Category: English

Beneath the nightclub’s domed ceiling, my heavily pregnant sister was dragged forcibly to the center of the stage. Down below, men, veins bulging on their foreheads, argued fiercely over the paternity of her unborn child. “It’s gotta be mine! I was giving it my all that night!” “Bullshit! I was with her more often, so my chances are naturally higher!” My sister, her face ashen, tearfully questioned the man beside her, “Leo Carter, you’re my fiancé. How could you humiliate me like this?” Leo, an arm around the delicate woman in his embrace, sneered, “The brat in your belly is of questionable origin, and you have the gall to question me?” That woman covered her lips, feigning shyness, but her eyes brimmed with arrogance. I hid in the shadows, a chilling glint in my narrowed eyes. I’d been away for years, and someone dared to bully my family, the Zhangs, to this extent! … My assistant bowed. “Should I summon the nightclub manager, Ethan Lee, to apologize?” I scoffed. “What good would that do? Tell everyone to be on standby!” “Yes, ma’am.” The assistant quietly withdrew. Dare to harm my own sister? Tonight, you will all pay in blood! My sister’s voice trembled. “That night, it was clearly only you! How could I be pregnant with another man’s child?” Scarlett Hayes, the woman in Leo’s arms, chuckled mockingly. “Anna, dear, after you got drunk, you kept shouting ‘one isn’t enough’ and dragged several men into the room. Have you forgotten all about it?” My sister’s body shook violently. “Absolutely not! Only Leo was in the room…” Before she could finish, she froze, staring dagger-eyes at Leo. “It was you… that glass of red wine… you drugged me?” Leo avoided her gaze, pulling out a stack of photos from his pocket and scattering them across the stage. “Place your bets, gentlemen! The winner gets a bonus: explicit footage from that night!” The crowd below erupted. “So graphic! Not a stitch of clothing! Enough to get your blood pumping!” “Hotter than a porn poster! Just a glance makes you sweat!” Scarlett picked up a photo, glanced at it with disgust, and casually tossed it aside. The photo fluttered to my feet. I bent down and picked it up, rage instantly consuming me. Such monstrous behavior! Later, I’ll make every one of you wish you were dead! The men lunged for the photos like starving tigers, the sound of cash slapping on betting tables a constant rhythm, their bloodshot eyes like those at a livestock auction. I caressed my crystal glass, sitting silently in the shadows, coldly observing this grotesque gamble. My assistant hadn’t returned yet; I still needed to endure… “No more bets!” The dealer’s sharp voice cut through the uproar. “Bring in the medics to verify!” Several burly men in white coats rushed onto the stage, gripping my sister’s delicate wrists like iron clamps, the cold tip of a needle aimed straight at her skin. “Insolent!” My sister, usually gentle, suddenly erupted. She struggled free, her nails scratching bloody marks on an assailant’s cheek. “Where is Ethan Lee? If you harm a hair on my head tonight, tomorrow you’ll all be ruined!” My sister shrieked, but the hall was filled with roaring laughter. Scarlett laughed so hard she swayed. “Miss Zhang is still dreaming, isn’t she?” She suddenly grabbed my sister’s hair, whispering in her ear, “Did you know Ethan Lee is my brother? The Zhang family was ruined by him long ago. What makes you think you can still throw your weight around?” I, who had crept to the side of the stage, felt a jolt. Ethan Lee’s sister? The Zhang family fallen? How could I not know? Leo pulled Scarlett back into his embrace. “Why waste your breath on her?” He turned and urged the medics, “Get on with it!” The moment the needle pierced her skin, the dealer suddenly screamed, “Stop!” 2 The entire room was stunned. I, too, momentarily sheathed my killing intent. The dealer, trembling, pulled a jade seal from my sister’s waist, his back soaked in cold sweat. “The… The Cloud-Water Seal?!” In his panic, he pressed the emergency call button. “Mr. Lee, the Cloud-Water Seal has appeared! Please come and verify its authenticity immediately!” Leo’s face turned grim; Scarlett was also silent as a cicada in winter. Ethan Lee was merely my father’s adopted son; by seniority, he should call me ‘elder sister.’ Knowing this was familiar territory, I relaxed slightly, awaiting reinforcements. Soon, Ethan Lee’s confidante, Vivian Cross, arrived gracefully. “Mr. Lee will be here shortly. Allow me to examine the seal first.” Just as her jade-like fingers were about to touch the seal, Scarlett suddenly giggled. “What a coincidence, this worthless stone, I have one too!” The moment the brocade box sprang open, the room was in an uproar. Two Cloud-Water Seals, identical. “Hers has a crack!” Scarlett’s red lips curled. “A fake.” My sister hastily argued, “This was given to me by my own sister! How could it be fake?” “I am Seraphina Zhang’s biological sister!” Before she finished, Scarlett scoffed. “I’ve lived with the Zhangs for ten years and never heard of you having an older sister. You’re full of lies, daring to falsely claim kinship!” Vivian Cross, after examining the seals, respectfully returned Scarlett’s. Then, picking up on my sister’s words, she said, “Seraphina Zhang?” A dismissive look crossed Vivian’s face, as if she’d heard a joke. “I’ve never heard of such a person.” “Since the real Cloud-Water Seal is in Miss Hayes’s possession, we can’t interfere in this Miss Zhang’s affairs. You may continue.” With that, Vivian Cross stepped aside, adopting an air of indifference. The men instantly exploded: “Verify it already! I bet a hundred grand she’s carrying my kid!” “After the test, we’ll all take a turn!” The men buzzed like flies to blood, some even starting to unbuckle their belts: “I’m raising my bet! We’ll get started right after the verification!” The thugs in white coats once again pinned my sister to the prize table. The syringe glinted coldly, aimed straight at her pale skin. My assistant hadn’t returned yet, but I couldn’t wait any longer. “Stop!” I leaped onto the platform, kicking over the metal tray of instruments with a crash. Vivian Cross’s pupils contracted. “Where did this crazy woman come from, daring to wreck Mr. Lee’s place?!” I gave a cold smile. “Zhang family. Seraphina Zhang.” 3 The entire venue fell into dead silence. But the silence lasted only a second. “Hahaha—” The entire hall erupted in deafening laughter; some even laughed until tears streamed down their faces. “Seraphina Zhang? You?” “That’s the legendary figure who could shake the Capital to its core! Haven’t heard anything about her for years, how could she possibly show up here?” Scarlett clutched her stomach, shaking with laughter. “Anna, which acting troupe did you hire this one from? She plays the part quite convincingly!” Leo frowned, his gaze filled with disgust. “Anna, get this imposter out of here. Aren’t you embarrassed enough?” My sister clung to me tightly, her eyes filled with disbelieving excitement. Veins throbbed at my temples as I struggled to suppress my towering rage. “When Ethan Lee arrives, the truth will be clear!” I pulled my sister behind me, my gaze as sharp as a knife. “Until then, whoever dares to touch a hair on her head, I’ll chop off their hand!” Scarlett covered her mouth with a mocking smile. “Oh, she’s quite the actress. If it were really Seraphina Zhang, she’d be surrounded by an entourage. How could it be just you?” My eyes flickered to my team of bodyguards, squeezed into a corner. A cold smirk touched my lips. “Tell Ethan Lee to come out! I want to ask him if he still has any respect for me, his elder sister!” Vivian Cross narrowed her eyes, looking me up and down, a derisive curl on her red lips. “Who do you think you are? Daring to speak Mr. Lee’s name so casually? You really don’t know your place!” She slowly twirled the jade bracelet on her wrist, her voice suddenly dropping. “Men, seize her!” “I want to weigh you myself and see just how much you’re worth!” Hearing this, several burly men grinned lecherously, their voices dripping with malicious glee. “Yes, Miss Cross! I’ll make sure to strip her bare and weigh every inch of her for you, inside and out!” With that, several hands reached for us sisters. I slapped one of the approaching men across the face. “Insolent! Are you looking to die?! Do you know the consequences of touching me?” The man’s head snapped to the side from the force of my slap. His eyes suddenly turned vicious, and he lunged, grabbing my throat. “You bitch, you think you’re something special, huh?” “Today, in front of everyone, I’m gonna teach you some manners!” A wave of jeering laughter erupted around us. Several men, their intentions clear, closed in, some even pulling out their phones to record. My sister cried out, trying to rush over, but Scarlett grabbed her hair and shoved her brutally to the ground. “Anna, where did you find this lunatic? Is she out of her mind, daring to cause trouble here?” “You play the innocent rich girl so well, but who knows whose bastard you’re carrying!” Saying this, Scarlett slapped my sister hard across the face, drawing blood from the corner of her mouth. I kicked out violently at the man beside me, trying to save her, but several strong arms seized me, holding me fast. My bodyguards were blocked by the chaotic crowd, unable to move an inch. “Tsk tsk, the imposter is really getting into her role, isn’t she?” Scarlett, in her high heels, pressed the toe of her shoe against my sister’s chin. “Kneel and kowtow three times, and maybe I’ll convince Vivian to let your fake sister go.” My sister looked at Leo, tears in her eyes, her voice trembling. “Leo, she really is my sister. If you hurt her, you’ll all regret it…” Leo Carter coolly adjusted his cuffs, his eyes looking at her as if she were a pile of trash. “If it weren’t for you, none of this trouble would have happened. Apologize to Scarlett. Now.” “Kowtow! If she doesn’t kowtow now, we’ll strip her clothes off!” Several men sneered, reaching for my collar. “I’ll kowtow!” My sister’s knees slammed heavily onto the marble floor. Her forehead pressed against the cold marble. “Please, I beg you, don’t touch my sister…” I watched her bang her forehead against the ground, again and again. With every kowtow, it felt like a piece of my heart was being gouged out by a sharp knife. My assistant was still not back. The bodyguards at the door were strangely inactive. Something was clearly wrong. Vivian Cross looked at my refined, beautiful face, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes. She had, at some point, produced a scalpel. The blade pressed against my cheek. “Such a pretty face. I wonder if Mr. Lee will still recognize you if it’s scarred?” “Don’t touch my sister!” my sister suddenly struggled. “Ethan Lee will make you wish you were never born!” “Still think you’re the high and mighty Miss Zhang? Too bad the Zhang family doesn’t go by Zhang anymore.” Vivian mocked my sister while pressing the blade deeper into my face. Warm blood trickled down my neck. Just as she was about to slash again. The main doors burst open with a thunderous crash. Ethan Lee entered, followed by a team of his men. His eyes swept over my sister’s bloodied forehead and the wound on my face. The atmosphere around him instantly dropped to freezing point. 4 “Ethan!” My sister’s eyes lit up. “Quick, make them release my sister!” Ethan Lee’s grim gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Vivian Cross. “What’s going on?” Vivian immediately put on an aggrieved expression. “Brother Ethan, look at this woman! She’s using a fake seal to impersonate your sister.” Only then did Ethan Lee look at my sister, his eyes filled with disgust. “Anna, how long are you going to keep this up? Scarlett has been patient with you at every turn, yet you push your luck?” “Patient?” My sister trembled with anger. “They humiliated me in public, said my sister’s seal was a fake, and you say I’m pushing my luck?” “You promised my sister you would take care of me! And now you’re helping an outsider bully me?” “Outsider?” Scarlett smugly linked her arm with Ethan Lee’s. “I’m his real sister! Who do you think you are?” My face was covered in blood as I stared coldly at Ethan Lee. He, however, was only focused on comforting Scarlett. My sister, her face urgent, pointed at me and said, “My sister has returned. How will you answer to her now?” Ethan Lee finally looked at me. The moment he saw my face clearly, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it quickly returned to cold indifference. “Anna, your sister died a long time ago. Hiring an imposter to act this out is very boring.” I couldn’t help but sneer. So, the dog my family raised had learned to bite its master when they weren’t looking. “Ethan Lee, you’ve certainly become quite the big shot!” Hearing the familiar voice, Ethan Lee’s pupils dilated violently, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He lifted my chin with a trembling hand, studying my face intently for a long time, his eyes filled with an indecipherable, intense emotion. After a long moment, he gently touched the wound on my face and sighed deeply. “This face… it’s so alike. A pity. If it weren’t for this wound, I might have let you stay by my side.” “But now, you’re useless.” His face held a sorrowful expression, as if through me, he was remembering someone he loved but could not have. “Even if you look so much like her, what’s the use? She’s gone…” After speaking, he closed his eyes. “Vivian, you handle this.” A mocking smile appeared on Vivian Cross’s face, as if she found me a joke. She snapped her fingers, and several burly men immediately ripped open my collar. My sister was roughly pushed onto the poker table, chips scattering everywhere with a clatter. Just then, the grand, gilded doors of the hall crashed inwards with a tremendous bang. My assistant stood silhouetted against the light, a dark tide of men flooding in behind him. His face was bruised. He said apologetically, “My apologies, Miss. There was a… slight delay on the way.”

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It was the third year since I broke up with Ryan, and I returned to the States brimming with a fierce determination for revenge. But to my surprise, Ryan had completely vanished from the city of Fairview. I thought I would never see him again, until, while visiting my uncle at the mental health hospital, I heard a nurse call out: “Ryan Shaw, come take your medicine.” My steps faltered. As if drawn by an invisible thread, I turned back and saw Ryan sitting on a hospital bed, his face stretched into a goofy, childlike smile. I felt as if I’d been struck by lightning. I never thought I would reunite with him in a place like this. 1 For the three years I was exiled, I dared not slack off or stop for a single moment—all to return with enough power to crush the Shaws and send Ryan to hell. When I finally returned to Fairview, Ryan had vanished like smoke. I scoured every alley, every shadow, but the city swallowed him whole. Just as despair clawed at me, a nurse’s voice pierced through the sterile hospital air — “Ryan Shaw.” My steps halted. “Ryan Shaw, come take your medicine.” My heartstrings tightened. I instinctively turned, stepping back a few paces, and there he was: sitting on a hospital bed, my ex, Ryan, the man I wished I could slice into a thousand pieces! He was smiling foolishly, innocently. “…” In that moment, I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. Before I could even react, I saw Ryan pull a ring from his pocket and place it in front of the nurse, his face beaming with pride. “It’s for Riley.” I recognized that ring. Years ago, Ryan, the heir apparent to the Shaw family, fell in love with a humble, ordinary girl. His mother spoke to the girl, telling her to be sensible and leave her son. The girl, her pride as high as the sky, began to waver. Ryan suddenly arrived, took her hand, and declared firmly, “I won’t leave Riley.” Ryan tossed his wallet and phone onto the table, his stance clear. “I’m willing to give up my inheritance of the Shaw family. Please, Mother, don’t make things difficult for the one I love.” Later. The Shaw family’s golden boy gave up everything for love, moving with the girl into a damp, dark fifteen-square-meter basement apartment. It was perpetually damp and dim, but those were the happiest times for the girl. She tried to grow like a wild weed, even in such adversity, hoping to build a good life with the man she loved. Even if it wasn’t lavish, at least they would escape that perpetually sunless basement. And Ryan. He showed no trace of the spoiled arrogance of a rich young master. For the one he loved, even when facing setbacks at work, he was willing to carry bricks at construction sites, to wash dishes in restaurants. He worked twelve hours a day, saving his first bit of money. With it, he bought this ring. He held the ring, his eyes reddening, like a puppy waiting to be taken home by its owner, and asked the girl: “Riley, will you be with me, a man with no special talents, but willing to work hard?” The girl stood by the bed in the basement, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes red-rimmed, she nodded frantically, “Yes, I will.” She told Ryan with all her might, “Yes, I will. Yes, I will!” That day was the happiest day in her bleak life, and the most complete day she had ever felt as an orphan. She gave her all, completely merging with the man she loved. She finally felt whole. She woke up in the arms of the man she loved, and just looking at that ring made her feel so happy. But happiness was too short. Now. Three years later. Reunited. Everything had changed. I stood outside the hospital room, watching Ryan lovingly cradle the ring as if it were a precious treasure. Under the nurse’s coaxing, he earnestly asked her, ” If I take these pills… will Riley come back to me?” His voice trembled, fragile as the hope he clung to. But I wouldn’t fall for it again. Watching Ryan’s extraordinary acting, it was hard not to believe he was setting another trap for me. I smiled and walked into the hospital room, raising my hand to take the ring from Ryan’s grasp, sliding it onto my ring finger, and raising an eyebrow at him. “Ryan, what are you playing at?” 2 Three years ago. Ryan personally forced me to leave the country, looking down at me with an arrogant demeanor, uttering the words: “Skylar Olsen, playing seriously with me? You’re not worthy.” He smiled cruelly. “Someone like you, from the slums, only wants to use my status to cross social classes.” He sneered. “Now, I’m tired of playing. You don’t need to be in the country, bothering my eyes.” Back then. I simply couldn’t believe that was Ryan. I cried, begging him not to drive me away. I even shamelessly pressed him, “Is someone forcing you?” I thought of the Shaw family and, with red eyes, demanded, “Is it your mother? Is she forcing you to say these things?” I frantically grabbed Ryan’s hand, placing it on my lower abdomen, crying as I told him, “Ryan, we’re having a baby. We’re having a baby, Ryan.” I thought Ryan would love that child. That’s why his expression softened, why his eyes involuntarily grew tender, why his body stiffened as he instinctively looked at my still-flat belly. But the next second, my dream completely shattered. Ryan, utterly disregarding our past affection, spoke in a cold, indifferent voice from above my head. It was he who said: “Bearing a Shaw child? You’re not worthy.” Ryan violently shoved me away. I fell to the ground, staring at him in disbelief, as he ordered the bodyguards beside him, “Don’t let her leave with the child. It will become a liability.” I cried out Ryan’s name, desperately crawling towards him. But he didn’t look back, letting the bodyguards drag me to the hospital. Despite my fierce struggles, I was no match for the burly guards, who pinned me to the hospital bed and administered anesthesia. Before losing consciousness completely, I thought I saw Ryan glance at me in a panic. But I wouldn’t believe it again. Liar. As my eyes closed, I thought, Ryan, we are over. When we meet again, it will be either your death or mine. So, I looked at the perfectly fitting ring on my ring finger, then back at Ryan on the hospital bed. “You heard I was back in the country, so you hid in a mental hospital?” I raised an eyebrow, smiling. “Mr. Shaw, you really are—” I eyed him from head to toe. “—flexible, aren’t you?” I scoffed. “What a shame.” My gaze hardened. “Even if you hide here,” I pressed my fingers into Ryan’s neck, “what you owe me, you still have to pay.” Ryan’s bewildered eyes were filled with my domineering reflection. I saw my own reflection, and the next second, as Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly, it fragmented into confusion. My hand was suddenly seized by Ryan. He gripped my wrist tightly, then called my name in a soft voice. “Riley.” His voice was gentle, no different from the boy who had lived in the basement and swore to love me forever. “Are you here to take me home?” Ryan smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I’ve waited for you for so long. Have you finally come to take me?” I looked at Ryan, so innocent and bewildered, and my impulse to strangle him sharply diminished. I instinctively took a step back. I saw the nurse step in front of him, treating me like a dangerous beast. “Miss, Mr. Shaw is currently not of sound mind. Please do not take advantage of his condition.” The moment the nurse finished speaking. Ryan peeked his head out from behind her. “Riley, she’s Riley.” Ryan seemed very happy. He pushed the nurse aside and explained for me, “She’s the best Riley in the whole world.” 3 I was startled by Ryan’s sudden change in behavior, still unwilling to believe that the Shaw family’s young master, who had once manipulated me so easily, had become like this. I suddenly felt an urge to flee. I didn’t want to stay here for a second longer. I pushed Ryan away with force. Seeing his face twisted in hurt, I pulled the ring from my finger and threw it at his face. “You’re not worthy!” Each word was enunciated clearly. “To receive my true heart! You’re not worthy!” I watched Ryan, like a wounded puppy, looking at me with pitiful eyes. I turned and walked away without a second glance. Before I reached the door, Ryan caught up to me. He grabbed my wrist, looking bewildered and wronged. “Riley, don’t be upset. It’s my fault.” His deliberately softened posture created an illusion of time warping, the young man before me overlapping with the boy from years ago. I remembered the first time I discovered Ryan working at a construction site, moving bricks. He had been maliciously targeted, fell from the second floor, and cut his head, but he tried to hide it from me, saying he accidentally bumped it. When I found out, I was furious. He also pulled at me, looking wronged, and said, “Riley, don’t be angry. I was wrong, it’s my fault.” Back then, I looked at Ryan and felt a pain in my heart so intense I could barely breathe. Ryan was the golden boy, born with a silver spoon. He could have lived a life of luxury, yet I, living in the mud, had dragged him down from the clouds. I cried uncontrollably, not just out of heartache, but a heavy sense of guilt. I cried and asked Ryan if I should let him go, let him return to his original life path. I cried, saying I had dragged him down, but even if I had dragged him down, I still loved him so much. I still couldn’t let him go. I cried hysterically in Ryan’s arms. In the end, it was Ryan who consoled me, saying, “Wherever Riley is, that’s my home.” He gently kissed away my tears, his eyes filled with deep affection. “Wherever Riley is, I’ll be there. So, stop talking nonsense. Don’t make me a wanderer. Only with you can Ryan truly be Ryan.” Such a good Ryan, such a heartbreaking Ryan, such a beloved Ryan – it was all a lie. How much of this Ryan was real? I pushed Ryan away with force, stepping back a few paces, warning him, “Don’t come near me!” I kept my voice flat, suppressing the tumultuous emotions in my heart. “Ryan, I don’t care if you’re faking mental illness or playing dumb. It won’t work on me.” My gaze turned cold, just as cruel as he had been to me three years ago. “I’m telling you, I came back for only one purpose: to make your Shaw family pay for my unborn child!” I turned to leave. I bumped into Ryan’s mother, Eleanor Shaw, who had just arrived at the hospital to visit him. Enemies meeting, eyes blazing with hatred. I simply looked at the elegant, aristocratic woman, the hatred I had hidden for three years now etched on my face. However. Eleanor didn’t have her usual haughty demeanor towards me. Instead, she clutched at me as if I were a lifeline. “Skylar Olsen! You’ve finally returned!” She pleaded, “Please, save Ryan!”

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1 The heiress to a tech mogul’s vast fortune in New York had pursued me for five years, but I’d never given her the time of day. I was just one of the ‘groom lottery’ contestants she’d curated for her eccentric, highly publicized selection process. Whoever was drawn on the eve of the wedding would become the mogul’s daughter’s husband. And I knew, with chilling certainty, I’d be the one chosen. After all, I’d died once before. In my past life, she had chosen me, and I’d become the groom, the focus of everyone’s envious gaze. On our wedding day, she’d drunk too much, missed a call from her adopted brother, Ethan, and he’d died of a heart attack. The morning after, in the stark chill of the morgue, she’d pinned me down, gripped my hair, and forced me to kneel, my forehead hitting the cold tile a thousand times before him. “Why did you tamper with the drawing?” she’d shrieked, her voice raw. “You knew my heart belonged to Ethan! If I’d drawn the empty slip, I could have married him! He touched your suit, crying, just before he died. He was the one I was meant to marry!” “You were just a pawn, a flimsy excuse to make Ethan jealous,” she’d snarled, spitting out the words. “Did you truly believe you belonged in our lives?” Trapped in that sterile, chilling room, I was forced to endure her feverish declarations of twisted affection for her adopted brother. She had them crush my fingers, simply because I’d worn the wedding ring she’d intended for him. She had me stripped bare and thrown into the river, just for wearing a suit that had belonged to him. And finally, she had me nailed into a coffin, suffocating me alive. When I next opened my eyes, my body was whole, yes, but the raw, phantom agony of those memories had clung to me, relentless, for five harrowing years. This time, I would rewrite the ending. I’d swapped the order of the slips, ensuring she’d draw the empty one. From that moment on, their twisted drama would have nothing to do with me. “Ms. Sterling’s chosen slip reveals… an empty draw!” The ninety-nine men gathered understood: Sophia drawing an empty slip meant they’d all lost their chance to become the tech heiress’s husband. “What the hell is this?!” someone roared, tearing their slip to shreds. “It’s rigged! This whole lottery is a sham!” Another started to yell, but a hand clamped over his mouth. “You got a death wish? We all knew we were just here to fill seats. Haven’t you seen the way Sophia looks at Ethan? It’s sickening. If she didn’t draw the empty slip, and one of us got picked? We’d be screwed!” The man spat, “But Ethan’s her brother…” “So what if he’s her brother?” the other hissed back. “No blood relation means they can legally marry. We’re just window dressing. If you ask me, the only one who could get picked and still walk away clean is Liam Foster, Number One.” I calmly tore up the slip marked ‘Number One’ in my hand, a physiological tremor running through my muscles, as if the pain from before still clung to me. Sophia’s pupils contracted to pinpricks, a surge of raw excitement electrifying her. She shot to her feet, abandoning all pretense, and launched herself into Ethan’s arms. “Ethan, this time I chose you. You’re not getting away from me.” Ethan’s face flushed. He tried to push her away, but she held him tighter. “But I only see you as a sister, Sophia.” “It’s fine. You’ll get used to it,” she purred, tracing his cheek. “This is destiny.” Sophia cupped his face, her eyes sweeping over me with an icy glare. A jolt of unease shot through me, raising the hairs on my neck. I instinctively straightened my back. Could Sophia have also been reborn? Even if she had, I owed her nothing. This time, I’d given her what she wanted. Finally, I was free! From the head table, Eleanor Sterling cleared her throat, a flicker of panic in her eyes. “Sophia, I never imagined out of ninety-nine slips you’d draw an empty one. It seems you and Ethan truly are meant to be.” She paused, her voice a little strained. “But this is… unexpected. I need to inform your father.” Sophia’s lips curved into an irrepressible smirk. “Fine.” She shot me a triumphant glance. “As for the rest of these men, they’re welcome to stay at the Sterling estate until after Ethan and I are married. Consider it compensation.” Sophia expected me to look dejected, to shed tears. But I didn’t. I simply smiled and applauded, just like everyone else. In my previous life, I had wept with joy when chosen, only to see Sophia’s face, paler than a corpse. Her gaze had been fixed solely on Ethan, not a single glance spared for me. Reborn, I wouldn’t make the same pathetic mistake of clinging to her. On the stage, an inexplicable surge of anger twisted her features. She grabbed Ethan by the hand, declared, “Time for a date!” and stormed off. With the main characters gone, the other ninety-eight men quickly dispersed, like a flock of startled birds. I was just about to head back and pack my bags when Eleanor Sterling pulled me aside into a secluded corner. Before I could even react, a stinging slap landed across my face. “You damn brat! I arranged for Sophia to pick you! How in God’s name did it turn into an empty slip?!” 2 The words barely left her lips before another vicious slap followed. “You’re just as thankless and ungrateful as your deadbeat father! I’m your mother, not some stranger off the street! I told you to listen to me, and you just let it go in one ear and out the other, didn’t you?!” My cheeks burned, but my heart ached far more. “The day you brought Ethan, your love child from that affair, into this family and married Mr. Sterling, that was the day you ceased to be my mother.” Eleanor’s eyes flickered, then hardened into a cruel, unyielding gaze. “If Ethan gets hurt because of your decision, you’ll pay with your life.” Only when I was nailed into that coffin in my past life did I learn the lottery results had always been fixed. Eleanor had always wanted Ethan to marry into the Sterling family, but she had a secret about him she needed to keep hidden. And I, Liam Foster, was meant to be the sacrifice for that secret. Now, all I wanted was to watch them destroy each other. Their secrets meant nothing to me. I rubbed my stinging cheek, my gaze a chilling void. “I’m going to marry someone else. Serena Thorne. Consider it repayment for all the money you’ve spent keeping my father on life support all these years.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed slightly. Serena Thorne, a name whispered with a mix of awe and fear in the city’s elite circles. Rumor had it she was infertile, notoriously eccentric, and played the field with a ruthless charm, leaving a trail of broken hearts and ruined lives in her wake. She was reportedly looking for a husband recently, to finally ‘settle down’ and embrace domesticity. If I didn’t choose someone, Eleanor would surely force me to marry some old hag. Naming Serena Thorne beforehand was a strategic move. Because I already knew, Serena Thorne was anything but simple. A predatory smile touched Eleanor’s lips. “Alright, obedient boy. Then just relax and wait for your wedding.” Eleanor swayed off, her hips swiveling. I sighed. My room was in the westernmost wing of the Sterling mansion, and I had to pass through the garden to get there. The garden was a chaotic scene now. Ethan sneezed, muffled, into his hand. “Sophia, who planted this lavender? Don’t they know I’m allergic?” Sophia tenderly pressed her own handkerchief to his nose. Then, she turned to the gardener, her voice sharp. “Get rid of this lavender patch. Use the shredder! And this swing set, all those messy bird nests? Clear them out!” That lavender patch was from seeds my father had collected when he was lucid, found by the roadside. He’d said that even after he was gone, the flowers would remain. My eyes widened as I watched the gardener raise his shovel. “Wait!” Everyone froze, stealing glances at Sophia for her reaction. She watched me, her expression unreadable. “Do you think this is your house, where you can plant whatever you want? Or are you just trying to make Ethan sick?” When I was five, my father was gravely ill. I snuck into the Sterling estate, desperate for Eleanor to save him. She had wanted to send me away, but Mr. Sterling found out. He’d said it was fine to take in a few children like me, a gesture of charity. And so, I’d lived here for twenty years. Sophia, who used to play with me and the staff, had once said the Sterling estate would always be my home. There was a small wooden sign by that patch, hand-written by a young Sophia: “Liam and Sophia’s Secret Spot. Forever Home.” I lowered my gaze, ignoring the decaying wooden sign, and bowed deeply. “Ms. Sterling, Young Master Ethan, I apologize. I was out of line. But please, don’t destroy my flowers. I’ll clean them up…” My bow seemed to throw Sophia off guard. Ethan suddenly began to tremble. “Sophia, I’m so dizzy.” His shaking voice snapped Sophia back to reality. She waved her hand. “What are you waiting for? Get to work!” The lush lavender was swallowed by the shredder, turning into a gruesome purple pulp. “No!” I threw myself forward, a desperate, reckless leap, grasping at whatever I could. Sophia shrieked, letting go of Ethan, who stumbled back and hit a tree trunk. “Are you out of your mind?!” she cried, her eyes blazing as she pulled me back. Then she saw the single lavender blossom and the decaying wooden sign clutched in my palm. “You…” Tears streamed down my face. “You said you couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d plant the lavender Dad gave me to help you rest.” The wooden sign crumbled to dust in my hands. “Sophia, I have no home anymore.” Sophia froze, reaching out as if to pull me into her arms. But then, Ethan screamed. From the birdhouse I’d built myself, high in the tree, clumps of caterpillars rained down onto Ethan. 3 Sophia’s eyes narrowed. She quickly stepped forward, pulling Ethan away. The caterpillars had a mild toxin, but Sophia, without hesitation, used her bare hands to pick them off his clothes. Then she turned, her face contorted with disgust, and looked at me. “I almost fell for your act.” “You like throwing bugs, do you? Fine. You all! Pick up those bugs and stuff them into his clothes!” A few maids, eager to please, began gathering the crawling insects. The gardener held me in a viselike grip. “I didn’t! How could it be me?!” Sophia scoffed, saying nothing. Of course. She hadn’t trusted me in years. Otherwise, in my past life, she wouldn’t have condemned me without question, convinced I’d rigged the lottery. I’d almost let the lingering kindness of her family accepting me sway me into warning her about Ethan’s secret. But now, I regretted it. I wanted to see her descend into madness when she discovered the truth. I simply gave up, letting the caterpillars swarm over me. Where they touched, my skin swelled, itching unbearably. Ethan, having composed himself, tugged on Sophia’s sleeve. “Sophia, isn’t this too much? I’m fine now.” “Ethan, you’re just too soft, that’s why people take advantage of you. Come on, I’ll take you to the doctor.” She led Ethan away, passing me without a glance. Freed from the gardener’s grasp, I collapsed to the ground. My fingers, curled tightly in suppressed agony, dug deep into the mud, staining them black with dirt and blood. Because of Sophia, no one would dare help me. So I had to endure the revulsion and pain, picking off the insects myself, before shakily making my way to the family doctor. As I entered, I saw Sophia applying ointment to Ethan behind a privacy curtain. It was just an ointment application, yet I heard Sophia’s soft gasps from behind the curtain. When she finally drew it back, Ethan was breathless behind her, and her face was flushed. Her fingers were still coated with the ointment. Sophia’s gaze swept over my raw, swollen neck. She tossed the bottle of ointment at me. I was a step too slow, and the glass vial shattered on the floor, the liquid spilling everywhere. “Don’t you dare go to the doctor. You only deserve to use filth.” In the Sterling household, in all of New York, she was queen. If she said I couldn’t see a doctor, no doctor would even look at me. I knelt on the ground, using my mud-stained hands to scoop up the spilled ointment and smear it on myself. I looked up to see Sophia gently sanitizing Ethan’s hands. “Sophia, I’m leaving the Sterling estate.” Nine-year-old Sophia had promised me a home, but now that home was gone. It was time to say goodbye. Sophia finished cleaning Ethan’s hands, then lightly kissed his fingertips. Her expression barely changed. “Say that again.” I took a deep breath. “I said, you and Young Master Ethan are getting married. And I’m nothing more than an outsider. I should leave, just like the ninety-eight other candidates.” My voice hardened. “Sophia, this isn’t a request. It’s a notification.” “Notification?!” Sophia’s voice rose, a tone she didn’t seem to notice. “Liam Foster, is your comatose father ready to give up on treatment?” She spoke to me in a near-threat. My body stiffened, trembling with memories from my past life. She had once embraced me, then with an icy hand, pushed me into a coffin. Too bad Sophia, for all her arrogance, couldn’t imagine I was about to be married. In the past, whenever Sophia and I argued, I would always threaten to leave the Sterling estate to make her relent. But now, I didn’t need her to back down. I really was leaving. When I remained silent, Sophia scoffed. “If you’re scared, then just stay here. Ethan needs a personal valet. Especially on our wedding night, you can be here to serve our needs.” Ethan’s face flushed. He hugged Sophia tightly. “Sophia, is that really appropriate?” His hand was caught by Sophia, who then stood up. “Why are you blushing? Come on, let’s go have some fun.” Ethan’s dress shoe kicked me as he passed, sending me sprawling into the glass shards. Using medical tweezers, I carefully picked the fragments from my leg, then haphazardly applied some ointment. I returned to the room I’d lived in for twenty years. I tried to pack my belongings, like the protagonists in novels I’d read. But then I realized there was nothing that truly belonged to me. Sophia used to take photos with me all the time. But at some point, the people in those pictures had stopped aging, stuck ten years in the past. Ethan had been abroad for ten years, and she had yearned for him that entire decade. The hidden room in her wedding suite was plastered wall-to-wall with photos of Ethan, secretly taken by private investigators. I stuffed my identification into my pocket, then sat bewildered on the edge of the bed. My phone vibrated. A message from the hospital attendant. “Mr. Foster, your father just regained a bit of consciousness! He’s calling your name!” 4 I limped to the hospital. As I approached, I heard my father, lying in his hospital bed, softly calling my name. This had never happened in my previous life. In that timeline, at this very moment, the power had gone out in the hospital, and my father had died within a minute without his ventilator. For someone in a vegetative state, any change like this was a miracle. Maybe, just maybe, I’d live to see my father open his eyes. The attendant, sensing the moment, discreetly slipped out. I sat by the bed, holding my father’s hand. “I’m leaving the Sterling estate. From now on, those people mean nothing to me.” I choked up. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t save the lavender you gave me.” My voice broke. “Dad, please, can you wake up and tell me where you found those seeds?” I lowered my head, letting the tears stream freely. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. I looked all over for you. Turns out you were here, mourning.” Ethan strolled in, arms crossed, a smirk twisting his lips as he eyed me. I wiped my tears. “What do you want?” Ethan lifted his foot and casually kicked the hospital bed. The monitors, a tangle of wires, began to shriek, their frantic beeps echoing the chaos. He tilted his chin up arrogantly. “Mommy told me you’re going to marry that freak?” I said nothing, watching him warily. “Normally, who you marry, even if it’s a beggar, wouldn’t concern me. But I hear you know my secret?” “I won’t say anything.” Ethan laughed, a harsh, dismissive sound. “How can I be sure you won’t? If you tell, Sophia will abandon me instantly!” His eyes reddened. “You have to die for me to feel safe!” With a flick of his wrist, a blade slid from his sleeve, aimed straight for me. I instinctively recoiled, falling backward onto my father’s still form. Ethan was anything but delicate. His fingers, surprisingly strong, gripped the blade, poised to slit my throat. Suddenly, a dry, pale hand clamped onto Ethan’s wrist. I heard the monitor next to my ear scream, a deafening shriek. The doctors had said the prelude to a patient waking was a sudden surge in the machine’s sounds. I whirled around. “Dad?” My father’s eyes remained closed, but his hand had instinctively stopped Ethan from harming me. “Don’t… you… touch… my… son.” The click of high heels echoed, growing closer. In a flash, Ethan cut his own fingertip with the blade and shoved it into my father’s hand. Tears poured down his face. “Don’t kill me—” The next moment, he was in Sophia’s arms, clinging to her like a lifeline. “Sophia, Liam’s dad is trying to kill me… I only came to see him because I heard he might wake up. Did I do something wrong?” Ethan’s eyes were misty, a single drop of blood on his finger igniting Sophia’s fury. She gripped my wrist, her single hand threatening to crush my jaw. “Are you trying to kill Ethan again?!” “I’ve paid for your father’s treatment for years! Is this how you repay me?!” I shook my head violently. “I didn’t! It wasn’t me…” Sophia laughed, a sound like a banshee in hell. “Yes, this time it wasn’t you. It was your father.” A cold dread settled deep in my gut. I immediately dropped to my knees, my head hitting the floor in frantic pleas. “It wasn’t my dad! He’s in a coma, he doesn’t know anything!” “Ethan tried to kill me! It was him!” Ethan immediately retorted, “I didn’t! Sophia, you know I faint at the sight of blood.” He promptly clutched his forehead. Sophia, seeing this, believed him even more. Her eyes fell on the blade in my father’s hand. She gritted her teeth and nodded. “Good. Very good…” With that, she ripped out my father’s ventilator plug. The flatline beep, a piercing shriek in my ears, tore through the silence. I scrambled up, trying to plug the device back in, but she kicked me to the ground. “No! Sophia, please, I’m begging you! My dad will die in a minute without that ventilator!” “Hit me, kill me! I beg you, just don’t hurt my father!” Sophia looked down at me, a cold disdain in her eyes. “Dying is the easy way out. Don’t think I don’t know. Someone in a coma won’t die in just ten minutes without a ventilator. This is just a punishment for you.” With that, she calmly contacted the hospital to have the power to the room cut for ten minutes. Sophia, arm in arm with Ethan, looked back at me. “Tomorrow, on my wedding night, you’ll be here to serve our needs.” Her lips curved in a cruel smile. “If you’re not, just wait and see.” I crawled to my father’s bedside, tears streaming down my face, desperately trying to breathe life back into him. But it was useless. Ten minutes later, the power was restored. The moment I reconnected the ventilator, I saw the flat line on the heart monitor. My father was dead. My father, whom I’d lived like a dog for, dependent on their charity, was dead. I sat numbly by the hospital bed, when I suddenly heard footsteps again. My eyes were red from crying. I looked up. “Can you do me a favor?” As if to prove a point, Sophia’s wedding was even more lavish than the one in my previous life. Even Ethan’s tie clip, on his custom-tailored suit, was worth millions, glittering under the chandeliers. As they made their grand entrance, Sophia instinctively scanned the room, not finding me in the pre-assigned seat. Not until the vows were exchanged and the ninety-eight ‘lottery’ men began toasting the happy couple did she finally ask, “Where’s Liam?” Man of number twenty-five thought for a moment. “You mean the number one guy? Haven’t seen him.” But Sophia frowned, correcting him. “He has a name. He’s not ‘number one’.” Twenty-five nodded blankly, watching Sophia walk away. She suddenly remembered that Eleanor Sterling was, after all, my stepmother. So, she circled the room, finally finding Eleanor, who was laughing, holding her phone, talking to Mr. Sterling. “Eleanor, I haven’t seen Liam today.” At my name, Eleanor and Richard exchanged an odd, knowing glance. For some reason, Sophia’s heart sank. The next moment, she saw Eleanor raise her phone. On the brightly lit screen, Sophia saw something that would haunt her forever.

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I was home for the holidays, driving my American-made SUV to a blind date. My date, Isabelle Jones, and her best friend, Sophia, were already there when I pulled up to the restaurant. They were draped in designer labels, dressed to the nines. Seeing my simple clothes, Sophia immediately curled her lip in disdain. “Izzy, your date looks like he just walked off a construction site.” “Look at his cheap suit, probably doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.” Izzy, far from stopping her friend, just sneered. “Tell me about it. In this day and age, who drives an American car? It’s embarrassing.” I didn’t react, just offered a slight smile. My voice was even. “Ladies, ever heard of ‘The Sentinel’?” 1 Had they not been so rude, I wouldn’t have bothered with them. I’d just come home for a rare visit, and my mom, Mrs. Albright, insisted I go on this blind date. She’d said the girl came from a good family and was beautiful. I sized up the woman across from me. Beautiful, yes. But clearly, she wasn’t impressed with me. “It’s just a domestic car; why give it some fancy name? Trying to sound cultured?” Sophia scoffed. “Look at you, so broke you probably can’t even afford this meal. I don’t know why your mom even let you come to a blind date.” “Just get out of my sight. I’m not interested.” I almost thought I misheard her. I’d just sat down, and she was already telling me to leave? They were making a fool of me! I’d driven all this way, hadn’t even had a sip of water, and was already being insulted repeatedly. My patience evaporated. “You must be Isabelle Jones, the blind date Mrs. Albright set me up with, right?” “I haven’t even introduced myself, and you’re already writing me off, telling me to leave.” “Are you two, by any chance, running a scam?” The moment I spoke, Izzy’s face darkened. Her expression strongly suggested I’d hit a nerve. Her eyes darted around, her words stumbling. “A… a scam? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Blind dates are a mutual agreement. It’s perfectly normal for me not to be interested when you’re so poor.” “Did you think just because you came to meet me, I’m obligated to be with you? Take a good look in the mirror, buddy.” The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, almost spitting on me. I couldn’t believe this was the “sweet-natured and gentle” woman my mom had described. “Alright, alright, I’m a pauper, and you’re a princess. Happy now?” “Then could the princess please return the envelope my mother gave you?” “My mom specifically told me before I left that if the date didn’t work out, I had to get the money back.” Truth be told, my mom hadn’t said any such thing. I just couldn’t stand them. As soon as I finished, Sophia immediately stepped forward. “Ethan Stone, right? I’ve seen your profile. You’ve been out of town since high school, and there’s no record of what you actually do.” “We’ve been sitting here waiting for you all this time, why wouldn’t we keep this fee?” “You’ve seen us, you’ve had your drink. Now you want the money back? You’re dreaming.” Hearing Sophia, I was stunned. Was this some kind of model friend? So openly demanding money. Were they here to make a quick buck, or for a blind date? My mom had painstakingly saved up fifteen hundred dollars, and after just meeting them, without even having a proper conversation, it was gone? “So, by your logic, you two are making a lot more than most working girls.” The words were barely out of my mouth before Izzy and Sophia exploded in rage. “Ethan Stone! What is that supposed to mean? Are you calling us prostitutes?!” I just curved my lips into a slight smile. My silence said everything. Seeing me not speak for a long moment, Izzy and Sophia grew desperate. “Ethan Stone! I’m telling you, if you don’t apologize to us right now, I guarantee you won’t be walking out that door!” “Exactly! A poor bumpkin like you, trying to hit above your weight class? Take a look at yourself!” “The money is rightfully ours! We’re not giving it back. If you know what’s good for you, get lost.” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at their words. “You keep calling me a pauper, but why don’t you hand over the money then?” “I should take back what I said earlier. Given your behavior, you two are probably worse than even those who hustle for a living.” “At least they put in the effort. You two, on the other hand, are just outright robbing people, aren’t you?!” Then, I casually ticked off my fingers. One blind date, and you pocketed fifteen hundred bucks just for showing up. For those naive enough, you might even get a free meal. This was quite the business. Quicker than hitting a jackpot. Izzy and Sophia were rendered speechless, frozen in place. As the old saying goes, it takes a scoundrel to handle scoundrels. And today, I’d be that scoundrel. 2 “You can’t out-argue me, and you don’t dare lay a hand on me. I suggest you just return the money.” “Two young ladies, why not do something worthwhile instead of trying to scam people? Are you doing your parents proud?” “I have things to do. Hand over the money now, or I’ll call the police.” At the mention of the police, Izzy and Sophia instantly panicked. “No, please, don’t call the police! Your money isn’t with us.” “What?!” “Then where is my money?” I remembered clearly watching my mom hand the envelope to them. “The money… it went up the chain.” Izzy was visibly intimidated by my presence, meek and subservient. Just as I’d suspected, my mom had indeed been swindled. What kind of blind date required a fifteen-hundred-dollar introductory fee? It was clearly a setup to fleece people. Yet, my mom, bless her heart, had actually believed them. “Who did you give the money to?” I narrowed my eyes, my voice devoid of emotion. “To Rex.” Rex? Who the hell was that? But from the name, it sounded like some kind of gangster. “Is this ‘Rex’ you speak of your boss?” Izzy nodded, her eyes filled with reverence. “Yes, Rex is Detroit’s top organized crime boss. We’re just peripheral members, trying to make a living under him.” I almost choked on my water hearing Izzy. “In this day and age, someone still dares to call himself a mob boss? Is he out of his mind?” My comment seemed to push Izzy’s buttons. “Don’t you dare insult Rex! He’s my idol!” Huh? I thought my ears were failing me again. Were young people’s values really this twisted now? Taking a gang leader as an idol. Probably watched too many mob flicks as kids. “Alright, since my money is with this ‘Rex,’ I’ll let you two off for now.” Izzy and Sophia were about to slip away when I abruptly changed my tone, adding, “Call your boss. Tell him to bring my money over here.” “That’s my mom’s hard-earned money. I’m getting it back today.” The moment my words registered, they both froze in shock. “Are you out of your mind?!” Izzy stared at me, wide-eyed. “You want to demand money from Rex? You’re trying to get yourself killed!” “He’s a big shot with connections that run deeper than anyone. He could crush you with a single finger.” I stretched, a slow, deliberate movement. “Who Rex is, has nothing to do with me.” “Right now, I just want my mom’s money back. Understand?” Sophia also stepped forward. “Ethan Stone, I advise you to drop this. If you cross Rex, not even the police can save you.” “In all of Detroit, I’ve never seen anyone get money back from Rex.” I waved my hand dismissively, pulling out my encrypted satellite phone and handing it to them. “Stop dragging your feet. Call him now.” 3 Izzy and Sophia exchanged glances, then tremblingly took the phone. “You’re making us call him. If anything happens to you later, it’s not our fault.” I nodded. Izzy cautiously dialed the number. The moment the call connected, I snatched the phone. “Hello, you must be Rex.” “I hear your people took fifteen hundred dollars from me.” “You have twenty minutes to get to this restaurant. One second late, and you’ll regret it.” Without waiting for a reply, I hung up. My actions left Izzy’s mouth agape. “You… you actually dared to speak to Rex like that? You’re practically asking to die!” “If Rex really shows up, you won’t even have time to regret it.” I casually settled onto the sofa, peeling an orange as if nothing were happening. “Good, I was afraid he wouldn’t show up.” I’d been stationed with my unit for years, rarely coming home. If I hadn’t earned a Silver Star in the All-Forces Combat Trials, my General wouldn’t have personally granted me leave to visit family. I’d probably still be in training right now. “Ethan Stone, when Rex gets here, don’t you dare tell him we called him.” “Rex has a short fuse. If you upset him, all three of us are screwed.” Just the mention of Rex made Izzy’s attitude do a complete 180. It reminded me of when I first met her. It seemed people really shouldn’t be too low-key. Being low-key just made you an easy target. If they hadn’t run into me today, who knew how many more people would have fallen victim to their scam? The thought fueled my sense of justice. When I left the unit, the General had repeatedly warned me not to get into conflicts with civilians. But I believed that a true soldier steps in when they see injustice. I was sure my superiors would understand. Time ticked by. With less than fifteen seconds left on the clock, Rex finally arrived. A dozen brand-new Rolls-Royce Ghosts pulled up, parking perfectly in front of the restaurant. A bald, middle-aged man led the way inside, followed by a throng of black-suited bodyguards. From a distance, it was quite intimidating. Before I could speak, Izzy and Sophia rushed forward. “Rex, this is the guy who called you just now!” “He even said he’d trash your restaurant if you didn’t show up!” “Sophia and I are just girls, we couldn’t stop him, so we had no choice but to call you for help!” It truly took a wicked woman to spin a tale like that. Izzy’s skill at embellishment was truly masterful. But it didn’t matter. Even if she talked until her throat was raw, I was getting that money back today. Rex glanced at me from the corner of his eye, then swaggered over. “You’re Ethan Stone?” I didn’t even raise my head, just gave a slight nod. “That’s right, that’s me.” “I hear my people said you threatened to trash my place?” I looked at my blind date, who was now preening behind Rex, and my lips curled up unconsciously. “While those words weren’t mine, I can tell you… that’s precisely what I had in mind.” “You’ve got a lot of nerve!” The moment I finished, the line of black-suited bodyguards behind Rex instantly surrounded me. I quickly calculated: I could probably take them all out in three minutes. Unfortunately, due to my special status, I couldn’t directly engage. Rex, thinking I was intimidated, looked at me with an arrogant smirk. “What? You were so brave on the phone, weren’t you?” “Now you’re too scared to even utter a word?” 4 I poured myself a cup of tea, took a sip, and cleared my throat. “You’re Rex, right? Your people took fifteen hundred dollars from me. When do you plan on returning it?” As I spoke, the men behind Rex burst into raucous laughter. “Kid, you must have a death wish, trying to shake down our Boss Rex!” “You haven’t done your homework, have you? In all of Detroit, who dares to talk to Rex like that?” “I suggest you get down on your knees and apologize to Rex, unless you want to get roughed up.” I raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh? What if I insist on having that money back?” Even Rex probably hadn’t expected me to challenge him so openly in front of so many people. His face slowly twisted into a sneer. “Alright! I like people who are stubborn like you.” “You want your money? Fine, you can have it.” “But whether you live to collect it, that’s up to you.” With that, he waved his hand, and his men surged towards me. But they threw a dozen punches, yet couldn’t even graze my clothes. I moved effortlessly among them, occasionally offering a mocking comment. Rex stood on the sidelines, his face livid with rage. “What good are you people?! You can’t even lay a hand on one guy?! Get him! Finish him!” But no matter how he shouted, his subordinates couldn’t touch me. Just then, Izzy, thinking herself clever, stepped forward. She pointed at the Sentinel parked outside, a malicious smirk on her face. “Rex, did you see that domestic car at the entrance? That’s what Ethan Stone drove.” “He likes to dodge, doesn’t he? Why don’t we just smash his car instead?” Rex’s eyes immediately lit up. “Everyone, stop trying to grab him! Follow me! We’re smashing his car!” At his command, everyone rushed towards the parking lot. Each man grabbed a crowbar, and they began to savagely assault my SUV. They smashed it for a good fifteen minutes, but it only suffered minor paint damage; the body itself was perfectly fine. “Damn it! Fine, I can’t catch the guy, but why is smashing a car so damn difficult?!” “Boss, this car is too tough! We’ve been hitting it forever, and it’s not reacting!” I stood with my hands in my pockets, shouting at them. “Hey, are you guys even trying? You’ve been at it for ages, and it’s still not broken!” My taunt instantly ignited Rex’s fury. He snatched a crowbar from one of his men and swung it fiercely a few times. There was a loud clang, and the crowbar flew ten feet away. Rex clutched his hands, his face contorted in pain. “Goddammit! How is this car so tough?!” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Rex, my car isn’t just tough. It’s also bulletproof.” With that, I pulled out my military-grade satellite phone and dialed a secure number. “General, your car just got trashed.” “What did you say?!” A roar erupted from the other end of the line. I briefly explained the situation, the chain of events. Even through the phone, I could feel the General’s fury. “Specialist Stone, report your position immediately!” He barked the order directly into the phone. I hung up and leisurely walked over to Rex, patting his shoulder lightly. “Rex, I think it’s necessary to inform you. That car you just smashed, its name is ‘The Sentinel’.” But to my surprise, Rex didn’t back down; he became even more arrogant. “I don’t give a damn what it’s called! I’m going to smash it to pieces today!” Just then, Izzy screamed. “Look!” Everyone turned their heads. A dozen military Hummers, bearing distinctive red markings, were steadily approaching.

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1 My younger sister, blessed with a naturally prolific constitution, severed all ties with our family to marry her DINK hybrid husband. A year later, I was invited to a hybrid auction, only to find my sister on the stage, being put up for bid. My sister, heavily pregnant, sobbed as she clutched Rhys Thorne’s pant leg. “Husband, I haven’t betrayed you. This really is our child.” Rhys, arm wrapped around a delicate woman, sneered, kicking her down. “How the hell could I, a sterile hybrid, get you pregnant? Being poor is bad enough, but don’t you dare try to make me a cuckold!” My sister knelt on the stage, her body trembling uncontrollably. I sat in the VIP box, idly turning the freshly acquired glowing pearl in my hand, and instructed my butler. “The young madam has had enough playtime outside. It’s time to bring her home.” No one who dared to trifle with the Lockwood family would escape. The butler was about to turn and retrieve my sister when I narrowed my eyes, raising a hand to stop him. “Let’s wait a moment. The young madam needs to see that scumbag for who he truly is.” Mr. Davies, the auction house president, sitting nearby, overheard my conversation with the butler and his eyes widened in shock. I sighed. “Mr. Davies, your invitation to this hybrid auction has certainly opened my eyes.” Mr. Davies immediately stood, wiping sweat from his brow, not daring to meet my gaze. “Madam Lockwood, it’s my failure. To think the young madam…” I impatiently clicked my tongue. The next second, Mr. Davies was escorted away. I looked out at the crowd in the hall. Many of the men stared at my sister with a leering, possessive gaze. “Tsk, tsk, a pregnant woman truly has a certain allure.” “Wonder how many months along she is? The feel must be incredibly soft and supple.” Filthy whispers filled the air, making my sister’s knuckles turn white. Rhys, arm around Amy Vance, laughed from below the stage. “Auction’s open! Once you buy her, she’s yours to do with as you please.” Laughter erupted from the crowd. “Alright! I can’t wait.” My sister looked at Rhys in disbelief, her lips pale. “You’re going to auction me? I’m leaving!” Rhys brandished a document. “Open your eyes and look. This is a bondage contract. Your ownership now belongs to me. I can dispose of you however I wish.” My sister picked up the agreement, her eyes growing wider with horror as she read. “You said these were all promises of your love for me? Why is this a bondage contract?” Rhys shrugged, putting on an innocent expression. “You were too busy having fun in bed to even read the words. I told you to sign, and you signed.” My sister collapsed onto the ground, a picture of utter hopelessness. My heart clenched, and I traced the patterns on the glowing pearl in my hand. Hybrid bondage contracts held legal weight; there was no way to dissolve them except by mutual agreement. Rhys continued, “This is what happens when you dare to accuse Amy. But don’t worry, my hybrid brothers are far more… robust than I am.” My sister suddenly looked at Amy Vance. “I didn’t accuse her! She’s the one colluding with outsiders to steal our company!” Amy leaned against Rhys’s shoulder, a provocative smile gracing her lips as she looked at my sister. “Oh, dear, little sister, how could you cheat on Rhys? He’s been so good to you, and yet you secretly got pregnant. How shameless. It’s a good thing his company grew so large without a woman like you meddling. Otherwise, what if you’d stabbed him in the back again?” I rested my chin on my hand, my eyes churning with dark thoughts. If it weren’t for wanting my sister’s life with Rhys to be better, why would I have secretly invested in his company? And my sister, dressed in plain, threadbare clothes, was so gaunt. She barely looked like a Lockwood heiress. Clearly, Rhys hadn’t spent a dime on her. “Butler, contact the company I invested in over there. Withdraw all funds immediately. I want Rhys Thorne to be penniless and buried under a mountain of debt.” It seemed my sister’s past year had been truly terrible. My sister clutched the hem of her worn shirt, stubbornly explaining, “I didn’t cheat! This is Rhys’s and my child!” She softened her voice, turning back to Rhys. “I told you I have a highly fertile constitution. You never said anything against it back then.” Rhys raised the wine glass in his hand and smashed it towards my sister. “You’re fertile, so why did you come to me? Didn’t you know I’m DINK? You’re disgusting!” Rhys’s eyes suddenly darted, and he burst out laughing. “A highly fertile constitution! I’m raising the starting bid!” 2 The laughter of the men around her felt like ropes tightening, threatening to choke my sister. The spotlight shone on her, leaving her nowhere to hide. “That figure, whoa, quite appealing.” “Want to get pregnant? I can help with that.” “I can too. I’m a snake hybrid; I’ll definitely satisfy you.” My sister’s face flashed from white to red, utterly lost for a retort. Faced with the surging emotions of the crowd, she instinctively stepped back. Her foot slipped, and she fell off the stage. I immediately rose, my heart pounding, watching her. Thankfully, she quickly stood up, stumbling back to the corner of the stage. This prevented the surrounding men from taking advantage. Amy Vance stretched her lips into a smirk. “Little sister, you truly are shameless. Even pregnant, you’re so eager to throw yourself into other men’s arms?” Rhys’s mocking expression froze, his eyes fixed on my sister on stage. My sister, frantic, screamed back, “I am not your sister, you worthless hag! My real sister is a thousand times better than you!” I was touched. Seeing my sister like this reminded me of her when we were children. Whenever anyone spoke ill of me, she would retort like that, always putting me first. But ever since that smooth-talking Rhys had fooled my innocent sister, our arguments grew more frequent. In the end, she even severed ties with my family, the Lockwoods, for that man. Rhys laughed. “Oh, you have a sister? She’s probably just as loose as you are. Why didn’t you ever mention her?” My sister’s chest heaved rapidly. “You impotent fool, shut up! Don’t you dare speak about my sister like that!” Rhys roared, enraged. “Start the auction now! I’d like to see whose bed you’ll die in!” The moment my sister’s shirt was ripped open, revealing her swollen, pregnant belly, the atmosphere in the hall reached a fever pitch. Men’s greedy gazes clung to her, drooling with desire. The host’s booming voice cut through the noisy hall. “Starting bid: two million dollars!” “Ha! Fifty thousand, and a fertile woman makes it four times that!” “I’ll bid! All I need is a woman to bear me pups!” “Four million!” “I’ll offer five million!” “I’ll offer seven million!” As the bids climbed higher and higher, the joy on Rhys’s face became impossible to suppress. “I never thought this woman would be worth so much money.” “Seven million, going once! Any more?” The host’s voice sounded like a sentence of endless torment for my sister. I was about to signal the butler to bid when my sister spoke. “I offer fifty million to buy myself back.” The entire hall fell silent for a few seconds, then erupted in deafening laughter. “Fifty million? This woman must be crazy. How could a destitute woman get fifty million?” “Rhys, you didn’t give her money, did you?” “Looks like she hooked up with another man who gave her money, isn’t he the father of that child?” “Rhys, you didn’t get ripped off. After all, no matter whose money she used, you’re still making a profit off her.” The mocking laughter of Rhys’s cronies left him humiliated. His gaze turned sinister. “Where did you get so much money?” Amy Vance also sat up straight, covering her mouth. “Fifty million. If you can’t come up with it, you’re going to jail.” My sister bit her lip, then removed a pair of earrings from her ears. She carefully placed them before the host. “These earrings should be enough.” It was then I realized these were the earrings I had given my sister as a gift. These earrings were worth far more than fifty million. But my sister only knew they were priceless, not their exact value, which is why she offered them as a fifty-million-dollar bid. The people in the hall looked disdainful. “These things are worth fifty million?” However, after the staff verified them, everyone was stunned. “The auction bid is valid.” Rhys was even more shocked. “How do you have something so valuable?” Amy Vance’s face also turned ashen. “Did you steal this from me?” I pursed my lips, looking at Amy Vance’s face with disgust. Steal? She spoke with such self-righteousness. My sister stood on the stage, lightly sweeping her gaze over them both below. “Fifty million. Does anyone want to raise the bid?” Instantly, no one dared to make another move. Fifty million was no small sum for them. I sat back down, leaning against the sofa in the VIP box, filled with admiration for my sister’s sudden courage. This was the aura my sister, a Lockwood heiress, should possess. “Fifty million, going once. Fifty million, going twice.” Just as the host called out the third time, a man suddenly raised his paddle and stood up. “Seventy million. This woman, she’s mine.” 3 The people in the auction hall gasped, a collective sharp intake of breath. “Who is that? So arrogant!” “Hiss, that looks like the young master of the Sterling family.” “The Sterling family! The Sterlings who practically control Newport City?” Jaxon Sterling leaned back on the couch in his private box, one leg crossed over the other, casually chewing gum. My sister’s face instantly drained of color. Those around who didn’t know Jaxon Sterling’s background, seeing his arrogance, scoffed. “Who’s this brat, so desperate for this woman? I bet he’s got a low sperm count, hahahahaha.” Some of the hybrids around them laughed along, while those in the know quietly retreated, fearing they might be implicated. Jaxon Sterling’s expression remained unchanged, his smile deepening. The next second, the hybrid who had scoffed was struck by a tranquilizer dart and fell straight to the ground. He was immediately dragged out by a group of large, burly men, and a moment later, agonizing screams echoed from outside. Everyone present was terrified. Jaxon Sterling stood up, casually spitting out his gum. “This is human territory. You animals should kneel and let me butcher you.” I rubbed my fingers together, immediately instructing the butler to investigate this Jaxon Sterling. Soon, the butler handed me a file. Jaxon Sterling, young master of the Sterling family. And this Sterling family had grown powerful through the charity of the Lockwood family. A few years ago, this Jaxon Sterling was convicted of abusing hybrids and sentenced to prison, only to be bailed out a few days later and sent abroad. He had only been brought back by the Sterling family after the scandal had died down. Jaxon Sterling, having been abroad, likely didn’t know my sister’s true identity. “Looks like he’s still a brutal one.” If my sister fell into his hands, she certainly wouldn’t live past tomorrow. The butler saw where my gaze was directed and immediately understood my thoughts. He bowed and said, “Madam, I will deal with him immediately.” I was furious, but I managed to suppress my anger, my voice cold. “Wait. I want these few thrown into the Hybrid Arena for auction together.” As I was thinking, I suddenly saw Jaxon Sterling had already descended from his box and stepped onto the stage. “Tsk, tsk, a belly this big… if you gently slice it open with a small knife, it would be incredibly satisfying.” “The embryo inside should be mature by now.” Jaxon Sterling’s finger lightly brushed my sister’s belly. My sister recoiled in terror. “No! I don’t want it!” Jaxon Sterling smiled cruelly. “You’re mine now. What don’t you want? Hmm?” Just as he was about to make a move, I signaled the management to announce a mid-auction break. Jaxon Sterling, satisfied, roughly pulled my sister and tried to leave, but was stopped by the staff. Jaxon Sterling was impatient. “You want to stop me?” The staff bowed deeply. “We certainly don’t want to stop you, sir. It’s just that this young lady isn’t yours yet. You can’t take her.” Jaxon Sterling frowned. “I bid seventy million. Is someone else raising the bid? Then I’ll follow.” The staff quickly waved their hands. “No one has raised the bid, sir. It’s simply a mid-auction break. Your bid hasn’t been finalized yet, and the auction hasn’t concluded.” Jaxon Sterling flung my sister aside, then grabbed the manager’s collar, about to curse him, but stopped. He didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed. “Fine. I’ll wait. Let’s see who dares to raise the bid.” He turned to my sister. “My seventy million. You’d better wait obediently.” I tightly clutched my phone, dialing a number. “If you don’t want your youngest son anymore, I can help you take care of him.”

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My roommate was the absolute epitome of a “damsel in distress.” She’d yelp like a kitten if startled or bumped, drank exclusively from a baby cup, and insisted her boyfriend spoon-feed her every meal. In my previous life, my inherent kindness made me her prime target. She latched onto me, bleeding me dry. On the Summer Solstice Festival, the illegal electric scooter battery she kept in our dorm exploded. She locked the door behind her, fleeing for her life, leaving me trapped, burned alive, charred into a mummy. Later, she monetized my agony, live-streaming my grotesque suffering for ten thousand dollars a day. My parents, hounded by online mobs and debt collectors, were driven to suicide. I withered away in a hospital bed, consumed by hatred, until my last breath. Then, I opened my eyes again. I was back, one month before it all happened. The moment she started her theatrics again, I gripped her throat, my voice a low snarl: “I’ll make you regret every breath you take.” 1 My eyes snapped open. A phantom agony, the ghost of fire, still prickled my skin. Instinctively, I touched my arm, expecting to find scorched, blistered flesh. Instead, my touch met smooth, unblemished skin. I sat up. The room was bright, no longer the charred, smoke-choked hellscape of my memories. “Does my little darling need a shot, huh?” a man’s teasing voice drifted into the room, and my heart seized. “Hmph, I’m just a wittle baby~ I don’t understand that, silly!” a sickeningly sweet giggle echoed. Serena Hayes, perched on her bed, was cooing into a video call with her boyfriend, Leo Maxwell, the speaker blaring at maximum volume. The saccharine sounds of their playful banter flooded my ears, relentlessly. “Are guys’ dorms like this too?” Serena tilted her head cutely, beaming at the camera. “Wonder what my roommate’s doing? I’ll show you—” With that, she swung her phone, aiming the camera directly at me, sitting on my bed. “She’s just sitting there,” Serena whispered, stifling a laugh, her voice airy and theatrical. “Oh dear, she’s not wearing clothes. How naughty!” A suggestive chuckle rumbled from the man on the screen. I was in my underwear, caught off guard, exposed to a stranger. A wave of fury surged through me. In my last life, these “accidents” had happened countless times. She’d spilled water on my bed, “accidentally” dropped my laptop, always batting her eyelashes and playing dumb to escape consequences. I’d treated her like a younger sister, showering her with patience and care. In return, I’d ended up with eighty percent burns, confined to an ICU, clinging to a life of agony. My parents, victims of relentless online bullying, were driven to jump to their deaths by debt collectors. A hot wave of rage consumed me. “Serena Hayes,” I snapped, my voice sharp, “did I forget to chew you out today?” “I didn’t know you weren’t dressed,” Serena chirped, her face a mask of innocence, the camera still aimed at me. “Elara has such big boobs, unlike me, I’m just a little baby.” Leo’s voice from the phone: “Even if my baby’s a runway, Daddy still loves it.” I knew she was unhinged, but not this unhinged. “My mistake. I forgot you weren’t human.” I quickly pulled on a jacket, then clamped my hand over her camera lens. “Point that camera at me again, and I’ll smash this phone right into your face.” “Meow!” Serena flinched, shrinking back, which made Leo croon, “What’s your roommate’s problem? She scared my little kitty!” “Why are you suddenly like this? I’m just a silly little dummy!” she whined into the camera, feigning sobs. “Silly little dummies can’t have bad intentions, can they? And he’s my boyfriend. What’s wrong with showing him?” My teeth ground. The anger I’d bottled up hadn’t even had a chance to erupt when Leo’s voice chimed in from the other end. “Don’t be sad, baby. Who knows if your roommate did it on purpose?” Serena’s eyes widened. She stared at me, a defensive glint in her gaze. “Elara, you wouldn’t intentionally wear just underwear when I’m video calling my boyfriend, would you?” My teeth gnashed audibly. “Are you serious? Is your head just for decoration?” Small brain, big confusion. Are you okay? Are you two okay? Watching the two of them descend deeper into absurdity, I took a deep breath. “Serena Hayes, is your brain just a hollow echo chamber? Did you hide when humans evolved, or what?” “This is my dorm too. I’ll wear whatever I want in my own space. And sorry, but I don’t recycle trash here. You two are a match made in hell: one an idiot, the other a monster. I wish you a hundred years of misery together. And can you please keep it down in the dorm? Stop barking all the time.” Reborn, inhabiting a body unmarred by fire, my tongue felt sharp, honed to a deadly edge. The pent-up resentment began to dissipate with each vicious word. Truly, it’s better to burn out others than to burn out yourself. “Judging by your logic, your common sense took a detour, didn’t it? And seriously, put on some headphones. If you can’t, get out. Nobody wants to listen to you and your boyfriend’s disgusting little acts.” Insulting once was sweet. Insulting repeatedly was pure bliss. The moment the words left my mouth, the dorm fell into an eerie silence. Even the boisterous sounds from the guys’ dorm on the video call went quiet. I couldn’t care less about their reactions. I finished getting dressed and walked straight out the door. I was moving out of this lunatic asylum. “Still quite the little firecracker.” A scoff drifted from behind me. Serena, having recovered her composure, joined in the laughter. “Girls with good figures have capital. What’s wrong with showing it to men?” A cold smile touched my lips. I mentally calculated the timeline. Her belly would soon be “poked” by her dear boyfriend. 2 Once I’d made up my mind, I quickly contacted a real estate agent to start apartment hunting. The savings from years of diligent part-time jobs, combined with my weekend tutoring income, were enough to secure a cozy one-bedroom apartment. As I returned to the dorm to pack my bags, the door suddenly swung open. Serena walked in, carrying a large battery. She immediately latched onto my arm, shaking it playfully, her voice dripping with her usual saccharine whine. “Elara, my love, can I charge this here? I don’t have enough outlets over at my spot.” I glanced at the already bulging battery, then smoothly pulled my arm away, my voice flat, devoid of any emotion. “No.” Serena pouted, her lips forming a sad little rosebud. “Elara, sweetie~ Just for a little while, please? I really don’t have enough plugs…” I took a half-step back, subtly widening the distance between us. “I’m moving out. After that, you can use the outlets however you want.” I looked up, catching a flash of annoyance in her eyes before it vanished. “What’s wrong with you lately? You’re not acting like yourself.” Her voice was laced with clear resentment. “Did someone say something bad about me?” The next second, she suddenly clasped her hands over her head and crouched on the floor, letting out an exaggerated wail. “Oh no! I made big sister Elara mad! It’s all my fault!” “Having another episode?” I blinked, unsure what new charade she was pulling. “If you’re sick, don’t come to me. I’m not a vet.” Serena’s face stiffened for a moment. She poked her index fingers together, still speaking in a high-pitched, childish voice, “Did kitty make you angry?” “Talk to me once your brain juice is properly stirred.” I took two steps back. “Elara Vance, you’re being so petty!” a familiar male voice suddenly boomed through the dorm. “You won’t even let her borrow an outlet, and you’re using moving out as an excuse!” Serena held up her phone. The screen clearly showed a video call. Leo Maxwell had been listening in the entire time? A wave of nausea washed over me. I wanted to spit on both of them. Were they so cheap they couldn’t afford a hotel? They had to treat a video call like a honeymoon suite. Serena seemed oblivious to my dark expression, prattling on. “Is it because of the video last time? Your figure is so good, Brody Reed even praised you! He’s the captain of the school basketball team!” I listened to her self-righteous words, sinking into a strange silence. All I could think were two words: Insane! “Honey! Say something!” Leo’s voice boomed from the speaker: “Elara Vance, I swear, my buddies all said you have big boobs and a tiny waist. You came out on top here…” “You two…” I took a deep breath, words of pure venom spilling from my mouth. “Are you operating with half a brain, or just a mouth full of bad food?” Serena’s face flushed crimson. She stomped her foot. “Honey, look at her! She wasn’t like this before!” “I’ve seen people with tiny feet, but never a mind so tightly bound. Since your darling boyfriend is so considerate—” I snapped my suitcase shut with a sharp click. “Why don’t you take that battery to his dorm to charge?” I grabbed my suitcase, heading for the door without looking back. “After all, he loves you so much, he’ll surely be willing.” “Of course, baby,” Leo crooned tenderly. “This weekend, Daddy’s taking you camping, just the two of us.” “Okay~ Daddy, I want my baby bowl,” Serena giggled, pointing at her small belly and mouth. “Baby wants her baby bowl, Daddy, baby’s tummy is rumbling!” I froze, a wave of pure physical revulsion rising in my stomach. Thanks for the invite… I’m thoroughly disgusted. Sometimes, I truly felt like an alien in this mad world, simply because I was so normal. 3 After signing the lease and completing the necessary paperwork with the dorm office, I moved directly into my new apartment. This time, there would be no blood bag for Serena to drain. Could she still maintain her “dumb beauty” act? And as for that battery, Leo had already taken it back to his dorm to charge. When that ticking time bomb would finally explode was no longer my concern. When she realized I hadn’t returned to the dorm for a week, Serena finally grew anxious. My phone buzzed incessantly with WeChat messages: “Elara, when are you coming back?” “Did you finish the class assignment?” “Elara… you’re not mad at me, are you?” I stared at the screen, a cold smirk on my lips. Yes, in my previous life, I had been her willing doormat. If she didn’t want to do an assignment, I’d pull all-nighters for her. If she caused trouble, I’d take the blame. Even when she “accidentally” live-streamed me changing, I’d just sigh, letting her charm and pretend her way out of it. But now? I typed a reply: Did you have a stomach bug these past few days and accidentally pass your brain? I already told you I moved out. Then, with a swipe of my finger, I decisively dragged her into my blacklist. The world was finally at peace. My rental was small, but I’d meticulously cleaned and brightened it. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, making the air feel light and free. I thought she had finally quieted down. Until, in the dead of night, my phone’s shrill ringtone suddenly ripped through the silence. I jolted awake, my heart pounding. This was a lingering effect from the accident in my previous life; whenever I was startled awake, my heart would race uncontrollably. I hadn’t expected it to follow me into this life. I glanced at the phone screen. It was Serena Hayes. I endured the discomfort and blocked her number. Just as I lay back down, trying to calm my racing heart, the phone rang again, tearing through the night’s stillness. This time, it was Alex Green, the class leader. I stared at the flashing screen, letting the ringtone echo through the room. But the calls kept coming, one after another, and the throbbing in my chest forced me to answer. I asked him what was so urgent. His voice immediately launched into a barrage of accusations: “Why aren’t you answering your phone?” “It’s twelve-thirty at night,” I paused. “I’m doing what normal people do: sleeping.” Alex’s voice immediately escalated: “Well, you still need to answer! You’re making Serena so worried! You need to apologize to her right now!” “Why should I apologize to her?” I retorted, a cold edge to my voice. But he wouldn’t let up, ranting on and on. “I’ve never met anyone so shameless.” “You’re not coming home at night, and you think you’re in the right?” His voice filled with righteous indignation. “Serena was worried you were being tricked by some guy, and this is the attitude you give her?” “…My chest tightened.” It was Serena again. “Are you insane or just stupid? Are you so emotional you can’t even think?”

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My boyfriend’s third bankruptcy hit without warning. Loan sharks, demanding ten million dollars, blockaded our doorstep. Trapped by hulking figures in the entryway, I inadvertently glimpsed his tablet. A group chat log was open: “Think she can actually pay back ten mil?” “If not, she can sell herself. Women make money fast.” “Still, Caleb’s the real champ. Got Miss Kingsley on one arm, the flower girl wrapped around his little finger with the other.” Tears welled, blurring my vision. I remembered selling Grandma’s old house for him, emptying Mom’s savings—her dowry—for him. My hand trembled as I set the tablet down. I dialed my billionaire father: “You just want me to inherit the family business and marry your protégé, right? Fine. I’ll do it. Send someone to pick me up in three days.” I hung up. Caleb Hawk pushed the door open, a signed promissory note dangling in his hand. “Ellie, I’m so sorry. I owe another ten million…” The “confusion” in his eyes, which once twisted my gut with sympathy, now struck me as a cruel joke. I stared at the watch on his wrist—a Patek Philippe, listed at $160 million in a magazine. He wore a $160 million watch, feigning poverty over a ten-million-dollar debt, while I, penniless, had contemplated seeking out loan sharks for him. He noticed my gaze, quickly tucking the watch into his sleeve. “It’s just a fake. When I have money…” Before he could finish, another message popped up on the tablet: “Caleb, what’s she selling this time? Her house or her body?” “If it’s her body, I’ll book the first night!” Obscenities flooded the screen. In our three years together, I’d bailed him out twice: The first time, I sold Grandma’s house; he promised to give me a proper home. The second time, I emptied my dowry; he knelt, swearing he’d marry me. Only now did I realize those “promises” were nothing but elaborate deceptions. Caleb glanced at the messages, frowning as he typed a reply in the group chat: “Buzz off, all of you! Just wait for the show!” Then he clung to me, pulling me into a hug. “Ellie, this is the last time. Once it’s paid off, I’ll marry you.” The “sincerity” on his face made me laugh—what made me so special, that a rich playboy would go to such lengths to deceive me, even using marriage as a bargaining chip? I pushed him away. “Caleb, I’m out of money.” He froze, then his eyes widened in anger. “So you think I’m a loser too? I knew I misjudged you!” He slammed the door and left. This was his go-to tactic, his weapon to break my will. But I simply blocked all his contacts. I picked up the promissory note—no fingerprints, a clumsy forgery. I’d fallen for such an obvious fake twice. I called the real estate agent. “The flower shop on Main Street. Please help me sublease it.” That shop, I’d opened it to support him. Now, I was leaving it behind. Packing my bags, I surveyed the “surprises” in our rented apartment—greeting cards thrown out by bakeries, pebbles picked from the street, paper rings he’d folded. Every time he’d given them to me, he’d feigned surprise, as if they were precious finds. Only now did I understand: these were mere props, casually acquired, their contents likely forgotten by him even as he presented them. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the empty floor. I took one last look at this “home” filled with lies, then pulled my suitcase toward the door. Three days later, my father’s car pulled up exactly on time. My phone buzzed frantically with Caleb Hawk’s texts: “Ellie, where are you? I got the money, let’s start over…” I deleted the messages and stepped into the luxury car. In the rearview mirror, the dismal rental apartment shrunk, just like three years of my devoted heart, finally crumbling to dust under the harsh, unyielding sunlight. And in the distance, around the street corner, Caleb Hawk had Brooke Kingsley’s arm draped around his waist, pointing at my car and laughing to someone. “See that? That’s the flower girl I got bored of playing with.” A bitter smile touched my lips. “Drive,” I told the driver. From that moment on, Caleb Hawk’s schemes would no longer involve Eleanor Hawk. His only decent gift was a necklace he bought from a street vendor for eighty dollars when his first startup succeeded. I’d been furious, thinking he was wasting money. But Caleb had just watched me, amused. He’d called me silly, asking what would happen if he really became rich someday and I still couldn’t bear to spend money. I’d thought then he was being considerate. Now, it was clear he truly thought I was a fool. Scrolling through the dense, sprawling chat logs, there were exactly 517 instances of Caleb calling me silly. When I’d run through three streets to buy him his favorite late-night snack, he’d called me “Ellie, so silly.” When he’d had a fever, I’d draped my only raincoat over him, carrying him on my back to the clinic, and he’d remarked, “She’s ridiculously stupid.” Even when I lay in his arms, dreaming of a brighter future with him, he’d post in the group chat: “Ellie’s hopelessly stupid, dreaming of a future with me when she’s this poor…” Even in cold text, I could imagine the disdain and mockery with which he’d typed those words. But it didn’t matter anymore. In my future, Eleanor Hawk’s future, Caleb Hawk would no longer exist. I continued to pack, but in the end, my large suitcase remained mostly empty. The trash can, however, overflowed. I surveyed this home, where I’d lived for two years, one last time. Peeling paint stained with watermarks, a chair with a broken leg, a bed cobbled together from bricks and planks… During better times, I’d thought about decorating this place, making it feel like a home. But Caleb had always refused. He’d say we wouldn’t live here once he had money, so decorating was pointless. I’d believed every one of his promises, then clung to this dilapidated apartment, foolishly waiting for those promises to materialize. Thinking about it all, I suddenly felt a profound sense of pointlessness. I closed my suitcase. The real estate agent called. “Miss Hawk, I can’t finalize the sublease for the flower shop without your personal discussion with the landlord.” At 3 PM sharp, I arrived at the designated office building to meet the agent. In the lavish corridor, through a slightly ajar door, I saw Caleb Hawk. He was in a well-fitted suit, head bowed, fiddling with his phone. Beside him, a meticulously dressed woman leaned intimately against his shoulder. The moment I saw her, I recognized her. Two days prior, the flower shop received an order for nine hundred ninety-nine roses. Because the customer specifically requested the thorns not be removed, I’d spent hours, my hands bleeding, wrapping them all. When I personally delivered them by taxi, the recipient was this very woman, Brooke Kingsley. Tucked into the center of the roses was a small card, as requested by the customer: “To my lifelong love, Brooke. Signed: CH.” Only at this moment did it click: CH stood for Caleb Hawk. He had known, with chilling clarity, that I would never turn down such a large order, desperate as I was for money. So he had deliberately made those demands, watching me spin around, a puppet on his strings. The thought made me laugh, tears welling in my eyes. After I’d gone home that day, I’d even excitedly shared with Caleb that I’d made good money. When he’d tenderly bandaged my wounds, was he, even then, silently sneering, calling me a fool, reducing my pain to a punchline? Wiping away the tears from my eyes, the agent arrived. He saw me standing by the door and asked, puzzled, “Miss Hawk, the landlord is inside. Why don’t you go in?” My eyes, still tear-rimmed, stared at the agent in shock. “You said who? The landlord? Caleb Hawk?” The agent, oblivious, replied, “Yes. You didn’t know? That entire block on Main Street, it’s all Mr. Hawk’s territory.” I looked at Caleb Hawk’s figure in the distance. Painful memories, long dormant, surged forth like a bitter tide, threatening to drown me. After I’d helped Caleb pay off his debt the second time, I spent a long period struggling to make ends meet, unable to even pay rent. Four or five burly men had crowded the flower shop entrance, demanding rent. They’d smashed all the flowers in the shop, and even stomped on my cat, Snowball, letting him shriek in pain without releasing their feet. Snowball had been with me for twelve years; he wasn’t just a pet, but as vital to me as Caleb himself, a member of my family. I’d cried, my voice choked with tears, kneeling on the floor, begging them to spare him. In the three years I’d owned the shop, there had been countless times I’d been harassed for rent or protection money. But I’d never mentioned it to Caleb; I didn’t want to burden him. But this time, I was truly terrified. I’d called him, crying so hard I could barely breathe. I’d asked him, “Caleb, what do I do? Save Snowball, save him…” Caleb had known how important Snowball was to me, yet he’d remained silent for a long time before saying he was sorry. I’d watched, powerless, as those men trampled my cat to death. I’d held him, feeling him grow cold, then stiff, in my arms. Just as helpless as I had been when Mom’s life slipped away in my arms years ago. Yet, even after that, I hadn’t hated Caleb. I’d only regretted my own helplessness. But now, the truth was laid bare before me: the landlord who forced me to pay rent was Caleb Hawk. The one who could have saved Snowball with a single word was also Caleb Hawk. But he hadn’t saved him. And Snowball had died. I almost bit through my tongue to keep the sob from escaping my lips. I ran out of the office building, hailed a taxi, and told the driver to go to the airport. In the car, my hand trembling, I called my father. Twenty-seven years old, and the only person I could rely on now was the father I’d always tried to deny. “Dad, can you come pick me up now? Please…” … Meanwhile, Caleb Hawk, Brooke Kingsley, and his group of friends emerged from the office. Caleb’s head was bowed, his eyes fixed on the message thread with me on his screen. For two full days, I hadn’t sent him a single message. He was agitated, pulling out a cigarette, then putting it back when he remembered I didn’t like the smell of smoke on him. His buddy, standing behind him, clapped a hand on his shoulder, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice as he looked at the dark screen. “What’s up, Caleb? Is the little girl out of money this time? Not playing with you anymore?” A flash of frustrated anger crossed Caleb’s eyes. He shoved his friend’s arm away. “Who said that? Ellie loves me so much. She’s probably scrambling somewhere to get me the money right now!” “You just wait. After I give her a few days of cold shoulder, she’ll hand over the cash!” No sooner had he spoken than the real estate agent, who’d overheard my name, approached. “Ellie? Mr. Hawk, you know Miss Hawk? Perfect! She wants to sublease her flower shop. I was worried you might not approve!” Caleb frowned. He had a vague feeling that the anxiety building in his heart over the past few days was about to find its answer. He forced himself to remain composed, feigning nonchalance. “The flower shop is doing fine. Why would she sublease it?” The agent gave him a placating smile, completely unaware of the significance of his words. “Miss Hawk said she’s tired of running the shop and wants to go home to get married.” Caleb’s phone clattered to the floor. He lunged, grabbing the agent’s collar, his expression savage. “What did you say? Married? Who’s getting married?!” The agent, startled by his sudden aggression, stammered. “Mr. Hawk, it’s Eleanor, Miss Hawk, who’s getting married. Don’t, don’t you know her?” “IMPOSSIBLE!” Caleb roared. His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving violently. The agent was almost collapsing in fear, but Caleb held him tight by the collar. Finally, Caleb’s friends rushed over, talking him down, persuading him to let go. The agent, gasping for breath, quickly dropped the lease transfer agreement and fled. Caleb stood there, clutching the flimsy paper in his hand, feeling as if his very breath had become heavy. “Caleb, Ellie must be playing hard to get. She loves you so much, how could she marry someone else?” “Yeah, Caleb. Maybe she’s subleasing the flower shop just to pay off your debts!”

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My marriage to Ethan had been a symphony, a model of perfect harmony, widely seen as the ideal union of a benevolent ruler and his wise queen. Less than a year after his passing, I followed him. Then, my eyes fluttered open, and we were both back in our youth. This time, he didn’t reach for my hand as he had in our past life. Instead, he turned, knelt before the King, and begged for the decree to be revoked. He wanted to annul our engagement. To marry Isabella, the merchant’s daughter. 1 It was the twelfth year of King Arthur’s reign. A year when the Montgomery family’s influence was at its zenith. And the year I, fully recovered from my injuries, returned to the Capital from the Southern Coast. One moment, my ears were filled with the mournful cries of palace attendants. The next, I was reborn, finding myself walking the familiar path to greet the Queen Mother. Inside the Royal Conservatory, I curtsied gracefully. “Aubrey greets Your Majesty.” “My dear Aubrey, you’re finally back!” The Queen Mother beamed with delight, personally descending from her throne to help me rise. “Seeing you well, my heart is finally at ease. I heard you arrived in the Capital; the Crown Prince has been summoned by his uncle, discussing your betrothal.” I knew this union was the Queen Mother’s own arrangement. A faint smile touched my lips as I lowered my gaze. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But might this be a bit… rushed?” The Queen Mother sighed. “Ah, my child, you suffered such grievous injuries, delaying your life for three years. How could I not be anxious? Besides, Ethan is already sixteen this year. It’s time for him to marry.” She pulled me to sit beside her, her face radiating warmth, her tone unwavering. “Now, don’t you worry. The Crown Prince is a gentle and considerate soul. Marrying him, you will never suffer a moment of hardship.” I recalled my past life. Indeed, I had never suffered any hardship. For decades, married to Ethan, we had lived in perfect harmony, never even a harsh word between us. Even though I was three years his senior, he never held it against me; instead, he showered me with boundless care. Apart from our lifelong lack of children, there were truly no regrets. I offered a faint smile, engaging the Queen Mother in polite conversation. My seat had barely warmed when a palace maid burst in, breathless with urgency. “Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Crown Prince is kneeling outside the Grand Throne Room, saying he wishes to… to annul his engagement!” 2 “What?!” The Queen Mother abandoned all pretense of composure, rising sharply from her seat. I raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise in my heart. This had never happened in my previous life. Could it be that Ethan had also been reborn? The Queen Mother’s face darkened, and she swiftly led me towards the Grand Throne Room. Outside, Crown Prince Ethan knelt on the stone steps, surrounded by several palace attendants whispering words of comfort. Upon seeing the Queen Mother, Ethan murmured, “Grandmother,” then his gaze swept across my face, dismissively. I was about to curtsy to him, but he abruptly turned his head away, as if he couldn’t bear to see me. In this life, I had only met him once, briefly, from a distance. Returning after three years, he shouldn’t have recognized me. Such an attitude… he had indeed been reborn. Feigning ignorance of his coldness, I performed the customary curtsy. The Queen Mother glared at him, a mixture of anger and disappointment in her eyes. “Ethan, why this sudden talk of annulling your engagement? Has someone been whispering poison in your ear?” A flash of ruthlessness crossed the Queen Mother’s eyes. Ethan’s body trembled, but his voice remained firm. “No one else, Grandmother. This is my own decision.” “Nonsense! You agreed so readily before! If no one has been stirring trouble, how could you possibly think of annulling the engagement? Get up, now! Come with me and apologize to your uncle, the King! Aubrey has returned, perfectly well. Just look at her; what lady in the Capital could compare?” The Queen Mother pulled me forward, presenting me before Ethan. I lowered my head, allowing him to scrutinize me. His cold gaze merely grazed my face before flitting away. “Lady Montgomery is certainly radiant,” he said flatly, “but my heart already belongs to another. I will marry no one else in this life. No matter how exceptional Lady Montgomery may be, in my heart, she doesn’t hold a candle to her!” The Queen Mother’s face paled with fury. She yearned to silence him. “Nonsense! How many noble ladies have you even met, to claim your heart is already taken? I think you’ve lost your mind! The selection of your Princess Consort is for me and the King to decide! You simply return to the Crown Prince’s Residence and prepare for your wedding!” But Ethan, this time, was unexpectedly resolute, kneeling steadfastly, refusing to yield. In the tense standoff, Lord Chamberlain Sullivan emerged from the throne room, conveying the King’s decree: “His Majesty says, if the Crown Prince wishes to kneel, let him kneel there. Let us see how many hours he can endure.” With that, he leaned in, whispering a few words of persuasion to Ethan, urging him to apologize obediently and not displease the King. Ethan remained deaf to his words, continuing to kneel stubbornly, as if truly intending to stay there until the end of time. The Queen Mother’s face was etched with heartache, a flicker of resentment in her eyes. After a moment of thought, I knelt beside Ethan. Seeing this, Ethan turned his face away. “Don’t think that by kneeling here, I will obey the decree and marry you. My heart already belongs to someone else in this life. Your coercion will only make me despise you more.” I shook my head. “I am not here to pressure Your Highness. Rather, I find Your Highness’s words sound. I too wish to ask His Majesty to dissolve our engagement.” 3 His head snapped back, his face a mask of surprise. But I no longer looked at him, addressing the Queen Mother and Lord Chamberlain Sullivan instead. “If His Highness the Crown Prince is unwilling to marry me, then I, too, am unwilling for His Highness to be unhappy. I humbly ask Lord Chamberlain Sullivan to convey to His Majesty that this lady’s fortune is shallow and her fate meager. I beg His Majesty to grant permission for the annulment of our engagement, and to not hold His Highness accountable.” I bowed deeply, my forehead touching the ground. The Queen Mother and Ethan both froze, as if unable to believe I would relinquish the prestigious position of Crown Princess Consort, now within my grasp. Lord Chamberlain Sullivan, though quite surprised, nonetheless entered the throne room to relay my words. A long silence settled over the hall. After a moment, the King bade us enter. I subtly glanced towards the shimmering curtain of pearls. From a distance, the King’s features were indistinct, veiled in shadow, yet his vibrant royal purple robe stood out, deep and rich like an autumn bloom. His voice, clear and cool, yet pleasing to the ear, resonated from behind the curtain. “Lady Aubrey Montgomery, do you truly wish to annul your engagement with the Crown Prince?” I bowed again. “This lady is willing, Your Majesty. I beg your indulgence.” King Arthur remained silent, seemingly weighing his decision. The Queen Mother was frantic. “No! Aubrey risked her life to save Your Majesty! How can you mistreat such a loyal subject?” She shot me a warning glance, urging me to keep silent. But I bowed my head, purposely missing her gaze, and spoke quickly. “Aubrey dares not claim undue credit, Your Majesty. When I shielded you from the assassin, it was out of the same fierce loyalty as my father, not with any intention of clinging to the royal family. If Your Majesty and the Queen Mother truly pity this humble lady, perhaps you might bestow upon me a collection of master scores. Once I have thoroughly studied them, I would then play for Your Majesties the pieces I could not finish that day.” Kneeling there, I subtly brought up the past. It was during the Midsummer Festival celebration, with a grand banquet in the Royal Palace. An assassin, disguised as a dancer, infiltrated the feast, aiming to kill the King. I had been chosen by the Queen Mother to play the lute beside them, and I saw the dancer’s strange expression as she approached. Without thinking, I threw myself forward, blocking the poisoned darts she spat from her mouth. Though King Arthur was unharmed, I was gravely poisoned and sent to a secluded estate on the Southern Coast to recover. The Queen Mother, grateful for my loyal courage, had, upon hearing of my recovery and return to the Capital, specifically petitioned King Arthur for a royal decree to betroth me to the Crown Prince. The decree had already been issued, and I had resigned myself to my fate. Yet, I never expected Ethan to suddenly step forward and refuse. If that was the case, why shouldn’t I grant his wish? Masking the thoughts in my eyes, I quietly awaited King Arthur’s response. Finally, he let out a soft sigh. “The Queen Mother and I arranged this betrothal for you with the intention of compensating you, as your marriage was delayed because of me. Since neither of you desires it, I shall be lenient this once and withdraw this decree. I only hope that neither of you will regret this decision later.” Ethan couldn’t hide the joy that broke across his face. He was the first to speak, “Your Royal Nephew will not regret it!” I gazed at the pearl curtain, my voice just as firm and clear. “This lady will not regret it either. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.” 4 The Queen Mother hadn’t anticipated the engagement being dissolved so easily. Her face shifted through several shades, and she spoke to the King with clear displeasure: “Your Majesty, how could you allow them to act so recklessly? The royal decree has already been issued! Is it right to change a royal order so whimsically?” King Arthur replied leisurely, “One is the Crown Prince, the other is the daughter of Duke Montgomery. Why should I make things difficult for them?” The Queen Mother retorted sharply, “But not like this! The Crown Prince is sixteen now; it’s time for him to marry and establish his own household. Are you planning to keep delaying his marriage, Your Majesty?” The words touched on a forbidden subject. Lord Chamberlain Sullivan instantly tensed, and the Queen Mother abruptly fell silent. “I didn’t mean it that way…” Her expression was filled with regret as she anxiously eyed the pearl curtain. King Arthur’s reaction, however, was calm. He set down his vermilion brush. “I understand your concerns, Queen Mother. You are simply worried that I neglect my nephew, that I am not truly looking out for his future, aren’t you?” “I… I’m not…” The Queen Mother’s face blanched, and she wrung her hands. I, too, lowered my head, pretending not to hear the exchange. The current King was not the Crown Prince’s father, but his uncle. The Crown Prince’s biological father, the late King Valerius, had passed away from illness at the age of twenty-six. When he died, Ethan was only four years old, too young to assume the throne. Thus, the crown had passed to his seventeen-year-old brother, Prince Arthur – the current King. King Valerius had entrusted Arthur with raising the young Prince, with the understanding that once Ethan came of age and could rule independently, Arthur would then relinquish the throne, returning it to its rightful heir. Arthur had agreed. But his stepmother, Queen Mother Eleanor, King Valerius’s birth mother, had, under the pretext that Arthur was still unmarried and the royal court lacked a Queen, taken the young Prince, bringing him to her own side to raise personally. It could be said that under the Queen Mother’s interference, Arthur’s affection for Ethan was quite limited. On an everyday basis, they could maintain a facade of familial affection if no one pointed out the truth. But now, the Queen Mother had slipped, accusing him of deliberately neglecting Ethan. If Arthur were to take offense… Cold sweat instantly beaded on the Queen Mother’s forehead. She forced a strained smile. “How could I ever think Your Majesty is not diligent? I merely lament that this child is so unfilial.” She shot Ethan a sharp glare. Ethan understood her unspoken command and willingly apologized. “I have disappointed both my Grandmother and my Uncle.” King Arthur remained noncommittal, merely stating, “Very well. The Queen Mother is simply concerned for you. You have indeed grown, and it is time for you to establish your own family. Speak then. You refuse to marry the Montgomery daughter, claiming your heart belongs to another. Who is this person?” A faint smile touched Ethan’s lips. “Her name is Isabella. She manages The Gilded Butterfly Emporium in the Capital. She is not only beautiful and virtuous, lively and intelligent, but also runs her household with remarkable skill and an unconventional spirit. Though only sixteen, she manages her family’s business with impressive order, earning my profound admiration.” Ethan lavished her with praise, but the Queen Mother instantly pinpointed the crucial detail, a look of disdain on her face. “Merely a merchant’s daughter?” Ethan argued, “Though a merchant’s daughter, her character and appearance are no less than those of a noble lady. Once you meet her, Grandmother, you will see what a captivating person she is, so unlike those stiff and dull ladies of the court!” After his last remark, he cast a quick glance at me. I scoffed internally, remembering how in his previous life, most of the beautiful young women he took into his royal court were from noble families. He certainly hadn’t rejected them. King Arthur pondered for a long while. “A merchant’s background is indeed a little low. Do you insist on her being your Crown Princess Consort?” Ethan didn’t hesitate, bowing his head in supplication. “Yes, Your Majesty. In this life, I wish only to grow old with her.” Seeing his stubbornness, the Queen Mother was almost incandescent with rage. King Arthur, however, seemed indifferent. “Her surname is Dawson? That’s the same as Duke Dawson. Very well then, let Duke Dawson adopt her as his foster daughter. That way, her status as Crown Princess Consort won’t be too unbecoming.” Ethan was overjoyed. “Your Royal Nephew thanks you, Uncle!” With the royal decree issued, there was no turning back this time. The Queen Mother’s face darkened. She deeply felt the Crown Prince’s disregard for her efforts in planning his future, and she left in a huff, utterly fuming. Ethan, however, was lost in the joy of marrying the woman he loved, completely oblivious to any wrongdoing. After all, in his previous life, King Arthur had abdicated, and he had smoothly ascended the throne. Naturally, after rebirth, he felt no sense of impending crisis. I subtly shook my head, a quiet sigh of relief escaping my heart. Not having to marry him truly saved me a lot of trouble. On the way out of the palace, Lord Chamberlain Sullivan personally escorted me. He subtly hinted that I should not repeat what I had heard today, then offered comfort: “Today’s events have certainly caused you distress, Lady. His Majesty asked me to convey a message: should you ever find someone you wish to marry, simply have Duke Montgomery petition the King, and His Majesty will personally arrange the union for you.” A royal betrothal would be far more honorable than an ordinary wedding. My lips curved into a faint smile. I whispered, “His Majesty still remembers my future marriage?” Lord Chamberlain Sullivan chuckled. “Of course. Not only did His Majesty essentially watch you grow up, Lady, but in this matter, the Crown Prince truly acted without proper decorum. During your recovery on the Southern Coast, His Majesty even mentioned you to me, inquiring about your health.” “Is that so…” My heart fluttered, and I unconsciously touched the jeweled bracelet on my wrist. At his words, my heart began to faintly stir once more. If Ethan had been reborn and could be with the person he loved, then why couldn’t I? 5 I thanked Lord Chamberlain Sullivan, then returned to the Montgomery Estate. I omitted the details of the Queen Mother’s argument with the King, telling my father only about the Crown Prince’s annulment. My father was furious. “When the betrothal was first decreed, the Crown Prince swore solemn oaths before His Majesty and me, promising to treat you well in the future. Now, barely two months later, he breaks his word! This act not only disrespects our Montgomery family, but it also disregards your reputation. He truly has no regard for anyone!” A cold glint flashed in my father’s eyes. He told me not to be sad, to stay home, and that he would handle everything. But I had other ideas. “Father, next month is His Majesty’s birthday, isn’t it?” For the King’s birthday celebration, it was customary to hold a banquet in the Imperial Ballroom, inviting ministers, dukes, and royal relatives. I knew he had a deep appreciation for music, so I intended to find a renowned lute as a gift. Coincidentally, the owner of The Muse Gallery in the Capital possessed the famed “Emerald Silk” lute. He had posted a notice outside his establishment, stating that he himself had no musical talent and felt the “Emerald Silk” was wasted in his hands. He decided to gift the lute to someone who truly understood it. And how one proved understanding, naturally, was through a musical competition. On the third day of the seventh month, The Muse Gallery was overflowing. Besides those vying for the “Emerald Silk” lute, many simply came to enjoy the music. My lady-in-waiting and I reserved a private room on the second floor of the gallery. My gaze casually swept over the crowd, and I spotted Ethan, mingling amongst them, accompanied by a charming, lovely young woman. He leaned down, smiling softly at the girl, his eyes brimming with affection. And that girl—she bore a striking resemblance, perhaps six or seven tenths, to Lady Isabella, the most favored of Ethan’s consorts in his previous life. My eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a sudden realization dawned on me. So that’s it. Ethan’s fondness for Lady Isabella, even making her son the Crown Prince, had all been a search for this girl’s shadow. If I guessed correctly, this was Isabella. I averted my gaze, but Isabella seemed to sense something, looking up towards the second floor. Ethan looked up. “What are you looking at?” “Nothing, just… are you really confident you can win that ‘Emerald Silk’ lute?” Isabella asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice. Ethan, however, seemed utterly determined. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I will absolutely win this lute. Next month, at my uncle’s birthday celebration, I’ll present it to him in your name. That’s sure to change his opinion of you.” 6 Ethan, brimming with confidence, led Isabella to a private room on the second floor. It was, coincidentally, directly opposite mine. The competition officially began. Each participant had the duration of a tea ceremony to showcase their musical skill. I chose the piece I knew best: “Phoenix Seeks Mate.” This was a classic piece, composed by Lord Symonds for his beloved Lady Wynter, and the very lute he played was none other than the “Emerald Silk.” The piece and the instrument resonated deeply, perfectly suiting today’s competition. Many in the hall shared the same idea, and “Phoenix Seeks Mate” filled the air. I calmed my mind, disregarding outside distractions, focusing my thoughts into my fingertips. The lute’s notes, flowing and clear, like a tranquil stream, spilled over the balcony, instantly eclipsing the sounds of the other competitors. They paused their playing, gazing towards my private room, closing their eyes, seemingly lost in the ethereal melody. “Excellent! Truly excellent! Which gentleman in that private room is playing such a beautiful tune? The ‘Emerald Silk’ today might just be this gentleman’s prize!” Hearing “Phoenix Seeks Mate,” the audience assumed the performer was a gentleman. The buzz of their discussion finally made Ethan, sitting directly opposite, lose his composure. He pulled out his “Phoenix Tail” lute, brought from the palace, and played a fierce, soaring melody. Two vastly different styles of music clashed. Logically, the lyrical piece should have been at a disadvantage. But I had practiced for years, and my heart held unspoken affections. The emotion and technique in my piece reached their peak. Ethan was unaffected at first, but gradually, his performance began to falter. Just as I was about to press my advantage and secure his complete defeat, a familiar melody suddenly drifted from the private room next door—it was “Phoenix Seeks Mate” again. The moment I heard that piece, my fingers hesitated. Ethan, thinking I had made a mistake, redoubled his efforts, playing his lute with even greater fervor. The player next door, observing this, remained unhurried. The lute’s notes, clear and enchanting, unfurled like a true phoenix spiraling into being, its cries echoing, like jade shattering on Kunlun Mountain, like tears on lotus petals, weaving a tale of deep, sorrowful affection that touched the heart. The audience, listening intently, found their eyes welling with tears. The victor of this competition was, without a doubt, clear. Ethan was still struggling, but I had already released my hold. Regardless of whether I could continue playing, I couldn’t compete anymore. Because I had recognized the person in the private room next door. In the fourth year of King Valerius’s reign, my father and Prince Arthur returned from the border. I was scolded by my tutor to my father for playing with lute strings as if they were slingshot elastic. My father was distressed. I wanted to learn riding and archery, not music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He didn’t know how to convince me and was about to drag me indoors for a lecture when the boy beside him stopped him. The boy said that riding and archery didn’t conflict with music and the arts. He suggested that in my spare time, I could learn martial arts with the family guards to strengthen my body. I stared at his handsome, serene features, unable to look away, and dumbly asked, “Will you learn to play the lute too?” He chuckled. “Why wouldn’t I?” With that, he set down the lute that my tutor had brought and personally played a tune. That piece was “Phoenix Seeks Mate.” Phoenix, oh phoenix, return to your homeland, wandering the four seas, seeking your mate. I was only seven at the time. His playing that piece was merely a whim; it held no deeper meaning. But it was the first time I had ever heard such beautiful music, seen such a handsome young man. From that day on, I never forgot him. Even reborn, I still recognized the player in the next room. It was him. The former Prince Arthur, the current King—Arthur. 7 Why was he here? I ceased playing. Outside, Ethan’s melody had devolved into chaos, and he awkwardly withdrew from the competition. The owner of The Muse Gallery personally delivered the “Emerald Silk” lute to the room next door. I stood at my door, hesitating whether to go offer my congratulations. Just as I decided to feign ignorance, a voice from behind me called out, “Lady, a moment.” I turned. The man cleared his throat lightly and spoke towards the room, “My master requests your presence.” Behind the landscape screen in the private room, a young man in white robes sat on a chair. Hearing my footsteps, he slowly raised his gaze. His features, flawless and handsome, like the crisp light of an autumn moon, clearly etched themselves into my vision. My body trembled. I could barely remember the last time I had seen him this close. My gaze lingered. Though I knew I should bow my head in deference, I couldn’t bear to look away for even a second. Seeing my reaction, the young man showed no anger. He simply curved his lips. “Stunned?” I shook my head, gathered my thoughts, and bowed formally. “Greetings, Your Majesty.” Arthur raised a hand, dismissing my formality. I stood quietly, asking if he had any instructions. Arthur pushed the “Emerald Silk” lute towards me, gesturing for me to take it. “Here.” I froze, not moving for a moment. “This is… something Your Majesty won.” Arthur seemed unconcerned. “It’s fine. You were the one playing in the room next door, weren’t you? Didn’t you want this lute?” I pressed my lips together, answering truthfully. “This lady desired this lute only to present it to Your Majesty on your birthday. Now that it is in Your Majesty’s hands, my wish has already been fulfilled.” “I see.” Arthur paused, shaking his head. “Then I suppose I acted rather unnecessarily. I hadn’t expected you to play so beautifully after three years. I recall you used to fuss and argue with Duke Montgomery, refusing to learn the lute.” A smile played on Arthur’s lips as he reminisced, making me feel a flush of bashfulness. “That was just this lady being foolish in her youth.” I vehemently defended myself, my face turning crimson. Thankfully, Arthur didn’t dwell on the teasing. He simply plucked a few strings, then offered the lute to me. “Take it. Consider it a reward for your progress.” Such a reason left me no room to refuse. As I took the lute, my wide sleeve slipped from my arm, revealing a string of glistening polished stones on my wrist. Arthur noticed them, his gaze pausing. “This is…” Seeing that he seemed to have forgotten, a pang of sadness went through me. I was about to explain, but Arthur spoke softly. “…Is this something I gave you before?” A ripple stirred in my heart, and I nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. This was a gift from you on my tenth birthday. I have worn it every day since.” Arthur fell silent, his gaze complex as he looked at the string of flawless stones. They glowed with the soft warmth of long handling, clearly treasured and worn by their owner for many years. He spoke gently, “You’ve kept all the things I’ve given you?” I paused, then instinctively clutched the lute closer. “Yes. Anything Your Majesty gives me, no matter what it is, is incredibly precious to me.” Hearing this, Arthur let out a soft sigh. He waved a hand, dismissing me. A knot of anxiety tightened in my chest. I felt that Arthur had sensed something, and I left the private room, my mind distracted. As I was about to return to my room, two figures emerged from the far end of the corridor: Ethan and Isabella. Seeing me there, Ethan froze for a moment. Then he noticed the lute in my arms, and disbelief flooded his face. “So it was you who was competing against me earlier?” I curtsied to him. “Greetings, Your Highness.” Ethan’s brow furrowed deeply, his gaze fixed on the “Emerald Silk” lute in my arms. I understood what he meant, but I had no intention of handing it over. “Does Your Highness have any further business? If not, I shall take my leave.” I brushed past him, clutching the lute, but he suddenly grabbed my arm. “Stop!” I frowned, my voice low. “Your Highness, you’re hurting me.” He realized his grip and instinctively released me. Then, as if it were his rightful due, he said, “This lute is what I chose. I hope Lady Montgomery will transfer it to me. I would be most grateful.” He thought he could just take it with a word, as if he were already King. I scoffed internally, but on my face, I feigned a troubled expression. “I apologize, Your Highness, but this lady is also extremely fond of this lute. I fear I cannot grant your request.” I curtsied again, then moved to leave. But Ethan stepped in front of me, blocking my path, and sneered, “Stop pretending. What do you know about music? In our past life… I never heard you play ‘Phoenix Seeks Mate’ before. That piece just now, you had someone play it for you, didn’t you?”

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My senior year of high school, I transferred out. I never imagined that soon after, rumors would spread like wildfire among our classmates: I was dead, a victim of leukemia. After I left, the rebellious slacker in the back row, Owen, suddenly fell silent. He shed his defiant image, studying with a ferocity no one had ever seen, eventually gaining admission to a top-tier music conservatory. Nine years later, he was a household name, a chart-topping sensation. On a live talk show, when the topic of relationships came up, a profound melancholy shadowed his face. “She’s gone now.” “If only I’d known, I wouldn’t have wished her to stay eighteen forever.” Masked, camcorder on my shoulder, I panned across his phone’s lock screen. My breath hitched. Wait. Was that… me? 1 Owen King had dominated the charts for seven years, racking up countless awards, the undisputed idol in millions of hearts. After all that time, I was seeing him again. But now, he was the reality show’s star, and I was just the camera op. This was Owen’s first reality show, and his fans were buzzing with anticipation. The moment he stepped into view, the venue erupted. A swarm of paparazzi descended. My colleague nudged me gently. “Owen’s here.” “Saw him.” He strode quickly through the guest channel, head down, pulling his baseball cap lower. Even just his silhouette sent the crowd into a frenzy of screams. I quickly powered on my camcorder, capturing his entrance. Damn, he’s still got it. Good for a quick buck from the fans. “Hey, I heard Owen graduated from Riverside High. You’re alumni, right? Do you know him?” my colleague suddenly asked. I paused. A memory flickered to life, sharp and vivid. Another twilight, so many years ago. Back then, I was still Lily Lin. Inside The Rack ‘n’ Roll, tears silently tracked down my face as I clutched my homework. “Owen, please, no more fighting. Can you just finish your assignments first?” Blood streamed from the back of Owen’s hand, his patience clearly razor-thin. “Lily, you are seriously annoying. Can’t you understand a damn word? Get lost.” … My mind snapped back to reality. I smiled, shaking my head. “He’s a huge star. How could I possibly know him?” Once artists hit it big, they usually cut ties with their old friends to avoid trouble. Owen’s reputation in high school wasn’t great. He’d definitely want nothing to do with former classmates. Especially since he used to despise me. I’d just shoot more footage of him, sell it, and move on. No need to bother him. 2 The show was an hour from starting. I sat in a corner, checking my equipment, when a voice suddenly echoed above me. “Lily?” I froze, looking up. It was Hazel. She was one of the guests on this episode, and also my college classmate. She’d been jobless last year, practically begging me for help. Our studio needed a production assistant then, so I pulled some strings to get her in. Who knew that during one shoot, she’d accidentally wander into a shot, and with her sweet looks and voice, become an overnight sensation? We hadn’t spoken since. I offered a faint smile. “What a coincidence.” She blinked, feigning surprise. “Lily, it is you! Still lugging that camera around? I thought you’d be running the show by now!” She went on, a flicker of feigned regret crossing her face. “Things really do happen for a reason, don’t they? If it had been you caught on camera back then, maybe you’d be the star. But, you know…” Her tone shifted, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “It’s fate, really. I begged you for a job back then, and you deliberately messed with me, stuck me with all the grunt work, the hardest, dirtiest jobs. Even the universe saw how unfair that was, and that’s why I blew up overnight. Lily, this is your karma.” I stayed silent, with nothing to say. She’d broken equipment at her old company and been fired, then she’d called me sobbing daily, saying she couldn’t afford food, pleading for a job, swearing she’d do anything for money. I felt for her, pulled every string I had to get her into the studio. And she thinks I was messing with her. What else could I say? Someone was approaching from not far away. 3 “Hazel!” I turned. It was Mark, my ex-boyfriend, who’d been our classmate, too. After Hazel blew up, Mark dumped me and ran off to be her assistant manager. Seeing me, he stopped short. “Lily Lin?” Hazel took the coffee from his hand. “Mark, you got it already?” “Yeah, had to hit a few blocks, but finally found it.” “You’re the best.” Hazel grinned, then turned her mocking gaze on me. “You used to complain Mark never cared for you, always so distant. What gives? He’s been so thoughtful with me.” “Oh.” Had she finished? I looked at her, slowly. “Anything else you wanted to say, Ms. Hazel? Because everything you just said? I recorded it all.” Hazel froze. “What did you say?” Her whole brand was the ‘sweet, ditzy darling,’ with a fanbase full of ‘dream boys.’ If this video got out, she was toast. “Lily Lin, delete that video!” She snapped, lunging to grab my camcorder. I clutched it tight, refusing to let go. “Ms. Hazel, this is a friend’s camcorder. I’m not sure how to delete anything.” “Don’t play dumb with me! Delete it now, or you’re gonna regret it!” She yanked desperately. Mark, seeing things escalate, rushed over to break it up. The commotion was loud enough to draw the entire crew. Our producer rushed over, demanding to know what was going on. My eyes welled up, feigning distress. “Ms. Hazel insists I filmed her and wants me to delete it, but I truly didn’t!” Hazel’s eyes widened. “Stop acting! Hand over the camcorder! Or I’ll sue you for violating my publicity rights!” The producer quickly tried to calm her, then took my camcorder and powered it on. Hazel stared in disbelief, scrolling through, searching. How could she find anything? I hadn’t even turned it on. Hazel was about to say something else. Mark, seeing the momentum turning against her, quickly pulled her away. “It’s just a misunderstanding, folks. Ms. Hazel was just worried about her look getting leaked, didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” He hurried Hazel away. I looked at the producer apologetically. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why she’s so sensitive. I just touched the camcorder, and she started claiming I filmed her.” “I know, I know.” The producer waved a dismissive hand. “These minor celebrities are the worst. Big egos, no talent. Someone else will put her in her place soon enough. Everyone, back to your positions. Half an hour until we start.” I nodded, pulling out my mask and putting it on. I never liked my face on camera, so I always wore it on set. Just as I finished, a shout came from behind me. “Lily Lin!” I turned, seeing a production assistant, and… Owen. 4 “Owen’s regular camera op had a last-minute emergency. You’re filling in.” I stared at Owen. He wore a simple hoodie, his expression distant. As the wind stirred his bangs, the eighteen-year-old boy from my memories seemed to suddenly resurface. Why are you called Lily Lin and not, like, Big Lily? What’s up with the old man? This one-on-one tutoring? Your grades are worse than mine, who’s helping who? You’re seriously annoying. What I do or don’t learn is none of your business, is it? I’m going to sleep. Don’t wake me up for class later. LILY! … I snapped back to reality, nodding. “Got it.” I swung the camcorder onto my shoulder and hurried over. Owen paused, then extended a hand, polite and formal. “Ms. Lin, hello.” I reached out, shaking his hand. “Hello.” Our skin met. That long, elegant hand instantly became slick with moisture. Owen flinched, his hand trembling slightly, his gaze suddenly locking onto my eyes. Surprise and bewilderment swirled within them. 5 My heart gave a quiet lurch. Why… why was he looking at me like that? “Owen?” His grip was too tight. I had to speak up. He blinked, coming back to himself, then released my hand, offering an apologetic smile. “My bad. Been a little exhausted lately, got lost in thought.” So that was it. Big celebrities, jet-setting for appearances, it’s bound to be tiring. He finished, then looked at the production assistant. “Shall we go?” After his solo interview, the show began. It was a live broadcast: eight celebrity guests would draw lots to determine their roles, then hunt for a secret treasure hidden within the school. The winning team’s prize would be used to fund an adult school for individuals with autism. The moment Owen appeared, the bullet comments exploded. 【LOL Owen’s so awkward!】 【Owen never does reality shows, only charity events like this could tempt him.】 【Owen is seriously the best! He donates to leukemia patients every year since his debut and even writes songs for them. That’s an idol!】 【Isn’t it because his first love died of leukemia? This show must be for her, too. So devoted, ugh, I just want to hug him.】 【Wait, for real? Who was Owen’s first love?】 【I think a high school classmate? He mentioned it when he first debuted on his social media, but his posts are only visible for the last six months now, so you can’t see it anymore.】 In the control room, I watched the small monitor beside me, my mind drifting. His first love… a high school classmate? Died of leukemia? I racked my brain, but no one fit the description. Though, I had transferred out in my senior year. What happened after that, I wouldn’t know. Maybe he met someone special then. I looked at Owen, a hollow ache settling in my chest. In high school, he’d been cold and dismissive, caring for no one. I’d always thought no one could ever truly reach him. Turns out, someone could. But… I shook my head, a small, wry smile on my lips. I found myself curious about her. The kind of person who could tame Owen’s wild side, who he’d remember for so long, she had to be truly special. After the guest introductions, the host warmed up the audience, and the drawing of lots began. Hazel got lucky, drawing the ‘Honor Student’ card. Her privileges were high; she could access most of the school freely. Owen, though, pulled the ‘Slacker’ card, the lowest privilege. He’d have to complete a task before entering any area. Owen stared at the card in his hand, a wry, almost exasperated laugh escaping him. Back in high school, he was infamous for being either last or second-to-last in grades. This draw was pretty accurate. Good thing the competition was held at Riverside High. At least he had home-field advantage. During the Q&A, the host asked about everyone’s most unique high school memories. Hazel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a bittersweet smile on her face. “My high school memories aren’t great. Probably because of my looks, the other girls weren’t very friendly, so I never really had many friends. Then in college, I finally made one good friend, someone I trusted completely, but then at my lowest point, she really kicked me while I was down… Anyway, it’s all in the past now. I’ve forgiven her.” 【Ugh, I’m fuming! Hazel’s so cute, how could anyone bully her? Are those people insane?】 【I get it, I totally get it! I’m also pretty good-looking, and I could tell the girls in my class just didn’t like me. Seriously, it’s not my fault I’m pretty.】 【Hazel’s so pure! She actually forgave them, but if it were me, I’d never let anyone who backstabbed me off the hook!】 Watching from off-camera, I had to admit, I was almost impressed. Turning black into white, and doing it so vaguely, never naming names, impossible to verify – if that wasn’t a talent, what was? “Enough about me. What about you, Owen? Your school days must have been much more interesting, right?” Having achieved her goal, she wisely decided to quit while she was ahead, smoothly linking herself to Owen. Everyone collectively turned to Owen. His gaze swept over my location. A faint smile touched his lips. “That was ages ago. Can’t quite remember.” For a split second, I felt a strange disorientation. I couldn’t tell if his gaze was for the camera, or for me. 6 Half an hour later, the show cut to commercials. Everyone boarded vans headed for Riverside High. Before we got in, Mark found me. “Lily.” He seemed awkward. I didn’t bother looking at him. “Something you need? I’m busy.” The air hung heavy for a beat. He looked at me, a hint of apology in his eyes. “Have you… been okay this past year?” “What’s wrong? Afraid I’m doing too well, posing a threat to you two?” “How could you think that?” He quickly explained, his gaze filled with remorse. “What happened back then, I messed up, I really did. But I was so sick of those endless, dead-end days. I hope you can understand. I have some connections now, if you’re looking for a new job, I can help. At least you won’t have to work so hard.” I paused. He regretted it? Ran off with Hazel for money, and now that he knows she’s high-maintenance, he suddenly remembers me. I straightened up, looking at the small mole on his nose. It used to make him seem so handsome, I’d loved it almost to the point of obsession. Now… the more I looked, the more it sickened me. “No thanks. Scumbags don’t have good intentions, and even if they did, I wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole.” He stiffened. He was about to speak again when a car pulled up beside us. Hazel swung the door open, her face cold, calling him over like a pet. “Mark, my feet are killing me. Come rub them.” Mark hesitated for a fraction of a second, then hurried over to her. “Coming, babe.” Hazel glanced at me. “What were you two talking about?” “Nothing much. Just warned her to behave.” “Oh, really? I thought she was trying to get back with you. You know, I still remember her crying, begging you not to leave her. Ugh, what’s the difference between her and a stray dog?” Mark flinched, then chuckled. “No, even if she wanted to, I’d never agree. She’s not even worth a strand of your hair.” “That’s more like it.” Hazel’s expression was smug. “Don’t you think she hates me now? I’m on a major reality show, and her? Nothing. She couldn’t even hold onto the man she loved.” … I didn’t hear what else they said, focusing on gathering my gear. Until someone beeped at me. “Lily, let’s go.” I murmured a reply, clutching my gear, and climbed in. Only then did I realize Owen was already inside, texting someone. Why was he in this car? My heart pounded, but I dared not ask, pretending not to see him, quietly settling into the back seat. Suddenly, my phone blared. It was Owen’s signature hit: The Sound of Falling Rain. “This rain stops here, emotions linger, what you leave behind, a long, lingering dampness…” Every head in the car swiveled. I fumbled frantically to silence it, but it was too late. Owen’s head shot up. Through the rearview mirror, his gaze locked with mine. “My bad,” I said, an awkward laugh escaping me. “Just heard it on the charts yesterday, thought it was catchy, decided to use it as my ringtone.” He paused. “But that’s from this year’s concert.” Right… I forgot. It was the live concert version. The audio quality was terrible, background noise and all. “Have you seen my concert, Ms. Lin?” he asked. Memories crashed over me like waves. But how could I admit it? It was my deepest, most guarded secret. Even after all these years, deliberately avoiding any news of him, I couldn’t resist. I’d gone to his seven-year anniversary concert. Sat in the very last row, tears streaming down my face for his success. “No,” I said. “Must’ve been uploaded by a fan online, I guess? I’m not really tech-savvy.” “Is that so?” He didn’t break eye contact. He just calmly studied my reflection in the mirror, his thoughts unreadable. A moment stretched between us. “Ms. Lin, aren’t you hot?” “Excuse me?” “Wearing a mask all the time, aren’t you hot?” he asked, his voice casual, like simple concern. I wiped sweat from my forehead. “No, I’m fine. I… have a cold, don’t want to spread it.” “…I see.” My phone grew hot in my grip. Message alerts buzzed one after another. He glanced at them, replying calmly, yet unable to control the tremor in his fingertips. I lowered my eyes, quickly changing my ringtone. Once done, I snuck a glance at the front. Seeing him preoccupied with his messages, I let out a silent breath of relief. Close call. Almost blew it. 7 The car started moving. In the gentle sway, I drifted into a short dream. I was back in that classroom, last row again. Our homeroom teacher had set up a tutoring group, one-on-one. And I, second to last, was assigned to tutor Owen, who was dead last. Back then, Owen was the resident rebel, avoided by everyone. His days were split between sleeping and stirring up trouble. As the group leader, I’d tried every trick in the book to whip him into shape, but he only ever made me cry with frustration. A month later, midterm results were out. He was second to last. I was dead last. I cried so hard that day. Owen was sick of me. Just to get some peace, he ditched class with me and took me for some street food. “Just eat, relax. You’re dead last, nowhere to go but up, right?” “Me? I don’t care. Learning or not, it’s all the same. My old man only cares about his other kid anyway.” “Alright, drop it. Music conservatory? That old guitar? I haven’t touched it in ages!” “La la la, I can’t hear you!” “LILY! What I learn or don’t learn is none of your business! I regret buying you that food, now spit it out—” … Owen always asked why I was so set on him studying. He’d never know. How, long ago, I’d seen another side of him. Brilliant, playing his own songs, full of youthful vigor and fire. I wanted that Owen to wake up. What a shame, what a waste. 8 Ten minutes later, the car pulled up to our destination. I’d slept the entire ride, oblivious to Owen watching me the whole way. The live broadcast resumed. Everyone else entered the school through the main gates. Except Owen. As the ‘Slacker,’ even entering the school required a challenge. Solve a riddle, or do fifty push-ups. Pick one. The comments section collectively melted for Owen. 【Go for the riddle, push-ups will drain too much energy for the rest of the game. But riddles take forever! Owen’s fit, he should just do the push-ups!】 The camera zoomed in on Owen. It seemed like a crucial decision. But Owen… chose neither. He surveyed his surroundings, then scaled the school’s side wall. “Slackers gotta find slacker ways, right?” On camera, he sat perched on the wall, wild and unbridled, just like he’d been all those years ago. He looked at me, his eyes flashing. “Give me your hand,” he said. As his camera op, I felt I had no choice. The moment our hands clasped tightly… “Ms. Lin, you remind me of someone.” I looked up, confused. “What?” He looked at me, a gentle, old breeze sweeping through his eyes. “Nothing. Just a feeling that today might be very lucky.” ? What was he on about? My body felt weightless. He’d pulled me up beside him. The directors were stumped. It took a while for the security guard NPCs to catch up. We jumped down, ducking into the janitor’s closet, waiting in the cramped space for what felt like an eternity. The NPCs finally wandered off. I let out a soft sigh of relief. I turned my head and found Owen staring at me, as if deep in thought. In the dim light, we were so close I could almost hear the frantic beating of our own hearts. I swallowed. “…Owen? Is something wrong?” He offered a quiet smile, then reached out. From the cabinet above my head, he plucked the hidden treasure. “See, Ms. Lin? I told you today would be lucky.” The bullet comments went wild. 【OMG, HELP, why is this so flirty?!】 【Dying laughing, Owen’s a newbie to reality TV, has no idea he’s practically flirting with the camera op!】 【I’m low-key shipping them now, is that wrong?】

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I am Rowan, Oracle of the Verdant Clan. The Exiled Prince, Reed, spent three years banished to the Verdant Wilds. That I claimed him, bending his will to mine, became the greatest stain on his honor. Years later, he seized the throne, then personally led his armies to conquer the Verdant Clan. The day he burst into my chambers, the Blight within me flared, a torment worse than death. His fingers clamped around my throat, his voice a ragged growl. “Back then, you cruelly toyed with me, then cast me aside. Do you regret it now?” Fighting the agonizing gnawing of the blight-worms in my heart, I managed a brittle laugh. “Reed, you are the Emperor now, master of all lands. Could you perhaps find me a root of ancient ginseng?” “Still unrepentant!” He dragged me back to Crownsgate, subjecting me to endless torment. But he never knew that, all those years ago, when he lay dying from the poison… …it was I who invoked the Soul-Link Parasite, drawing the venom from his veins into my own. Now, I was dying. 1 I woke in the dank darkness of the dungeon, the first thing I saw a gnarled root of ancient ginseng beside me. A jolt went through me, my heart a tangled knot of emotions. My trembling hand reached for it, but then a heavy boot slammed down, pinning my wrist to the cold stone. Reed stood cloaked in shadow, his gaze as bleak as winter. “Rowan, when you shamed me, did you ever imagine this would be your end?” I looked at Reed, a thousand thoughts swirling, but the words that spilled from my lips were a desperate plea. “Reed, I need so many ancient herbs. Will you… will you help me again?” The words hung in the air, and a spark of fury ignited in Reed’s glacial eyes. He ground his boot down on my wrist, a cruel twist. “Three years, and that’s all you can say to me? Do you truly believe I am still the broken prince you once commanded so carelessly?” Agony, sharp and splintering, shot up my arm, draining my face of what little color remained. A bitter, hollow laugh escaped me. “You are Emperor now. If I didn’t speak like this, your Empress might misunderstand, might think I still harbored lingering affections for you.” At my words, Reed’s movement faltered, his expression twisting into something ugly, discomfited. Everyone knew he and Empress Isolde shared a love profound and enduring, a bond forged in shared struggle. The next moment, he crushed the ancient ginseng beneath his heel, pulverizing it. “Rowan, you dare presume!” He seemed poised to do more, but Isolde, who had been waiting outside the cell, gently grasped his arm. Isolde stood tall, her tone dripping with mock pity. “The esteemed Oracle of the Verdant Clan, now a common prisoner. How utterly pathetic. But had you not been so blind, had you not tormented Reed so relentlessly back then, you wouldn’t be in this wretched state! Were it not for Reed’s and my wedding today, a day for no bloodshed, I would have had you torn apart a thousand times over.” Only then did I notice. Reed and Isolde were clad in robes of vibrant, blinding crimson, the color of celebration. I bit my lip, silent, as memories, sharp and painful, flickered through my mind. Six years ago, Reed, the disgraced prince, was banished to the Verdant Wilds. It was then that I, Rowan, found myself captivated by him at first sight. I pursued him relentlessly, and we fell into a love that consumed us. Reed and I, all we truly wanted was to be a simple couple, to live out our days in quiet peace. But alas, Reed’s status as a disgraced prince made him a target. Assassins, wave after wave, hunted him without end. During one such attack, Reed was struck down by a potent poison, one with no known cure. The only hope lay in the Soul-Link Parasite – a forbidden ancient ritual to transfer the venom from his body, a life for a life. … The blight-worms gnawed at my very flesh, my heart a raw, aching wound. I snapped back to the present, watching Reed lean down to press a tender kiss to Isolde’s forehead, his eyes overflowing with affection. “Had she not betrayed me so cruelly, I would never have found you,” he murmured. “To have a wife like you, what more could a man ask for? The auspicious hour is upon us. Let us not be delayed by her.” The ceaseless ache in my heart tightened its grip, stealing my breath. I turned my face away, unable to watch. But Isolde’s gaze lingered on me, a chilling smirk playing on her lips. “Reed,” she purred, “wasn’t she your former wife? For our wedding, why don’t we invite her to add… a touch of entertainment?” … Reed hesitated for only a breath, then nodded. At his command, guards seized me, dragging me roughly toward the grand hall. Crimson silks draped every surface, and the air throbbed with the rhythmic beat of drums and gongs. Reed and Isolde stood side by side, bowing in their wedding rites, as the assembled courtiers offered their congratulations. My eyes, betraying me, stung with unshed tears. Reed and I, too, had once exchanged vows. In the Verdant Clan, it is the women who lead the lineage. As Oracle, I was destined to take a husband, never to be given away. The world whispered that I had forcibly claimed Reed as my husband, merely to humiliate him. They never knew it was his own choice. He had said that if it meant being with me, he would willingly become a pledge-husband, bound to my clan. And besides, he was then a mere commoner, stripped of all ambition, seeking only to grow old by my side… All those memories, now they felt like a fleeting dream, a mirage shimmering in the heat. Isolde’s voice, laced with malicious intent, drifted down to me from the dais. “I’ve heard tales that the Oracle’s blood can repel all blight-creatures. Is it true? Reed, I should like to see it for myself.” Reed was silent for a long moment, then uttered a single, chilling word: “Good.” At his assent, a terrifying cold seeped into my very bones. The next instant, I was seized and flung into a massive wooden vat, teeming with all manner of venomous creatures. A writhing tide of blight-worms surged towards me, their mandibles tearing at my skin. I writhed on the floor of the vat, screaming in agony. My blood flowed freely, and wherever it touched the blight-worms, they shriveled and died. But even so, a relentless flood of creatures continued to swarm, gnawing at my flesh. They were ravenous, a hunger driven to madness. I bit down hard on my lip, yet fractured, desperate wails still tore from my throat. Reed rose abruptly, his face a mask of terrible darkness. “Enough!” Tears streamed down my face, and then, mercifully, the pain consumed me, dragging me into unconsciousness. Memories flashed through my mind like a frantic, spinning kaleidoscope. Six years ago, Reed lay on the brink of death, consumed by poison. I invoked the Soul-Link Parasite, allowing the blight-worms to draw the venom from his body into mine. Though I used the clan’s ancient magic to suppress the Blight within me, clinging to life, I couldn’t halt its inexorable spread through my very being. My fate was sealed; death was a certainty. Yet I knew Reed loved me to his core. If I perished, he would surely follow, sacrificing himself in grief. So I used every cruel trick I knew, shattering his heart. I even entwined myself intimately with another man, right before his eyes. I told him he was a mere commoner, his lineage too lowly to ever be worthy of the Oracle of the Verdant Clan. I declared I was bored with him, that I wished only to sever all ties. To this day, that scene remains burned into my memory: Reed, who even after being stripped of his princely title and exiled to the frontiers, had never once bowed his head to another… knelt before me for the first time, pleading with me not to leave him. The day I banished him from the Verdant Wilds, the Blight within me flared, a torment so excruciating it felt like death itself. The Blight in my body would surge every seven days. If he had remained by my side, I could never have hidden it from him. Thankfully, he was gone. I lingered in the simple wooden cabin we had once shared, clinging to a thread of life for three long years. I heard he had reconnected with his former allies, returning to Crownsgate. I heard he had found a deep affection with Isolde, the General’s daughter, swearing eternal vows to her. I heard he had seized the throne, crowned Emperor. All the while, my body grew weaker, so frail I struggled to walk even a short distance. I never imagined Reed and I would meet again. The moment my eyes fell upon him, I understood: these three years of painful struggle had been for this last glimpse of him. He didn’t know the Blight had long since permeated my very bones, my flesh, which was why the blight-worms died the instant they touched me. Now, I was truly dying. … When I next opened my eyes, I found myself lying in the cold, desolate chambers of the neglected wing. A palace maid roughly smeared salve on my wounds, her tone laced with undisguised disgust. “It’s ill-omened to shed blood on a wedding day,” she spat. “That’s the only reason His Majesty spared your wretched life. Now that the Emperor and Empress are celebrating their new union, your death will come the moment he deigns to remember you.” A bitter smile touched my lips. I could only hope my failing body would last until Reed came to see me again. In the days that followed, the maidservants deliberately tormented me. My wounds, far from healing, festered and worsened. The maid made no secret of it. “The Empress said,” she announced, “just keep a breath in her. Nothing more. After all, His Majesty wishes to deal with you himself.” A sudden, sharp pang shot through my heart. So Reed truly hated me that much, wished to kill me with his own hands. Perhaps it was for the best. To die by Reed’s hand would surely be less torment than succumbing to the Blight’s relentless agony. But I never saw Reed. Instead, I saw someone who should never have been there: Rhys, the Sacred Son of the Verdant Clan. The day Reed marched his armies against the Verdant Clan, I had ordered Rhys to lead our people deep into the Shrouded Mire, a part of the Verdant Wilds. The Mire was cloaked in venomous miasma, teeming with monstrous creatures, a place armies dared not tread lightly. And I, alone, had remained to face the empty city. Reed had come for me. As long as I was here, he wouldn’t relentlessly pursue my people. Rhys saw my battered form, his eyes burning crimson with anguish. “Why didn’t you tell him, all those years ago, that it was you—” I cut him off. “What’s done is done. What meaning is there in speaking of it now? When I decided to conceal the truth from him then, I never intended for him to learn it.” Rhys looked at me, his gaze brimming with pain, his voice raw. “Rowan, I’ll take you away.” I shook my head. “There’s no need. Go, quickly. Don’t let a dying woman drag you down.” Rhys’s eyes trembled violently. “There’s still hope! I will find a way to save you!” Ignoring my protests, he swept me into his arms. Suddenly, the heavy doors of the desolate wing crashed open. Reed stood there, his face carved from ice, his eyes radiating a glacial chill that cut to the bone. Isolde’s voice was dripping with scorn and venom. “What a truly devoted pair you are, risking your very lives to rescue your beloved. Presumably, in the Oracle’s heart, the Sacred Son is her one true love. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have abandoned Reed for him three years ago.” Her words seemed to ignite a fresh spark in Reed, reminding him of my supposed abandonment for another man. Reed’s jaw clenched, his voice a tight, grinding rasp. “Rowan, you are just as you were three years ago! The humiliation you both inflicted upon me then, I will never forget. Guards! Seize this treacherous pair! I will have them torn apart, piece by piece!” The guards drew their blades, surging forward in a rush. With my last ounce of strength, I pushed Rhys away. “Go quickly, don’t mind me!” “Rowan, I won’t leave you!” Before he could finish, the guards swarmed him, dragging him down. Meanwhile, Reed’s hand closed like a vice around my throat. His voice, chilling as frost, whispered against my ear. “What do you take Crownsgate for? A place you can waltz in and out of as you please?” I gave a bitter laugh. “What is between you and me has nothing to do with him. Will you let him go?” The next instant, the hand at my throat tightened, veins bulging, and the suffocating darkness began to swallow me, inch by agonizing inch. Reed’s eyes blazed crimson as he hissed. “You show kindness to everyone else, so why do you reserve all your cruelty for me?” … I had no strength left to struggle, so I simply closed my eyes, the agony overwhelming. The next moment, Reed flung me violently to the ground. My already fragile body, unable to bear the impact, spasmed, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood. Rhys struggled furiously, but Reed’s boot pressed down hard, pinning him. Isolde stepped forward, feigning a look of pity. “Reed, it seems they are indeed two hearts deeply intertwined. Since that is the case, why don’t we fulfill their desire and let them die together?” At her words, Reed seemed to grow even more enraged. The blade in his hand hovered dangerously at my throat as he sneered. “Between you and him, only one can live. Which one will it be?” My heart felt like ash, and I closed my eyes, resigned. I was a dying woman. Why should another innocent life be sacrificed? The blade at my throat trembled violently, tracing a thin line of blood. I flinched at the sting, my brows furrowing, and opened my eyes. Reed’s face was etched with an unyielding coldness. “How could I ever let you die so easily? I will make you suffer a hundred, a thousand times more than I ever did!” With those words, his fury seeming to boil over, he landed a brutal kick to my stomach. I clutched my stomach, my face ashen with pain. But the next instant, a sudden, searing agony erupted in my chest, and my face contorted in a silent scream. The Blight had flared, prematurely. Once it began, it would rage for three hours, a torment worse than death. I writhed on the ground, desperate to clamp my teeth together, but my agonizing wails erupted, each one louder than the last. Tears spilled unchecked from my eyes, like a broken string of pearls, and blood gushed from my mouth, mouthful after mouthful. Reed froze, rigid. Rhys’s face paled instantly. “It’s the Blight in her! Reed, I beg you, save her! Don’t you understand—” Tears stinging my eyes, I shook my head, a silent plea to Rhys. Rhys’s lips trembled, unable to form words. Isolde gave a subtle signal, and a guard clamped a hand over Rhys’s mouth. She took Reed’s hand, her voice laced with mockery. “She’s the Oracle of the Verdant Wilds! What blight-poison in this world could she not master?” At her words, the anger and hesitation in Reed’s eyes solidified into cold resolve. “Rowan, do you think this little performance will make me release you? You dared to deceive me. Now you’ll taste the price of that deception.” At his command, the guards surrounded me, raining down punches and kicks. The blows rained down, but they were a distant ache compared to the soul-shattering torment of the Blight. My breaths grew shallow, my cries of agony fading to mere whimpers. For three long years, I had endured the bitter agony of the Blight. Now, finally, release was at hand. Reed’s gaze trembled, and a raw, anguished shout tore from his throat. “Enough!” He turned his back, unable to watch any longer. “Isolde, let’s go. This farce you wanted me to see, there’s nothing left to it.” He gently took Isolde’s hand, and they walked away. Rhys, unable to bear it, bit down hard on the guard’s hand. The guard yelped in pain and let go. Rhys’s voice, ripped from his very soul, bellowed. “Reed! When you were dying from poison all those years ago, Rowan used the Soul-Link Parasite to save your life! A life for a life! She’s dying, do you understand?!” …

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