Category: English

My ultimate life goal? To be a pampered sloth. Not just any sloth. I want to be the kind that only eats air-freighted ingredients, wears custom couture, travels with an eight-person security detail, and whose life is henceforth devoid of all stress and inconvenience. A top-tier, kept slacker. Unfortunately, I was just Daisy Holt, the second daughter of the Holt family, forever living in the perfect shadow of my older sister, Stella. Then, on the eve of her engagement to Lachlan Shaw—a formidable prince of the New York financial circuit—my sister was reborn. She sobbed to our parents that her fiancé was a monstrous control freak, that marrying him meant stepping into a gilded cage, and she’d rather die than lose her freedom. I was about to offer a platitude when a line of text flashed before my eyes, like a streaming comment or a social media pop-up: [Here we go! The ‘She Runs, He Chases’ forced-love trope! The heroine says he monitors her social life and restricts her movements. Pure hell!] Listening to my sister’s hysterical protests, and reading the plot leak, I felt a thrill that brought tears to my eyes. Restricted social life? Perfect, I’m a recluse! Restricted movement? Fantastic, I’m a homebody! Where my sister saw a nightmare, I saw a bespoke slice of heaven tailored specifically for my low-energy, highly anxious existence. When I saw Mom and Dad preparing to break the engagement for Stella’s “freedom,” I dropped to my knees with a theatrical thud. “Dad! Mom! If my sister doesn’t want to jump into the fire,” I declared, my eyes shining with genuine, tearful sincerity, “then for God’s sake, let me take the dive!” 1 I suspect my sister, Stella Holt, was, in fact, reborn. Otherwise, I couldn’t explain how the woman who had been demurely flaunting her three-carat engagement rock the day before, woke up weeping and begging to call the whole thing off. In the living room, she was currently pouring out her heart to our parents. She claimed that Lachlan Shaw, the New York elite’s darling, was a velvet-glove tyrant—a secret, obsessive control freak. She hadn’t even met Lachlan in person yet. I was about to interject when the comments flashed again: [Wait, why did the heroine just reset the timeline?] [It’s a sick, obsessive forced-love story. If the heroine doesn’t marry him, what am I supposed to read?!] [Hold up, commenter above, maybe a fresh start is good for her. The heroine loves her freedom. I mean, can you imagine that life? Food has to be air-freighted, clothes are all private custom orders, even the brand of toothpaste is dictated by the hero. A life with no choices and no turbulence? How could she possibly survive that?!] My eyes lit up. This world, I realized, had gone completely mad. I don’t love freedom! That life—the one with no turbulence and pre-selected high-end everything—is the ultimate dream I, a socially anxious, lazy-to-the-bone human, have been striving for! But the madness didn’t stop there. Mom and Dad, faces etched with sympathy, helped Stella up and righteously declared they would break the decades-old agreement. They were willing to risk bankruptcy and earn the ire of the entire New York financial circuit to protect their daughter’s “precious independence.” Excuse me? Isn’t there another daughter? The trope of the substitute bride? Did no one read the handbook? As Dad’s hand trembled, reaching for the phone to make the fateful call, I executed my perfect, dramatic kneel. “Dad! Mom! Stella doesn’t want him,” I pitched my voice with just the right amount of desperate piety. “I’ll marry him. Will that work?” The living room fell silent for two seconds. Mom swiftly pulled Dad’s arm away from the phone. “Oh, honey, you forgot about Daisy! If she’s willing to marry him, that’s just perfect! Don’t make the call, honey. The contract never specified which daughter.” Dad dropped the phone like a hot potato, visibly relieved. The family drama was solved, and everyone was suddenly delighted. 2 That evening, I was happily packing in my small room, humming to myself. Comments: [Who is this random extra popping up and stealing the heroine’s spotlight?] [She looks genuinely thrilled. Does she really think losing her freedom will be easy?] [Hmm, is it just me, or is the Holt family’s attitude toward the two sisters drastically different?] [Replying to the comment above: I noticed that in the living room. And look at the rooms! Stella has the master suite with an ensuite bathroom; Daisy is in a converted nanny closet. Definitely playing favorites.] [Why not? Stella is the heroine. The world should revolve around her.] I ignored the bickering comments and carefully organized my meager possessions. A knock came at the door. Stella stood in the doorway, her gaze flickering nervously. “Are you really going to take my place and get engaged to Lachlan Shaw?” My heart stuttered. Was she about to backtrack? “Well… should I not?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Stella didn’t answer directly. She bit her lip and continued, “Lachlan is a terrifying person. You have no idea. His ruthlessness in business could drive a man to ruin.” Business ruthlessness had nothing to do with me. “But… does he hit people at home? Does he make you do chores?” Stella paused, shaking her head with a strained, bitter smile. “Ten times worse than that.” My stomach tightened in anticipation. The next second, I heard her dreaded warning: “He will monitor your social life and restrict your movements!” Sigh. Is that all? Well, never mind then. Social life? I’m low-energy. No thanks. Going out? I’m a couch potato. Leaving the house is what actually kills me. Stella looked confused by my sudden visible relief, and she clearly wanted to say more. I quickly used the excuse of being tired and shut the door. All my life, if Stella was unhappy, Mom and Dad would inevitably find a reason to criticize me. I was desperate to escape that shadow, and this was my one and only chance. 3 The next day, our whole family boarded a private jet to New York. Our family certainly couldn’t afford a private flight; the arrangement was a courtesy of the Shaw family. The engagement ceremony was ostentatiously grand. In the waiting lounge, I met the legendary Lachlan Shaw for the first time. And I swear, I was a total S-W-O-O-N. Based on Stella’s horror stories, I’d prepared myself for someone vaguely decent-looking but ultimately menacing. I certainly didn’t expect a tall, broad-shouldered, impossibly handsome man radiating the kind of effortless power that only comes with old money. I hit the jackpot. At the ceremony, he took my hand and smiled gently. “Walk with me, my fiancée.” I felt my heart thunder in my chest. Comments: [I’m done. The hero is so hot. Five minutes of possession, please!] [OMG, did anyone else notice the heavy emphasis on the word my? So commanding!] [Guys, stop shipping this! Can’t you see Stella in the audience? She’s about to cry. This was supposed to be her ceremony!] [The commenter above has issues. She gave it up herself, remember?] After the ceremony, my sister pulled my parents over to say goodbye and, rather oddly, tried to shake Lachlan’s hand. I immediately grabbed her hand instead. “Stella, thank you. I remember everything you said. And so does your future husband, by the way!” Lachlan looked at me, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. Stella bit her lip. She looked conflicted—partly resentful, partly relieved. 4 That night, Lachlan took me back to the Shaw family’s Manhattan penthouse. Gazing at the enormous room with its sprawling city views and private balcony, I asked uncertainly, “Is this… really for me?” When he confirmed it, I nearly burst into tears. But the real shocker was yet to come. Seeing how much I loved the space, Lachlan immediately called the house manager to draw up a contract, intending to transfer ownership of the penthouse to my name. Happiness had arrived too quickly. It felt unreal. “You’re giving me the apartment, too? Seriously?” Lachlan pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “As long as you never leave me, everything I own is yours.” I instantly swore a silent oath to the high heavens, mentally bowing to my new sugar daddy. Comments: [That’s the vibe! The dark, controlling male lead is SO satisfying~] [I’m not jealous at all. She got a multi-million-dollar penthouse, but she lost her precious freedom. Waaah!] [Seriously? Why does she deserve this? All of his possessions should belong to Stella, our true heroine! This random girl is so shameless.] [Okay, I need to punch the commenter above.] I signed the contract, then happily drifted off to sleep. In that half-asleep state, I couldn’t shake the feeling of a burning gaze watching me from the side of the bed. 5 The flawless first day must have lulled me into a false sense of security. The next morning, I woke up to find my personal luggage had been neatly taken away by the housekeeper. Just as I was mentally preparing for a dramatic Downton Abbey confrontation, a maid came to escort me to the dressing room, saying Lachlan was waiting for me there. The “dressing room” was easily twice the size of our family’s entire living room. I stared at the racks and racks of designer gowns, bags, and shoes, all meticulously arranged by color. The realization that I would henceforth only cry Prada tears over my Gucci problems made me chuckle out loud. “What’s so funny?” Lachlan had walked up beside me, holding a simple, sleek dress. I waved dismissively and asked if all these clothes were actually mine. He lowered his lashes and looked at me, his eyes dark with intensity. “These clothes were all purchased last night based on your measurements… I’ve imagined you in every single piece. From now on, only I will decide what you wear. Is that acceptable?” My eyes instantly welled up. I lowered my head, overwhelmed. This is when the comments went absolutely ballistic: [It’s happening! In the original, the heroine, Stella Holt, immediately flips out and calls him a sick control freak, causing their relationship to instantly sour and leading to the hero’s descent into full-blown obsession.] [The original was just toxic drama for the sake of it. The hero wasn’t malicious. He just wanted to say that he and his fiancée belong exclusively to each other.] [OMG, look! Daisy is having a much bigger reaction! She looks like she’s crying in anger, and the hero thinks she hates him. His face is already turning cold!] Seeing this last comment, I snapped my head up. I was met with Lachlan’s dangerously guarded expression. 6 His lips were pressed into a thin line, and the light in his eyes was slowly dimming. The air pressure around him plummeted. [Oh, no, she’s crying! He definitely thinks she finds him twisted!] [For heaven’s sake, explain yourself! You were enjoying this! Don’t mess this up for all of us!] [Wait, is she playing him? Pretending to go along, then planning an escape? Clever girl.] I saw the hurt beneath Lachlan’s carefully constructed mask of hardness, and my heart genuinely ached for him. I wasn’t angry! I was touched! I grabbed his hand and looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. “I… I’m just so incredibly moved.” “No one has ever been this good to me. Not ever.” “My parents only ever had eyes for Stella. My clothes were always her hand-me-downs. My room was the maid’s quarters. Even my name, Daisy, was chosen because Stella means ‘Star,’ and they wanted me to be ‘quietly happy’—to never compete with my sister’s brilliance.” “I have never owned anything this beautiful, and I couldn’t have imagined that someone would prepare all of this for me overnight.” I grew more emotional with every word, my tears flowing freely. “Lachlan, you are too good to me. I’m afraid this is all a dream.” Lachlan froze. He gently reached out, wiping the tears from my cheeks with his thumb. His movement was tentative, almost a careful exploration. “So… you don’t hate me for trying to control you?” I shook my head like a bobblehead. “Hate it? Not at all! Please, I beg you. Micro-manage me to death!” The storm cloud vanished from Lachlan’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a smile he couldn’t quite contain. He pulled me into a tight embrace, resting his chin on my hair, and let out a deeply satisfied sigh. “Daisy,” he whispered. “You are wonderful.” [??? This is not the plot I signed up for.] [Well played, I have to say. Reverse manipulation! She just overloaded the hero’s CPU.] [This is genius-level strategy! Sisters, take notes! When faced with the CEO’s forced love, don’t resist—cry and tell him he’s too good to you!] [Taking notes now. I’ll use this when I reincarnate.] In the following days, I experienced what could only be described as a celestial existence. Mornings, I slept until my body decided it was done. Lachlan was already at his office, but my breakfast was always hot, with dozens of international and American options to choose from. After eating, I’d curl up in the penthouse’s private cinema or play games in the dedicated gaming room. In the afternoon, a professional aesthetician and a massage therapist would arrive for my in-house spa service. In the evening, Lachlan would be home on time to eat dinner with me. He really was true to my sister’s word about “monitoring my social life.” He bought me a bespoke new phone, then recorded his own fingerprint/Face ID into it right in front of me. “I will check your phone whenever I want,” he stated. I nodded obediently. “Of course. And the password is your birthday.” He paused, then lowered his head and kissed my forehead, a chuckle in his voice. “Good girl.” [Awww, I can’t take it! What is this perfect little romance?] [Heroine: I don’t have a social life. You’re checking nothing but the weather app.] [LOL. I bet she has fewer than twenty contacts, and ten of those are customer service bots and official brand accounts.] The comments were spot on. My only social interaction was texting my mother. The content was always simple. Mom: [Daisy, dear, how are things? Is Lachlan treating you well?] Me: [Very well.] Mom: [That’s good. Your sister has been a little down lately. Could you mention to Lachlan—you know, have him introduce Stella to a good, wealthy man? She sacrificed so much for you.] I nearly snorted a mouthful of cherry juice at the word “sacrifice.” I immediately handed the phone to Lachlan. “Look, my mom wants you to find a rich guy for my sister.” Lachlan took the phone, scrolled through the messages, and his brow furrowed. “They talk to you like this often?” “Pretty much,” I shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m used to it.” He said nothing, only taking my phone and promptly blocking both my parents’ numbers. Then he looked up at me, his gaze serious and intense. “From now on, I am your family.” “You only need to rely on me. All right?” What was I supposed to say to that? I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and tackling him onto the sofa, shouting with pure, unadulterated devotion: “Yes! You are my only family! My one and only, Daddy!” Lachlan: “…” [HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!] [‘Daddy?’ What is her thought process?] [Lachlan Shaw: I treat you like a wife. You treat me like a father/sugar daddy. The power dynamic is completely scrambled!] 7 Days turned into weeks, and my relationship with Lachlan grew deeper. I realized he wasn’t a freak at all. His so-called “control” was more like a clumsy, intense, singular focus. He restricted me from going out because he thought the outside world was unsafe and that I might encounter danger. As a result, every time I (was forced by him to) step outside, I had an eight-person security detail. The spectacle was like a presidential motorcade. He controlled my diet because I had a sensitive stomach and was a picky eater. He hired a team of professional nutritionists and chefs, who prepared endless variations of healthy, delicious food. After a month, my face was noticeably rounder. As for restricting my clothes… I looked at the overflowing racks of designer bags, shoes, and clothes, and my only thought was: Please, increase the intensity. Don’t ever stop! One day, as I lay on the sofa eating air-freighted cherries, Lachlan handed me an engraved invitation. “There’s a charity gala tonight. I need you to accompany me.” My brow furrowed immediately. “Can I skip it?” I hated those social events—they were noisy, exhausting, and required a lot of fake smiling. Lachlan gently pinched my cheek. “No, you can’t. This one is important. Many key partners will be there.” “Come on, just go for me.” Since he put it that way, I reluctantly agreed. That evening, dressed in a custom, star-colored evening gown Lachlan had personally selected, I walked into the ballroom on his arm. The pairing of the handsome mogul and the beautiful debutante instantly captured the entire room’s attention. Feeling slightly self-conscious, I instinctively shrank closer to him. Lachlan noticed, leaning down to whisper in my ear: “Don’t be nervous. Just stay glued to my side.” He led me around to greet several important business associates. My role was simple: smile, nod, and act as a beautiful, silent accessory. Just as I was about to find a quiet corner to raid the dessert table, an unwelcome guest appeared. My sister, Stella Holt. She was wearing an ethereal white dress and perfect makeup, and she was accompanied by a gentle, artistic-looking man. When she saw me, a flash of pure envy and resentment crossed her eyes, quickly masked by an expression of deep, sisterly concern. “Daisy, what are you doing here?” Before I could speak, Lachlan cut in, his voice cool and flat: “She is my fiancée. Where else would she be?” Stella’s face went white. She bit her lip. “Lachlan, I know you have immense power, but you can’t do this to Daisy! She is young! You shouldn’t treat her like a bird in a gilded cage!” [Oh, snap! The original heroine is here! She brought her Male Lead No. 2 with her!] [This guy must be Orion Nash, the sensitive painter from the original plot, representing freedom and art.] [Here we go! The classic showdown! The older sister brings ‘freedom’ to rescue the ‘imprisoned’ younger sister!]

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The officiant—Brock, Garrett’s supposed “best man”—kept intentionally botching my name with every line. He was using the little pet name Garrett had for his college sweetheart. “My bad, man,” Brock slurred into the microphone, not looking sorry at all. “Your last act was just too memorable. I seriously thought today was going to be her walking down the aisle with you… But hey, the new Mrs. is great too, I guess.” Garrett didn’t even look annoyed. Instead, a wave of sickening nostalgia washed over his face. I lifted the edge of my six-figure veil and smiled, a cold, hard thing. “Don’t worry,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “The Mrs. will make sure you get an unforgettable gift—an exclusive feature on the front page of the city paper’s ‘Worst Wedding Nightmares’ section.” 1. The spotlights were uncomfortably hot on my face. I stood at the center of The St. Regis Ballroom, holding a bouquet of rare, six-figure Ecuadorian roses and wearing a custom haute couture gown that took eight hundred atelier hours to stitch. Brock, Garrett’s so-called ‘iron brother,’ was red-faced and yelling into the mic—drunk or just thrilled by his own audacity. He leaned in conspiratorially toward Garrett, his voice booming through the top-tier sound system into the ears of every single guest. “Garrett, do you take Sloane Maxwell to be your lawfully wedded wife? For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health…” The air congealed in that instant. He hadn’t said Jocelyn. He had said Sloane. My practiced, polite smile faltered. The background hum of chatter cut off as if a giant pair of scissors had snipped the sound, only to be immediately replaced by the roaring tide of speculation. I knew this wasn’t a slip of the tongue. I turned my head to look at Garrett. If he frowned right now, if he grabbed the mic and offered even the slightest correction, I could dismiss this as an incredibly crude joke—one I’d make Brock pay dearly for later. But Garrett did nothing of the sort. Instead of correcting the man, he looked utterly spellbound by the name. His gaze drifted past me, past the cascading champagne tower, and zeroed in on the sixth table near the back. That’s where his college friends were seated. Garrett’s lips curved into a soft, uncontrollable smile, and his eyes held a tenderness and a hint of regret I had never once seen directed at me. It was as if that other name was the key that unlocked his true soul, and I was merely a prop standing by to foot the bill. “The name is wrong.” I took the microphone from Brock’s hand. My voice was icy. I needed to salvage my dignity, no matter how much I was internally bleeding. 2. Brock jumped back as if scalded, hitting his thigh with a loud, theatrical “Whoops!” “My bad, my bad! Tongue-tied, folks!” Brock waved his hands toward the crowd, a greasy, unrepentant grin plastered on his face. “Mrs., you know how it is. Garrett and Jocelyn were the campus Golden Couple back in the day. We’re all just used to it.” He turned back to me, his tone shifting from joking to something truly vicious. “Listen, Mrs., don’t be too sensitive. Yeah, you might not have the same spark as her, but you’re the main event now, you’re the real deal. You have to be the bigger person. Don’t make the rest of us laugh.” A burst of drunken laughter erupted from Garrett’s fraternity brothers. My knuckles were white against the cold metal of the microphone. This was Garrett’s friend, celebrating a wedding I paid for. He was eating nine-hundred-dollar-a-plate food and publicly humiliating me by saying I was less than Garrett’s perfect, tragic first love. 3. “Brock, enough.” Garrett finally spoke. But his tone held no reprimand, only a kind of weary, almost affectionate indulgence, like a father scolding a mischievous child. “Alright, alright, no more messin’ around,” Brock snapped his fingers and yelled toward the back. “Cue the video! Time to look at the groom’s beautiful youth!” By the official schedule, this was when the romantic documentary of my and Garrett’s engagement trip to Paris and Tuscany should have played. I had hired a professional team and spent two weeks on the shoot and edit. The massive LED screen flickered. The image that appeared wasn’t the Eiffel Tower or a Venetian gondola. It was a series of grainy, decade-old photos. They were all of Garrett and a girl: holding hands on a quad, sharing a booth in a cafeteria, sleeping side-by-side in the library. The majestic strains of the classical wedding march were abruptly replaced by some sad, overplayed indie folk song. Across the screen, four large words flashed: A REQUIEM FOR LOST YOUTH. The entire ballroom erupted in a collective gasp. I stood beneath the giant screen, the last photo showing Garrett in a college sweatshirt, pinning the girl against a tree and kissing her passionately. The girl, with her delicate profile and innocent eyes, was Jocelyn. In that instant, this million-dollar wedding transformed into a grotesque farce. 4. I looked at Garrett. His eyes were red. He was gazing up at the screen, his Adam’s apple bobbing, completely lost in a haze of self-pitying tragedy. “Garrett,” I called out. He didn’t hear me. He was looking out at the crowd. I followed his gaze. At the sixth table, a woman was standing up. She wore a pure-white, delicate lace dress, a style that was disturbingly similar to my own gown. Wearing a dress that looked like a wedding dress to someone else’s ceremony is the ultimate, universally understood act of provocation. But now, she covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears, the perfect picture of an innocent woman both deeply wounded and overwhelmed with emotion. It was Jocelyn. “That is enough!” A roar came from the main table. My father, shaking with rage, slammed his wine glass onto the floor. The shattering of crystal was shocking and loud. My mother went pale, clinging to the table edge to keep from falling. Their daughter, whom they had cherished, was being trod upon like trash on her most important day. “Family, please, settle down!” Garrett’s parents immediately rushed forward, grabbing my father’s arms. Garrett’s father forced a smile, but his words were chilling. “It’s just the kids’ idea of a joke! Kids these days are always stirring things up for a little fun! If us parents get angry now, we’ll just embarrass the kids. Don’t make a spectacle for the rest of the guests!” An idea? Broadcasting photos of the groom making out with his ex-girlfriend at his current wife’s wedding—that was an idea? My father struggled to get to the stage, but Garrett’s beefy relatives held him in a death grip. 5. Brock, seeing the chaos, became even more energized. He loved having control of the room. He bellowed into the microphone: “Looks like everyone is moved! Our youth may be gone, but the friendship is still here. Since the two main characters are in the room, I propose—” He deliberately stretched out the silence, his eyes darting between Jocelyn and me, before landing on Garrett. “Why don’t we have Jocelyn come up? The three of you can share a toast to closure. It’ll symbolize the turning of a page, and you can all still be great friends! What do you say?” “Yeah!” “Get up here!” “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” The crowd of his friends began to chant, punctuated by wolf whistles. I stared at Brock in disbelief, then back at Garrett. This wasn’t just an insult; it was peeling the skin off my face and stomping on it. “Garrett, I dare you.” I stared into his eyes, the words squeezed out through my teeth. Garrett finally looked at me. His eyes held no guilt, only a flicker of deep irritation. “Sloane, stop being so dramatic, okay?” He lowered his voice so only I could hear. “Brock is just trying to lighten the mood. Look, Jocelyn is crying. She’s a girl, she’s embarrassed in front of everyone. I’ll just go get her, we’ll take a quick sip, and we move on. Be the bigger person.” The bigger person? I’m supposed to be the bigger person as my fiancé, at the wedding I paid seven figures for, goes to hold his ex-girlfriend’s hand? Before I could speak, Garrett had already turned his back on me. He walked away, leaving me alone on the stage, taking step after step toward the woman in the white dress. 6. The crowd’s roar of approval reached a crescendo. Garrett reached Jocelyn and offered his hand with a gesture he clearly thought was chivalrous. Jocelyn shook her head, her face a mask of sorrowful beauty, but her body was already leaning into him. Garrett, half-reluctant and half-eager, took her hand and led her up the crimson aisle like a knight escorting his princess. At the other end of that aisle, there was me. I stood there like an expensive, superfluous backdrop, utterly alone on the stage. Brock leaned in beside me, flipping the mic switch off. He whispered, his voice cold and oily: “Sloane, don’t think your money makes you special. Some women are just blessed—they do nothing and get a man’s heart. You? You bought the ring, the house, the car. And what did you get? Real love isn’t on a price tag.” 7. Garrett and Jocelyn arrived at the center of the stage. Standing side-by-side, her white lace dress and his white tuxedo complemented each other perfectly, as if they were the true, intended stars of the day. I, in my heavy, crimson reception dress, felt like an outsider who had wandered onto the wrong set, a garish backdrop to their perfect, beautiful moment. Brock, smiling ingratiatingly, held the mic out to Jocelyn. She took it, tears streaming down her face, looked at me with a pitiful glance, and then gazed lovingly at Garrett. “Honestly, I shouldn’t have come today… I never wanted anything, just for Garrett to be happy. As long as the Mrs. can make room for that little piece of my heart he keeps for me, I’m content.” The room sighed in collective sympathy, seemingly touched by this ‘great love.’ I watched the scene and, overwhelmed by anger, I finally laughed. In that moment, the last sliver of hope I had for Garrett crumbled, replaced by a clarity colder than any ice. I took a few sharp steps forward and snatched the mic right out of Brock’s hand. He was so stunned, the emptiness in his hand seemed to shock him physically. “Sound technician, cut the music.” My voice, amplified by the mic, was terrifyingly calm, without a single tremor. 8. The sad indie folk song stopped dead. “Lighting director, put all the spot-lights on the three of us.” The blinding, harsh light pierced the dark. Garrett and Jocelyn instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes, looking suddenly panicked and disheveled. I didn’t cry, I didn’t yell. I simply pulled my phone from my clutch and connected it to the projector. The massive screen behind me flickered. The disgusting “Requiem for Lost Youth” disappeared, replaced by a dense, intimidating Excel spreadsheet. “Since we have everyone here, let’s settle some accounts.”

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My mom has Bipolar Disorder. She always has an uncontrollable urge to destroy things. But she’s afraid of paying for damages, so she has used me as a cover since I was little. When I was small, she was in a bad mood and smashed the neighbor’s vase. When the neighbor found out, she blamed it on me: “Why is this child so naughty, touching other people’s things? Don’t worry, I’ll discipline her properly!” She actually made me kneel on a washboard, leaving my knees full of scars. After starting school, Mom took me to the mall and secretly slashed a leather jacket at a counter. When the salesperson found out, she cried and wailed: “How could I raise such a vandal! I’d rather you have bad grades than bad morals!” The mall made me pay, classmates shunned me, and I got depression and had to drop out. When I grew up and finally married my husband, my mom broke the jade bracelet my mother-in-law gave me on my wedding day. When my mother-in-law found out, my mom threatened to cut ties with me on the spot: “Your mother-in-law treats you so well, why did you do such a thing again?” The video was posted online, and everyone called me a shrew. In despair, I slit my wrists. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment when Mom said I broke the vase. Chapter 1 The sunlight was blinding, and the neighbor Mrs. Zhang’s angry questioning was right in my ear. I widened my eyes, looking carefully at my mom: “Mommy, you were the one who threw it down, why do you insist on saying it was me?” As soon as the words fell, the panic on my mom’s face instantly turned into an iron-green hue. She lowered her voice, squeezing threats through her teeth: “You little brat, dare to talk nonsense again? I think your skin is itching! I’ll tear your mouth when we get home!” I stared at my mom’s bloodshot eyes, filled with guilt and anger. These were the eyes that, in my past life, watched me being accused by thousands, watched me kneeling and begging, yet never showed a trace of pity. I used all my strength and bit hard on my mom’s palm covering my mouth. She screamed in pain and instinctively let go. I seized this opportunity, using the most innocent, most miserable crying voice, shouting to everyone in the yard: “Mrs. Zhang, I’m sorry! I didn’t break the vase! Mommy threw it!” “She saw your new dress just now and said it looked better than hers, so she got angry!” “She also said, why is your yard bigger than ours, she gets angry just looking at it! Then she lifted the vase and threw it with a bang!” “Mommy, why do you lie? Teacher said, admit mistakes when you do wrong, lying is not a good child. If you keep doing this, Nora won’t like you anymore!” I deliberately used the most naive, childish way to expose my mom’s dark jealousy completely, and then used childish logic to label her a “bad child.” A six-year-old child, crying her heart out, looked exactly like a pitiful worm frightened by an unreasonable mother but still struggling to “reason.” The following plot was the same as the previous life, but I changed my strategy. I no longer just cried and denied, but clearly listed Mom’s previous “destruction records,” successfully turning the neighbors against her. Amidst contemptuous gazes, my mom paid all her savings and dragged me home in disgrace. Back home, she slumped on the floor, eyes empty. I thought she would hit me, but she didn’t. She just stared dead at the ceiling, muttering to herself: “Why… why do they live in big houses, and I live in a broken building… why…” I knew why she had Bipolar Disorder. Grandpa John and Grandma Betty favored boys over girls, giving all resources and love to my uncle Lucas. My mom, as the eldest daughter, was a sacrifice from childhood. She didn’t dare to resist her parents, so that pent-up hatred twisted into a desire to destroy everything beautiful. In my previous life, I hated her, hated why she was crazy, hated why she dragged me down. But now, looking at her red eyes, I suddenly realized. Her illness was forced out by that family; her hatred had an original sin. Every debt has its debtor. Since the root of the illness lies with the patriarchal grandparents and the beneficiary uncle. Then why not—destroy the environment that drove her crazy! I walked over, handed her a glass of water, and gently patted her back. “Mom, don’t be angry,” I whispered. “Let’s not smash neighbors’ vases anymore. The neighbors are not wrong; the ones sucking your blood are wrong.” My mom froze, a glimmer of light flashing in her turbid eyes. Because Uncle Lucas’s son’s First Birthday Party was coming up. Chapter 2 Uncle, full name Lucas Liu, was the apple of Grandpa and Grandma’s eye, a “Golden Boy” raised on my mom’s youth and sweat. On the day of the party, the scene was extremely grand. The hotel was the most luxurious five-star in the city, with fifty tables set. Grandpa John specially wore a dark red Tang suit, standing at the door with a glowing face to welcome guests. Grandma Betty held the chubby grandson not yet weaned, smiling from ear to ear, giving cash gifts to everyone she met. “Oh my, my big grandson is so blessed, definitely material for a high official in the future!” My mom wore a washed-out old coat, shrinking in the corner, looking out of place. I also wore ill-fitting old clothes, holding a red envelope stuffed in my hand for show, which actually contained only two crumpled ten-dollar bills. I sat beside her, looking up at the uncle surrounded by people on stage, and then at my mom, humble as a clown. I wanted to see what this fire suppressed for half a lifetime would burn into. Halfway through the banquet, the host shouted in an exaggerated tone: “Next, please invite our Golden Couple to cut the cake for the lovely baby!” A three-layer giant cake decorated with exquisite chocolates and fruits was pushed onto the stage. Just then, Uncle’s wife’s mean best friend passed by our corner table with a wine glass. She glanced at my mom, then at me, suddenly covering her mouth and laughing: “Oh my, isn’t this Lucas’s miserable sister? Why dress like this to a party? Would think you came to beg for food.” “Look at that child, silly too, like a little wooden stake.” I felt all the muscles in her body tighten, a sign before the storm. I gently pulled the corner of her clothes and said in a voice only we two could hear: “Mom, don’t be angry. Getting sick from anger, no one loves you, and you have to spend money to cure it.” My mom turned her head, eyes full of bloodshot veins, and a desperate madness. “Nora,” she muttered, “Is Mommy useless?” “You are not useless, they are,” I said coldly. “Mom, look at that cake, $5,000. That’s the amount you saved for five years to scrape together. But they use it as a toy for a doll that can’t even speak.” “Is it fair?” These three words were like a drop of boiling oil dripping into my mom’s red-hot heart. “Unfair… unfair! Why! Why!” My mom’s breathing began to quicken. “Then go take it back,” I stared at the stage, whispering, “Take back what belongs to you.” My mom stood up stiffly. She walked through the crowd, straight to the stage. Before everyone could react, she suddenly stretched out her hands, used all her strength, and pushed hard against that huge cake! Crash—!!! A thunderous noise. The exquisite three-layer cake collapsed instantly. Dead silence in the whole venue. Uncle’s smile froze on his face, the baby in his arms cried in fright. Auntie screamed: “Ah! Oh my god! Who… who did this?!” My mom stood in the mess, hands still trembling slightly. She turned to look at me. Then, her shrill wail resounded through the entire banquet hall: “Oh god! Nora! You… how could you do such a thing!” She dragged me to the cake wreckage, pointing at the ground, tears coming instantly, beating her chest and stamping her feet: “You jinx! Are you jealous of your cousin’s blessing? You embarrassed your uncle completely! On such an important occasion, you actually pushed over the cake!” Chapter 3 All eyes hit me instantly like spotlights. “This is Lucas’s niece, right? Looks honest, why so bad?” “Sigh, heard this child is from a single-parent family, psychology might be a bit twisted.” “Pushing over the birthday cake? This is a big taboo, not wanting people to have a good life.” Grandma Betty rushed over with an iron-green face, raising her hand to hit me: “Little beast! I knew you were an ungrateful one! Who let you come over? Huh?!” Just as Grandma’s hand was about to land on my face, I suddenly spoke. Voice not loud, but exceptionally clear, even with a sneer. “Grandma, don’t hit me. Mom pushed this cake.” “You are talking nonsense!” My mom screamed, reaching out to cover my mouth again. “Everyone judge! This child has lied since she was little! How could I push my own nephew’s cake? I am his real aunt!” “Really?” I looked up, gaze passing her, looking at the uncle beside who was trembling with rage. “Uncle, do you remember? Last night at home, Mom said, this cake costs $5,000, enough for your younger brother’s tuition for two years, but you only gave us a two-hundred-dollar red envelope.” Uncle’s face instantly became very ugly: “You… what are you babbling about!” I ignored him, continuing to speak, voice getting louder and louder, enough for people at surrounding tables to hear: “Mom also said, Grandpa and Grandma secretly sold Mom’s gold ring to buy you this suit.” “She said, she is not jealous of the cake, she just feels… why is the younger brother the golden grandson, and I am just grass?” Uproar in the venue. Grandpa and Grandma’s faces turned pale instantly, like being slapped hard. Uncle’s face turned liver-colored. He pointed at my mom, fingers trembling: “Sis! You… what nonsense are you talking to the child! You gave me that gold ring voluntarily!” “Voluntarily?” My mom froze. She didn’t expect that instead of dodging the blame, I brought out this old account. But the next second, her pathological defense mechanism activated. She roared hysterically: “Yes! I pushed it! So what?! I can’t stand it!” She grabbed an unbroken wine bottle on the table, pointing at Uncle’s family and cursing: “Lucas Liu! You ungrateful white-eyed wolf! Who paid for your tuition back then? Who gave the down payment for your marriage house?” “Now you are rich, living in a mansion, but reluctant to give my daughter a decent red envelope!” “Get out! You get out!” Uncle shouted exasperatedly, losing all face. “I get out? I have a share in this hotel too! Why should I get out? You bloodsuckers!” Security rushed up, dragging her away in a flurry. I stood in the mess, looking at Uncle’s extremely ugly face. This is just the first step. Chapter 4 The party became the joke of the whole city. Uncle’s family was furious, wanting to sue my mom for intentional property damage and have the police arrest her. But my mom had anticipated this move long ago. After being taken to the police station, she didn’t resist. Instead, she started a hunger strike and banged her head against the wall, shouting: “I have no money to pay! No money, just a life! I only have this one daughter, arrest me, let this child die!” The police couldn’t do anything with this “rascal” plus “Bipolar Disorder,” could only criticize and educate, then notify the family to pick her up. Grandpa and Grandma were afraid of losing face, finally had to swallow their pride, paid for the cake, and took my mom back to that dilapidated home. But this didn’t end. On the contrary, this was just the beginning of the tug-of-war. From that day on, my mom seemed to have completely opened Pandora’s box. She no longer hid her hatred, aiming all spearheads at Uncle’s family. Every day after school, she would drag me to squat at the gate of Uncle’s newly bought villa. “Nora, look, that’s your uncle’s house. We paid for it, and now he shuts your mom out like a dog.” My mom suddenly became violent, grabbing stones by the road and smashing them hard against Uncle’s wall. Bang! Bang! Stones hit the wall, making dull sounds. Soon, the nanny in the villa ran out, pointing at us and scolding: “Who is it! Have any public morality! Calling the police to arrest you!” My mom wasn’t afraid, instead more excited. She picked up mud from the ground, smeared it on my face, then shouted at the top of her voice: “Come look everyone! Lucas Liu, this ungrateful man! Abusing his own niece! Denying his own sister!” A circle of people soon gathered around. Uncle drove back. Seeing this scene, his face turned green with anger. He rushed down and kicked my mom: “Do you have any shame! Are you crazy!” “I am crazy! Driven crazy by you!” My mom rolled on the ground, grabbing Uncle’s pant leg and not letting go. “Give me money! Give me $50,000! Otherwise I’ll make a scene at your door every day! Make you unable to do business!” Uncle is a man who cares about face, especially now that he has just made a name for himself in the circle, most afraid of such messy things. He gritted his teeth, took out a stack of money from his wallet, and threw it hard on my mom’s face: “Take it and roll! Don’t let me see you again!” My mom picked up the money, a smile of victory on her face. I stood aside, mud still on my face, but eyes cold as ice. This is not enough. This kind of small fight isn’t painful enough.

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On New Year’s Eve afternoon, my best friend’s flower shop received an order from my husband. I checked the WeChat ID of the person placing the order on the shop’s phone three times. Confirmed it was indeed my husband, who was supposedly on a business trip out of town. But the recipient wasn’t me. I made a video call, which connected after a long time. Just as I was about to question him, my best friend squeezed into the screen smiling, speaking before me. “Not even coming back for New Year’s? What gift did you buy for our Cynthia to apologize?” The room on the other side was pitch black. My husband covered his head with a quilt, squinting his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching unnaturally. “Honey, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” “Stayed up all night yesterday, too tired. I’ll sleep a bit more.” This interruption calmed me down a lot. I perfunctorily said a few words and hung up. Picked up the wrapped bouquet and walked out the door. “I’ll deliver this order.” Chapter 1 The delivery address wasn’t far from the flower shop, a new luxury condo complex opened last year. Security stopped me. “No deliveries allowed inside.” I took out the flower shop’s phone, dialed the number, and explained the situation with a pinched voice. My husband’s voice came from inside. “I’m Vincent, owner of Unit 1603, Building 5. Let her in.” Security acknowledged, registering the info before letting me pass. The elevator door opened with a ding. I took a deep breath. “I’ll go in myself.” My best friend Grace nodded and walked to the stairwell nearby. “Call me if anything happens.” I turned on my phone’s video recording and pressed the doorbell. Vincent’s shout came from inside, “Wifey, open the door.” After footsteps, the door opened, and she froze. “Luna’s mom?” I froze too. She was my daughter’s art teacher at the interest class. She quit half a year ago due to pregnancy. Is she carrying my husband’s child? Seeing the flowers in my hand, she looked me over, lowered her head and smiled, shy yet provocative. “Luna’s mom, you started delivering food now?” She wore a loose long nightgown, her belly bulging high. The paper wrapping the flowers was crushed by my tightening grip. She reached out to take the flowers, looking considerate. “Thank you. It’s so cold, must be hard. Want to come in and rest?” “Sure, thank you.” She was stunned, didn’t expect me to agree so easily. Glanced hurriedly at the kitchen, then smiled and opened the shoe cabinet, taking out a pair of slippers. Many men’s shoes in the cabinet. One pair was what I bought for Vincent last month. He wore this pair on the day he left for the business trip. Cartoon photos of the two were displayed at the entrance. Lyla sniffed the flowers. “My husband is always so romantic, never forgets to arrange surprises for any festival.” I sneered, “Does he send flowers on Tomb Sweeping Day too?” She opened her mouth, paused, then said: “Life after divorce must be hard, rich wife starting to deliver food.” I looked at the decoration inside. The floor-to-ceiling window overlooked the entire Emerald Lake. The sunset shining in had an ultimate beauty. My heart could only feel its desolation right now. Dense pain spread throughout my body. “Yeah, unlike Teacher Lyla. Following President Vincent, quality of life leaped a thousand miles.” Relationship exposed, she became triumphant. “If not for Luna, President Vincent would have divorced you long ago. But my child is more important. Hearing I was pregnant, he divorced you immediately.” “Divorced?” “Stop pretending. Vincent told me everything. Going back once a month is just acting in front of Luna. Since you saw it, be sensible. Don’t use this trick to pester my husband.” “We are all women, I know your little thoughts very well.” She said confidently with her head high. Just then, Vincent came out of the kitchen with freshly stewed chicken soup, carefully placing it on the dining table and serving soup. He didn’t see me. Lyla held his arm, voice sticky. “Hubby, we have a guest.” Vincent turned around, saw me, hand shook, bowl fell to the ground with a crash, shattering into pieces. “Why are you here!” Lyla sighed with pity. “Luna’s mom is having a hard time, delivering food now.” Vincent glanced at the flowers on the table, recalling the delivery person’s voice just now was indeed similar to mine, but never expected it to be really me. He pulled me awkwardly. “Listen to my explanation, this…” Before he finished, Lyla pulled him to declare sovereignty. “You guys are divorced, what’s there to explain.” “Luna’s mom, President Vincent will pay Luna’s child support. Don’t be shameless and pester him.” I stared into Vincent’s eyes. “It is time to divorce.” Chapter 2 Vincent shook off Lyla and pulled me outside. “Let’s talk outside. Lyla is in late pregnancy, don’t scare her.” Lyla slipped on a piece of broken porcelain, fell to the ground unsteadily, pulling Vincent’s pant leg. “Hubby, my belly.” Vincent turned pale with shock, picking her up in panic. “Lyla don’t be afraid, I’ll take you to the hospital.” I was hit hard by his elbow, severe pain coming from my lower back. “Ah!” Vincent looked back subconsciously, “Cynthia…” Lyla moaned, interrupting him. He looked at the painful expression of the person in his arms, speeding up with heartache. I walked out the door, Grace ran to support me. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” Grace held up her phone chat interface. “I suspect he’s secretly transferring assets. Asked my brother to check.” Grace’s brother is a lawyer. I nodded thanks, sending the video I just recorded. “That woman is Lyla, Luna’s former art teacher. Ask your brother to draft a divorce agreement too.” “Okay, I’ll drive you back.” Grace said my state wasn’t suitable for driving, insisted on sending me home, and picked up Luna to stay at her place for two days. Grace’s brother was fast. Just got home, he sent the found information. The house and car under Lyla’s name were bought by Vincent. Plus transfers, about 70 million ($10 million USD). A year ago, Vincent told me the branch company had issues, needing him to go there often. Turns out it was a love nest. Every time he lied about business trips, he was here with Lyla. I immediately called the company CFO. “Director Wang, send me the accounts of the company and branches for recent years.” “Madam, company secrets, you have no right to view.” “I am a shareholder!” Pause on the other end for two seconds. “I will apply to President Vincent. I’ll send it to you after he signs and agrees.” Good, very good. Since pregnancy, I never asked about company affairs, shopping and doing SPA daily, taking care of the child. Everyone thought I married well. Probably even Vincent forgot, I am the largest shareholder of the company, qualified to remove him anytime. I started clearing the trash at home. Opened the closet, threw Vincent’s clothes on the floor one by one, tearing and stomping, venting my dissatisfaction like a madwoman. Throwing to the end, a storage box appeared in the corner of the closet. Inside were all the things Vincent gave me during four years of college. Tulip LED night light, hand-sewn backpack, personally designed hairpin, star bottle with sweet moments written, etc. His family was poor, no money for expensive gifts. Most gifts were handmade by him. I hugged them and cried loudly until dawn. The next day, mother-in-law and sister-in-law entered early, cursing loudly seeing the messy room. “Cynthia, are you crazy? You smashed such expensive things? Is it easy for my son to make money! How did he marry such a wasteful wife like you? Can’t give birth to a son, and can’t even manage a household.” Seeing me, a slap came straight. “Bitch, almost harmed my grandson.” “Daring to show off in front of Lyla after giving birth to a girl. Be sensible, divorce my son quickly, get out of our Wan family.” Sister-in-law packed all the bird’s nest, sea cucumber, aged ginseng and other supplements in the kitchen into bags. “Wasting good stuff on her. Mom, let’s take them all to give little sister-in-law for her body.” Mother-in-law rushed to the kitchen hearing this, packing with hands and feet. “Right, Lyla is our family’s great hero, must nourish well.” The day I gave birth to Luna, she looked once, saw a girl, and never appeared again. I didn’t care about her attitude, but that Lyla actually gave birth? “Where is Vincent?” Mother-in-law spat. “Of course accompanying my grandson. I warn you, if anything happens to him, I’m not done with you!” Chapter 3 Lyla gave birth to a boy. The whole family knew about them long ago, hiding it from me. Until afternoon, Vincent came home, eyes tired, face full of impatience. “My mom just took some stuff from home, and you called the police? These were bought with my money, what’s wrong with my mom taking them?” “Pack up and go to the police station to explain.” Mother-in-law and sister-in-law left, I called the police immediately, reporting theft. Home surveillance captured clearly, taken items worth over ten thousand, enough for investigation. Police found them at the hospital. Only Vincent was left to care at the hospital, overwhelmed. Finally contacted a confinement nanny, had time to come back and settle with me. I looked at him sneering. “Your money?” He seemed to hear a joke, tone mocking. “Not my money, is it yours? If not for me propping up the company these years, it would have gone bankrupt long ago. I’ve been raising you, letting you enjoy life for over ten years.” “My big company needs an heir. You be your Mrs. Vincent obediently, no one can threaten your position.” I pointed at the family photo on the wall questioning. “Isn’t Luna your child?” “What’s the use of a girl? Eventually falling into others’ hands.” My heart trembled. What does falling into others’ hands mean? Could it be… “Vincent, you approached me in college for this reason too?” Vincent lowered his head grabbing my hand, tone softening. “Cynthia, I love you.” I threw the printed divorce agreement on him. “Sign it.” He glanced at the agreement twice, threw it on the ground, sneering. “Cynthia, look at others. Who doesn’t drink and party, keeping several mistresses? For so many years, I just made a small mistake, and you want a divorce?” “Stop making a scene okay? My mom wants a son, you can’t have a second child, I had no choice. At worst, bring the child back to raise with you when he’s older.” His tone was like saying the weather is good today. I looked at him in disbelief, backhanded two slaps. “Scumbag!” He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Wifey, I know you are angry, but how can you live without me? Really going to deliver food?” “Don’t forget, the company is mine.” Vincent chuckled. “Don’t be silly. For over ten years, people in the company stopped listening to you long ago.” “Let’s live a good life. I promise you, no one will ever affect your position as Mrs. Vincent. I won’t give less to Luna either.” “As long as I don’t agree, you won’t get custody of the child. Can you bear to leave her? Bear to let her have a broken home? For Luna, think about it carefully.” Truly laughable. He didn’t think of the child when cheating, now moral kidnapping me. When Father died, he gifted him 10% shares, hoping he would treat me well. Now it became a weapon against me. Before marriage, I hid my identity. After graduation, we joined the company together. When we ran for executives, I found out I was pregnant. Father found out, held a wedding for us quickly, ordering me to stay home and rest. Not long after, Father died of a sudden illness. My depression caused a miscarriage. After discharge, I had severe depression. He took care of me while helping me prop up the company. He said he would guard Father’s empire for me. I believed him, uniting other shareholders to support him as Chairman. In that situation, I indeed had no energy to manage the company. Since then, I became the envied Mrs. Vincent, and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. Because I lost a child, I valued Luna very much. Vincent knew this, so he thought of using the child to persuade me. “Vincent, the naive one is you, not me.” Chapter 4 A few days later, I used my shareholder status to remove Vincent from all positions and notified that I would take over all company affairs. Email sent to every employee’s mailbox. I put on the professional suit I hadn’t worn for a long time and walked into the company. Front desk stopped me. “Miss, who are you looking for?” I haven’t been in the company for at least five years. Many employees don’t recognize me. “I am Cynthia, here to work.” “Cynthia?” The receptionist muttered, remembering the email seen in the morning. “You are the new Chairman!” She opened the door for me respectfully. Elevator rose to the 26th floor. The moment the door opened, Vincent stood at the door with other shareholders, as if waiting for me. He smiled, seemingly saying I overestimated myself. The first to speak was Uncle Wang. He started the business with Father for many years, watched me grow up. Now putting on an elder’s posture to lecture. “Cynthia, Vincent told us everything. You are making too much trouble! Couple fight shouldn’t come to the company. Chairman is such a big matter, not for your tantrums!” Employees watching the fun snickered. “President’s wife probably can’t even read reports, right?” “Not staying home to raise kids, coming to the company for what fun.” “I know this kind of housewife. Just afraid husband runs away with someone, coming out to brush existence.” Other shareholders also smiled and advised me. “Mrs. Vincent, Chairman position is not a joke. Go home and accompany the child.” “Cynthia, The Group grew bigger under President Vincent’s lead. Why cause trouble.” “Company isn’t yours alone. What right do you have to make such a decision?” Vincent smiled confidently, relieving me. “It’s all my fault, made Cynthia angry, causing such trouble. I apologize to everyone for her.” “President Vincent is joking. Since it’s your family matter, we won’t participate.” “Cynthia, no more jokes like this!” A group of people laughed and went down the steps, ready to go back in twos and threes. Vincent bent down and whispered in my ear. “See? No one will stand by your side.” Many are confidants who followed Father for years, now all side with Vincent. I looked around, chill in heart growing bit by bit, spoke coldly. “Joke? I am the largest shareholder of the company. I demand the immediate removal of Vincent from all positions.” Shareholders froze, looking at Vincent in unison. Vincent wasn’t annoyed, “Just right everyone is here. Convenient to hold a Shareholders’ Meeting, elect a new Chairman together.” “Assistant Sun, take everyone to the conference room. Notify Director Lee too.” We walked into the conference room. Vincent sat naturally in the main seat, taking out his equity agreement. He actually has 20% shares! “Scattered shares were acquired by me long ago. I hold 20%, Cynthia has 35%. Who do you support?” Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhao and others successively expressed support for Vincent. Vincent crossed his legs looking down at me, tone arrogant. “Now 40% stand by my side. You only have 35%. Give up.” I looked at the door, waiting for another shareholder. Vincent looked away, mouth curling into a sarcastic smile. Half an hour later, Director Lee arrived late, looked at me. “Cynthia, you shouldn’t be like this.” My eyes reddened instantly. “Third Uncle, Vincent betrayed me.” Third Uncle pulled me aside to scold. “Even if Vincent is wrong, you shouldn’t bring it to the surface. Men need face. Alright, solve this at home.” “I support Vincent.” Others aside, didn’t expect my own Third Uncle would help Vincent. Voice fell, Vincent stood up thanking everyone. “Cynthia, 46% support me total. What else do you have to say.” “President Vincent don’t forget, there is still a 19% share holder who hasn’t expressed stance.”

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After I found out my husband, Finn, was cheating on me. To get back at him. I went out with no less than 10 different men in six months. The night I broke up with number 10, a sweet college kid. I asked Finn for a divorce. “Oh, darling.” “How many times have we been here?” Finn finally looked up from his phone. “What’s the matter? Not happy with the latest boyfriend?” He smirked, a cruel little twist of his lips. “Did he disappoint you so much that my usually placid wife has to come bother me with her little tantrums?” He laughed and reached for his jacket. “I’m afraid I don’t have time for this, darling. I have plans tonight.” I stared at him, still trying to understand. How could a man separate love and sex so completely, as if they were two different countries with a hard border between them? “Finn,” I said, stepping in his way and holding out the divorce papers. My voice was calm. “I’m serious.” “Let’s just let each other go.” 1 “Darling.” Finn’s expression was still infuriatingly casual. “I really don’t have time to play these games with you.” He held up his phone, showing me his open messaging app. “The kid’s going to get upset.” He smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. “And you know how it is. She’s not easy to placate.” The screen showed a profile picture. It was one half of a matching set. His was the other half. The girl was complaining, sending an angry emoji. [How much longer do you have to spend with that old hag?] [You said she had a boyfriend now anyway. Or have you decided you prefer older women after all? Are you trying to patch things up with her?] She was shamelessly mocking my age. Finn just thought it was cute. He typed back: [Don’t be jealous.] Suddenly, a video call notification popped up on his screen. The jarring ringtone shattered the tense silence between us. Finn gestured to his phone. “See, darling? I’m a very busy man.” He answered the call, right there in front of me. The girl’s voice was a playful pout. “Finn. I’m already at your gate.” “I’ll give you three seconds.” “If you don’t come out.” “We’re breaking up!” I listened to her confident, demanding tone and watched the flicker of annoyance on Finn’s face melt back into a fond smile. “You little troublemaker.” His voice was a low murmur, meant only for her. “My wife’s home, you know. Aren’t you afraid she’ll come after you with a kitchen knife?” “And if she does, don’t you dare come crying to me.” He was flirting with her, right in front of me, as if I wasn’t even there. The girl on the phone just laughed. “You wouldn’t let her.” “You promised you’d protect me!” I knew what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to stay silent. I was supposed to let him leave, to give him his space. Everyone told me the same thing: as long as I was Mrs. Thorne, I would have a life of unimaginable luxury. I would want for nothing. My mother, who was seriously ill in the hospital, would continue to receive the best possible care. But I just couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t stand it for one more second. I snatched the phone from his hand. His eyes widened in shock as I spoke into the receiver. “You’re right. The wife is very mean. If you dare set foot inside this house, I’ll make sure you’re carried out.” I ignored the girl’s shrieks on the other end, her accusations that I was shameless. I smashed the phone on the ground, strode to the front door, and threw it open. The girl stood there, her face red with fury. I raised my hand and slapped her, hard. “Do you know what you are?” My voice was sharp, but my face was a mask of cold calm. “As long as I am in this house, as long as I hold the title of Mrs. Thorne, you are nothing but a cheap little homewrecker.” I grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against the door. The loud thud was followed by her terrified scream. “You’re crazy!” “Finn!” “Finn! Are you just going to stand there and let her do this to me?!” “Finn!” I raised my hand to strike her again. A hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. From behind me, I heard Finn’s voice, a lazy drawl that was somehow both amused and threatening. “Darling. Don’t you think you’re being a little… undignified?” 2 His voice was still light, still laced with that mocking amusement. But I heard the warning underneath. “The kid is at an age where looks are everything,” Finn said. “If you mess up that pretty face of hers, you’ll be the one who has to deal with the consequences. Why make things harder on yourself?” His tone was casual, but his grip on my wrist tightened, forcing me to let the girl go. “Let’s just say the kid was being impulsive tonight and overstepped,” he continued, his gaze shifting to me, his eyes hardening. “But if there’s a next time, darling… my patience has its limits.” I watched as he gathered the sobbing girl into his arms, murmuring comforting words. “It’s okay.” “Shh, you’re okay.” She clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. He lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing and turned to leave. But I called out to him. “Finn.” He didn’t stop. I ran after him, blocking his path. “If you really like her,” I said, my eyes on the girl’s tear-streaked face, “then you should make it official.” I leaned in and whispered in her ear, my voice a soft poison. “It’s not me who won’t step aside.” “It’s your dear Finn who refuses to let me go and make room for you. If you’re really so special,” I said, my voice dropping, “then you get him to agree. Just like he did for me, all those years ago. You make him bring you into the Thorne family.” The girl’s body went rigid. Her expression changed. She looked up at Finn, her eyes wide and uncertain. Finn sighed, a long, weary sound, and gently set her down. He walked over to me. “Chloe.” His voice was cold. “Don’t regret this.” He took the divorce papers from my hand and signed his name on the dotted line. Then he turned back to the girl, his voice soft again. “Happy now?” Tears of joy streamed down her face. She threw her arms around him, but her eyes were on me, a silent, triumphant challenge. She had won. I didn’t look at either of them. The enormous weight that had been crushing my chest for so long had finally lifted. I couldn’t name the feeling. I just sat in the empty villa, watching as the movers carefully packed up every trace of me. My phone buzzed. It was a video from Finn’s new fiancée. In the video, Finn was on one knee, kissing her hand, his expression as reverent as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world. “Lily,” he was saying. “My love for you isn’t just words.” “You wanted a grand gesture, a promise. I’m willing to give you all of it. So,” he said, pulling out a diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg and slipping it onto her finger, “are you happy now?” Lily was crying and laughing at the same time. She sent me a text. [Chloe, everyone talks about how much Finn loved you. How he defied his entire family just to marry you. How he knelt in the family shrine for seven days without food or water, even endured the family punishment, just to get them to agree.] [And your mother, the one who’s barely hanging on? The only reason she’s still alive is because Finn hired the best team of specialists in the country for her.] [But here’s something you don’t know.] She sent another video. [It’s not what you think.] The video was dark, filmed in the private club Finn always went to. I recognized the faces of the men with him. I heard someone ask, “Finn, what’s the deal with you and Chloe? This has gotten messy.” Finn sat in the middle of the group, toying with his wedding ring. The man continued. “Chloe’s been running around town with at least five different pretty boys. Aren’t you worried she’ll catch something? That she’s… dirty?” “She’s out of control. And you’re just going to let it happen?”

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Early in the morning, the door was banged loudly. I just opened the door, upstairs neighbor Mr. Baker gave me a slap. Then scolded loudly. “It’s you! Your family’s Boy Toy, hooked my wife’s soul away!” His shout made many neighbors gather around, pointing fingers at my door. He held a yellow hair in his hand, “Your husband this hooligan seduced married woman, hair fell on my wife’s pillow! Solid evidence!” I stunned at the door. Even his wife lowered her head and confessed to this matter. For a time crowd sentiment excited, Mr. Baker brought people to break into my home, wantonly smashed, threatened to peel my husband’s skin, even forced me to compensate $50,000 for Emotional Damage. Because I always refused to let husband show face, everyone determined I was shielding adultery. Until the police forced me to open the bedroom door. Everyone was stunned. … Chapter 1 Early in the morning, the security door was banged loudly, as if to tear the door panel apart. I just unlocked the door, door was violently pushed open, upstairs neighbor Mr. Baker rushed up “Slap” gave me a slap. “It’s you! Your family’s Boy Toy, hooked my wife’s soul away!” This shout penetrative power extremely strong, less than two minutes, corridor crowded with neighbors watching excitement, even someone raised phone start recording. Mr. Baker saw more people, more energetic, a pull over Mrs. Baker hiding behind him timidly. “Everyone come look! This pair of shameless dog man woman! I also count unlucky eight lifetimes, neighbor with such corrupt morals people!” He held a thin long yellow hair in hand, eyes red staring at me: “Solid evidence! Your husband this hooligan seduced married woman, hair fell on my wife’s pillow! This color, this length, except your husband, who else can be?” I touched hot cheek, eyes turned cold. “Mr. Baker, trespass private house and hit people, you want go inside squat few days?” “I squat few days? I see is your wild man should be Publicly Shamed!” Mr. Baker not only not afraid, instead stepped into my entrance, pointing at closed bedroom door roaring, “Let that broken shoe smell boy roll out! Dare do dare admit, hide behind woman count what ability! Today I must educate him well for you!” Onlooker neighbors pointed fingers at my home, whispers endless. “Look this girl usually quite quiet, didn’t expect husband at home actually is a Boy Toy?” “One quilt sleep not out two kinds people, this girl definitely also not decent person!” “Know person know face not know heart ah, Mrs. Baker usually look honest, actually engage extramarital affair, still just downstairs, really rabbit eat nest side grass.” “Aiyo, that hair look indeed like man’s, evidence all here, can’t run.” I coldly looked at this farce. “You say this hair is my husband’s?” “Nonsense! In this building dye this kind sluty yellow hair, still all day not go out see people, except your family hiding that one, who else?” Mr. Baker this moment completely in crazy state, he fierce pushed Mrs. Baker beside, “You say! Is it that little demon!” Mrs. Baker lowered head, stammered half day: “Is… is him. He… he too clingy, I… I didn’t hold.” This sentence made scene instant explode. “God, really admitted!” “Too shameless, admit mistress clingy in front of original match?” Mr. Baker heard this, burst out earth shaking crying howl, a butt sat on my floor patting thigh: “No heaven reason ah! I hard work earn money raise family, old still want suffer this anger! I not live! Today not tear that male vixen face rotten, I just die here!” Follow his crying noise, few grandpas usually good relation with him also squeezed in, a look of justice messenger. “Little girl, be person can’t like this, hurry let your husband come out apologize, this matter done too wicked.” “Exactly, hiding count what matter? Dare seduce woman then don’t fear see people ah!” I blocked at bedroom door, body motionless, coldly looking at this room full of smoke and miasma. “You guys simply are slander! Get out for me!” I angry pushed Mr. Baker. “You dare hit me! Adulterer adulteress want kill person silence mouth la!” Mr. Baker a look of rascal appearance. Mr. Baker fierce jump up from ground. “She guilty! Brothers, search for me! Catch that shameless one out!” He gave an order, led people force break in. Those few grandpas take chance jeer, pushing me want rush inside. “Little girl you still dare move hand? Guilty right!” “Smash! Smash this淫 (obscene) nest! See where that Boy Toy hide!” In chaos, don’t know who first pushed down shoe cabinet, immediately after, living room things start suffer disaster. Accompany crackle rattle broken sound, my living room instant a mess. “Come out! Smelly hooligan you give me roll out!” Mr. Baker roared, rushed to closed bedroom door. That is whole house only place haven’t been affected, also place my “Husband” sleeping. I blocked at bedroom door, tight protect door panel, not let them close. “Mr. Baker, you dare move this door a bit try.” My tone revealed coldness let Mr. Baker subconsciously retreat half step. But Mr. Baker more energetic, he thought I was afraid adultery exposed, more determined inside hide unspeakable secret. “Continue smash for me! Smashed rotten count mine!” Mrs. Baker shrunk in corner, eyes blinking, neither dare persuade fight, nor dare look me, just mouth still mumbling: “Sin ah, sin ah…” Just then, outside door came a angry shout: “Doing what ne! All stop hand for me!” I looked up, Manager Tom brought two security guards, finally late arrived. Manager Tom squeezed into room, looking at floor mess, brows tight lock. “What happen? Early morning noise what noise? Still want let other owners rest not?” Mr. Baker saw judge came, immediately climb up from ground, first voice snatch people, a handful snot a handful tears pounce to Manager Tom. “Manager Tom ah! You have to decide for me ah! This days can’t pass!” He pointed me, finger almost poke my nose tip: “This family not only engage broken shoe seduce my wife, now still want beat die me this original match ah! You look beat me, still want take vase smash my head!” Manager Tom turned look me, eyes inside carrying few points impatient and scrutiny: “Ms. Lily, this how matter? Neighbors, how still moved hand?” I pointed smashed rotten living room, sneer once: “Manager Tom, if your eyes not blind, should can see who is moving hand. This group people trespass private house, beat smash rob burn, I am self defense.” “Bullsh*t! You that is self defense? You that is guilty!” Mr. Baker jump foot scold, “We if not for catch that male vixen, who rare enter your this chicken nest? Manager Tom, that Boy Toy just hide in bedroom, this girl dead alive not let people come out, you say is this heart have ghost?” Manager Tom heard a general idea, seem also feel this matter has bit style problem. “Ms. Lily, this matter ba, indeed not too glory. Since people all find door, evidence also have, you just let your lover come out, say words clear. If really have misunderstanding, untie not fine? Noise down like this, to your reputation also not good.” I look Manager Tom that look of mixing mud, heart clear like mirror. Mr. Baker is old resident in community, also active element of owner committee, mix familiar with property management. And me, usually not much interact with people, in Manager Tom eyes, obviously is that soft persimmon can random pinch. “Manager Tom, you also feel I should let them search?” I ask back. Manager Tom sighed, put on a look for my good: “Not search, is mediation. You look Brother Baker angry like this, his wife all admitted, you this don’t hard top. Young people, commit mistake attitude want correct, apologize, pay some money, private settle count. Must noise to police station, that is leave record matter.” “Apologize? Private settle?” I was angered laugh, “He smashed my home, hit me a slap, you let me apologize?” “Aiya, one slap not sound ma!” Manager Tom impatient wave hand, “You if walk straight sit straight, you fear what? Call person out confront ah! Unless…” He eyes ambiguous glance at bedroom door, obviously also determined I golden house hide man. Mr. Baker see Manager Tom bias him, arrogance more rampant to extreme. He took out phone, towards me and messy living room just a burst crazy shoot, mouth still righteous words: “I see you not see coffin not drop tear! Manager Tom said right, you dare not let person come out is heart have ghost! I now just start TikTok Live, post WeChat Moments, post owner group! Let everyone come look this pair adulterer adulteress face!” “Right! Expose her!” Beside few grandpas also one after another take out phone. “Title I all thought good, 《Young Girl Gang Up With Husband Set Trap Seduce Sixty Years Old Lady, Original Match Come Door Ask Explanation Suffer Beat》!” I eyes cold, reach hand want block Mr. Baker phone. “You dare touch me a bit try! Touch a bit I just lie down enter ICU!” Mr. Baker push phone to my face, lens almost stick my pupil. This moment, phone screen already start have bullet screen. Mr. Baker actually really is a small Influencer possess few ten thousand fans, usually post fishing, chess videos, today this catch mistress big play, instant detonate his live room. [Holy sh*t, so explosive? Just downstairs steal love?] [This man look human model dog sample, actually do this kind thing, disgusting!] [That auntie also blind eyes right, leave original match don’t want find mistress?] [Anchor don’t fear, we support you! Beat die mistress!] Looking at full screen abuse, Mr. Baker proud: “Saw it? Masses eyes are snow bright! Surname Lin, I now give you last chance, let your husband roll out give me kowtow admit mistake, compensate me Emotional Damage 500 thousand! Also this smashed broken things, that is he deserve suffer, you also don’t think rely my head! Otherwise, I just let you in whole city mix not down!” Live stream heat very high, soon I received company boss call, boss words very sharp, claim my family scandal affect company reputation, want proceed suspend process to me. I dazed hung up phone. Mrs. Baker seem feel noise big not good: “Old Baker, almost enough, don’t live stream…” “You give me shut up! Useless thing!” Mr. Baker a slap pat open Mrs. Baker hand, “This time know shame? Drill people quilt time why not know shame? You just now not admitted ma? In front live room old iron (fans) face, you again give me say once! That male vixen exactly how seduce you?” Lens fierce turn to Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker scared a tremble, face lens, her that face full of wrinkles swell red, eyes but uncontrollable float to that closed bedroom door, swallow saliva. “He… he really is… too white, too soft…” Mrs. Baker stammer said, eyes actually reveal a trace aftertaste look, “One call I just leg soft, I… I really didn’t hold…” Live room instant explode. [Solid hammer! Party personal mouth admit!] [Too white too soft? Vomit… this auntie really wretched!] [This female lead actually still protect? Must be want play 3P!] “Ms. Lily, this matter I can’t manage. All this time, you still protect? You this is want put yourself in ah!” “Brother Baker also victim, emotion excited point can understand. You a little girl, hide hide tuck tuck, is it guilty?” Manager Tom hear this words, face also become extremely ugly, back a step, seem want draw line with me. I look Mrs. Baker that lecherous and cower look, heart a burst nausea, but more is a kind absurd ridiculous. “Fine, since you guys must do thing absolute.” I took out phone, no longer care Manager Tom and Mr. Baker, directly dialed 911. “Hello, police ma? Here have people enter room beat smash, pick quarrel provoke trouble, also suspect cyber violence, trouble you guys quick come.” Mr. Baker hear me call police, not only not restrain, instead shout to lens: “Family members heard not? She still dare call police! Thief shout catch thief ah! Good, police come just right, let police catch this pair dog man woman parade street show public!” Chapter 2 Police came very fast. Lead is a middle age police, surname Davis, one look is experience rich. He one enter door, looking full room mess and confront both sides, brows just lock into a river word. “All doing what ne? Gather crowd make trouble ah?” Officer Davis stern voice shout. Mr. Baker see police came, that acting skill instant switch to victim mode. A butt sat on ground, hug Officer Davis leg just start howl. “Police comrade ah! You finally came! You if again late come a step, I just be beaten die by this family ah!” Officer Davis frown pull leg out: “Have words good say, don’t move hand move foot. Who beat you?” “Her! Is her!” Mr. Baker point me, voice tear tear down, “This surname Lin, gang up her husband seduce my wife! By us caught a current, not only not admit mistake, still move hand beat people! You look my family Mrs. Baker, all by that Boy Toy confuse become what look!” Officer Davis turn head look me. “Is you called police?” “Is me.” I expressionless pointed full ground fragments, “Trespass private house, destroy property, this enough file case right?” “You fart! That is catch adultery!” Mr. Baker jump up, from pocket take out that root by him grip wrinkle yellow hair, lift to Officer Davis front, “Police comrade you look, this is evidence! This is that Boy Toy hair! Found from my wife pillow! My wife all admitted!” Officer Davis took over that hair looked, brows lock more tight. This hair fine and soft, color golden yellow, look… indeed bit like dyed hair, but texture again bit strange. He turn head ask Mrs. Baker: “Auntie, this hair how matter? You with this family male host, really have improper relation?” Mrs. Baker by police one ask, trembled a bit, but looked Mr. Baker that want eat people eyes, again looked my that tight closed bedroom door, hard head nodded. “Is… is have relation.” “What relation?” Officer Davis pursue ask. “Just… that kind relation.” Mrs. Baker face red. Live room inside bullet screen already crazy, Mr. Baker more proud like a win cock. “Listen! Listen! Police comrade, this still need trial ma? Adulterer adulteress, iron proof like mountain ah!” Manager Tom this time also lean up, put on a fair person look: “Officer Davis, I am property manager. This matter ba, indeed is this owner wrong first. Brother Baker although impulsive point, but also emotion forgivable. How about you persuade Ms. Lily, let her hand person out, apologize pay money, this matter count.” Officer Davis look me, eyes inside also bring few points doubt. After all have witness, plus this hair, witness evidence logic chain complete. “Little girl, since people all testify, if is true, this although belong moral problem, but triggered public security case, you still want say matter clear. Hurry call your husband out cooperate investigate.” I look Officer Davis: “Officer Davis, just rely a hair and a old confuse crazy talk, you just fix my crime? Still want search my bedroom?” “This not fix crime, is investigate collect evidence.” Officer Davis serious said, “If you refuse cooperate, lead situation worsen, you also want bear responsibility.” “Good a investigate collect evidence.” I sneer, “Then if check out not that matter, my loss who pay? My reputation who responsible? This right live stream ne, few ten thousand people watching, my innocence destroyed, you guys one sentence misunderstanding can uncover?” Mr. Baker scream: “Impossible have misunderstanding! If no that matter, I eat sh*t he just pulled! Surname Lin, you don’t here delay time, is it want let your husband jump window run ah? Tell you, run not away, you this 500 thousand pay determined!” He shout to live stream lens: “Family members! This woman still quibble! She using legal loophole protect mistress! We absolutely can’t agree! Rush that door for me!” Bullet screen inside a piece cheer sound, even someone start send gift support Mr. Baker replace heaven act way. Officer Davis face sink, realize situation if not control, immediately will evolve violence conflict. He gave me final ultimatum: “Ms. Lily, please you immediately open door! To guarantee you and inside person safety, also for clarify fact, we must confirm inside situation.” I looked one eye Officer Davis, again looked crazy clamor Mr. Baker and that full face wretched Mrs. Baker. “You sure with you happen relation is inside this door him? You sure that yellow hair is on his body?” Mrs. Baker default. “Fine.” I stood straight body, hand put on door handle, gaze sweep everyone present. “You guys must look, then I just give you look.” “But Mr. Baker, you remember.” I dead stare him, “This door once open, you just finished. Also you, Mrs. Baker, you also finished.” I deep breath, slowly press down door handle. “Click” a light sound. Under everyone gaze, in live room few ten thousand people watch, bedroom door, slowly opened a crack. Mr. Baker hold breath, those few phone holding grandpas also lean forward, wish lens push into door crack. Manager Tom and Officer Davis also expression tight, ready respond sudden situation. Everyone waiting that clothes not neat, oil head powder face “Boy Toy” appear. However, door opened. No man. No scream. Also no what panic footsteps. Only see a figure round, hair color golden yellow Orange Cat, step elegant cat walk, slow slow squeeze out from door crack. It seem by outside noise wake up, squinting eyes, dissatisfied towards crowd “Meow——” a sound. This voice, delicate, indeed quite clingy. Air, in this instant solidify. Mr. Baker chin almost drop on ground. Officer Davis stunned, looked ground cat, again looked hand evidence hair——color, texture, with this big Orange Cat body hair, simply exactly same. Live room bullet screen after stop one second, instant exploded! Whole field dead silence. Live room bullet screen, from crazy abuse became full screen question mark. [???] [Cat???] [Holy sh*t, I watched half day catch mistress, result mistress is a cat?] [Anchor doing what ghost? Script ma?] That big Orange Cat, also my husband, obviously never seen such big battle. It tilt fluffy head, again towards closest Mr. Baker “Meow” a sound. Mr. Baker face from swell red became pale, again from pale became iron green. He point cat, again point me, lips trembling, a word can’t say out. Officer Davis bend down, careful careful from big Orange Cat body twist a hair. He put this hair with evidence in hand together compare. Color, length, texture, not differ a bit. “Mr. Baker.” Officer Davis voice cold like ice, “This is you said, that Boy Toy?” “No! Not!” Mr. Baker finally found back voice, hysterical scream up. “He hid that man! This cat is blind eye method!” “He definitely take advantage we not notice, let that Boy Toy run from window!” He like crazy just want rush into bedroom, want go search window. I side body blocked him. “Mr. Baker, my window outside is twenty third floor high sky.” “You want prove my husband can fly ma?” My voice not loud, but like a heavy hammer, fierce smash on everyone heart. Everyone subconscious look out window, back a burst cold. Live room inside, wind direction instant reverse. [Twenty third floor? That indeed run not away, unless is Spiderman.] [So… this start to end just a oolong (misunderstanding)? Because a cat?] [My god, this anchor also too can brain supplement, face a cat output half day?] [Heart ache that miss, slapped a slap, home smashed, work also lost, just because her husband is a cat?] [This already not oolong, this is enter room robbery plus defamation ba!] [Anchor quick apologize ah! This matter done too wicked!] Mr. Baker look scrolling comments on phone screen, whole body shaking. He know, he finished. I coldly look him, word by word open mouth. “My husband, Butter.” I bend waist, hug big Orange Cat in arms, gentle stroke its back. “It indeed very white, also very soft.” “Call up voice, also indeed let people leg soft.” “Mrs. Baker, you say is right?” I turn sight to wall corner that start to end shivering woman. Mrs. Baker face “Swish” a一下 (once) all white, cold sweat instant soak her back. Officer Davis keen catch not right. “Mrs. Baker, you better say words clear, otherwise consequence very serious.” “I… I…” Mrs. Baker stammer, eyes dodge, dare not look Mr. Baker. “Speak!” Officer Davis stern voice shout. Mrs. Baker by this roar scare a tremble, finally collapse. “I say! I say!” “Is him! All blame my husband force me, I gamble lost one million, my husband just come up a bad idea, together act to scam money!” “These people also all one hundred a day hired!” Mr. Baker like strike by thunder, dare not believe look own wife. Mrs. Baker words, like bombs, bomb present crowd dizzy. Live room more thorough crazy. [God reverse! I thought catch adultery, result is catch cat adultery?] [Mr. Baker face now definitely compare palette still colorful.] Mr. Baker excited scold: “You nonsense!” Officer Davis face already black like pot bottom. He turn to me: “Ms. Lily, situation we basic understand.” “To your suffered loss, we deep express sympathy.” “Now, please follow us back police station, formal do a record.” “These few, suspect trespass private house, intentional destroy property, pick quarrel provoke trouble, defamation, one also run not away.” He pointed Mr. Baker, and those few just now arrogance rampant grandpas. Those few grandpas legs all soft, one after another wave hand. “Not concern my matter ah police comrade, all Mr. Baker let us come!” “Right right right, we just come look excitement!” “We also take money do work ah!” Mr. Baker a butt sit on ground, finally know fear. He crawl over want hug my leg, by me a foot dodge. “Little Lin! Ms. Lily! I wrong! Is I have eyes not know Tai Mountain! Is I deserve die!” “You adult have big measure, spare me this once ba!” “I pay money! I pay you money still not okay ma?” I look him, smiled. “Pay money?” “You just now not said, want me pay you 500 thousand Emotional Damage fee ma?” “Now, turn to me.” “My mental loss, slap on my face, my smashed home, my destroyed reputation, also my lost work.” “Mr. Baker, you feel you pay afford ma?” My voice very light, but let Mr. Baker like fall ice cave. “Also.” I lower head, look in arms scared trembling Butter. “My husband suffered scare, this account, we also want good good calculate.”

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When the gentle Second Male Lead in a CEO Romance Novel was about to jump off a building because the heroine broke off their engagement. I, with a pregnant belly, shouted to stop him: “Mr. Hale, before you die, can you sign an Abortion Consent Form for me? I’m pregnant with your child!” The male lead looked at me, finally remembering, a few months ago he was drugged and had a one-night stand with a stranger, that woman was me! … Chapter 1 When I realized I was just an insignificant extra in a female-oriented CEO novel. The domineering CEO Second Male Lead Julian Hale, because he was publicly dumped by the heroine at the engagement party, couldn’t think straight and was standing on the rooftop of the 66th floor, ready to jump. This had nothing to do with me. As a nameless extra in the story, I didn’t have many scenes. The fleeting romance with him that night a few months ago was my entire role. But just now, I found out I was pregnant. The Pregnancy Test showed two lines. Pregnant with the CEO’s child, if I do nothing, it seems a bit too sorry for such a good opportunity! An opportunity that can change my destiny. He wants to die, but I want to rise to power through my child, so he better not die for now! So when one of his feet was about to hang in the air, I rushed to the rooftop and shouted at him: “Wait a minute!” Julian turned his head, frowning in confusion: “If it’s about salary, rest assured, the group employees’ salaries will be paid as usual after I die.” After speaking, he closed his eyes resignedly, intending to jump and end his unloved life. I looked down at the hotel uniform on my body, knowing he misunderstood. This hotel is also under Julian’s name. He probably thought I was afraid no one would pay me after he died, so I shouted to stop him. At the critical moment, I shouted to him again: “Mr. Hale, don’t jump yet! “I want to say, before you die, can you sign an abortion consent form for me first? I’m pregnant with your child! But I’m an orphan, the hospital won’t let me sign the consent form myself.” After speaking, to make myself look more pitiful, I looked at him with a pitiful and helpless look. Heard he is the most responsible person, I don’t believe he can close his eyes and jump after hearing I’m pregnant with his child! I’m betting, betting his sense of responsibility will make him give up jumping for this child temporarily. A few seconds later, he looked back at me in disbelief, carefully distinguishing the truth of my words. He has a child? When did it happen? How did he not know! Then after carefully examining me for a few times, the tips of his ears gradually turned red, and then his whole person was like a cooked shrimp. He remembered, about the absurdity of that night. The despicable Sebastian drugged his wine to rob Lila from him, and then he treated me, a hotel maid cleaning the room, as the antidote, cooked raw rice into cooked rice for a whole night. When he woke up in the morning, I had already fled in panic, leaving only a touch of red on the bed sheet. That was his first time, and also my first time. Thinking about it now, if I’m really pregnant, the child in my belly is really likely to be his. He indeed has the obligation to sign the abortion consent form for me. Thinking like this, he sighed. Feeling this child, came a bit untimely! Just happened when he wanted to seek death. But now, seeking death can only be paused. The stay or leave of the little baby in my belly is more important than his seeking death. After all, seeking death is his own business, and the child in my belly is related to my future. He has already hurt me once, I am innocent, he can’t watch helplessly as I face this matter alone. So he withdrew his foot from the edge of the rooftop and said to me: “When is your surgery, which hospital is it arranged in? I’ll sign the consent form for you.” Seems rumors are not false, he is indeed a very responsible person! I bet right! Chapter 2 In the next two days, Julian arranged all surgical matters for me in detail. From choosing the hospital, to the operating surgeon, to the Postpartum Recovery care after the abortion surgery, he arranged everything for me. Even afraid that after he jumped off the building, I wouldn’t have money to recover my body well, he gave me a card with $1 Million in it, saying it was compensation for my abortion. On the day of the surgery, he personally stared at me for twelve hours before the surgery, not letting me eat anything, then held my hand telling me not to be afraid, telling me this was just a minor surgery, he would wait outside all the time, and go to die after confirming the surgery was successfully completed. After he personally signed the surgery consent form for me, he waved to me, like a farewell sending me to the battlefield: “Go! If no accidents, we won’t meet again.” However, my appearance was the biggest accident. Five minutes later, the door of the operating room opened again. I walked carefully to him and said apologetically: “The doctor said I am now in the second trimester of pregnancy, abortion will be particularly harmful to me. After abortion, I may never have children again. “I regret it, can I keep this child? “I am an orphan, helpless, this child can be my only relative in the future, I will raise him well!” After speaking, I touched my slightly showing belly, looked at him with red eyes, like a puppy about to be abandoned, the look was just right. Julian hesitated, give birth? A child of his blood, if the child’s mother really wants this child, why not? In his opinion, that’s my business, he respects my choice. So the easy-to-talk Julian compromised with me again. His eyes lightly swept over my belly, then nodded: “Okay.” Done! Next, I just need to repeatedly jump on his bottom line! Because I found he is a soft bun easy to manipulate, not at all like the decisive killer rumored outside. In the matter of children, I can see the softness in his heart. He respects my choice very much, and he has been making concessions for this. Next, please watch my performance of holding the emperor to order the princes! Chapter 3 After giving up the surgery, Julian arranged for me again in order to die early. This time it took ten days. In these ten days, he bought a school district house with top elementary and middle schools nearby and gifted it to me and the child, as a place for me and the child to settle down. He also gave me a card with $5 Million, enough for me to raise the child to adulthood. And refunded the auntie hired to take care of my post-abortion recovery before, then booked a gold medal postpartum care center service for me, and paid the fee in one lump sum. Then when I said my aesthetic was bad and afraid his child would wear ugly clothes in the future, he waved his big hand again, prepared a room full of baby clothes for the child, from boy to girl styles, from birth to three years old, all prepared once. Crib, stroller, full set of baby supplies, all prepared! If not afraid of expiration, maybe milk powder and diapers he would also prepare in advance. After doing all this, he, who had no love for life, stood on the rooftop again one night. Still that rooftop, just last time he stood here watching the sunset, now he stands here watching the lights of thousands of families. When I rushed over, he was sitting very calmly on the edge outside the roof handrail, feet swinging, could fall down at any time. I watched with fear, but didn’t persuade him not to die. If a person is determined to die, he can’t be persuaded! Only delay! How long can delay, depends on his luck! I reached out and gently patted his shoulder, very politely said: “Sorry, disturb you again!” He was not impatient, just habitually frowned, intending to solve a new problem for me: “What’s wrong?” I said coyly: “I heard from the servants, you have lots and lots of money. If you die, this money will be carved up by your relatives. They didn’t treat you well before, calculated against you in various ways. “I just thought, instead of leaving the money to them, why not leave it to our child? “At least he is your only blood in this world, he didn’t bully you! I also have no grudge against you! “Fertile water does not flow into outsiders’ fields, instead of cheapening them, better cheapen your child!” After speaking, I pointed to my belly. Just at this moment, a lump suddenly protruded on my belly, it was fetal movement. My child moved! I think if he has perception, he will definitely agree with me. After all, as long as Julian agrees, he and I can struggle one hundred years less! Once born, he is a top rich second generation! Because Julian’s wealth comes from the accumulation of three generations of grandparents, it is not an exaggeration to say their family is filthy rich. This time Julian was silent for longer, but fortunately, finally he turned back and nodded slightly: “Also fine!” He was determined to die. After Lila abandoned him, he had no hope for this world,一心 (wholeheartedly) wanted to seek death. But I am not, the child in my belly also doesn’t want to die. We both want to live, want to live well. He felt what I said made sense. Instead of leaving the inheritance to those relatives who have grudges against him, better leave it to his own flesh and blood. He doesn’t need this money, but the child can need it! He finally decided to compromise with me again. When he climbed back over the railing, I reached out and supported him: “Slow down!” I was afraid he would accidentally fall, then the inheritance for the child in my belly would fly away. Of course there is another point, he is a very good and responsible person, I don’t want him to die, I want him to live well. After Julian landed smoothly, he reached out and took off his coat to drape over me. He said: “The wind is strong at night, you a pregnant woman, don’t catch a cold, it will be very troublesome!” I nodded, reached out unceremoniously to tighten the coat on my shoulders. The clothes had a faint, very nice smell, like some kind of shower gel smell, a sweet and refreshing scent, like morning dew on jasmine flowers. Chapter 4 Julian asked his assistant to liquidate all his assets, then called a lawyer in front of me, signed an agreement. In the future, no matter what accident happens to him, everything he has after death belongs to the child in my belly. In case this child cannot be born safely, all his property belongs to me. Before the child grows up, all his property is handed over to me for temporary custody. I suddenly went from an ordinary person to a top rich woman, lived in his mansion, drove his luxury car, travel with a driver to help drive, at home a nanny to help cook and beat legs, wearing famous brands all over, eating mountain delicacies and sea flavors. Although I am not his wife, the Hale family almost wants to offer me up like an ancestor, because their income in the future all depends on me! The term “mother expensive by child” is vividly displayed on me. When those relatives of his learned about this, each one jumped with anger. Even broke into my home and his office, finding faults with him in various ways. In order to solve them and shut them up, Julian spent a full ten days dealing with it this time. In these ten days, I saw what is called the thunderous means of a superior. He first released the scandal collected before, causing a rift between his third uncle and third aunt. The couple fought inextricably, then got busy, making a scene until divorce, and had no time to find fault with us. Then he gave the evidence of his cousin embezzling company reserve funds directly to the police, getting his cousin locked up, estimated to be in prison for several years. Then his two worrying uncles, Julian was afraid they would trouble me, directly cut off their cash flow, citing their poor work ability, transferred them to remote overseas branches, similar to exile. After doing all this, he took a shower, put on his favorite black suit, put on the watch the heroine gave him, and stood on the rooftop again. Even when passing by me, he smiled and greeted me: “Good evening! Baby needs nutrition, remember to eat more rice every day in the future, you are too thin.” He thought, this time, I would definitely be satisfied, and wouldn’t go to the rooftop to disturb his seeking death anymore. Because everything I wanted, I owned! He can die in peace! However, he underestimated my ambition and desire.

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My father told me I had to choose a strategic alliance between the Maxwells and the Forresters. I had just turned toward Holden Maxwell when, like a glitch in my vision, a massive text overlay flashed in the air. [Get lost, side character! Holden only has eyes for the heroine, Kira!] [He swore he’d only marry Kira! If you choose him, he’ll run off and join a monastery!] Startled, I shifted my gaze to Tatum “Tate” Forrester. The text overlay immediately updated. [Don’t choose Tate either! Kira is the only antidote for the volatile Tate!] [You dare split them up, and he’ll have a stress migraine on your wedding night and choke you to death!!] I flinched, quickly pulling my attention away. Then, a new message popped up. [Why doesn’t the side character consider Ezra Shaw?] I paused. Ezra Shaw? The high-society big shot who’d been in a coma for years? [He’s about to wake up! He met the side character once, years ago, and he’s been obsessed with her ever since!] [Speaking of which, Ezra is actually the Big Bad! The Inner Circle is about to change. When he returns, he’s coming for the Maxwells and the Forresters!] That was all the information I needed. I immediately told my father. “Dad! I don’t want either of them!” “I’m marrying Ezra Shaw!” … 1 The moment the words left my mouth, my father cut me off. “Nonsense!” He then offered an apologetic smile to Holden and Tate. “I’ve spoiled my daughter. Let’s put this decision on hold for now.” The two men bowed respectfully to excuse themselves, but their eyes were heavy with barely concealed contempt. Once they were gone, my father’s expression grew serious. “Ezra Shaw has been in a coma for so long. The Shaw family has tried everything.” He sighed, seeing me look down. “You’re my only daughter, Rory. I can’t let you marry a vegetable and wait for someone who may never wake up!” “You grew up with Holden and Tate. You always said you’d marry one of them. Now you don’t like them?” The text overlay chimed in with confusion. [Yeah, shouldn’t the side character be desperately trying to hook one of the two Male Leads?] [It’s just a trick to get their attention! She always loves to see them fight over her, doesn’t she?!] [Ugh, if she was serious about Ezra, that would be great. He’s going to wake up in two weeks!] [Right, but whether Kira marries Tate or Holden, both families are already stretching their limits. Once the Big Bad Ezra is back, their good days are over.] My gaze locked onto the text. I steeled myself. “Dad, just give me a month.” “If Ezra Shaw hasn’t woken up in one month, I will choose the Maxwell or Forrester alliance quietly. Besides, our family already has an old commitment to the Shaws. Even if they don’t mention it, we can’t just easily go back on our word.” My father, unable to argue with my logic, reluctantly agreed. I finally let out a breath and headed out to the patio for some air. I found Holden and Tate hadn’t left. Holden spoke first, his tone mocking. “Done with your little scene?” “We’ve told you repeatedly that Kira is our soulmate, but we’d still do the right thing and marry you. Isn’t that enough?” He shook his head. “You’re making a fuss over nothing.” Tate rubbed his head, frowning. “You want to marry Ezra Shaw?” He scoffed. “Do you even believe that garbage?” He looked me up and down with undisguised scorn. “You’re just trying to make us beg you to stay. You’re exhausting, completely unlike the sweet, compliant Kira.” Even though the text overlay had already shown me the truth, the depth of their dismissal froze my heart. Holden checked his watch, a flicker of impatience crossing his face. “Right, enough. I don’t have time for your drama.” “You want to marry the comatose guy? Fine. You better follow through.” The text overlay flew past. [Holden and Tate are going to dinner with Kira!] [Sweet, sweet, sweet! Side character, get lost!] [She knows they both love Kira, but she’s still trying to force a marriage! If she ends up miserable, it’s her own fault!] I lowered my eyes. If my ending had already been scripted, why would I walk toward the disaster they wrote for me? Holden Maxwell and Tate Forrester. I wanted neither of them. My father quickly arranged things with the Shaw family. The next morning, the Shaws sent a car to pick me up. Mrs. Shaw took my hand. “Dear child, we never intended to break the alliance.” “Ezra’s been in a coma for years. It’s our family that’s wronged yours; we couldn’t keep Aurora tethered to this.” I looked at Ezra Shaw, lying in the hospital bed, his eyes closed. I took a deep breath and spoke the lie. “Actually, when I was little, a spiritual teacher told me I had a special fate.” “They said I had a deep spiritual connection—a power to ward off misfortune and add to a person’s life karma.” I kept my voice serious. “I want to go to a chapel for one month, to pray and clear bad karma for Ezra.” The text overlay floated over my vision. [??? Since when did the side character have this setting?] [Spiritual connection? It wasn’t in the original book!!] [Ezra is going to wake up, but what does that have to do with the side character?] 2 Of course, I made it up. Regardless of what my original fate was, if I could foretell the future, I would certainly use it to secure the best outcome for myself and the Kincaid family. Mrs. Shaw covered her mouth, fighting back a sob. “If Ezra truly wakes up, Rory, you will be the Shaw family’s savior.” I performed a ritual cleanse—three days of bathing and burning incense—before settling into the chapel to copy sutras for Ezra’s fortune. I never expected to run into Holden Maxwell and Kira Bellweather here. Holden’s voice was sharp. “What are you doing here? Stalking me?” I paused, then laughed. “Did you buy the lease on this chapel?” Kira stood beside him, clutching a necklace with a cross. She offered a soft explanation. “Rory, please don’t misunderstand.” “I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so Holden brought me here to pray.” She paused deliberately. “I never expected to run into you by chance, of all places.” The text overlay instantly “understood.” [Is she here because she knows Holden would join a monastery if he was forced to marry her?] [How would she know? Is she actually stalking him?] [She’s so shameless! No wonder she’s pretending to be some spiritual savior!] Holden clearly found the “coincidences” sickening. In his mind, I must have been scouting the location, planning to descend on him the moment he decided to become a monk, to keep badgering him. He was convinced I would choose him for the alliance, and he cursed under his breath. “…I must have the worst damn luck.” Kira understood and looked at him, her eyes reddening. “Holden, perhaps we’re not meant to be in this life… I really shouldn’t hold you back…” Holden’s face completely hardened, and he looked at me with open disgust. “Since you already know, I won’t play games.” “I will marry you.” “But the day after the wedding, I’m checking into this monastery and becoming a monk. I’ll spend the rest of my life here, praying for Kira’s well-being.” I didn’t even look up. I simply waved my hand dismissively. “Be my guest.” He spun around and stormed off, enraged. I copied sutras for two full weeks at the chapel. On the fifteenth day, the text overlay suddenly began to flash wildly. [Ezra is waking up today!] Sure enough, that afternoon, the Shaw family arrived to bring me back. The car sped to the hospital. I pushed open the door and met a pair of clear, warm eyes. Ezra Shaw was propped up in bed, looking thin but alert. “Rory, I don’t know how to thank you.” “Let’s set the wedding date this month, okay?” The room fell silent. Mrs. Shaw instinctively interjected. “Ezra, you just woke up. Your body hasn’t recovered—” “That’s exactly why we should set it.” Ezra was firm. “Rory and I agreed on one month. I don’t want to delay her any longer.” He paused, then smiled gently at me. “For the wedding planning, I’ll leave the details to you and my mother. Your wishes and preferences come first.” I nodded. “What about you?” He patted his thin legs with a wry look. “I need to go into seclusion for rehabilitation.” “I won’t make any public appearances for now.” “I intend to get back on my feet as quickly as possible, so I can walk down the aisle and marry you with dignity.” The text overlay was a chaotic mess. [Did the side character actually choose Ezra? How is this possible?] [Um… Does this mean we were wrong to insult the side character?] [And Holden and Tate still don’t believe she’s not marrying them. They seriously look like two ridiculously arrogant guys…] [Look at Ezra! His smile hasn’t left his face since he saw the side character!] The Shaws kept things quiet, but the entire family was clearly ecstatic. With time running short, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were swamped. They assigned their most senior, trusted butler to accompany me to a high-end jewelry auction to select a wedding ring. When the main diamond was unveiled, I gave a nod. The Shaw family immediately invoked the final, sealed bid clause. The manager was bringing the item over for me to try on when I heard the familiar voices. 3 “Holden, Tate, I love that centerpiece diamond!” “We’ll order two custom men’s rings later, and we can all wear them.” Kira Bellweather had an arm looped through each of theirs. She pointed to the display box in the manager’s hand and commanded, “Bring that centerpiece diamond over for me to try on!” The manager looked deeply awkward. I slowly raised my hand, admiring the massive pigeon-egg blue diamond on my ring finger. “I made the sealed bid. Why would he let her try it on?” Holden saw it was me and sneered. “Didn’t you agree to wait a month for the Shaw cripple? You couldn’t wait that long to look at a wedding ring?” “Rory Kincaid, are you playing both sides? Does the Shaw family know you’re two-timing?” The senior Shaw butler’s face darkened, and he started to reach for his phone to call Mrs. Shaw. I waved him off, indicating I had it handled. “When did I ever say I was buying a ring to marry you?” I met Kira’s eyes. “Ms. Bellweather, have you passed the asset check? Are you even qualified to be in this auction house? Do you know how much it costs to override a sealed bid?” Kira’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Ms. Kincaid is right. I shouldn’t be here.” “I’ll just go…” She said the words, but she didn’t move an inch. The text overlay’s opinion began to shift. [Doesn’t Kira seem a little manipulative? Is this really our Kira…?] [She says she’s leaving, so why isn’t she leaving? Waiting for the two guys to hold her back?] [Wow, side character is so cool! I’m changing teams!] Tate exploded with fury. “What’s with the attitude?” “You just won the birth lottery, Rory. Who are you to look down on Kira?” I smiled. “I not only look down on her, I look down on you.” “You two are all bluster. If you can actually afford it, I’ll happily let you have the ring.” He started to nod, but choked when he saw the long string of zeroes on the final sale price. They hadn’t officially taken over their family companies yet. Their personal allowances were large compared to average people, but they were nothing next to the liquid assets of the Shaw family. Holden’s face was dark. He actually reached out as if to snatch the box. “You’re pathetic. You spent your life savings on a diamond just to marry me.” “Let me tell you, our wedding must be pushed to next month.” “I won’t have Kira slandered after we marry, so I’m going to register our marriage and have a small ceremony with her first.” Before I could reply, Holden stated his demand forcefully. “This isn’t a discussion, it’s a notice.” [What is this guy saying? What a scumbag!] [Anyone defending Holden, I hope your fiancé registers his marriage with another woman before your wedding!] [Side character, run! Lock the scum and the manipulator in a box and throw away the key!] “Done.” I agreed instantly. Holden’s next words died in his throat. He looked stunned for a moment before reacting. “You… you agreed?” I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away. Then, I immediately spread the absurd story about the three of them—the two male leads getting matching wedding bands with Kira—throughout the Inner Circle. Tate was a volatile hothead, but Holden’s family was taking a public relations beating. Mr. Maxwell was furious. Holden, in a classic self-destructive move, decided to embrace the chaos and took Tate and Kira on a pre-wedding honeymoon. He didn’t forget to send me an invitation. I glanced at it. How convenient. The same day, the same hotel. I ignored their antics, focused only on my wedding preparations. Until the day before the ceremony. I was at the hotel for the rehearsal when I heard someone call out behind me. “…Rory Kincaid?” 4 Kira Bellweather stared at the ballroom behind me. The crystal chandeliers were blinding, the stage expansive. It was the Grand Vista, clearly the main venue. Meanwhile, her wedding— It was set for a tiny, corner conference room. Holden had insisted on keeping it quiet to “avoid bad publicity.” The fury and resentment in her eyes were almost palpable. “You’re… you’re also getting married tomorrow?” I corrected her. “I’m getting married. Not just engaged.” She spoke as if she hadn’t heard, her voice rising sharply. “Did you have to choose this day? Are you doing this on purpose!” “Ms. Bellweather, I already told you I wasn’t going to choose Holden for the alliance.” “Do you even believe that lie?!” She shrieked, cutting me off. “You deliberately chose our wedding day to host your own in the biggest ballroom—” “If you’re not targeting me, who are you targeting?!” I looked at her, finding the whole thing absurd. “Do you really think I care about you that much?” The sentence instantly twisted Kira’s features. “How dare you say that to me?!” “Holden has to marry you, but so what?” “He and Tate love me most! They’ll always put me first!” I laughed, the sound sharp and sarcastic. “Oh, is that so?” “They love you so much they’re making you the dirty little side piece that has to hide in a closet? You’re so lucky!” Kira was shaking with rage. She suddenly raised her hand. I instinctively moved aside. Her slap missed, and the force threw her off balance. She slammed into the makeup vanity. The mirror shattered with a crash. Glass scattered everywhere. She fell to the floor, her dress ripped, and blood quickly began to seep from cuts on her arm and leg. The backroom door burst open.

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I’m Charlotte Monroe’s secretary—uptight, rigid, and by the book. For three years, I’ve never made a single mistake. Until I ran into her at a bar. I was drunk. I stormed over and spent the entire night treating her like a dog I was training. Terrified of getting fired, I lied the next day and claimed she’d met my twin brother. Charlotte stared at me, a thoughtful glint in her eye. After a long moment, she spoke. “I’ll raise your salary by five thousand a month. Give me your brother’s contact information.” 1 Last night’s high was directly proportional to this morning’s low. Right now, Charlotte was sitting in her office. Her sensual lips were stained with a trace of blood, and a distinct scratch marked the pale skin of her neck—all souvenirs from my handiwork last night. Guiltily, I averted my gaze, convinced I’d misheard her. “I’m sorry, Ms. Monroe, what did you just say?” I asked instinctively. My lapse in attention earned me a displeased frown. But she repeated herself. “Give me your brother’s contact information.” “May I ask what this is regarding?” “A personal matter.” After a long pause, I finally managed, “I’m sorry, Ms. Monroe, I don’t think I can help you. The truth is… my brother and I aren’t very close.” Charlotte raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. I pressed on, my voice stiff. “You see, after our parents divorced, my brother and I were separated. We haven’t been in contact for a long time.” “A long time, you say? Then how did he know to call me his little dog, Charlotte?” She let out a cold laugh. “Your ‘brother’ was quite rude to me yesterday. We’ve never met. The only way he could have known who I was is if you’d mentioned me to him.” The hairs on my neck stood up. How could I have forgotten that detail? Last night was… a bit of a blur. I saw Charlotte, drunk off my mind, and marched over and slapped her across the face. “Insolent mutt! Why do you not kneel before your king?” She was completely stunned. The rest is hazy. The next thing I clearly remember, I’d stripped her down to her blouse, used her jacket and silk scarf to tie her hands behind her back, and was making her kneel while addressing me as “Your Majesty.” The memory alone made my brain short-circuit. I cleared my throat. “We have had… some minimal contact. We exchanged a few jokes. I never thought he’d take them seriously…” “My brother is just impulsive and reckless. If he offended you in any way, please don’t take it to heart.” “I’ve already taken it to heart,” she said, her expression unreadable. “I won’t make things difficult for you. Find an opportunity to ask him. I have a feeling he’ll be more than happy to add me as a friend.” With that, she waved a dismissive hand. “You may go.” It wasn’t until I was outside her office that the rigid posture I’d been holding finally collapsed. 2 I was known for being the quintessential stuffy male secretary. Meticulous. Never smiling. For three years, I’d been a model of perfect, error-free diligence. But being a secretary was never my endgame. It was a stepping stone, a way to earn a recommendation from Charlotte herself. Last week, I learned the company was launching a new subsidiary. They needed a manager. As the head of the project, Charlotte had the final say on who to recommend. I’d submitted my application a few days ago, and the decision was still pending. When I got back to my desk, a few colleagues swarmed me. “Simon, has the transfer list been finalized?” “Not yet.” “It has to be you, right? Ms. Monroe trusts you so much. I can’t imagine it being anyone else.” “I agree. After the boss, you’re the busiest person in this entire company. You haven’t had a proper weekend in three years, have you?” I just smiled and shook my head. “It’s not a sure thing. The boss has her own plans.” But despite my words, a spark of hope flickered within me. The next day, Charlotte called me into her office. “Submit the recommendation for the new general manager to the board for approval and announcement.” I looked at the name on the file. Felix Vance. He’d started at the company at the same time as me. I was assigned to the executive office, while he’d remained in the sales department. I stood frozen, clutching the file. Charlotte gave me a curious look. “Is there something else?” “May I ask why I wasn’t chosen?” She seemed surprised by my directness. “There’s no reason. You’re not the right fit.” I pressed on. “In what way am I not the right fit?” A flicker of annoyance crossed her face. “The new company needs someone who understands sales, someone bold and innovative. You’re conservative, detail-oriented. You’re fine for administrative work, but you’re not suited for market development.” “But I…” “That’s enough. The matter is closed. My decision is final. Your job is to execute it.” Her face hardened, and she looked down at her documents, dismissing me. The conversation was over. Charlotte was a notoriously picky person with a thousand unspoken rules. She liked her water at exactly 113 degrees Fahrenheit, her coffee black, her jackets exclusively black. Even her laptop had to be positioned at a precise angle. For three years, I had carefully observed her every habit, terrified of breaking one of her rules. And all it had earned me was being called “too focused on details.” My heart went cold. Taking a deep breath, I decided to speak again. “Ms. Monroe, there’s one more thing to report.” “Speak.” “You asked me to speak with my brother. I’ve asked for his opinion.” Her expression softened slightly, and she looked up at me again. “What did he say?” “He said yes.” The corners of Charlotte’s mouth tilted upward. “Good. Send him my contact.” Then she reconsidered. “Actually, no. Send me his. I’ll add him myself.” 3 After the official announcement, I spent the afternoon fielding sympathetic comments from my colleagues. “Ms. Monroe must not want to let you go. You’re her right-hand man, after all.” “It’s a competency trap. She probably knows she’ll never find another secretary who suits her so well.” “Besides, for the new company, I bet Ms. Monroe wanted a woman in that role. It’s tough for guys in the corporate world.” I feigned indifference, saying it didn’t really matter to me. In reality, I was grinding my back teeth to dust. Damn you, Charlotte. This time, I’m going to make you wear out your kneecaps. Before leaving work, I created a new account. For the profile picture, I used a photo from my college days. Black motorcycle jacket, hair dyed silver-grey—a world away from the man in the gold-rimmed glasses with meticulously combed hair I was today. After making sure there were no other issues, I sent the contact card to Charlotte. A friend request came through almost immediately. I accepted. My first message: [Heard you were looking for me?] She replied instantly. [I was. Don’t you think you should take responsibility for assaulting someone? My knees still hurt.] [That must be because your kneeling posture was incorrect.] [You’re right. It’s all my fault.] Before I could reply, another message came through. I opened it. It was a photo. A selfie of a woman kneeling behind an office desk. Her face wasn’t visible, but the tailored business suit was unmistakably hers. [Is Your Majesty’s anger appeased now?] Hiss— She was really committing to this, wasn’t she? I sucked in a sharp breath, instinctively turning my phone away as if it were burning hot. But a strange, secret thrill coursed through me. I glanced toward Charlotte’s office. The door was shut tight, offering no clue as to what she was doing inside. I tapped my phone and changed her contact name to [Charlotte the Dog]. As I was packing up, a colleague came over. “Simon, we have a department dinner tonight. Who are you riding with?” I blinked, having completely forgotten about the year-end team dinner. It was at a bar. I had developed a recent and severe allergy to bars. “I have to work late,” I said immediately. “I won’t be able to make it.” As expected, a look of pity crossed her face. “The boss’s work pace is terrifying. You’re the only one in the whole company who can keep up.” I managed a weak smile and didn’t reply. I waited until the entire department had left before finally letting out a sigh of relief. My arms were still sore from all the slapping last night. I was looking forward to going home early and catching up on sleep. Just as I was shutting down my computer, I heard footsteps behind me. “You didn’t go to the dinner?” Even though the promotion issue had left a bitter taste in my mouth, I forced myself to sound cheerful. “No, I still have some work to finish up.” “Are you done now?” Unsure of her intentions, I played it safe. “Almost.” “I’ll wait for you. We can go together.” I froze. “Go? Go where?” “To the team dinner.” I was stunned. “You’re going too?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “Is there a rule against it?” I plastered on my professional smile. “Of course not.” The car ride was silent. Charlotte sat beside me, one leg crossed elegantly over the other. My mind drifted to the photo she’d sent me, of her half-kneeling on her chair. I couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at her. She caught me. “Something on your mind?” “There seems to be a… a tear in your collar. Do you need a bandage?” I blurted out, pointing randomly at the area just above her collarbone. Instant regret. That was exactly where I’d bitten her. Her brow furrowed. She opened her phone, using the front-facing camera to inspect her neck. Her voice turned frosty. “No.” I didn’t dare say another word. But a second later, my phone began to vibrate violently. Charlotte the Dog: [You bit my neck.] Charlotte the Dog: [And your brother saw it. How am I supposed to explain this?] I glanced at my screen, terrified Charlotte would see. I didn’t dare reply. Charlotte tapped her fingers on her knee. Then started typing again. Charlotte the Dog: [Hello? Why aren’t you answering me?] Charlotte the Dog: [I’m not blaming you, you know~] Charlotte the Dog: [Have you found another dog behind my back?] Her typing speed was insane. I hadn’t even had time to switch my phone to silent. In the quiet car, my phone was practically doing a breakdance. Charlotte shot me an irritated look. “Is your phone always that loud?” she drawled sarcastically. “Who could possibly have so much to say?” I quickly enabled Do Not Disturb mode and forced a laugh. “Sorry about that. My dog must have stepped on the keyboard.” 4 I was already annoyed. Arriving at the bar and seeing Felix there only made it worse. I stopped in my tracks, a familiar bitterness rising in my chest. Charlotte never attended department dinners. Could it be that she came specifically because she knew Felix would be here? I had cultivated a persona of a cool, professional, and frankly, boring secretary. After a brief greeting, I found a quiet corner and settled in. Everyone was used to my personality, so no one paid me much mind. Felix, however, lit up the moment he saw Charlotte, immediately drawing her into the center of the group. “Ms. Monroe, I hope you don’t mind me crashing your department’s party,” he said with a charming smile. Charlotte barely glanced at him. “Whether I mind or not, you’re already here.” Her bluntness left Felix speechless. Charlotte was known for her sharp tongue, a lesson he was clearly learning for the first time. He recovered quickly. “Ms. Monroe, let me raise a glass to you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prove myself at the new company.” Charlotte’s eyes flickered toward me for a split second. She cleared her throat. “No need to thank me. It was a choice of the lesser of two evils. There just wasn’t anyone else suitable.” Felix froze again. I had been secretly enjoying his discomfort, but then I realized something. Wasn’t she insulting me too with that comment? I frowned and pulled out my phone. Switching to my alternate account, I tapped on [Charlotte the Dog]. [Slap yourself. Right now.] Beside me, Charlotte’s phone screen lit up. I could see her expression turn strange as she typed back a question mark. [Why?] Me: [Do I need a reason to give a command?] Me: [What, is such a small task too much for you?] Charlotte bit her lip. [It’s the company dinner. All my subordinates are here.] [Be a good girl. I’ll let you do whatever you want tonight, okay?] Me: [Not okay.] Me: [I can find someone else tonight.] The next second, I watched as Charlotte raised her hand and slapped herself across the face. The private room fell into an eerie silence for a few seconds. Felix was the first to react. “Ms. Monroe?” “A mosquito,” she said flatly. A mosquito. In a bar. In the middle of winter. Right. Felix seemed to buy it. After the slap, she looked down and sent me a message. Charlotte the Dog: [I just hit myself.] Me: [Oh.] Charlotte the Dog: [Are you satisfied?] I played dumb. [I wasn’t there. How would I know if you actually did it?] Charlotte the Dog: [Is that an invitation?] Charlotte the Dog: [My left cheek is still untouched. Want to try it out tonight?] Me: ? Help. This woman was certifiably insane. When the party broke up, the red mark on Charlotte’s face still hadn’t faded. As expected of the CEO. She didn’t even hold back on herself.

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The new transfer student calls herself a delicate little princess. As the class president collecting homework, she pouted and mocked me on the spot. “The class president is the servant of the whole class, and a servant should have a servant’s attitude.” “How about this, you kneel down and say ‘Princess, please hand in your homework,’ and I’ll give it to you.” I was shocked by her and handed her over to the teacher directly. But the next day, she posted about me on the confession wall (campus forum), spreading rumors. “Does the class president have the privilege to isolate people?” Just like that, I was isolated by my classmates. She, on the other hand, put on a wedding dress and ran to my boyfriend with a charming smile. “Although you loved that bully, a princess should be magnanimous.” “Now this princess has chosen you, I allow you to date me!” After my boyfriend rejected her, she turned angry from embarrassment, spreading rumors that my boyfriend and I bullied her together. My boyfriend and I were hit and killed by a car driven by her fanatic fan. She became the pitiful, strong little princess. Opening my eyes again, this time, both my boyfriend and I were reborn! 1 “Hehe, want me to hand in homework? It’s simple!” “The class president is the servant of the whole class, and a servant should have a servant’s attitude.” “How about this, you kneel down and say ‘Princess, please hand in your homework,’ and I’ll give it to you.” Lily Scott pouted her small mouth, showing a charming and cute expression. The other male students beside her smiled dotingly. The exact same scene as in my previous life. At that time, I thought she was brain-dead and ignored her completely. So I was slandered by her as isolating her, leading the exclusion against her, and finally creating a campus bullying incident. As a straight-A student, I focused wholeheartedly on the library and laboratory with my boyfriend, not noticing the rumors outside at all. By the time I reacted, it was already too late. Since God gave me another chance. Then I’ll teach this stupid and bad thing how to be a person. I looked down at the phone recording in my shirt pocket. Smiled. “Student Lily Scott, we don’t have the tradition here where the person collecting homework has to kneel to the person handing in homework.” “If you have such traditional customs where you come from, you should do as the Romans do. Since you’re here, please change a bit.” “After all, people here don’t kneel to anyone except God and parents!” Although I didn’t use swear words the whole time. But the scolding was quite dirty. The classmates burst into laughter instantly. Lily Scott’s slightly chubby face turned red, angry and aggrieved. “President, I was just joking. Why are your words so harsh?” “I know I’m a transfer student, and being excluded is normal, but you are the class president, and also a woman, yet you target me like this.” Playing the victim and smearing come so naturally to her. I sneered and mocked. “Are you double-standard?” “You asking me to kneel just now was a joke, but when I said we don’t have this custom, you said my words were harsh.” “Other students are very cooperative in handing in homework, only you are not. Are you sure you are not targeting me?” Logic is clear. Lily Scott was rendered speechless by me. Even the most brain-dead students knew clearly that it was Lily Scott making trouble first. Her eyes turned red, mouth turned down, just about to pretend to be aggrieved and play the victim. I continued to add with a smile. “Student Lily Scott, although I also want to chat and play with you for a while longer.” “But there are only five minutes left until the professor’s deadline for handing in homework. If I don’t hand it in on time, the whole class’s grades will be invalid.” “Hurry up and give me the homework.” 2 A look of astonishment flashed in Lily Scott’s eyes. Seems very surprised that the silent class president everyone talked about suddenly became eloquent. I spread my hands with a smile. “Lily Scott, hurry up and give me the workbook, or we really won’t make it.” After speaking, I looked down at my watch. “Originally, I reserved half an hour to deliver the homework, but you pestered me for so long, there are only ten minutes left until the professor stops accepting homework.” “It’s still not too late for me to run over now, otherwise everyone’s homework will be invalid!” In this situation, diverting the conflict is the best solution. Sure enough, the classmates who were watching the fun and standing by just now spoke up. “Princess Scott, play later, hand in the homework quickly.” “Otherwise our homework points for this semester will be deducted, and many students will fail the course then!” Saying this, a student enthusiastically picked up the homework on her desk and said. “Is it this one?” Lily Scott hurriedly reached out to grab it, but was a step too late. The student was surprised. “Why isn’t this homework finished? The teacher assigned it a week ago.” As soon as these words came out, everyone’s teasing faces became complicated. Everyone thought at first she simply wanted to liven up the atmosphere and tease me. Resulting in her not finishing it at all, so she deliberately delayed time. And at this time, I also spoke appropriately. “Lily Scott, if you haven’t finished, you can tell me directly. I just won’t collect yours, or put in a good word for you in front of the professor.” “But you shouldn’t delay our time, almost causing everyone to get a zero with you!” Finished. I hurriedly ran towards the teaching building with the homework. Actually, there was enough time, but I just wanted to act very anxious. The sound of everyone’s complaints instantly rang out behind me. “Holy crap, luckily the class president reacted, otherwise our homework this semester would have been done in vain.” “If you didn’t do it, you didn’t do it, why drag us down.” “Why so selfish…” Although I couldn’t see it, I could imagine how ugly Lily Scott’s face was at this moment. No matter how eloquent she is, how good at acting coquettishly. This time she offended the whole class, and this bad impression is left. It won’t be so easy to cause trouble in the future. 3 Because I delivered the homework in time, the homework counted. Actually, I could have totally let the homework not be delivered, making everyone hate Lily Scott more. But there are several poor students in the class. If the homework gets zero, they won’t get their scholarships and grants. However, after returning to the classroom. I started playing the victim, wiping sweat that didn’t exist, panting heavily. “I almost fell running just now, luckily delivered within the specified time.” “The professor scolded me for a long time, saying I have no time planning for cutting it so close, and said we don’t care about homework. I apologized repeatedly, saying we will definitely do well in the final exam, before he let us go.” Then looked at Lily Scott somewhat helplessly. “I pleaded with the professor for you, saying you are a transfer student, only been here half a month and not familiar with homework, wanting her to give you a chance.” “But the professor said your attitude in class usually isn’t correct, and you are playful when doing experiments.” “Sorry, I didn’t manage to plead for you.” She treated me like that, yet I still put in a good word for her. Everyone praised me for being kind and generous. Only Lily Scott gritted her teeth in anger, but instantly turned into an expression of extreme grievance, saying pitifully. “Boohoo, I’m hated by the professor, homework counted as zero, will I not be able to graduate?” “Actually there are so many workbooks, the professor won’t count them at all. If class president you didn’t say, the professor wouldn’t have noticed at all.” “Class President, you are too bad, boohoo, I don’t like you anymore.” This acting skill and ability to counter-accuse. Really, studying in our school is really a waste of talent, should go be an actor, easily get an Oscar. Her words also have some truth. With so many students in the class and so much homework, many teachers just look casually or don’t grade at all. But unfortunately, our professor is famous for being rigorous and serious. Before I could speak, the student who got the scholarship spoke up to retort. “Won’t notice my foot. Professor Lee is the strictest teacher in the school. If there are any missing and not said in advance, the average score of our class will be deducted by ten points.” “It’s fine if you don’t do homework yourself, but don’t cause us to fail and not get scholarships.” “I really don’t understand, why do you come to school if you don’t study or do homework? With this time and money, what can’t you do?” These words were quite harsh. But because the speaker was the class academic genius, and also a handsome boy. She didn’t refute, but looked at him pitifully with big misty eyes. Generally, boys fall for this from girls. But this genius academic is different. He was the top scorer in science that year, and skipped grades, two years younger than us. Hasn’t even had his first awakening of love. Whoever affects his grades, even the King of Heaven won’t be spared. Not only that, he also has a group of fangirls and fanboys. Started to stand on his side one after another. This time Lily Scott kicked an iron plate. Many people started gossiping about her behind her back. 4 Actually, this matter would have passed if left alone. After all, no actual harm was caused to everyone. But Lily Scott, this idiot, actually actively posted about me on the confession wall (campus forum). [Boohoo, Wall, I’m so pitiful. Just transferred here and was isolated by the class president leading the way. Obviously girls are the most beautiful existence in the world, why still have female competition and bullying? It’s not that I don’t study hard, but just transferred and can’t keep up with classes. Is this the reason for campus bullying? If there is a choice, who wouldn’t want to be a genius student? Do underachievers not deserve to live?] As soon as this post came out, it instantly went viral. Campus bullying, female competition, and underachiever. These three buffs stacked, it would be popular anywhere. Because school has started for a long time, transfer students who just transferred over can be counted on one hand, and soon locked onto Lily Scott. Usually she likes to post her carefully photoshopped beautiful photos on the campus forum, and occasionally watches basketball in a JK uniform (Japanese school uniform style) at the basketball court. Plus her sweet and whiny voice and looks, many students have an impression of her. Uninformed students started to stand by her side, scolding me below. Regarding all this, I pretended to turn a blind eye, letting public opinion ferment, just like in my previous life. But that time was passive, and this time is active. Because only when public opinion reaches its climax, known to everyone, when I clarify and slap her face, can she be mocked by everyone and nailed to the pillar of shame. So just like in my previous life, I hung out in the library and laboratory with my boyfriend. But my boyfriend, who always turned a deaf ear to outside matters and only focused on studying and experiments, suddenly took the initiative to mention this topic. “Molly, that new transfer student named Lily Scott in your class is throwing dirty water on you on the school forum website.” “My friend has a few friends who are hackers, can ask them to blow up the forum, what do you think?” Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment. Looking up, I met his amber eyes, full of heartache and hesitation. Also faintly glowing red. Hands hanging on both sides, tightly clenched into fists, seeming to suppress anger and unwillingness. In just this moment, I understood that he was also reborn. Just reborn a little later than me. I reached out my hand, actively holding his, feeling his still cold sweaty hand. Voice gentle and firm. “Gavin, don’t be afraid, this time we will absolutely not repeat the same mistake.” 5 Just one sentence. He couldn’t hold it back anymore, hugged me tightly in his arms, very hard, as if wanting to knead me into his bones and merge with him. The day of the car accident in my previous life, at the moment the accident happened. Knowing he was powerless to save the situation, he also hugged me tightly like this, wanting me to survive, or perhaps wanting me to suffer less pain. He and I are childhood sweethearts, living in the same community. He has been a genius since childhood, two years younger than me but in the same class. Originally he could continue to skip grades. But he didn’t, instead always being my classmate. In the second year of high school, he was admitted to MIT in advance, but he didn’t go. Instead, he continued studying in the class, being my desk mate to tutor me. All the students in the school knew he liked me, and the school teachers also defaulted to us as a couple, after all, one was first place, one was second place. Until after the college entrance exam, he confessed to me. He rarely had mood swings, but that day he held roses awkwardly, confessing to me awkwardly and nervously. Speaking to the end, his eyes were red, and huge tears fell down. At that time, not only me, but also the classmates and teachers beside were shocked! Is this still the Gavin who usually doesn’t care about anything and can speak confidently on stage in front of thousands of teachers and students? Just in that moment. Everyone knew he loved me miserably. Although he usually speaks little, we have a special tacit understanding. One look knows what the other wants to do, and then thoughtfully deliver it. He doesn’t have the romantic cells of ordinary boys, nor sweet words to make me happy, nor solemn pledges of love. But he makes me extremely at ease, like the wind, gentle and firm. I stood on tiptoe, touching his somewhat frizzy hair. Like coaxing a child. “This time we will really be fine, I swear.” “I deliberately let her jump around on the Internet, just to let public opinion reach its climax, then let her fall to the bottom, and finally ruin her reputation and die a bad death.” “In two days she will come to seduce you. While protecting yourself, record a video.” He frowned slightly, obviously very disgusted with this woman Lily Scott. But still nodded obediently. “Okay, I know.” So good. My Gavin is so obedient!

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