age matches too. Could he actually be his son?” Mick Reilly looked at Liam, who was beaten beyond recognition. The more he thought about it, the more scared he got. He quickly told his bodyguards to release us. “That’s more like it.” Liam scoffed, struggling to his feet. Frankie Costello had already walked up to them. Recognizing the manager, Liam forced a smile. “Uncle Frankie, I didn’t expect you to be on duty today.” “It’s these guys. Not only did they block our way and rob us, they also beat me and Mr. Thorne here for no reason. How do you plan to handle this?” Mick Reilly watched, growing increasingly alarmed, silently cursing his luck. Who would have thought this bleached-blond punk was actually the owner’s son? He was absolutely doomed. The gamblers who had been keeping their heads down now craned their necks. “Looks like a twist! That kid is really Arthur Sterling’s son?” “Then Mick Reilly is completely finished. He’s Stella Vance’s assistant, sure, but Mr. Sterling’s son is way higher up. Beating him up like this? Money won’t solve it.” “Exactly. There’s no way he’s walking out of here in one piece. Knowing these guys, a broken arm or leg would be getting off easy.” Mick Reilly listened, growing more and more terrified, even starting to consider apologizing proactively. Liam glanced back at him, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. But when Frankie Costello actually reached them, the first thing he said left Liam completely stunned. “Who are you? How dare you impersonate our boss’s son?” Liam froze, immediately pointing at his own face. “Uncle Frankie, did you not recognize me for a second? It’s me, Liam Sterling! I even hosted you a year ago when you went back home to visit relatives.” Frankie Costello, however, maintained a cold expression, walked straight past Liam, and came to Mick Reilly’s side, instantly plastering on a fawning smile. “Mr. Reilly, don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense. Our Mr. Sterling’s son is still studying back home. How could he suddenly appear at the casino?” “This guy is probably just impersonating Liam to swindle people here. Don’t pay him any mind.” Liam watched them converse, fuming with rage, shouting about how his dad would punish them when he returned. My face darkened. Seeing Liam’s outburst, I instantly understood what was going on. Liam’s father was busy setting up his fifth casino branch and wouldn’t be back here anytime soon. Liam’s phone was also destroyed, so he couldn’t contact his father. Naturally, Frankie Costello would choose to side with Mick Reilly, who was more beneficial to the casino’s immediate development. This meant we were in serious trouble. As expected, Mick Reilly let out a sigh of relief. The anger in his heart surged, and he kicked Liam squarely in the knee, actually causing his leg bone to visibly deform! “You pathetic dog! You almost tricked me!” “What Sterling heir? I knew you, you bleached-blond punk, couldn’t be some rich kid. Begging from the wrong side of the tracks is more like it.” After cursing at Liam, he turned back to me, eyes filled with malice. “I did hear that my wife has a useless ex-husband back home. She said you kept hounding her, always finding ways to extort money. Is that true?” I froze. “I never divorced Stella back home. She…” My response was met with Mick Reilly’s merciless slap. “Don’t keep saying Stella, Stella! My wife’s name isn’t for the likes of you to utter!” I could only smile bitterly to myself. The legendary King of Gambling, brought low by his own wife’s side piece, and humiliated like this in public. But Mick Reilly still didn’t seem satisfied. Hitting me didn’t seem to vent all his anger. The next second, my head was forcibly yanked back, and a dog leash was brutally snapped around my neck. I struggled fiercely but only earned myself a more severe beating. Finally, I was forced to my knees, coughing up blood. Mick Reilly leaned in, grinning, close to my ear. “Your wife just used this dog leash last night.” “Now it’s on your neck, consider yourself lucky, Jax Thorne.” “Oh, right, one more thing.” He pulled out several round, spherical glass beads from his pocket, right in front of my face. I knew these things all too well. Stella had practically begged me to custom-make them last week, claiming these special round chips were needed for new slot machines to better attract gamblers. “You still don’t know what these are for, do you?” Mick Reilly smugly brought the beads closer to my nose. A foul, indescribable odor immediately assaulted my senses. “I don’t care if you’re divorced or not. Even if she’s still your wife back home, listen carefully.” “Last night, she was on her knees, just like this, practically begging me to *use* these on her.” My rage instantly hit its peak. My entire brain felt like it was about to explode. Stella was my college classmate. All these years, she had cultivated an innocent, pure-as-snow persona in front of me. Even after we got married, she was incredibly reserved in bed, always lying there like a statue, barely responsive, and would rush off afterward, never giving me a chance for intimacy. But now, she was willing to wear a dog leash for an assistant. As for what those beads were used for, any normal person could figure it out. In that moment, my heart turned to ash. I lost all will to resist, letting him tighten the leash around my neck. “Alright, since you know everything now, keeping a former husband like you around is indeed annoying.” Mick Reilly chuckled, increasing the pressure in his hand. I could feel my breath growing shallow. Death was beckoning. “Don’t even think about marrying into money in your next life. Look at you now, with that wild dog face. How could you ever be worthy of a big shot like my wife?” But just as I was about to be choked to death, a gasp suddenly came from the entrance. “Stop it right now!” In my fading consciousness, I recognized Stella’s voice. My heart, which had already died, finally flickered back to life. Good, she had finally come. Even though she’d cheated to this extent, if we could talk things through today, and Mick Reilly received his due punishment, maybe parting ways amicably wouldn’t be impossible.

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Amidst the clinking glasses and celebratory chatter of the success party, Brandon, my fiancé, stood by as his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra, “accidentally” spilled an entire glass of red wine all over my design blueprint. That wasn’t just any blueprint. It was the final draft for the ‘Skyway Haven’ project, a masterpiece I’d poured three months of my life into, working endless nights. It was the design that had just clinched the Pritzker Prize. The crimson liquid spread across the paper like a gaping, hideous wound, instantly seeping into every fiber. The air went dead silent. Every eye in the room pivoted to me, eager for the drama to unfold. Before I could even open my mouth, Brandon moved. He strode forward, not towards me, but to shield a seemingly flustered Cassandra behind him. He didn’t even glance at the ruined blueprint that held my heart and soul. He looked at me, his brows tightly furrowed, his voice laced with annoyance and a hint of accusation. “Sera, what’s the big deal? It’s just a blueprint. You can just draw another one when you get back.” “Cassandra just got back to the country, she doesn’t understand anything. Don’t scare her.”

I laughed. Seriously? Scare *her*? I hadn’t said a single word. How was I scaring her? I looked at Cassandra, nestled behind him. Her face wore a perfectly crafted mask of panic and innocence, but I saw a faint, triumphant smirk hidden in the corner of her eye. Such a flawless act. Then I looked back at Brandon. This man, whom I’d stood by through thick and thin, from nothing to founding ‘Brandon Architecture.’ This man, who’d built half his empire on my designs. Right now, all his protection and concern were focused on another woman. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an icy hand, tightening inch by painful inch. “Brandon,” I heard my own voice, eerily calm, “you know what this blueprint means.” “It means our company can secure that multi-billion dollar prime land in the city’s South District. It means your ‘Brandon Architecture’ can leapfrog to become an industry leader.” “And you say, ‘just draw another one’?” My question choked him. His face turned ugly. “Sera, don’t throw a tantrum out here. I’ll explain everything to you when we get home.” He lowered his voice, as if he was bestowing a great favor on me. I just felt sick. The whispers around me buzzed like flies in my ears. “Tsk, Designer Sera is just too aggressive. She doesn’t give Mr. Brandon any face.” “Exactly! Designer Cassandra is so gentle. She looks like the kind of woman who truly knows how to elevate her man’s career.” “Men, they prefer a woman who knows how to soothe and charm. Who wants a workaholic who just draws blueprints all day…” My head buzzed, a sharp cramp in my chest coupled with days of sleepless fatigue washed over me. My vision started to black out. My last conscious thought was seeing Brandon pat Cassandra’s shoulder reassuringly, then looking at me with an expression that screamed ‘trouble.’ That look, like a steel needle, pierced through all my illusions. The next second, I completely lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at a strange ceiling, and the air smelled of cheap air freshener. I wiggled my fingers, feeling light as a feather, yet incredibly heavy. No, this wasn’t my body. I shot upright and rushed to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a young, unfamiliar face. Delicate, with a hint of timidness. It was Chloe, Brandon’s new assistant. How was I here? In her body? Where was my body? A bizarre and terrifying thought exploded in my mind. Soul swap. Damn it. I didn’t have time to think. One thought consumed me – my body! I grabbed the keys and phone from the table and bolted out of the tiny rental apartment like a madwoman. It was already late at night. Relying on memory, I used Chloe’s fingerprint to unlock the door and burst into the home Brandon and I shared. No one was home. My body wasn’t here. Brandon wasn’t here either. A massive wave of panic gripped me. I could barely stand. Where were they? What was happening to my body right now? I forced myself to calm down. Brandon. Yes, find Brandon. I used Chloe’s phone to dial his number. It rang for a long time before he picked up. The background noise was loud, like he was in a bar. “Hello? Chloe? What’s up this late?” Brandon’s voice was slurred with alcohol and impatience. “Mr. Brandon, Designer Ser… Designer Sera?” I pinched my voice, trying to sound like the timid little assistant. “She collapsed. She’s at the hospital, I had a nurse look after her.” He answered carelessly. Hospital. My heart eased slightly, then immediately clenched again. He said… he had a nurse look after me? He wasn’t with me? “Then… where are you, sir?” I asked, trembling. From the other end, Cassandra’s sweet, soft voice chirped, “Brandon, who is it? Come drink with me!” Brandon immediately responded in a gentle, soothing tone, “Just an assistant. You enjoy yourself, I’ll be right there.” Then, he turned back to the phone, his voice dropping eight degrees, instantly cold. “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Do your job. I’m hanging up.” The call disconnected. I stood in the empty living room, phone in hand, feeling utterly chilled. I collapsed from exhaustion for his business, ended up in the hospital. And he was out, partying with his ‘one that got away’ at a bar. “Do my job?” Hah, what a joke. I opened Chloe’s SnapChat. Pinned at the top was the company’s core project chat. Brandon had just sent a message to the group. “@everyone, tomorrow morning at 9 AM, an emergency meeting for the ‘Skyway Haven’ project will be held. Designer Cassandra will be joining us as a special consultant to discuss the subsequent design plans.” My pupils constricted sharply. Special consultant? Cassandra? An interior designer who only handles soft furnishings, consulting on a world-class architectural project? What kind of freaking consultant? Brandon, what exactly are you trying to do? I clenched the phone tightly, my knuckles white from the strain. No. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. I had to figure all of this out. Under Chloe’s identity, I took a taxi to the company. The office building was pitch black at night, save for the lights on in ‘Brandon Architecture’s’ CEO office on the top floor. My heart sank. Who would be at the office this late? I quietly took the elevator up, using the assistant’s access card to swipe open the glass door. The CEO’s office door was ajar, and I heard hushed voices from inside. It was Brandon and Cassandra. I held my breath, pressing myself against the door like a ghost. “Brandon, are you really going to do this? Change Sera’s name to mine? If she finds out…” Cassandra’s voice held a hint of false hesitation. “She won’t know.” Brandon’s voice was cold as ice. “She’s in the hospital right now. By the time she gets out, the project contract will be signed, and it’ll be a done deal.” My blood, at that moment, froze completely. He was going to… change my name on the blueprint? He was going to hand over my painstaking work, my life’s blood, to this woman? “But it’s Sera’s hard work after all. That design concept…” “What concept of hers?” Brandon scoffed, his voice filled with disdain. “That entire concept, wasn’t it just an extension of your university concept draft from back then? At the end of the day, you’re the original creator. I’m just giving you back what should have been yours.” “Besides, while Sera’s design is good, it’s too focused on the technicalities, completely lacking your commercial savvy and market appeal. Having you sign it, using your reputation as a brilliant, internationally-trained designer for promotion, will be much more beneficial for the company’s IPO.” *Boom!* Something inside me just *snapped*. So that’s how it was. In his eyes, I was just a tool, too focused on craftsmanship. All my talent, all my efforts, were just stepping stones for him to package the company and pursue its IPO. And Cassandra, she was the truly talented “original creator” in his mind, the one who could bring him greater benefits. “Trading my talent for love.” The belief I once held so firmly now seemed like a colossal joke. I clung to the cold door, trembling like a leaf. My stomach churned, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate not to throw up. Inside, Cassandra let out a satisfied sigh. She pressed against Brandon, her voice soft and alluring. “Brandon, you’re so good to me. I knew it, you always had feelings for me.” “Silly girl.” Brandon’s voice held a hint of tenderness. “If your family hadn’t insisted you go abroad back then, we would never have separated. Now that you’re back, I won’t let you suffer a single grievance.” “What about Seraphina? You two…” “Sera and I, that was nothing more than a business arrangement. Her technical skill, my market, that’s all. Once the company goes public and stabilizes, I’ll tell her everything.” “Don’t worry. The position of Mrs. Brandon will only ever be yours.” Every single word, like poisoned blades, slowly tearing my heart to shreds. A business arrangement… that’s all… I accompanied him through the toughest times, I let him use all my patents for free, I poured myself into building his business empire. In the end, all I got was “that’s all.” I couldn’t listen anymore. I was afraid I’d kick down that door and drag that despicable pair down with me. I stumbled back, fleeing into the adjacent breakroom, my body sliding down to the floor against the cold wall. I hugged my knees, burying my face. No tears came. There’s no grief like the death of hope. I just felt that the past ten years had been an intricately orchestrated scam. And I, was the most ridiculous, most foolish clown. I don’t know how long passed, but the office door opened. Brandon and Cassandra walked out, intimately embracing. Through the crack in the breakroom door, I saw Cassandra stand on her tiptoes and press a kiss to Brandon’s lips. “I’ll head back now. See you at the meeting tomorrow.” “Okay, be careful on your way.” Brandon watched her leave, then turned and went back into his office. I heard the clicking of a mouse and the tapping of a keyboard from inside. What was he doing? He was changing the designer’s name on my blueprint! A metallic taste rose in my throat. I pushed myself up against the wall, a towering hatred igniting in my chest. Brandon. Cassandra. You thought I was a fool. You treated everything I had as spoils of war, to be plundered at will. You thought I was lying helpless in a hospital bed, at your mercy? Good. Oh, so good. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, looking at Chloe’s timid face in the mirror. From today onwards, things would be different. What you owe me, I will collect every single penny, with interest! I wasn’t Seraphina anymore. I was… a vengeful spirit.

The next day, 9 AM. The meeting room at ‘Brandon Architecture’ was thick with tension. Under Chloe’s identity, I stood in the corner, head bowed, holding a cup of coffee, like I was invisible. Brandon sat at the head of the table, looking smug and triumphant. Cassandra sat beside him, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, her makeup flawless, clearly embodying the role of a hostess. In her hand was a document—my ‘Skyway Haven’ design proposal. But the designer’s name on the cover now boldly read: Cassandra. That was quick. In just one night, she’d fully usurped my spot. The executives in the room were all seasoned professionals. Seeing the situation, no one dared to speak first. Brandon cleared his throat. “Everyone, Designer Sera is temporarily unable to participate in the project due to health reasons. But the project schedule cannot wait. Therefore, I specifically invited Designer Cassandra to be our special consultant and lead the upcoming work.” He paused, then picked up the proposal from the table. “This final proposal for ‘Skyway Haven’ actually has its core concept rooted in Designer Cassandra’s early creative vision. One could say, she is the soul of this project. It is only fitting that she takes over.” I almost threw up on the spot. I’d seen shameless people before, but never this shameless. To describe theft so eloquently, Brandon, you’re truly a piece of work. The executives exchanged glances. Finally, the company’s technical director, Mr. Hayes, who had worked with me for years, couldn’t help but speak up. “Mr. Brandon, isn’t this against protocol? Designer Sera’s proposal…” “Mr. Hayes.” Brandon’s eyes instantly turned cold. “Are you questioning my decision?” Mr. Hayes’ face paled. He dared not say another word. Brandon seemed pleased with this ‘setting an example’ approach. He turned to Cassandra, his tone softening again. “Cassandra, why don’t you share your ideas with everyone?” Cassandra stood up, a perfect business smile gracing her lips. She turned on the projector and began to speak fluently. Every word she uttered was something I had painstakingly articulated to Brandon, night after night. From design inspiration to structural mechanics, to the application of environmentally friendly materials. She recited it all flawlessly, as if it were her own. Shameless. Absolutely freaking shameless. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. Calm down, Seraphina, calm down. You are Chloe right now. You cannot act impulsively. I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping across everyone present. Those executives who once smiled at me, calling me the “company’s anchor,” now had their heads bowed, pretending to take notes diligently. Not a single person stood up to say a word on my behalf. Fine. This was all just fine. I saw their true colors clearly now. Fair-weather friends, quick to curry favor. A company built on plagiarism and lies, does it really deserve to go public? In their dreams. Halfway through the meeting, Cassandra started discussing the project’s core technology—my exclusively developed ‘Suspended Seismic-Resistant Structure.’ This was core confidential information I hadn’t yet patented, only discussed with Brandon. “…So, this suspended structure will be the biggest highlight of our project, and our ultimate trump card to surpass all competitors.” Cassandra spoke with passionate fervor, as if she were the inventor of the technology herself. Brandon nodded in satisfaction. Just then, I moved. Holding the coffee, I pretended to slip, my body “accidentally” bumping into the projector’s power cord. *Click.* The screen instantly went black. The entire conference room plunged into darkness and chaos. “What happened?!” “Ouch! Who did that?!” Under the cover of darkness, I quickly, with lightning speed, plugged the USB drive I had been clutching into the main conference computer’s USB port. Inside was the “gift” I had prepared overnight. A tiny virus program. It wouldn’t destroy the computer. It would only, at a specific time, send a specific file to specific people. Having done all that, I immediately pulled out the USB drive, scurried back to my corner, and feigned panic. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” I shrieked in Chloe’s voice. The lights were quickly turned back on. Everyone glared at me, the “culprit.” Brandon’s face was as black as a thundercloud. “Chloe! What are you doing?! You can’t even handle such a small task!” I lowered my head, my shoulders shaking, looking like I was about to cry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Brandon, I… my legs just went weak…” Cassandra walked over, feigning concern and helping me up. In a voice only we two could hear, she whispered: “An assistant should act like an assistant. Things that aren’t yours to touch, you’d best leave them alone.” Her eyes were full of warning and disdain. I sneered inwardly. Things not mine to touch? Cassandra, you’ll soon find out whose things you’re touching right now. The meeting ended abruptly due to this small incident. Brandon called me into his office and gave me a furious dressing-down, finally punishing me by “deducting my entire bonus for the month.” I meekly accepted it. Walking out of the office, I glanced back at the closed door. Brandon, Cassandra. Enjoy your stolen victory. Because the countdown has already begun. For the next few days, I lived a double life. By day, I was the timid, clumsy little assistant, Chloe, in the CEO’s office. Serving coffee, making copies, being ordered around, and constantly enduring Cassandra’s sarcasm and deliberate provocations.

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Bound by an engagement contract, my father brought back two brothers from a fallen wealthy family, allowing my sister and me to choose our husbands. Caleb, steady and talented, fell for my sister the moment he saw her. I looked at Jax, whose legs were both broken, and sighed. A soft heart led me to accept him. After we married, I searched for renowned doctors, hoping to heal his legs. But his condition never improved. He grew depressed, and I gently comforted him. I thought if I was good enough to him, he’d become cheerful and positive. Yet, on the day our enemies attacked, he stood up from his wheelchair and pushed me out, using me as a human shield. “I’m sorry, I can’t just stand by and watch Seraphina die.” So, if Seraphina couldn’t die, I was expendable? He gave me one last, deep look, then slammed the door shut. “I owe you this life, I’ll repay you in the next!” Tears of despair streamed down my face. Turns out, his disability and depression were just an act, meant only for me. When I opened my eyes again, I heard my father telling my sister and me to choose our husbands.

I stared at the people before me, hatred seeping from my very bones. My sister, Seraphina, glanced at the steady and talented Caleb, then turned to me, her face full of gentle consideration. “My little sister is still young and a bit spoiled. How could I let you marry Jax, who’s crippled? I’ll choose Jax, it’s fine, really.” She’d said the exact same thing in my past life. I was so incredibly touched back then, believing she was the best person in the world. To spare her any hardship, I refused. “Sister,” I’d said, “you and Caleb share a deep love. How could I break you two apart?” I forcefully chose Jax, the disabled brother. I sought doctors and medicine for him for seven years. I knelt on countless temple steps, my forehead raw from bowing, begging for his recovery. Then, our enemies attacked our home. My wonderful husband, the man I had meticulously cared for seven years, stood up from his wheelchair and, without hesitation, pushed me out to draw their fire. “I’m sorry, I can’t just stand by and watch Seraphina die.” He didn’t even give me time to react before he slammed the heavy door shut. My sister, on the other hand, had dozens of bodyguards and a secret passage! She just needed to run a few more steps to meet up with Caleb. She’d claimed she wanted to protect me first. But after I was pushed out, she didn’t call anyone to save me. I died, and she got all the praise. Thinking of this, I forced a smile. “Then let’s switch.” The air instantly froze. Seraphina’s gentle expression stiffened. Caleb snapped his head up, blurting out, “No!” My father’s face darkened too, his stern gaze sweeping over Jax and me. “Nonsense! How can your elder sister marry a cripple?” A chill pierced my heart, bone-deep. So, you knew marrying a cripple was unacceptable. Last life, when I chose Jax, he didn’t say that. He said I was sensible, considerate, and a good daughter of the Sterling family. Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out. “I am not a cripple.” Under everyone’s shocked gazes, Jax slowly stood up. His posture was tall and straight, his aura commanding. I stared at him, my blood feeling like ice. He was faking it from the start? So, what was all my sleepless nights searching for doctors and medicine for? What about the good luck charm I begged for him, kneeling on nine thousand steps, bowing at each one? What about giving up all my shares just to beg Father to spare his life? It was all a complete joke! Seeing him like this, I instantly understood. He was reborn too. So, his “I’ll repay you in the next life” from last time? All lies. Even with a second chance, he didn’t want to marry me. It didn’t matter. I didn’t plan on having him either. “Mr. Sterling, my business acumen might not be inferior to my elder brother’s.” Jax’s voice was neither servile nor overbearing. In just a few words, he pointed out the Sterling family’s current business dilemma, analyzing it even more precisely than Caleb. “I can help the Sterling family turn losses into profits within three months.” My father’s shock turned into wild joy. I saw the way Seraphina looked at Jax. It changed too, becoming astonishingly bright. She quickly composed herself, walked to Caleb’s side, and put on a caring act. “Caleb, you’ll have to take good care of my sister from now on.” Caleb’s grim gaze fell on my left prosthetic eye. That was the eye I lost when I took a knife for Seraphina. Caleb’s eyes filled with disgust. He spoke each word distinctly, “Please, Mr. Sterling, cancel this engagement. Grant me my freedom. I’d rather start from scratch outside.”

My father’s face instantly dropped. His stern gaze landed on Caleb. “Cancel the engagement? Do you want everyone in the city to mock the Sterling family, to say we’re untrustworthy?” Caleb frowned, his gaze fixed on my face—specifically, on my dull, grey prosthetic eye. His tone was distant. “I’m not worthy of Miss Aria. Please, Mr. Sterling, fulfill my request.” Seraphina immediately stepped forward, her face full of feigned distress, as she chastised him. “Caleb, how can you say that? You’re hurting my sister’s feelings too much.” Caleb looked at her, his eyes instantly filling with deep affection. “If I cannot be with the one I love, I’d rather never marry.” I almost burst out laughing. What a dramatic display of undying love. A flicker of joy passed through Seraphina’s eyes, quickly replaced by her usual thoughtful expression. “Don’t be impulsive. Have you forgotten those enemies? They won’t spare a struggling man like you. I can’t stand by and watch you ruin your life.” Caleb was visibly moved, his gaze growing even more fervent. The smile on my lips could no longer be hidden. “Well, in that case, why don’t both Caleb and Jax become live-in husbands for Sister?” “That way, the engagement isn’t broken, and all you ‘lovers’ get what you want.” “After all, the contract never said Sister couldn’t have two at once.” “As for who’d be the main husband, and who’d just be a ‘plus one’ or ‘side piece’ – well, Sister can decide that herself, can’t she?” Seraphina’s face flushed crimson. She glared at me, feigning coyness. “Sister, what nonsense are you spouting!” My father’s gaze shifted to me, carrying a hint of scrutiny. “You really don’t want either of them?” I nodded, my voice firm. “No.” Jax and Caleb looked at me simultaneously. Their eyes held the same contempt, as if saying, *If even we don’t want you, who possibly would?* My father was silent for a moment, then asked, “Then, who do you want to marry?” “I want Julian Thorne, the only son of the Thorne family,” I declared. The entire room gasped. My father stood up in shock. “Are you insane? He’s known as the city’s most notorious playboy! Fortune tellers even say he won’t live past thirty!” The Thorne family was vast and wealthy, far surpassing our Sterlings. But Julian Thorne was idle and dissolute. Two years ago, he’d fallen gravely ill, and all doctors said he wouldn’t live past thirty. Anyone who married him would suffer a living hell. Even with the Thorne family’s promise to give their daughter-in-law twenty percent of the company’s shares, no one in high society dared to marry their daughter into the Thorne family. I calmly looked at my father. I cut straight to the chase. “I’m willing to marry into the Thorne family for the future of the Sterling family.” “But you must give me ten percent of the Sterling family’s shares as my dowry.” The shrewd glint in my father’s eyes sharpened. His reaction was expected. His favoritism had never been for me, so how could he willingly give me shares? I chuckled softly. “Dad, my appearance is… flawed. If I go to the Thorne family, I’ll be without any backing. If you don’t give me some leverage, how can I establish myself?” “Besides, how many years can Julian Thorne live? Once he’s gone, won’t everything of the Thorne family eventually belong to the Sterlings?” A flicker of calculation passed through his eyes. Finally, he nodded. “Alright, I agree.”

After I joined the Thorne family, Julian’s parents showed me exceptional regard. They not only personally guided me through the Thorne family’s vast business empire but also taught me hands-on. Two months later, the first project I spearheaded achieved great success, with profits far exceeding expectations. Julian’s parents were delighted and hosted a celebration banquet specifically for me. At the banquet, I wore a perfectly tailored gown, becoming the center of attention. Seraphina approached with a wine glass, smiling sweetly. “Congratulations, little sister. But I must advise you, women shouldn’t be too high-profile. Men don’t like that.” She pointedly added, “Especially women who only achieve a little something by being propped up by others.” I swirled the red wine in my glass. “Sister is right. Father has propped you up for so many years, yet I haven’t seen a single achievement from you.” My father, who was talking to someone, heard my words and, for the first time, gave Seraphina a cold look. Seraphina’s eyes instantly welled up. “Sister, how can you talk like that? I’m only doing this for your own good!” She changed tactics, looking at my eye, feigning worry. “Your most important task now is to capture Julian’s heart and get pregnant soon. But your eye… it’s so unsightly, no wonder your husband doesn’t favor you.” “I knew it. From the beginning, you shouldn’t have married into the Thorne family. Staying home would have been better than being thrown out.” I stared at Seraphina, speaking each word distinctly. “Sister, have you forgotten how I lost this eye?” “That year, when we encountered those thugs, even in that desperate situation, with your leg injured, I never thought of abandoning you. I dragged your hand and ran.” “And how did you treat me?” “We were almost free, just a few more steps, but you tripped me, causing me to be caught by them, and my eye was brutally gouged out!” Seraphina’s face instantly turned pale. Unable to retort, she covered her face and pretended to cry with guilt. “I’m sorry, little sister, I didn’t mean to…” “Cut the act,” I interrupted her. “Don’t think a few tears can hide your malice.” “Aria Sterling! Your words are too much!” Caleb, protecting the crying Seraphina, angrily rebuked me. Jax was even more direct. He grabbed my wrist, trying to forcefully drag me in front of Seraphina. “Seraphina is always kind; you must be slandering her. Apologize to her now!” I kicked him. “What are you, some kind of side piece Seraphina can’t openly acknowledge? Do you even have a right to speak here?” Jax looked up at me, stunned. “How can you say that about me?” Then, his face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “No matter what, you must apologize to Seraphina first.” With that, he actually tried to kick my shin, intending to force me to kneel before Seraphina. I angrily struggled free and ordered the bodyguards behind me. “Throw him out!” Jax’s eyes widened. “How dare you kick me out?” I sneered, “Because this is a Thorne family banquet. What right does a nameless side piece like you have to cause a ruckus here?” Jax roared in anger but was utterly helpless to resist. A week later. Jax suddenly burst in, his face full of panic, and grabbed my hand. “Come with me quickly! Seraphina’s in danger!”

I pulled my hand away, completely unfazed. “Aria Sterling, come with me, now! If you don’t go, the Blackwood family will kill Seraphina!” Jax roared at me, his face grim. “I don’t care how she offended the Blackwoods. What does that have to do with me?” I retorted with a cold sneer. “Aria Sterling!” Jax’s face flushed crimson with fury. He gritted his teeth and said, “Seraphina chose that high-risk, high-return project to surpass you! You’re responsible for this!” I almost laughed. She got into trouble with a project, so she kidnapped a competitor, trying to force them out. Turns out, that person was a tough nut to crack. Even more, she was Isabelle Blackwood, the heiress of the Blackwood family, who was out gaining experience. Seraphina had tortured her to the brink of death; she was still in the ICU. The Blackwood family wielded immense power; they could make this whole city tremble. They even had their own unofficial detention facility. Anyone who entered that facility usually came out broken or driven mad. “None of my business,” I said, rolling my eyes, and turned to leave. “How is it not your business?” “Aria Sterling, if you hadn’t done so well on your project, if you hadn’t flaunted it in front of Seraphina, she wouldn’t have been provoked into doing this!” Jax blocked me, his eyes red as he stared intensely. “Now, isn’t it your duty to atone for her sins?” With that, he reached out and tried to pull me towards a car. Taking advantage of Jax’s distraction, I kicked him, seizing the chance to break free. But before I could even catch my breath, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see my father approaching with Caleb. My father’s expression was grim, and Caleb’s gaze was terrifyingly cold. My heart sank. I had a bad feeling. Caleb rushed forward without a word, grabbing my arm. “Let go of me!” I struggled desperately. “Jax!” Caleb shouted at Jax, who was still clutching his stomach. Jax immediately reacted and ran over to help. Two men—I couldn’t break free. They pinned me to the ground, tying my hands and feet with ropes. I glared at my father, furious. “Dad, what are you doing?” My father avoided my gaze, his voice trembling slightly. “Aria, don’t blame your dad. Seraphina has never been hurt since she was little. She can’t endure the Blackwood family’s torture.” Can’t endure it? So, he’d sacrifice me without hesitation? I turned to Jax, demanding furiously. “Jax, are you serious about this?!” Jax looked at me, a flicker of pain in his eyes, but he remained resolute, dragging me toward the Blackwood residence. “Jax, your attitude towards me hasn’t changed one bit. Still just as cruel.” Jax looked back at me, his face devoid of surprise. “I’m sorry, Aria.” Sorry? I almost laughed out loud. “Jax, your apology is a joke. Push someone to their death, then offer a ‘sorry’?” “I promise, this is the last time.” Jax looked at me earnestly. “I’ve already found a loophole in the Blackwood family’s private detention facility. I’ll do everything I can to protect you. You won’t get hurt.” When we arrived at the Blackwood estate, Jax immediately pushed me away and rushed towards Seraphina, who was crying dramatically. He gently stroked Seraphina’s back, his voice tender, a side of him I had never seen. “It’s alright, I brought her.” “Mr. Blackwood, Seraphina is innocent. Everything was Aria Sterling’s doing behind the scenes.” “All the harm Miss Blackwood suffered should be borne by Aria Sterling!” I was tied with ropes, sprawled miserably on the ground. I struggled to look at Caleb, a last glimmer of hope in my eyes. “You always boasted about your integrity, didn’t you? Why aren’t you telling the truth?” Caleb avoided my gaze. He pulled out a document from his pocket. “I’m sorry.” He apologized softly, then handed the fabricated evidence to Mr. Blackwood. “This is the evidence that Seraphina kidnapped Miss Blackwood. The main culprit is Aria Sterling.” My heart turned completely cold. Mr. Blackwood read the document, his face ashen. He waved his hand, and two men in black immediately stepped forward. A cold glint flashed. Three knives plunged savagely into my body. “Ah—!” The intense pain made me scream. Blood instantly soaked my clothes. Seraphina was still crying. Everyone was comforting her. No one spared me a glance. Just then, a servant rushed in. “Master, Miss Isabelle is awake!” “Miss Isabelle says it was Seraphina who harmed her that night, not Aria Sterling!” Mr. Blackwood was enraged. “Outrageous! Your Sterling family dares to replace the culprit?!” I thought I could finally escape this suffering, but my father stepped forward. After a string of comforting platitudes, he changed his tone: “I only have these two daughters. Do you mean to destroy my entire legacy?” He pointed at me. “Since Aria has already suffered the punishment on Seraphina’s behalf, why not give her double the penalty, and this matter can be considered closed.” My eyes widened. I stared at him in disbelief. “Dad, I’m your biological daughter too.” “For Seraphina’s sake, are you truly willing to let me die?” He unnaturally averted his gaze. Mr. Blackwood glanced at me, then sneered. “Fine.” I was dragged to the Blackwood family’s private detention facility, my hands and feet chained. Torture implements were laid out before me, one by one. Steel needles pierced under my fingernails, making my entire body tremble with pain. “Ah—!” My blood slowly stained the entire facility. I don’t know how much time passed before Jax walked in. “Jax, take me away, quick!” “Please, save me…” I cried and pleaded. But he frowned. “Can you be a little quieter? Seraphina is very scared hearing your voice.” I looked at him in disbelief: “Even with me standing here covered in wounds, your eyes are only on Sister’s trivial fear, aren’t they?” Jax’s face showed a flicker of reluctance, and his fists clenched tightly, but his words still brought despair. “Just endure it a little longer. Seraphina’s period has started, I need to go make her a warm tea for her cramps.” “Jax, please! They’re going to stab steel needles into my neck next! If I don’t leave now, I’ll really die!” Jax’s footsteps paused briefly. “Just hold on. Seraphina can’t stand pain.” He walked away without looking back. I numbly wiped the blood from my face. Julian Thorne and Mr. Blackwood emerged from the shadows. Julian draped his jacket over me, gently stroking my hair, his voice laced with mockery. “Wife, are these your family and your childhood friend?” I looked at Mr. Blackwood, my face devoid of warmth. “Now, can you believe that I have absolutely no lingering attachment to the Sterling family?” Mr. Blackwood nodded with satisfaction. “Welcome to the family.” From this day forward, I was no longer the second daughter of the Sterling family. I was the Sterling Group’s nightmare. Jax stood in the kitchen, a spoon in his hand, the warm water gurgling in the pot. His mind was filled with my last desperate plea to him.

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My brother skipped my birthday party to be with his girlfriend. To make it up to me, he offered to buy me a Givenchy Starry Sky necklace. I grudgingly accepted his apology. But that very day, his girlfriend added me on SnapChat. And she wasted no time being rude. “Seriously, no shame? How dare you take a gift from *my* boyfriend? Every dollar he earns is *mine*.” “Also, women just get married eventually, right? All that schooling? Useless. Just drop out, stop bleeding the family dry.” I was floored. I’d never met anyone so brazen. I instantly shoved my phone in Ryan’s face. “Look at the trash mouth you’ve found for yourself.” Brittany’s messages kept coming. “Back where I grew up, girls your age already have a couple of kids. Get married, stop freeloading off your family.” “All the money Ryan makes, even your parents’ money—it’s all going to be mine eventually.” “You need to understand, every penny you spend now means one less penny for me in the future.” Ryan, my brother, stared at the screen, shocked. After a moment, he scratched his head awkwardly. “Maybe… maybe there’s some misunderstanding?” “Misunderstanding? Ryan, are you totally blinded by love? Brittany is clearly twisted!” I stared at my brother like he was a complete idiot. Ryan had always been a bit wishy-washy and painfully introverted since we were kids. Because of his personality, he barely had any friends, let alone a girlfriend. He was almost thirty, and this was his first relationship ever. Naturally, our entire family was beyond thrilled. Mom and Dad booked overnight flights, ready to fly in from overseas to meet his “future wife.” I even took time off school just to come back. Ever since he started dating, Ryan wouldn’t stop raving about how amazing Brittany was. He swore up and down that we’d all adore her. I thought Ryan was about to drop some amazing news, a real game-changer. Turns out, he just dragged in a massive train wreck. The necklace he’d given me was still around my neck, feeling scorching hot and glaringly obvious. “Chloe, please, just forgive your future sister-in-law. She didn’t do anything wrong; it’s just the toxic environment she grew up in that twisted her views.” “I’ll talk to her, just don’t be mad.” Ryan tried to smooth things over, speaking gently on Brittany’s behalf. When I stayed silent, he held up three fingers, swearing on it. “I swear, I’ll never make my favorite, most adorable sister mad again!” I snorted out a laugh. Ryan finally relaxed when he saw my attitude soften. “Chloe, please don’t tell Mom and Dad about this, okay? I don’t want to ruin Brittany’s impression with them.” I nodded. I wasn’t about to badmouth her right away. Ryan continued, “Tomorrow, I’ll make her apologize to you in person. You *have* to forgive her, okay?” I nodded again. As long as she recognized her mistake and apologized sincerely, I could pretend nothing happened. Ryan drove me to Brittany’s place. He even said Brittany felt really bad and wanted to cook for me as an apology. *Hmm,* I thought, *sounds somewhat promising.* We pulled up to a run-down, older apartment complex in a less-than-desirable neighborhood. The moment I stepped out of the passenger seat, someone shoved me. I lost my balance and tumbled to the ground. Brittany glared down at me. “Don’t you know the passenger seat is for the girlfriend only? How *dare* you sit there?” My head hit the car door, and I saw stars. Brittany’s long fingernails practically poked my eyes. “Are you blind? It even says ‘Wife’s Seat’ on the dashboard!” “Did you just ignore everything I told you yesterday? Seriously, you’re taking my kindness for granted.” I’d seen it. But I get motion sickness. And honestly, I didn’t see what was wrong with a sister sitting in her brother’s passenger seat. Ryan flinched, quickly pulling Brittany back. “Brittany, don’t lay a hand on her…” “What, are you going to stop me?!” Brittany flung Ryan’s hand away. “She’s just a brat! Why should she get to spend your money on a necklace and steal my seat? She’s such a spendthrift, she’ll bleed the family dry!” I struggled to push myself up, my forehead throbbing. “You pushed me?” “Why wouldn’t I?” She stood there, hands on her hips, and spat at me in contempt. Then, without warning, she lunged, yanking the necklace hard from my neck. “Give it to me! Why is a student like you wearing something so expensive? You’re so vain!” Brittany demanded, as if it were her right.

The cold chain tightened around my throat. To avoid provoking her, I hadn’t even worn the necklace Ryan bought me. I yelled, “I bought this myself!” “You bought it yourself? Aren’t you still spending the family’s money?” The necklace snapped in her hand. Brittany’s eyes were filled with nothing but malice and greed. “The family’s money is for me and Ryan. How dare you be so extravagant?” “Brittany!” Ryan’s voice rose as he spun her around. “You promised me you’d apologize to my sister!” Brittany’s eyes immediately welled up, tears streaming down her face. “I humbled myself to cook for her and apologize, and she intentionally sat in *my* passenger seat to provoke me!” “Ryan, you’re my boyfriend. Are you helping me or helping her?” At that, Ryan’s demeanor instantly softened. He immediately turned to me, trying to appease me. “Chloe, don’t mind her. Brittany’s just a little stressed. Let’s just go inside and eat. She made soup…” I looked at Ryan’s evasive gaze, a lump forming in my throat. Was this really the brother who usually doted on me and protected me? Brittany smugly tilted her chin, eyeing me disdainfully. It wasn’t until I got to her place that I understood what “sincere apology” meant. On the dining table sat a sad plate of plain boiled cabbage and a watery egg drop soup with barely any egg… I looked at Ryan, utterly incredulous. Didn’t he say he’d gone shopping for groceries first thing in the morning and spent ages preparing? Ryan scratched his head awkwardly, saying nothing. Brittany slammed the forks hard onto the table in front of me. “Eat up, don’t be picky. It’s an honor to eat my cooking.” I honestly couldn’t bring myself to touch my fork. Her expression hardened. She picked up the bowl of soup and flung it at me. “Not eating, huh? You’re getting too comfortable!” The scorching hot soup splashed all over my skirt, sticky egg bits everywhere… Luckily, I dodged in time, so it didn’t hit my face. Ryan flinched. He jumped up to grab tissues and help me clean myself. Brittany, however, just added fuel to the fire. “Stop faking it, it wasn’t that hot. You think you’re some pampered princess?” I’d been spoiled by my parents since childhood; I’d never endured such humiliation. I grabbed the bowl of cabbage on the table, intending to throw it. Ryan was quick, his hand shooting out to grab mine firmly. “Chloe, Chloe, calm down!” Ryan’s grip was strong; I couldn’t break free. “Please, for me, okay? Don’t hold it against Brittany. Her parents didn’t love her, they were abusive when she was little, that’s why her temper is a bit short.” “That’s no excuse for her to bully people,” I bit out. Ryan still didn’t let go. I could only watch as Brittany walked closer, poking my face with her greasy finger. “Ryan and I are going to be a family in the future. You think he’ll take your side? Dream on.” “You better be smart and promise you’ll never spend a single penny of Ryan’s money again.” “And you better drop out of school. Tuition is such a waste of money, or else I’ll make sure you can never show your face in front of your classmates!” I snapped my head towards Ryan. He avoided my gaze again. “Chloe, your sister-in-law means no harm…” It felt like something was lodged in my chest, heavy and bitter. I found a burst of strength and violently yanked my hand free from Ryan’s grip. I stared into Ryan’s eyes, enunciating each word. “You’re such a wonderful brother.” As I turned to leave, Brittany taunted me from behind. “Oh, by the way, your parents sent you a birthday gift the other day, I already opened it.” “It’s a dress, looks pretty expensive. I’ll keep it, I have a reunion next week.” My steps faltered. When I looked back, I saw Brittany greedily fiddling with the princess dress Mom and Dad had sent me. Ryan looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing, just a barely audible sigh.

This time, I didn’t cover for Ryan. I got home and told Mom and Dad everything, exactly as it happened. Mom was heartbroken. “My precious daughter, we’ve never even raised our voice at you, and she dared to do that?!” “That boy, Ryan, he’s so foolish. When we get home, we’ll give him a good beating.” Mom and Dad were furious. Ryan didn’t come home until very late. His eyes were bloodshot. I guessed Mom and Dad must have chewed him out over the phone. Ryan gritted his teeth, stubbornly looking at me without speaking. I sighed. “Ryan, what were you thinking today?” “Chloe, I finally found someone I like. Why can’t you be more understanding?” Ryan’s gaze was full of blame and displeasure. He shook his head slightly. “And you told Mom and Dad? How is Brittany supposed to get along with them now?” I stared at my brother, stunned. How could he say something like that? Ryan continued, “Mom and Dad just called me, they cursed me out for ages. Brittany heard everything, she was crying…” Mom and Dad arrived home two days later. Ryan completely dropped his defiant facade in front of them, obediently admitting his mistakes. To appease Mom and Dad, he even grabbed my hand and slapped his own face with it. All three of us were stunned, seeing his bloodshot eyes. Families are easily softened, and they forgave him for the most part almost immediately. Mom and Dad demanded Ryan break up with Brittany. Ryan didn’t answer. He just kept kneeling, begging for forgiveness. … A week after Mom and Dad came home, Ryan showed up with Brittany without a word. Ryan grinned. “Mom, Dad, Brittany said she wanted to meet you.” Brittany wore a simple, elegant cotton dress, her hair in a high ponytail, with only light makeup. As she entered, she kept her head slightly bowed, looking incredibly timid. I almost didn’t recognize her. “Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Chloe, hello.” She spoke softly, the picture of a gentlewoman. My parents didn’t like Brittany. But guests were at the door, so they couldn’t just turn them away. Mom shot Ryan a displeased glance. Clearly, she wasn’t happy about him bringing someone home without warning. But Mom and Dad still played the good hosts. Mom cooked a table full of dishes, and Dad even brought out his prized wine. I sat on the sofa watching, sighing inwardly. Mom and Dad were still giving Ryan enough face. At the dinner table, Brittany completely changed her attitude, becoming incredibly attentive. She kept serving Mom and Dad food. “Mr. Davis, this fish is light; Ryan said your blood pressure is a bit high, so light food is perfect for you.” Then she turned and served Mom a piece of braised pork. “Mrs. Davis, your skin is amazing.” My parents still kept poker faces, but they had relaxed slightly. Ryan watched from the side, his eyes full of smugness, as if saying, *See? My girlfriend is so thoughtful.* I sighed and kept eating. I knew my parents. They might seem polite on the surface, but that was just their good upbringing. They loved me the most. Knowing how I’d been treated, there was no way Mom and Dad would accept Brittany as their daughter-in-law. Brittany even served me some food. “Chloe, eat more, you’re too thin.” I didn’t respond. Instead, I picked up the food she’d served me and put it in Ryan’s bowl. Brittany’s eyes instantly turned red. “Chloe, do you really hate me that much? We’re going to be family, and family shouldn’t hold grudges overnight.” Ryan immediately jumped in, “Chloe, you’re going too far this time.” Suddenly, the atmosphere in the living room turned awkward. Mom and Dad stopped what they were doing and looked at Ryan in unison. Ryan’s eyes darted around. “I… I just think Chloe isn’t being fair.” Brittany didn’t sense the shift in atmosphere. Her eyes gleamed with undisguised calculation. I chuckled to myself. She was finally dropping the act. After dinner, Brittany volunteered to wash the dishes. I could hear the water running and her softly whispering to Ryan. “Your parents seem pretty easy to handle. This house must be expensive, it’s a villa in the city center. When we get married, make them pay for more…” After they finished the dishes, Dad put down his teacup and said coolly, “You’re a clever girl, aren’t you?” Brittany thought she was being complimented and grinned. Ryan didn’t catch the hidden meaning and cheerfully nodded. “Yeah, Brittany’s really sensible.” Mom’s smile was barely held together. I chuckled aloud. “So, you two are getting married?”

Brittany nodded. “Of course, we’re planning to get married.” She exchanged a knowing look and smile with Ryan. The family dinner concluded then and there. Before Brittany left, she didn’t forget to bump my arm when no one was looking. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Soon, everything in this house will be mine. You just watch.” … After Brittany left, Mom and Dad blew up. But Ryan said one thing that silenced the whole room. “Brittany’s pregnant – this is your first grandchild.” Brittany thought she was carrying a golden ticket, and she became even more arrogant. Ryan even defied his parents, taking Brittany to secretly register their marriage without telling them. By the time we found out, it was too late. Mom was so angry she nearly fainted. Dad slapped Ryan hard. “You fool!” Ryan stuck his neck out stubbornly. “I’m not wrong! I know Chloe is smarter than me, that’s why you’ve always favored her more.” “From childhood until now, no one has ever truly chosen me—Brittany is the only one who loves me.” “Do you know? That day she cooked me a bowl of plain rice porridge, it was the first time I felt the warmth of a home…” I listened, utterly stunned. This… my brother had become *that* pathetic. Mom and Dad remained firm. But Brittany was shameless. Even knowing Mom and Dad disliked her, she forcibly moved all her luggage into the house. Mom, Dad, and I rushed home when we found out. By the time we arrived, the house was completely transformed, filled with Brittany’s things. Seeing us, she wasn’t flustered at all. She even carried herself like the lady of the house. Brittany nonchalantly stirred her bird’s nest soup with a spoon. “Oh, you’re here. This stuff is expensive, you rich people sure know how to enjoy yourselves.” None of us bothered to respond to her. Suddenly, she changed the subject. “I really like this house. You should transfer the title to my name. And all the money you two old people have in the bank, transfer it to my card too. I’ll keep it safe for you.” Ryan was in the bathroom at the moment. Dad’s face instantly darkened. “Get out. You’re not welcome here.” Brittany didn’t get angry. “Don’t be mad, now. Ryan and I are getting married, of course, you parents should help us out.” “And Chloe, she’s a girl, she’ll get married sooner or later. No need to study so much. You should go help her drop out. Better to save that money to raise a child for me and Ryan.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Are you dreaming?” Brittany looked utterly righteous. “Am I wrong? You have so much money, isn’t it a waste to give it to this brat?!” “What I’m carrying in my belly is the golden heir who’ll continue the Davis family line!” Ryan emerged from the bathroom. He saw Mom and Dad’s ashen faces and suddenly bowed deeply to them. “Dad, Mom, please don’t be angry. Brittany means no harm, she’s just very direct.” Mom was trembling all over, her face pale. She pointed at the front door. “Get out! Both of you, get out!” Brittany shrieked. “Why should we? I’m willing to discuss this with you, that’s me giving you respect.” “Ryan, they’re deliberately making things difficult for me! Are you going to do something about it? Or else, I’m not marrying you!” Ryan rushed to appease her. “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad, I’ll talk to them properly.” Watching my brother like this, my heart turned cold. Mom clutched her chest, her face as white as a sheet. Mom’s health was never good; how could she endure such a shock? “Mom!” I rushed forward, catching Mom as she collapsed. Instantly, the house descended into chaos. Mom didn’t wake up until the next day. Dad and I stood vigil by her bedside. Ryan only came to look at Mom once, Then left the hospital, citing the need to care for Brittany, the pregnant woman. Mom held my hand, her voice hoarse. “Chloe, your brother… I used to think he was just a bit soft, but now I know he’s completely lost, beyond saving.” Dad sat by the bed, taking a deep breath. He pulled a document from his briefcase. “My dear, this is the company’s equity transfer agreement. Your mom and I have already signed it.” “From now on, you are the company’s sole successor.” I was stunned. “Mom, Dad…” My parents loved me dearly. But they were still very traditional. No matter how poorly Ryan performed, they couldn’t bring themselves to hand over the company to me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297308”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #魔幻Magic