Category: English

My A-list actress wife, Seraphina Sterling, had always maintained strict boundaries: no man other than me was permitted to touch her. Even in group photos with male co-stars, she kept a discreet arm’s length. Until my birthday. That day, her new co-star, Sebastian Reed, posted an update. The photo showed Seraphina allowing Sebastian Reed to embrace her from behind, his arm circling her waist. The caption read: 【Eight years a fan, now sharing the screen with my idol? Manifest that dream, Sebastian Reed! Keep chasing your light (fist emoji)!】 I commented with a single question mark: 【Is that your wife you’re clutching onto?】 Seraphina’s call came through almost instantly. “My co-star, he’s like a little brother, just got carried away with the excitement of working with an idol. Don’t be so narrow-minded. Be a good husband, delete the comment.” The internet crowd swiftly condemned me for being overly possessive. Sebastian swiftly updated his post: 【The path to dreams is often paved with misunderstanding, but my guiding star reminds me not to lose heart.】 Watching the overwhelming wave of positive comments drown out any dissent, I made a call. By the next day, Sebastian’s lead role was gone. 1 “Do you know how important this role was to Sebastian? He prepared for two years just to nail that audition! And you, with some bogus charge, you’re just going to ruin all his hard work?!” This was Seraphina’s first real fight with me, and it was over a fresh face in Hollywood. I let out a cold laugh. “The power to greenlight or axe projects rests with me. Since I possess that power, why shouldn’t I use it?” This particular production held immense commercial potential. The director had secured Seraphina, an A-list actress, and had then brought me in as an investor. At least within the confines of this project, my word was law. Why would I forfeit my advantage, to “fairly compete” with some rookie who dared to post pictures embracing my wife? The internet mob might be unaware, but this young man, whose career I had funded and supported, knew exactly who my wife truly was. “Seraphina, listen closely.” I rose, cupping her face in my hands. “I am your husband. And while ours might be a marriage of convenience, that doesn’t mean you’re exempt from giving me even the most basic respect.” Besides, our union wasn’t entirely devoid of genuine emotion… “I told you, there’s genuinely nothing going on between us,” Seraphina insisted, pushing me away, a sharp, decisive gesture. “We’re playing a couple on screen. Am I not even allowed to act with him? Why do you always jump to the worst conclusions?” “Nothing at all?” I took out my phone and showed her the barrage of online comments. Under Sebastian’s post, countless netizens were wildly celebrating: 【Oh my gosh! That scene wasn’t in the script! His hand was practically wrapped around her waist! If that’s not love, what is?!】 【So sweet, I could die. Everyone knows Seraphina never lets men touch her, and Sebastian practically had her in his arms!】 【Rumors floated around that the A-list actress had a secret marriage. Thank god I didn’t fall for that!】 … Seraphina frowned. “The internet mob always twists things. You can’t take any of that seriously!” “And you, Seraphina?” I pressed, stepping closer. “You’ve navigated Hollywood for years. Are you really unaware of the impact that post would have?” She faltered. I let out a cold laugh. “You knew exactly how people would interpret that, you knew I had a possessive streak, yet you let it happen!” “Julian Thorne, for such a trivial matter, are you really going to be this unreasonable?!” CRASH! The vase shattered on the floor. Seraphina looked at me, startled. “Why do you get to define my ‘trivial matters’?” I asked, my voice dangerously low. For five years, we had lived in respectful harmony. Though our union began as a business arrangement, countless moments of shared intimacy had forged a genuine bond over time. She had even told me she only allowed me to touch her. This was our first real fight, the first time I’d ever laid a hand on her. All because of a boy I’d once sponsored. “Just calm down,” Seraphina snapped, snatching her bag, and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her with a sickening thud. In the living room, my birthday cake sat on the coffee table, still untouched, its box pristine. 2 The very next day, a new trending topic exploded online: Seraphina Sterling walked off the set. Trolls mocked me mercilessly: 【Seriously, though. That leech thinks he’s so rich he can just axe Sebastian? The A-list actress just put her foot down and walked off!】 【Who does he think he is, anyway, hahaha!】 【Does this confirm it? Seraphina and Sebastian are actually a thing?!】 【Still asking? Seraphina never lets men touch her, and Sebastian practically had her in his arms! I’m melting…】 The entire internet condemned me. Due to the nature of our arranged marriage, our families had agreed to keep our union private. This led many netizens to mistakenly believe I was Seraphina’s “delusional fan,” even dragging my name through the mud on social media for days. Each time, Seraphina had them taken down. But I knew her true colors—this was her defiant way of showing me. The director called me, practically in tears, begging me to persuade Seraphina to return. But honestly, I had no idea where she was. She’d vanished after her announcement, wouldn’t even pick up my calls. Just then, my phone buzzed. Sebastian had a new post. In the photo, he was perched in a helicopter, sunglasses on, a skydiving pack strapped to his back, his hand firmly clasped with another. Seraphina, who typically shunned extreme sports, had a faint smile playing on her lips. Her gaze wasn’t on the camera, but on Sebastian. The caption read: 【They say hearts beat truer under pressure. Will my guiding light feel the same pulse for me, in this very moment?】 I replied to the director. “Sebastian just posted something. The photo should give you a clue where he is.” “Huh? Mr. Thorne… no, he hasn’t.” “What?” My mind went blank. The director sent a screenshot. Sebastian’s last public post was three days ago. I quickly messaged a few mutual friends. Sure enough, only I could see that particular post. Sebastian had set it to “viewable only by me”… Seraphina couldn’t possibly be unaware of the photo’s implication. Yet she simply smiled at him, letting him capture the moment. It was a deliberate provocation from both of them. Two years prior, I could have just cut off his sponsorship allowance. But now he was self-sufficient, and my financial backing had shifted to resource allocation, which was no longer effective in controlling him. My assistant cautiously asked, “Mr. Thorne, are you… alright?” “Of course.” I let out a cold, dismissive laugh. In business, taking a hit or being double-crossed was just part of the game. If I couldn’t handle that, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The director was still wailing on the phone. My brow furrowed. “Alright! Enough dramatics. This afternoon, I’ll personally bring you the new lead!” 3 After a week of playing hide-and-seek, Seraphina finally deigned to return. But what greeted her was not a frantic production team and a hysterical me. Instead, she found a set already in full swing, and a young woman meticulously attending to me. The director, beaming, rushed to my side. “Thank god, Mr. Thorne, for finding such a perfect fit! Otherwise, this whole production would have gone down the drain!” Seraphina saw Willow Greene delicately lighting my cigarette. In a flash, she snatched the cigarette from my lips and flung it to the ground. “Julian Thorne.” I merely glanced up. Trailing behind her was Sebastian. Seeing another woman by my side, a flicker of triumph, quickly masked, entered his eyes. “Yes?” I replied with a detached air, gesturing for Willow to bring me another drink. Seraphina’s temple pulsed. “What do you mean ‘yes’? Shouldn’t you be explaining yourself?!” “Explain what?” I asked, a genuine question. “When two leads abandon a project, I naturally have to find replacements.” “Do new actors need you to personally supervise them?! Where do you find the time for that?!” Seraphina, her face ablaze with anger, pointed accusingly at Willow. Willow recoiled two steps. I moved to shield her. “Don’t frighten her. She’s new to the industry; she needs guidance.” “Heh…” Seraphina looked as if she hadn’t heard me right. “Guidance from you? Julian Thorne, what kind of impression do you think this gives others?” My patience wore thin. “I sponsored her career. What’s wrong with me teaching her?!” “Sponsored?” Seraphina froze. Seeing Willow cower behind me, her anger flared. “Does sponsorship require such… intimate service? Are you truly blind to her intentions?!” “Mr. Thorne, I didn’t…” Willow quickly tried to explain to me. I smiled reassuringly at her, nodding slightly. Then I turned, frowning at Seraphina. “I sponsor her, and she’s kind to me. Is that not normal? Or are you expecting everyone to be like the man behind you—accepting my patronage, getting promoted to a major production, then openly posting pictures embracing my wife?” Seraphina and Sebastian froze, as if struck by lightning. Seraphina cast a complex, unreadable glance at Sebastian. “You… sponsored him?” Willow spoke up. “Mr. Thorne has sponsored many talented individuals, not just me and Sebastian.” “Shut up!” Seraphina glared fiercely at Willow. I pulled Willow firmly behind me. “I told you, don’t bully my people!” Seraphina was not one to make a scene in public. Even at her breaking point, she still suppressed her fury, then took Sebastian by the arm and walked away, leading him out of my sight. That evening, I returned home. The first thing I saw was Seraphina, her eyes distinctly red-rimmed. I frowned. “What’s wrong with your eyes?” “Julian.” Her voice was a little rough. “I was wrong. Let’s make peace.” 4 I hadn’t expected such a drastic shift in Seraphina. “Why the sudden change of heart?” “Seeing you with Willow today… it made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. But there’s genuinely nothing going on between us.” “I know, and I believe you.” She pulled out her phone and handed it to me. “But it was enough to drive me insane. I imagine that’s how you felt, watching me and Sebastian. I’m so sorry, I was completely out of line before.” I opened her phone. It was Sebastian’s message history. He was still relentlessly messaging her. 【Seraphina? Why suddenly ghost me? We had so much fun out there, didn’t we?】 【??? Answer me! Seraphina! Did Julian say something to you? I swear, I only see you as an idol, a beacon of inspiration!】 【Seraphina, you have to believe me. I’ve been your fan for eight years; you’re my guiding light. I would never do anything to jeopardize your marriage… please, just talk to me…】 … Messages continued to pop up. Seraphina snatched the phone back and instantly blocked him. The phone finally fell silent. “I’m so sorry…” She tentatively moved closer to me. When I didn’t pull away, she gently embraced me. “I just wanted to get a reaction from you, to needle you. It wasn’t until I stood in your shoes, watching you and another woman, that I truly understood how much I hurt you… Julian.” She looked up, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Can we please stop fighting?” “Okay.” This marriage was, at its core, a business arrangement. I wouldn’t sever it lightly. Besides, it wasn’t entirely devoid of emotional connection. This whole incident was simply a matter of her being misguided. Ultimately, the damage wasn’t irreparable. I had only intended to teach her a lesson. A harsh lesson learned, a goal achieved. No need to make a bigger mess than necessary. The very next day, chaos erupted on set. Sebastian returned to the set, blocking my path, his eyes red-rimmed as if he’d cried all night. “I know it was you. Why can’t you believe I’m just a genuine fan pursuing an idol? Do you really believe everyone who gets close to her has ulterior motives?” He finished, then pulled a knife from his sleeve. Willow gasped, attempting to push me out of the way. But he plunged it into his own wrist. Blood welled up, spilling onto the ground, painting a crimson stain. Everyone froze, horror-struck. He held up his bleeding wrist, looking at me with an expression of profound grievance and long-suffering. “Is this enough to prove my innocence, Mr. Thorne?” “Call an ambulance. Don’t let him die on my set.” I turned, my voice calm, giving the order. My eyes met Seraphina’s. She had appeared, silent, at some point. “Seraphina!” Sebastian’s eyes flared with hope. I frowned, watching Seraphina. She cast a cool, dismissive glance at Sebastian. “It was my decision. Don’t bother him again.” Sebastian’s face was a mask of utter disbelief. Seraphina stepped between me and Willow, a deliberate barrier. She took my hand and led me away. She didn’t even spare Sebastian a backward glance. 5 Sebastian became an overnight joke. He had intended to create a scene, to humiliate me. But instead, Seraphina had completely shut him down. After returning home, Seraphina publicly announced our marriage. Sebastian was instantly roasted by the entire internet. He had only reached the spotlight through my patronage. Without my backing, even low-budget web series wouldn’t touch him. What did that have to do with me? He dug his own grave. If he had been half as compliant as Willow, I wouldn’t have abandoned him. Lately, however, Seraphina had often been seen frowning at her phone. She had indeed severed all contact with Sebastian. When she wasn’t looking, I discreetly peeked. It was a mutual friend. They had sent a series of photos and screenshots of Sebastian’s social media posts. In every picture, Sebastian was disheveled, working on small, obscure sets. His eyes would be red-rimmed as he endured verbal abuse. After filming, he would kneel on the ground to scrub the floors. Big-name actors would slap him across the face without hesitation. Another screenshot of his social media read: 【No matter the disgrace, my guiding light taught me not to surrender. Keep moving forward, and hope will always appear.】 The last message in the chat was Seraphina’s: 【Don’t send me these anymore.】 I allowed myself a faint smile. Seems the lesson had taken root. As a reward, the very next day, I visited Seraphina on her set. I even personally cooked her favorite ribs soup. The moment I arrived, Seraphina, her eyes red, confronted me. “Why would you do something like this?” “What?” “Don’t pretend you don’t know!” She swiped her hand, sending the thermal lunchbox I carried flying. It made me stumble. Scalding ribs soup splashed onto my hand and chest, instantly blooming into an angry red rash. “Mr. Thorne!” My assistant cried out, rushing forward. “Ms. Sterling! Mr. Thorne is injured!” “It’s just a little scald, hardly as severe as Sebastian’s injuries!” With that, she yanked a disheveled, dusty young man towards her. 6 I hadn’t expected Sebastian Reed to be an extra on Seraphina’s set. The filming was kept under wraps; most people shouldn’t have known about it. It clicked. Just half an hour before my arrival, Seraphina had stumbled upon Sebastian, acting as a stunt double. He was thrown onto a rooftop, tumbling down, again and again. The director was never satisfied. Thus, he would violently throw himself onto the rooftop, over and over. Seraphina initially had no intention of intervening. But when she saw Sebastian, covered in bruises, still gritting his teeth and throwing himself into the stunt, a wave of empathy washed over her. She remembered her own days as an extra. Those days, repeatedly throwing her body until her bones felt like they were shattering, enduring endless verbal abuse from directors, only to throw herself again and again—it was a past she could never bear to revisit. So she stepped in front of Sebastian, demanding to know whose idea this brutal sequence was. The director, terrified, didn’t dare breathe a word. Seraphina pointed a cold, accusing finger at my name on the investor list. “You don’t have to say it. I know. Julian Thorne, do minor actors deserve this fate?” Now, Seraphina stood over me, looking down, shielding Sebastian securely behind her. “I’ve given you more than enough love and respect. Why must you persist in destroying him completely?” My assistant grew frantic. “Ms. Sterling! Mr. Thorne never…” “Don’t explain!” I pressed a hand on my assistant, enduring the pain, and stood up, looking at her with cold eyes. “If you believe it’s me, then let it be.” Sebastian’s eyes lit up, and he quickly looked at Seraphina. Seraphina’s brow twitched, she let out a cold scoff, then took Sebastian by the arm and walked away. My assistant was frantic. “Mr. Thorne! You didn’t do anything! Why didn’t you explain?!” “Explain?” I let out a cold laugh. “Does she even deserve an explanation?” The director tormenting Sebastian due to his personal biases wasn’t Sebastian’s fault. But Seraphina, without even asking me a single question, instinctively pushed the blame onto me because of a name on an investor list. This showed that she didn’t truly respect me. Explanations often make some people think you’re trying to curry favor. And I wasn’t about to grovel for someone like her. 7 That very day, I became a trending topic, and not in a good way. A mysterious source leaked Sebastian’s stunt double footage, along with a video of Seraphina publicly confronting me on set. The internet erupted in outrage. 【Who does he think he is?! Don’t extras deserve to live?!】 【Seeing this, my heart aches for stunt actors. Honestly, the third take was probably fine, but the director made him do it a dozen more times. Must have been Thorne’s idea.】 【I’m crying, my hands are shaking! What’s the difference between this and attempted murder?!】 The poster was untraceable, but I knew. It was Seraphina’s tacit approval. Only my wife would dare to post such content without fear of my reprisal. When Seraphina returned home, I was already sitting on the sofa, silent. Half an hour later, she finally broke the silence. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” “Yes.” Her expression softened slightly. I slid the divorce papers across the table. “Sign it. All joint marital assets will be split equally. The marriage will be annulled, but it won’t affect the ongoing collaborations between our families.” “You want to divorce me?!” I nodded. “Why?” She moved closer to me. “Don’t tell me it’s because of such a trivial matter!” “Precisely because of this trivial matter.”

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1 Early release. A reward for good behavior, they said. As the gates swung open, the first thought that truly solidified in my mind wasn’t freedom, but Ivy’s upcoming birthday. My little sister. I needed to find her the perfect gift. So, hiding my true identity, I slipped into a high-stakes charity auction, a glittering facade for the city’s elite. But the very first item on display, plastered across the massive screen, was a collection of hundreds of intimate photos of my sister. Her eyes, hazy with a vulnerability I’d never seen, her body contorted into a dizzying array of poses—all of it paraded as a grotesque exhibit for sale. My jaw clenched, a knot tightening in my stomach. Then, from the crowd below, I heard my brother-in-law, Brandon, his voice dripping with venomous mockery: “Ivy Anderson, you loved being in the spotlight, didn’t you? Well, these hundreds of photos should give you all the illumination you could ever want.” “If you’re so bothered, buy them all back. After being ‘illuminated’ hundreds of times, why pretend to be pure?” Ivy’s face was chalk-white. She stood rigid, her fists clenched at her sides. My eyes locked onto Brandon, his arm wrapped possessively around a young college girl. So, this is what they’d done in my absence. They’d dared to push my sister to this breaking point. I looked at the leering, depraved faces around me, the hunger in their eyes. Tonight, I would make them remember my name. Tonight, they would remember who I was. “Ugh, this chick’s got fire!” “What a body. Wonder what the starting bid is?” Below, Brandon’s arrogant voice sliced through the murmuring crowd, each word a fresh wound to my ears. He had a young college girl draped over his arm, a triumphant smirk plastered across his face. “Heard you loved being in the spotlight, Ivy, back when your brother was around? These hundreds of photos—enough light for you now?” A wave of raucous laughter erupted from the crowd, a chorus of crude jeers echoing through the hall. “Brandon’s really showing off! Sharing a prime piece like this!” “Damn, that figure, that expression… looks like a wild ride!” My sister, Ivy, stood a short distance from the raucous crowd. Her face was ashen, her body trembling, her hands clamped tight onto the fabric of her dress. She wanted to explode, to lash out, but she held it all in, tears brimming in her eyes. The humiliation threatened to drown her. My heart twisted with a pain sharper than any blade. This was my little sister, the one I had raised with tenderness, cherished like a fragile porcelain doll. Before I went away, she was a carefree princess, a ray of sunshine. Now, she stood exposed, enduring this public, exquisite torment. Brandon continued his performance. “If you’re so ashamed, go ahead and buy them back yourself!” He paused, his voice rising, laced with deliberate insult. “Oh, right, you probably don’t have the cash, do you? Your company? That’s mine now!” “After being in the spotlight hundreds of times, what’s with the innocent act, sweetie?” Ivy’s body convulsed, her legs threatening to give out. I forced myself to remain calm. Rushing out now would only tip my hand, accomplish nothing. My gaze swept over Brandon and his new trophy, then to the pompous auctioneer, and finally, to every leering face in the audience, every one of them reveling in her pain. Good. All of you. Very good. The auctioneer picked up his gavel, his voice booming. “Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Ivy Anderson’s precious private collection! Starting bid, one million dollars! Minimum increment, one hundred thousand!” “One point one million!” A bidder’s paddle shot up instantly. “One point two million!” “I bid one point five million!” The room ignited. These so-called philanthropists and esteemed socialites, their true, ugly faces now laid bare. Ivy closed her eyes, a gesture of utter despair. Silently, I pressed the earpiece hidden beneath my hair. “Move. Dig up everything on Brandon from the past few years. And the dirt on this auction house. Leave no stone unturned.” I squeezed out the words, my voice tight, devoid of any discernible emotion. But I knew, in the core of my being, that my rage was about to burn through the very heavens. Brandon. And all you other pieces of trash. I would make you understand the true meaning of regret. I would make you remember: I, The Dragon, am back. And this? This is just the beginning. 2 The auction roared on, prices climbing relentlessly. “Two million!” “I bid two point one million!” Ivy suddenly opened her eyes, and with a trembling hand, she raised her bid paddle. “I… I bid two point two million.” Her voice was choked with tears, filled with utter helplessness. Brandon, seeing this, a cruel smirk twisted his lips. He signaled to a slick, greasy-haired man beside him. The man immediately raised his paddle. “Three million!” Ivy’s face instantly drained of all color. She looked at Brandon, despair in her eyes, her body swaying precariously. Brandon tightened his arm around the college girl, kissing her cheek triumphantly. “See, babe? That’s what happens when you don’t know your place.” “Back when her brother, The Dragon, was around, I used to give him some respect.” “Now? The Dragon’s just a broken man, fresh out of prison! He can barely protect himself, let alone his sister!” He turned to Ivy, his voice cold. “Ivy Anderson, do you honestly think you’re still that high-and-mighty princess?” “Truth be told, these past few years your brother was locked up? I systematically dismantled your company, piece by piece.” “And these photos? I made you take them. If you didn’t obey, I had plenty of ways to make you comply!” Ivy’s voice rose in a heartbroken accusation. “Brandon! You ungrateful animal!” “If it wasn’t for my brother, his money and his efforts, you wouldn’t be where you are today!” ” My brother treated you like good friend, and I treated you like family! Is this how you repay us?” Every word she uttered was steeped in blood-soaked grief. Brandon scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. “Brother? Family? Don’t make me laugh!” “Business is war. There’s only eternal profit, no eternal brothers.” “Your brother, The Dragon, was big stuff back then. But what is he now? Just a common prisoner!” “Ivy Anderson, I advise you to face reality. Right now, no one can save you.” With every word he spoke, Ivy’s face grew paler. My subordinate’s voice crackled through my discreet earpiece. “Dragon, we’ve got some intel on Brandon. He’s hooked up with an offshore outfit these past few years. Nasty reputation.” “The auction house owner’s name is Big Mike. He’s in deep with Brandon, running all sorts of dirty deals. We’ve got some key evidence coming in.” I stated flatly, “Keep digging. I want every single piece of dirt they have.” Ivy was backed against the wall by Brandon, tears blurring her vision, on the verge of collapsing. But she gritted her teeth, holding on, refusing to fall. I knew she was waiting. Waiting for me. An indescribable ache twisted in my chest. Brandon continued to babble, boasting about his “victories,” and the crowd around him egged him on. “Brandon’s right! Smart people know when to give in!” “Miss Anderson, just agree to Brandon’s terms. You’ll live a life of luxury. Isn’t that better than this?” The sheer ugliness of these people’s faces made me sick to my stomach. I looked at Brandon’s smug, self-satisfied face, and murderous intent boiled in my chest. The auction price had already soared to five million. Ivy was utterly defeated. She lowered her paddle, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Brandon grew even more triumphant, his arm around his new girl, as if she were a trophy. “Ivy Anderson, see that? That’s what happens when you defy me.” “Don’t worry, these photos are just an appetizer. If you keep acting up, I’ve got even more ‘exciting’ videos.” Ivy’s body began to tremble violently. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Brandon, you have successfully infuriated me. Now, it’s my turn. I whispered into the earpiece. “Prepare for action. Seal all exits.” “Tonight, no one leaves this place.” 3 Inside the venue, some of Brandon’s usual associates, or those who feared the power behind him, began to openly chime in. “Miss Anderson, Brandon’s doing this for your own good. Don’t be stubborn.” “That’s right. Just cooperate. Everyone saves face, and you’ll suffer less.” These words were like dull knives, slicing into Ivy’s heart, and into mine. Big Mike, the auction house manager, stepped forward. He sported a beer belly, a forced smile plastered on his face, and spoke with feigned concern. “Brandon, Miss Anderson, let’s keep the peace here.” “Auctions are about fairness and integrity. Since Miss Anderson has withdrawn her bid, then these photos go to…” He hadn’t even finished his sentence when Ivy suddenly exploded with emotion. She shrieked, “Those are my things! You can’t do this!” She lunged, like a wild woman, attempting to rush the auction stage, desperate to reclaim those photos. Two burly security guards immediately stepped forward, roughly restraining her. One even gripped her arm so hard that angry red marks appeared on her fair skin. My eyes widened in terror. I could barely suppress the violent surge within me. “Let her go!” The words almost escaped my lips. Brandon, seeing this, smiled even more cruelly. He stepped forward, shoved the security guard aside, and grabbed Ivy by the hair, forcing her to look up at him. “Ivy Anderson, looks like you haven’t learned your lesson.” He lowered his voice, speaking just loud enough for only the two of them to hear. “I’ll warn you one more time: behave yourself.” “Otherwise, after these photos, there are even more ‘exciting’ videos. When that time comes, I’ll invite ‘friends’ to my private party to ‘enjoy’ them.” Ivy’s body stiffened, her eyes filled with terror and despair. “Private party.” Those two words coiled like venomous snakes around my heart. The intent to kill, in that moment, solidified into a tangible presence. Just then, my trusted subordinate’s voice crackled through my earpiece. “Dragon, we’ve got it! Brandon’s linked to a notorious offshore organization called ‘Black Scorpion.’ Big Mike’s auction house has been laundering a lot of their dirty money. We’ve got some crucial evidence.” A cold smirk touched my lips. Good. You had a path to heaven, but you chose to storm the gates of hell. Brandon, and Big Mike, your time is up. I subtly signaled to my men. Several of my brothers, already infiltrated in the venue, nodded imperceptibly, moving discreetly towards the key exits and the surveillance room. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly oppressive. Ivy, terrified by Brandon’s threats, slumped weakly to the floor, muffled sobs escaping her lips. The people watching this scene, some showed expressions of discomfort, but most reveled in schadenfreude. Some even began to whisper, discussing how “exciting” Brandon’s “private party” would be. The ugliness of humanity was laid bare. Brandon seemed quite pleased with the chilling effect he had created. He released Ivy’s hair, straightened his collar, and nodded towards the auctioneer. “Continue.” The auctioneer snapped out of his trance, quickly picking up his gavel. “Ahem. Since there are no further bids, then this valuable collection of photographs shall go to…” The storm was about to break. Silently, I put on the mask I had prepared. Tonight, I would make this city remember the name “The Dragon” once more.

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1 It was after a night of heavy drinking that Caroline Harrison became pregnant with her intern’s child. When I found out, her belly was already three months along. The woman knelt before me, her face full of shame, pleading: “Ethan, I’m so sorry. I drank too much at that business dinner and mistook him for you. I swear it was just that once!” “Don’t be angry. I’ll get rid of the baby immediately, then send him abroad. I promise he won’t be an eyesore for you!” Ten years we’d been together. I believed her. Six months later, I returned from a business trip. During a routine check-up at the hospital, I unexpectedly saw the intern embracing Caroline, who was heavily pregnant. Seeing me, she immediately shielded him: “Ethan… he’s still young. I took his virginity… I have to be responsible for him…” “Even if I can’t give him a proper status, I have to ensure the baby in my belly stays with him. For the sake of our years together, please promise me you won’t make things difficult for him…” In that moment, looking at the woman I had loved for ten years, I felt a weariness I’d never known. So I didn’t cry or rage. I calmly replied, “Alright.” And turned to cancel the scheduled IVF procedure. While waiting in line, I dialed a number I hadn’t contacted in a long time: “I’m looking for a new wife. Are you interested?” The person on the other end was silent for a long time before finally speaking: “Are you serious, Ethan? Don’t joke around. Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?!” I calmly said, “I’m serious. Come pick me up in Seaside City in three days. Remember to bring your household registration.” I hung up. The hospital’s paging system called my name: “Mr. Chen, your sperm quality has returned to normal. You can proceed with IVF.” The image I had just seen in the hallway flashed through my mind: Caroline Harrison leaning familiarly against that young intern, her face beaming with the joy of impending motherhood. And the child in her belly was not mine. The suppressed tears could no longer be held back. I shook my head. “No, I’m not doing it.” “My wife… she’s already dead…” The doctor looked at me sympathetically, no longer trying to persuade me. He helped me cancel the IVF procedure scheduled for two days later. Coming out of the office, I passed by the ultrasound room and clearly saw Caroline Harrison lying on the hospital bed, the other man kissing her belly. She probably found it cold, as she let out a surprised gasp, then shyly nestled into the man’s embrace. The doctor nearby chuckled, saying the couple’s affection was heartwarming. Caroline nodded. “Yes, he’s young, but he knows how to cherish me.” As she said this, the tenderness in her eyes deeply pierced mine. Once upon a time, she spoke of me the same way to others, but now, all that love was given to another man… I couldn’t bear to look anymore and fled in a panic. Only when I got into the car did tears silently stream down my face. Caroline and I, young lovers, started from scratch. We once shared a tiny basement apartment, and she swore she would only ever have me. A woman’s vows are not to be trusted; I always knew that, but then, I stubbornly believed them. Over the years, the company gradually got on track, but I developed weak sperm due to excessive alcohol from years of business entertaining. On my first day of treatment, I coincidentally ran into Caroline Harrison and her intern in the obstetrics and gynecology department. The woman immediately knelt on the floor, desperately pleading, saying she was wrong, that it was only a night of drunken folly that led to the absurdity. In that moment, I seemed to forget how to breathe, biting down hard on my lip. After a long time, I forced myself to endure the wrenching pain in my heart and spoke: “Caroline Harrison, I forgive you.” But what she didn’t know was that I would only forgive that one time. So today, when I saw them, I knew our marriage had reached its end. My thoughts slowly returned to the present. I turned the car around and went to the law firm, personally drafting divorce papers. 2 It was already evening when I arrived home. Caroline Harrison eagerly opened the door, pulling me into a hug: “Ethan, where have you been? I called your phone, but you didn’t answer.” The moment she got close, I smelled a pungent perfume on her, exactly the sandalwood scent I disliked most. I subtly shifted away, saying flatly, “Nothing, just stopped by the law firm on the way.” Caroline’s eyebrows furrowed. “Next time, just have Liam run that errand. Why bother you with such a small matter—” Before she could finish, I coldly interrupted, “Caroline Harrison, let’s get a divorce.” She looked up at me in disbelief. “What did you say? You want to divorce me?” “Because of this small matter? I told you, what happened between him and me was just an accident. Now he’s asking to keep the baby, and I thought, since you have low sperm count, why not let me have the baby? We can bring the child back for you to raise after it’s born, and then send him abroad. It’s not too late.” Hearing Caroline say she wanted to bring back a child conceived with another man for me to raise, my heart constricted, and my fingers involuntarily tightened around the medical report in my bag. “I’m not joking. Here’s the divorce agreement. Take a look.” Caroline Harrison’s face suddenly turned cold. “Ethan, are you throwing a tantrum with me? I’ve explained it very clearly. Nothing will change, and we’ll have a child. Isn’t that good?” “Ethan, I’m really tired today. Can you please stop being so unreasonable?” I couldn’t help but want to laugh. Now that she’d cheated, I was the one being unreasonable. I shook my head, placing the divorce agreement in front of her. “No, it’s not good.” “Caroline Harrison, I find you unclean.” As soon as I said this, her temper ignited instantly. “Unclean? Ethan, do you know how many men out there are waiting for me to get into their beds? This was just one time! Why can’t you be more generous?!” With that, she tore the divorce agreement into shreds. “I’m telling you, I won’t agree to a divorce, never!” “Besides, Ethan, look at yourself. You’re thirty now, and you have low sperm count. Who else would want you besides me?!” “I’m going to pretend this never happened. Don’t ever bring it up again!” With that, she slammed the door shut and left, leaving me alone to clean up the shattered pieces on the floor. Just as I finished, my phone vibrated. The sender had sent two photos of pigeon-egg-sized diamonds for me to choose from. I glanced at them and replied, “The left one.” Then, I took off the wedding ring I had worn for seven years and tossed it into the trash. The next morning, I went to the company, finished handing over my work, and was about to leave. My assistant, Lisa, rushed over, saying a client wanted to see me. So she took me to the club. When I opened the door, I saw Caroline Harrison standing in the center, holding a large bouquet of roses. Around her were people I knew well; even Caroline’s mother, who usually disliked me, was present. Caroline stepped forward, her face full of remorse: “Ethan, it’s my fault. I was anxious yesterday and said the wrong things. Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. Can you forgive me?” Seeing my silence, Caroline’s mother spoke impatiently into my ear: “Alright, so Caroline had another man’s child, so what? Besides, it’s your own fault, you can’t blame her. She’s apologized to you, what more do you want?” “Ethan, a man needs to know when to advance and when to retreat.” I forced a bitter smile. Just as I was about to say, I don’t want anything except a divorce, Caroline’s gaze drifted to my empty finger. “Ethan, where’s our wedding ring? Did you forget to wear it? Luckily, I bought you a new one.” She began searching her person, but a male voice from behind interrupted. “The ring is with me.” 3 I turned around, and Caroline Harrison walked past me first. “Why are you here? Didn’t you say work was very busy today?” The man reached out and stroked her waist. “I saw the ring on your bedside table and thought you might need it today, so I brought it over.” “Caroline, I’m a bit thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water?” Caroline hurried off to find a waiter to get water, but he walked towards me. “Hello, Ethan. My name is Liam Green.” I didn’t respond. He opened a ring box in front of me. I looked inside, and coincidentally, it was identical to the one on his own finger. “Ethan, this is a ring Caroline specifically customized for your seventh wedding anniversary.” With that, he offered me the ring. I didn’t take it. The next second, the ring fell to the floor, and he knelt directly in front of me: “Ethan, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have slept with Ms. Harrison when I was drunk. I truly didn’t mean to.” “But I don’t want anything. I just beg you to let her give birth to the baby in her belly. Even… even if you want to adopt him under your name, I’m willing…” Tears immediately welled up in his eyes, as if he had suffered some immense grievance. Caroline Harrison came over and witnessed this scene. The cup in her hand shattered on the floor. She rushed over and gently helped Liam Green up, then looked at me with a coldness I had never seen before. “Ethan, any grievances you have, direct them at me! Why are you making things difficult for him?!” The love and protectiveness in Caroline Harrison’s eyes were too obvious. I knew that even if I did nothing, in her eyes, I was already condemned. Too lazy to explain, I turned to leave, but Caroline’s mother rushed up and slapped me across the face. “Useless! I thought you were sensible, but you’re so wicked! You actually made him kneel before you!” “I’m telling you, the child between him and Lucy will be born into our Hayes family! If anything happens, I will never forgive you!” Because of the sudden force, I was knocked backwards into a giant tower of wine glasses. In an instant, all the glasses crashed down on me, countless shards of glass slicing into my body. Caroline Harrison froze, instinctively wanting to help me up. But the Liam Green beside her immediately clutched his stomach. “Ah! My stomach hurts so much, Caroline! I feel so awful, please help me!” The woman, who had been standing, instantly crouched down, then helped him up and left without a backward glance. I lay on the floor, accompanied by Caroline’s mother’s sneering voice, looking at our wedding photo on the big screen. At 23, Caroline Harrison told me: “Ethan, I must marry you. After we marry, if I ever make you bleed or cry, I will die to atone for it!” But 30-year-old Caroline Harrison, even as I bled and cried before her, no longer had me in her eyes. How ironic! After a long time, I forced myself to get up, enduring the pain, and limped to a hospital. While getting bandaged, every touch made me tremble with pain. Nearby, two nurses were chatting idly. “Did you hear? In the VIP room upstairs, Ms. Harrison is absolutely doting. The moment he said he was in pain, she had high-end luxury items from all over the city brought to his room for him to pick from!” “Oh, yes, I know! I was there when she first found out she was pregnant. Ms. Harrison actually cried tears of joy. They must be so in love!” I looked down at the countless wounds on my body, chuckling self-deprecatingly. So love and not-love, it was that obvious. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t want her anymore anyway. 4 Because of the crowd at the hospital, it was already late night when I got home after having my wounds treated. Opening the door, I saw Liam Green sitting on the sofa I had personally chosen. He quickly stood up: “Ethan’s back! Caroline’s in the kitchen boiling bird’s nest soup for me. Do you want a bowl?” Before I could speak, Caroline Harrison, having heard my arrival, rushed in. “Ethan, the doctor said I’ve been having some prenatal depression lately and haven’t been sleeping well, so I wanted to bring him home to stay with me for a few days.” “I promise, once the due date arrives, I’ll take him away. You…” Before she could finish, I pulled out a blank divorce agreement from my pocket. “Alright, but you have to sign this.” Caroline froze. Just as she was about to look at it, Liam Green spoke up: “Caroline, I’m hungry. When will the bird’s nest soup be ready?” Hearing him, the woman hurriedly signed the document, then turned and went to the kitchen. I stood there, watching her, her hands, which I had always protected so well, unskillfully stirring. Seven years of marriage, and this was her first time in the kitchen. “Ethan, aren’t you envious? Caroline said that from now on, she’ll take care of all the daily needs of me and the baby.” I turned my head, seeing Liam Green’s challenging and triumphant gaze. It only filled me with disgust. Because this home, which Caroline Harrison once said belonged only to us, had ultimately changed. So I quickly went upstairs, intending to pack my things and leave. But I found my personal belongings haphazardly piled at the room’s entrance. And the wedding photo on the wall was savagely torn and lay in the trash bin. “Caroline said I could pick any room, and I thought this one was pretty big, so I chose it. So Caroline threw out the extra stuff.” Liam Green followed close behind, his face triumphant as he looked at me. “Ethan, this wouldn’t happen to be your and Caroline’s marital bedroom, would it? I didn’t know, I’m sorry… I’ll move my things out right now…” If this had been before, I would have certainly argued loudly with Caroline Harrison. But now I was leaving, and who lived in this room was no longer my concern. I replied flatly, “No need. You stay here. It’s fine.” Then, in front of him, I threw all my things into the trash can. Just as I was about to enter the room to retrieve my mother’s portrait, I found the drawer empty. I frantically knelt on the floor, searching, but Liam Green stood over me, looking down. “Ethan, are you looking for this?” I looked up at the familiar photo frame in his hand. Just as I was about to get up, he loosened his grip, and the portrait shattered on the floor. “Oh, Ethan, I’m so sorry, it slipped. I thought this thing looked unlucky and was worried it might upset the baby in Caroline’s belly, so I told her about it, and she said I could dispose of it as I pleased.” “So, Ethan, who is this dead person in the photo? Do you know them?” I looked at Liam Green’s feigned innocent face, unable to bear it any longer. I raised my palm to slap him across the face. But before I could touch him, he suddenly threw himself backward, tumbling down the stairs. “Ah—Caroline, help me!” He clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. Caroline Harrison rushed from the kitchen. Seeing Liam Green, she angrily ran up and kicked me to the ground, shouting, “Ethan! Are you f***ing done with this nonsense?!” “How much more do you want to hurt him?! Do you have to cause us to lose our baby before you’re satisfied?!” Before I could speak, Liam Green had already shed tears. “Caroline, if I die, you must give birth to our child…” “You absolutely must… absolutely must protect him…” Caroline Harrison listened, her face filled with tenderness as she helped him up, her voice gentle. “Be good. I’ll never let anything happen to you or the baby.” With that, she walked out of the villa. As she left, she told the bodyguards at the door: “Drag Mr. Chen to the storage room and make him reflect overnight. No lights allowed!” I looked at her in disbelief, screaming, “Caroline Harrison, have you forgotten I have claustrophobia?! You’re trying to kill me!” She paused, but didn’t turn her head. “I know. But you hurt Liam, and you have to pay a price.” With that, she left. The bodyguards, receiving their orders, walked towards me, dragged me to the storage room, and as the door closed, darkness quickly swallowed me. At that moment, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. Only then did I realize Caroline Harrison’s kick had landed squarely on my groin, and now red liquid was flowing out. I frantically rushed to the door, screaming wildly, “Help… help!!” “My lower body hurts so much, I’m bleeding now! Take me to the hospital, quickly!” The bodyguard, hearing this, urgently called Caroline Harrison. The woman’s cold voice came through: “Don’t believe him. He’s definitely faking it.” “Remember, don’t open the door without my command!” The call ended. I curled up on the ground, in pain, my lower half soaked in blood all night. The next morning, the housekeeper came to get something and was horrified by my appearance, rushing me to the hospital. The same doctor who helped me cancel the IVF the other day, seeing me, immediately arranged for surgery. As the cold anesthetic was injected into my body, I heard a nurse’s joyful voice from the hallway: “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes! Mother and child are safe!” At the same time, in my operating room, doctors were frantically trying to stop the severe hemorrhage I was suffering due to the long delay. “What do we do? His wife is dead, and he’s hemorrhaging severely below. We need family consent!” Just when they were at a loss, a Maybach pulled up to the hospital entrance, drawing exclamations from the nurses. “Who is that woman? To have the Chief of Staff personally come to invite her.” “Didn’t you see the famous male health specialist from Capital City behind her? They say someone once offered him five million to see a patient, but he refused.” “Oh my goodness, who is her husband? He must be so lucky to marry a woman like that, with such wealth and power.” As she spoke, the operating room door swung open. Summer Reed carefully wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. “Uncle Liam, I’m entrusting my man to you.” “Don’t worry, I guarantee he’ll be unharmed.” A month later, Caroline Harrison held the baby’s one-month celebration. Only then did she remember me. She snapped a picture of the baby and sent it to my phone, only to find she had been blocked. She was certain I was still sulking from that day and prepared to say a few soft words to coax me. Just as she was about to pull out her phone, her assistant rushed over, holding an invitation. “Ms. Harrison, Mr. Chen is getting married. The date… the date is today!”

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1 When Mom was terminally ill, her only dying wish was to see me married. I begged my boyfriend, John, for twenty-seven days. Finally, he agreed to go to City Hall with me. But I waited there until closing time. He never showed. That same day, John’s childhood sweetheart, Tiffany, posted their marriage certificate on social media, captioning it: “Can’t believe it’s almost been a month already. Three more days to our one-month anniversary!” It hit me then. The very first day I’d asked him, he’d already married his childhood sweetheart. A text from John popped up: “Emily, Tiffany’s family is forcing her into an arranged marriage. I couldn’t just watch her go through hell. We’ll be divorced in three days. Then, I promise I’ll marry you.” Three days later, John, dressed in a sharp suit, stood at the City Hall entrance. All he received was my message: “John, goodbye forever.” In the morgue, I gazed at Mom’s peaceful face, tears streaming down. She’d raised me alone, asked for nothing, and I’d failed her most sacred, dying wish. When she was sick, I’d begged John, my boyfriend of six years, to marry me. I wanted her to know I’d be cared for. But he’d put me off for twenty-seven agonizing days: The first day, Tiffany’s car broke down and he had to pick her up. The second, he had to help Tiffany move. On the twenty-sixth, Tiffany had a stomach bug and needed looking after… If Tiffany hadn’t posted that marriage certificate, I’d still be completely in the dark. I knelt by Mom’s hospital bed until dusk. John called, his voice still infuriatingly gentle: “Where are you so late? I’ll come get you.” Usually, I’d whine and play stubborn, but now, I couldn’t utter a single word. When he heard I was at the hospital, he promised to rush over. Ten minutes later, a text popped up: “Emily, I have to deal with Tiffany’s family right now. Next time, I promise I’ll see your mom.” For the past two years, “next time, for sure” had been his go-to excuse. Missed our anniversary? Next time. Blew off seeing Mom? Next time. Put off getting married? Tomorrow, for sure. He knew I’d always forgive, always bend, and that’s why he broke me with such casual cruelty. Mom wouldn’t have a “next time,” and neither would I. 2 That night, I stayed at the hospital, watching over Mom. John sent countless messages and made countless calls. I ignored them all. First thing next morning, I arrived at the company, ready to draft my resignation. John founded this company. I’d been by his side since he had nothing, building it from the ground up. Now, my presence felt utterly meaningless. My vanishing act would barely cause a ripple in his world. As I printed the documents, John suddenly appeared behind me. I calmly picked them up, but he didn’t seem to notice my sudden distance, still speaking in that infuriatingly gentle tone: “Done printing?” He called me to his office. When he tried to embrace me, I stepped back. “Mr. Hayes, this is the office.” He frowned, then promised: “Don’t be mad. I’ll go with you to see your mom tonight.” I shook my head. “No need.” Mom was gone. More than anything, I couldn’t bear for her to know I was now labeled “the other woman” because of John. I’d always despised people who broke up families; after all, that’s exactly why my own father abandoned Mom and me. John seemed to sense something was off, quickly scrambling to explain: “Just two more days until I can divorce Tiffany. Then we’ll get married, I promise.” He handed me a gift box. “This ginseng is for your mom, to help her recover.” His “sincerity” came too late. Mom didn’t need it anymore. He was about to say more when his phone rang, interrupting him. He glanced at me, then answered the call and left. Whispers drifted from nearby desks: “Mr. Hayes is married now.” “No wonder Emily kept their relationship secret – she’s the other woman!” “She always claimed to hate homewreckers, what a hypocrite!” I stood frozen, a bone-deep chill seeping from my soles, crawling through my veins. I knew that was Tiffany calling. After all, she was John’s legal wife now. My heart remained still. Empty. Because I simply didn’t care anymore. After that, I submitted my resignation. Vice President Davies seemed oddly prepared for my sudden request. “Emily, I’m sure Mr. Hayes has everything arranged for you.” I bit my lip, the absurdity of it all hitting me. It was as if everyone had decided I was John’s ‘kept woman,’ a gilded cage canary at the company. They thought he’d prepared my gilded cage. But they couldn’t grasp that I was his rightful girlfriend, a woman now utterly broken, about to leave. Leaving the company, I ran straight into John and Tiffany at the elevator. 3 Seeing me, John’s gaze flickered, and he instinctively started to explain: “Please don’t misunderstand, I brought Tiffany here to…” Before he could finish, Tiffany slipped her arm through his: “Just showing my husband around his company,” she purred. I said nothing. Tiffany spoke again: “Emily, you don’t mind, do you?” She fixed me with a taunting stare. Silently, I stepped out of the elevator, clearing their path. John watched me, hesitation clouding his eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but Tiffany tugged him away before he could. That afternoon, at the crematory, I watched Mom’s body turn to ash. I laid her to rest in the cemetery. Night fell. John never showed. Not a word, not a text. I didn’t care. Without his presence, Mom’s passage felt more peaceful. I knew her spirit, wherever it was, wouldn’t want me to be entangled with him anymore. She wouldn’t want to see me marry him. Our six years together, they had to end. Here. Now. Leaving the cemetery, I walked all the way home. It had been a long time since I’d walked alone at night. First, I held Mom’s hand. Then, I leaned on John’s arm. From now on, I’d walk by myself. I knew I’d get used to it. It was past midnight when I finally got home. The living room light was on. John was sprawled on the couch, texting. The moment I walked in, the anxious frown on his face softened, and he rushed toward me, reaching for my hand: “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your phone, didn’t reply to my texts. Do you know I was about to call the police?!” I flinched, pulling my hand from his grasp. “I was with my mom,” I said, my voice flat. “I didn’t want her disturbed.” At the mention of Mom, John’s face contorted with guilt, remembering his empty promises from earlier. Suddenly, he looked at me with an almost desperate hope, pulling a small box from his pocket and solemnly presenting it. I took it, opening it instinctively. Inside, a diamond ring shimmered. My breath hitched. He’d once held my hand, swearing he’d put a ring on my finger, hand me a marriage certificate, and let Mom witness my happiness. I’d waited countless days, hoped countless times. But that was before. I closed the box and handed it back. John’s brow furrowed slightly, as if something clicked, and he said, a touch awkwardly: “It’s past midnight now. Just one more day, and I can divorce Tiffany.” “Don’t worry,” he added, “I’ve always remembered my promise. Tomorrow, I’ll put this ring on your finger myself, and then we’ll go get married.” His empty words of devotion didn’t touch me. I simply stated, detachedly, “Alright, I get it. I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” John’s smile froze. For the first time, he seemed to sense my indifference. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, and he reached for my hand. Just then, Tiffany emerged from the bedroom, wearing my pajama set. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but she glanced at me, then immediately linked her arm through John’s, whining: “John, Emily’s back already. Let’s just get ready for bed.” John quickly looked at me, scrambling to explain: “Tiffany had a fight with her family. I just let her stay in the guest room for the night.” 4 He stared at me intently, as if afraid I’d misunderstand. I nodded, indifferent. “It’s fine,” I said. “I can stay at Mom’s place for the night.” John froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so readily. But Tiffany wasn’t about to let me backtrack. She turned, a triumphant smirk on her face, and darted back into the bedroom. When I pulled my suitcase toward the door, John was still standing in the living room, frozen. His lips were pressed thin, his grip on my hand tight, unwilling to let go. The guilt in his eyes deepened, growing heavier. Finally, urged by Tiffany’s impatient calls from the bedroom, he spoke: “Tomorrow, after we get married, we’ll go see your mom together.” Dawn broke. I finished packing and headed back to the company for final handover. The moment I stepped inside, colleagues watched me with strange, knowing looks. As I walked past, hushed whispers and pointed fingers followed me. It wasn’t until I saw Tiffany sitting at my desk that I understood the bizarre atmosphere. Everyone was staring at their computer screens, yet their eyes kept darting toward the unfolding drama. Seeing me, Tiffany looked up, a smug, arrogant gleam in her eyes. “I’m starting today,” she announced. “I’ll be sitting here. You can find somewhere else.” I looked at her, then nodded calmly. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll just clear out my things.” The company colleagues, witnessing my composure, mistook it for cowardice in the face of the ‘rightful wife.’ With Tiffany and me standing there, no one dared speak aloud. Instead, they typed furiously on their keyboards, their disdain for me palpable even in silence. I wanted to set the record straight, to explain everything, but the words wouldn’t come. After all, Tiffany was John’s legal wife. Any more explanations would only humiliate me further. As I finished packing and prepared to leave, John walked over. Seeing me with my box, his face tightened. “Where are you going?” “I—” Before I could answer, Tiffany cut in, “She’s making space for me. I like this spot.” Seeing me about to leave, John quickly grabbed my arm. “No, this desk is yours. No one can—” I cut him off before he could finish. “If she likes it, she can have it.” After all, I’d resigned. Who sat where was none of my business. John, however, stood frozen, his expression unreadable. Only after my back, carrying the box, disappeared from view did he snap back to reality. John shoved Tiffany aside, who had been humming as she cleared her desk. Then, in front of everyone, he slapped her hard across the face. “Did our sham marriage give you the wrong idea, make you think you could walk all over me?!” “Did you forget?” he snarled, “I warned you not to mess with Emily!” After I left the company, my phone buzzed with texts from John. “I’ll be waiting for you at City Hall tomorrow.” “I’ve arranged for specialists to see your mom tomorrow.” “After we get married, we’ll go see your mom together.” I smiled, a sudden, bitter taste in my mouth. John, goodbye. I gathered my luggage and headed for the airport. The next day, John stood at the City Hall entrance, clutching his freshly signed divorce papers.

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At the class reunion, my boyfriend’s mom suddenly burst in, flanked by a crowd. Waving a photo, she screamed that I was a home-wrecker. The picture was taken at my birthday party, showing my dad’s colleague handing me a gift. She stood on a chair, pointing at me, her voice shrill with fury: “This woman is a shameless tramp, a family-wrecker!” With that, she hoisted a chair and hurled it straight at me. I winced, enduring the pain, and tried to explain: “You’ve got the wrong person! I’m your son’s girlfriend!” Her fury only seemed to swell. She slapped me harder. “You trash! Trying to claim kinship with me? Pah! My son and his girlfriend are childhood sweethearts! What in hell are you?” I lowered my gaze, shielding the ice in my eyes. 1 “Riley, that dress must’ve cost a fortune!” At the class reunion, Skylar’s eyes gleamed as she stared at me. I smiled faintly. “My dad got it for me for my birthday.” “Balenciaga’s new collection? Riley, since when did your family hit the jackpot?” Brittany, my long-time rival across the table, sniped, her voice laced with venom. We’d been at odds since high school, and I usually just ignored her. But she kept digging, her words sharp and cruel: “You didn’t, like, land yourself a sugar daddy, did you?” Her words spiraled into absurdity. Just as I was about to shut her down, the private room door burst open. A furious voice ripped through the air: “You shameless harlot! How dare you seduce my husband!” A woman in her thirties stormed in, flanked by a small entourage. The man behind her glanced at a photo, then pointed at me. “Brenda, that’s her.” “You filthy tramp, I’m going to beat you to death today! Get her!” Before I could even react, her hand connected with my cheek, a searing slap. Then a kick to my stomach sent me sprawling to the floor. I clenched my jaw, enduring the pain, and choked out, “You’ve got the wrong person! I don’t even know your husband!” She grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. “Oh, I haven’t got the wrong person! Your trashy face, I’d recognize it even if it were dust!” As I finally saw her face clearly, a flicker of familiarity sparked, but I couldn’t place where I’d seen her before. “Open your damn eyes and look! Isn’t that you, you piece of trash, in this photo?” 2 The photo was from my birthday. My dad had invited a group of people to celebrate with me. It showed Mr. Harrison, my dad’s colleague, placing a sapphire necklace in my hand, my face alight with a happy smile as I admired it. “You’re all this harlot’s classmates, right? Take a look! Isn’t this her in the photo?” She thrust the photo towards the classmates huddled in the corner, gawking. Brittany took one look and dramatically gasped: “Oh my god, that is Riley in the picture! I can’t believe she’s like this! How shameless! Hooking up with a married man! She used to flirt with other guys even in high school. No wonder she’s always decked out in designer clothes. I always suspected she was a mistress!” “Mistresses deserve to die! Ma’am, go ahead and hit her! We won’t lift a finger to help her!” Skylar declared, puffed up with righteous indignation. The others quickly chimed in, echoing her words. “Hear that, you filthy tramp? Don’t play innocent!” Brenda snarled, then commanded, “Beat her!” Immediately, her posse swarmed me, raining down punches and kicks. Some even found sticks, brutalizing me. I curled into a ball on the floor, the pain so intense I wanted to scream for help. But I saw the faces of my classmates, warped with schadenfreude, standing by. My heart turned to ice. I couldn’t believe they were just watching, doing nothing. In high school, I’d always kept a low profile. No one knew I was the heiress to ApexCorp. They just thought my family was average. It had saved me a lot of hassle, so I never bothered to correct them. But now, it was causing me serious trouble. 3 “You’re mistaken,” I gasped, pain lancing through me. “He’s my father’s friend. That was my birthday party.” “You damned harlot! You finally admit it! Beat her to death!” Brenda seemed to go berserk, utterly deaf to my explanations. Punches rained down on my head and body like a relentless storm. My throat constricted, and then I coughed up a mouthful of blood. “Stop if you know what’s good for you! My dad is the CEO of ApexCorp!” Revealing my identity was the only way to make her stop now. But she just acted crazier, clawing at my throat and sneering: “Trying to scare me? Who in this room would believe that garbage? You shameless seducer! You deserve this. You classless, unhinged piece of trash!” At that, something snapped inside me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I fought back, lunging for her hair and pulling with all my might. She seemed shocked by my resistance. Her eyes blazing red, she shrieked at her cronies: “Get this trashy harlot off me!” I clung on, refusing to let go. Seeing this, one of her goons grabbed a nearby stool and smashed it down on my arm. A searing pain ripped through me, my arm felt like it had snapped. I curled into a ball on the floor, trembling with agony, fear gripping my heart as I stared at my mangled limb. I was an artist. My right hand was everything. Brenda kicked me again and again, like a maniac. “You trashy harlot, still fighting back? Strip her!” A few of them lunged forward, clawing at my clothes. I clutched my clothes tight, trying to hold them together despite the pain. “Hey, sis, mind if I go live and show everyone this home-wrecker’s true colors?” Brittany asked, a gleam of cruel delight in her eyes as she looked down at me. “Go for it,” Brenda casually agreed, glancing at me. “Good for everyone to see what happens to a mistress.” Her eyes suddenly went wild again, and she lunged, her hands clamping around my throat. “He never gave me a gift like that. But he gave it to you?” I was close to suffocating, my vision blurring. I fumbled in my pocket, found my phone, and pressed the power button five times, sending a distress signal to my dad. Meanwhile, Brittany, her voice sickeningly sweet, aimed her phone’s camera right at me. “Hey, fan fam! Today, I’m bringing you a live broadcast of my high school classmate getting caught red-handed as a home-wrecker!” Instantly, Brittany’s livestream viewership soared into the tens of thousands. “Wow, so juicy!” “How can that woman be so shameless, ruining someone else’s family?” “She looks like she’s selling herself, probably trash through and through.” “Go, Queen! Beat that filthy tramp to death!” The comments section exploded, people furiously cursing me. Brittany watched her follower count skyrocket, her eyes gleaming with unconcealed excitement and thrill. 4 Brenda pulled a pair of scissors from her bag, her lips curling into a slow, chilling smile as she stared at me. “Since you’re so shameless,” she purred, “I’ll just shred your clothes off and throw you out onto the street, stark naked.” Horror seized me. I never imagined she could be so vicious. As her scissors lunged towards me, a sudden realization hit: I knew where I’d seen her before. My boyfriend had once shown me a picture of his mom. The woman in front of me was identical to the one in the photo. A surge of desperate hope filled me. “Auntie,” I blurted, “I’m Riley! Your son’s girlfriend!” She burst into maniacal laughter, as if I’d told the funniest joke. “You filthy tramp! Seducing my husband wasn’t enough, now you’re after my son too? You shameless hussy!” Her face twisted into a grotesque smile, and she started cutting at my top with the scissors. I writhed in pain, still trying to explain: “Your son’s name is Ethan! Call him if you don’t believe me!” She hesitated for a moment, then her eyes glazed over with renewed madness. “My son would never like trash like you! He’s had a girlfriend for ages! Chloe grew up with him! And you still want to break up my son’s relationship? I’m going to teach you a lesson today!” I froze. Ethan and I had been together for three years. How could he have betrayed me? She frantically snipped away at my clothes. My top was in shreds, exposing large patches of skin. I frantically crossed my arms over my chest. In Brittany’s livestream, people were cheering and clapping. “Queen’s so fierce!” “Mistresses deserve a lesson! Serves her right!” “Exactly! And she even tried to seduce the son!” I looked at the cluster of former classmates standing in the corner. Their faces were a mask of morbid curiosity, enjoying the show. My heart felt heavy with dread, but I still begged them to call the police. Not one of them moved. I pleaded again with the woman looming over me: “Auntie, I really am Ethan’s girlfriend. Just call him, please! You’ll see! Ethan told me about you…” She hesitated, then finally dialed Ethan’s number. It rang twice, then someone picked up. “Mom, what’s up?” Ethan’s voice echoed through the phone. I wanted to scream, to call out to him, to beg him to save me. But as I opened my mouth, a hand clamped over it. “Son, tell me, are you dating anyone?” “Mom, you know that already, don’t you? Chloe and I have been together for five years.” At his words, she shot me a smug, triumphant look. 5 I felt a sudden, profound chill. He had betrayed me. All along. “Mom, Chloe’s actually right here with me.” “Hi, Auntie! I was just dropping off some beef jerky my mom made for you.” A soft, cheerful female voice chirped from the other end of the line. My heart shattered into a million icy pieces. “Chloe, honey, I’ll be home in a bit. If that boy gives you any trouble, you tell Auntie, okay?” The call ended. Brenda’s eyes, full of malice, locked onto me, and she raised the scissors again. “You trash! Still lying? This time, I’m going to slash your face. Let’s see you try to seduce anyone then! Hold her down!” I thrashed wildly, pure terror seizing my core. In my struggle, she suddenly caught sight of the bracelet on my wrist. Her eyes widened, and she started slashing wildly with the scissors. “Slut! Slut! That bracelet on your wrist, was he the one who bought it for you too?” With a yank, she ripped it off my wrist. I tried to stop her. “That was my mom’s! Give it back!” But Brenda glared at me, her face a mask of viciousness. “You trash! Still daring to lie? I’ll teach you a lesson!” She flung the bracelet to the floor in a fit of rage, then stomped on it, crushing it under her heel. I watched the pieces scatter, my heart aching with an unbearable pain. It was the last thing my mother had left me. Brenda dragged me out onto the street, then leaned down, her lips brushing my ear. “Say you’re a shameless hussy, that you deserve to die, and I might let you off. Otherwise, I’ll strip you bare.” Brittany followed close behind, her camera still trained on me. The street wasn’t too crowded yet, but passersby stopped, drawn by the commotion, their eyes fixed on us. I was forced to my knees, made to look like I was begging for forgiveness. I had no choice. Choking back my humiliation and tears, I did as she demanded. “I’m sorry,” I choked out, “I shouldn’t have ruined someone’s family.” A wave of disgusted stares washed over me. I thought I was free. But Brenda’s voice, slow and sinister, cut through the air: “I only said I wouldn’t strip you. I never said anything about not slashing your face! Ha ha ha ha ha!” She was a lunatic. She lunged, the scissors arcing towards my face. A searing pain ripped across my face. In an instant, blood and tears blurred my entire vision. I was at my breaking point, on the verge of blacking out, when I heard it – my dad’s voice, as if from a dream. “Riley, Dad’s here.”

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1 It was summer break, and I’d brought my seven-year-old daughter, Luna, to our private beach for some snorkeling and fun. But then, a popular actress barged in with a whole entourage. “This private beach was specially approved by Ethan for my VIP guests! You two peasants, get out of here!” she shrieked, arrogant and overbearing, using my husband’s name to threaten me. Even worse, after finding out who I was, she mocked me, calling me a parasite, clinging to my husband! I nearly laughed from sheer indignation. I, the rightful heiress of the top family in Silverwood City, a true powerhouse, reduced to a man’s parasite? And for the record, his film company and all his resources? Those came from me! But when my husband finally arrived, he actually teamed up with that actress, pressuring my daughter to perform a synchronized swimming act for some sleazy investor. I let out a cold laugh. Without a second thought, I called the Sea Shark Security Team – an elite unit only the most powerful figures could summon. “Sea Shark Security, Crescent Cove. Clear the area. Immediately!” … “Luna, look what Mommy got for you!” I held out a chilled coconut water, but as I turned, I saw my daughter cornered in knee-deep water, her face etched with panic. Leading the group was a young woman in a skimpy swimsuit, her makeup heavy, her expression impatient. “Where did this wild brat come from? Get lost!” she spat, pointing at Luna. “Crescent Cove is booked by Ms. Manny today for a party. If you know what’s good for you, clear out now, before you soil our place!” A tall, skinny woman, clearly a minion, echoed her. “Ms. Manny”… The name flashed in my mind. She was the rising star Ethan’s company had been pushing lately. Rumor had it, she’d exploded after a web series, and her temper had grown with her fame. My brows instantly knitted, a wave of annoyance washing over me. I hurried forward, pulling Luna behind me. “This is my private beach. You’re the ones who need to leave!” I struggled to keep my fury in check. But some people just love to poke the bear. “You? Your private beach?” Manny scoffed, looking me up and down with disdain. Seeing my simple T-shirt and ordinary shorts, she laughed even more triumphantly. I narrowed my eyes dangerously and took a step forward. “Do you know who I am?” My aura seemed to momentarily intimidate Manny; she flinched. But then her lackey whispered something to her, and her fear instantly transformed into brazen arrogance. “Who do we have here? Oh, it’s just Ethan Lockwood’s old, drab wife, Sarah, who only knows how to spend money!” The bodyguards and cronies behind her burst into mocking laughter. “What, didn’t Ethan tell you I’m using this place today to entertain some important guests?” Manny deliberately raised her voice. “Right, a leech like you, he probably couldn’t be bothered to inform you. Listen up, I’m hosting my VIPs here today. You and your wild brat, get out now, or don’t blame me for getting nasty!” Her smug, victorious face made my stomach churn. I forced down the anger boiling inside me and looked at the well-dressed group trailing behind her—presumably her “VIP guests.” A few men and women were pointing at us, openly amused. One portly middle-aged man with a beer belly and a thick gold chain was staring at Luna, who was peeking out from behind me, with a repulsive, predatory look. Manny immediately caught his gaze and sidled up to him, fawning. “Mr. Chang, do you like this little girl?” She turned, pointing at Luna, challenging me. “How about she performs a little synchronized swimming to get things started for Mr. Chang? If she makes him happy, I’ll tell Ethan to ‘reward’ his money-spending wife tonight!” 2 “Animal!” I lunged forward, ready to slap her, but two burly bodyguards at my side clamped down on me. The next second, Manny gestured to the two bodyguards closest to Luna. They understood, closing in on Luna, preventing her from getting back to shore. Luna, who’d never seen anything like this, instantly paled, clutching my shorts tightly. Her small body trembled, and she whimpered, “Mommy! Mommy, save me!” “I don’t want to perform!” Rage surged within me. “Let go of my daughter!” Slap! A searing pain erupted on my cheek. Manny shook her wrist, a contemptuous smirk twisting her lips. “You should worry about yourself!” My eyes burned, watching helplessly as the bodyguards pushed my daughter into the water. She clearly lost her footing, choking on several mouthfuls of seawater, and began to cough violently. My eyes burned, and I clenched my fists until my knuckles were white. “I’m saying it again: let my daughter come up!” “Otherwise, you’ll face the consequences!” Seeing my anger, Manny didn’t back down at all. Instead, she grew even more arrogant and reckless. “Consequences? What consequences could you possibly bring?” She extended a hand, brutally slapping my face again. “An old, ugly housewife like you dares to threaten me, Manny Shen?” She then snarled, “I’m telling you, if she doesn’t make Mr. Chang happy today, she’s not coming out of that water! Even if she drowns, Ethan Lockwood—oh no, Mr. Lockwood—he won’t shed a single tear for this wild brat!” She scoffed, “He’s probably praying I keep Mr. Chang and his moneybags happy!” “Ethan will make you pay for treating our daughter like this!” But my words had no effect, only making Manny laugh louder. “Hilarious! Mr. Lockwood already said that an old hag like you can’t satisfy him. He loves me! Besides, if he wants kids, I’m young and pretty, I can give him one anytime!” I stopped wasting breath on these rabid, irrational dogs. Every word was an insult to myself. I violently shoved the bodyguards restraining me, then lunged into the icy water. The frigid seawater instantly enveloped me, yet it couldn’t extinguish the furious blaze in my heart. Manny Shen, I swore I would make her pay! I swam quickly to Luna, scooped her out of the cold water, and held her tightly in my arms. Luna’s face was red, and she coughed uncontrollably. She clung to my neck, whimpering. “Mommy… cough, cough… I’m so scared…” I gently patted her back, shielding her from the chilling sea breeze with my body. Manny, seeing me ruin her plans, flew into a rage. “Damn it! Who told you to pull her out?” she shrieked. “You useless idiot! You ruined Mr. Chang’s mood! Can you take responsibility for that?” She shrieked, “Believe it or not, I’m calling Ethan right now to have you and your wretched daughter thrown out!” She brandished her phone, making as if to dial. However, before her words finished, a powerful roar of an engine rumbled from afar, growing steadily closer. A white speedboat sped towards Crescent Cove, coming to a steady stop not far from the shore. Ethan Lockwood, dressed in casual beachwear and sunglasses, disembarked from the speedboat, surrounded by several assistants and bodyguards. His arrival instantly drew all eyes on the beach. Manny, seeing Ethan, immediately adopted a look of immense grievance, on the verge of tears. She scurried over, dramatically flinging herself at Ethan. She grabbed his arm, her voice so cloying it made me nauseous. “Mr. Lockwood! Mr. Lockwood, you’re finally here!” she simpered. “You wouldn’t believe it! This woman of yours and her kid just popped up out of nowhere, claiming Crescent Cove is hers!” Her talent for twisting the truth was truly masterful. “She even offended Mr. Chang and our other important guests! I tried to kindly reason with her, but she actually tried to hit me!” She pointed to non-existent injuries on her face, dramatically accusing me of crimes. 3 Ethan took off his sunglasses, his face etched with impatience. He first glanced at Mr. Chang and the others behind Manny, whose expressions were clearly annoyed. Then, he casually swept his gaze over a disheveled Luna and me. “Ethan!” “Daddy…” Luna and I called out to him simultaneously. But he only frowned, his voice instantly accusatory. “What’s wrong with you two? Who told you to come to Crescent Cove?” He continued, “Don’t you know I booked this place today to entertain important guests? Now, hurry up and take the child and leave. Don’t embarrass me here!” Luna’s eyes instantly welled with tears. The father before her was utterly unrecognizable. I, too, was stunned in place. “Ethan, this is clearly my private beach, how could you—” “Enough!” He cut me off, his gaze sweeping over my daughter and me with disgust. But then, he turned, offering an apologetic smile to Mr. Chang and the others. “Mr. Chang, Director Chen, I’m so sorry. Please excuse these two unruly commoners for disturbing your enjoyment.” He added, “I’ll make them leave immediately!” Hearing his words, I looked at him in disbelief. Luna cowered in my arms, terrified. “Mommy, why did Daddy say we’re commoners? Is Daddy abandoning us…?” My brows furrowed. To save face for his guests and his mistress, he would actually put my daughter and me in such a humiliating position. A bone-chilling cold roared up to the crown of my head. In that moment, all my efforts and tolerance for him over the past decade felt like a monumental joke. It was my fault, too. For years, I had given him whatever he wanted, even pretending to be an ordinary stay-at-home wife just to let him focus on his career. I had let him believe he could walk all over me! But he had forgotten, I was still the head of the powerful, hidden elite family of Silverwood City, the Whites! I smiled. “Ethan Lockwood.” I enunciated each syllable of his name, my voice terrifyingly calm. “Are you sure you don’t recognize me?” I pressed. “Don’t you recognize the wife you relentlessly pursued, swearing to protect her for life? Don’t you recognize this daughter you once held so tenderly in your arms?” I stared him down. Ethan’s body visibly stiffened, a flicker of panic in his eyes. But he quickly averted his gaze, unable to meet mine. Manny, seeing Ethan not refute her words and instead scold us, was even more convinced he was on her side. She began to crow triumphantly. “Mr. Lockwood has spoken! Did you hear that, you useless hag?! Now get out!” She shrieked, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security to throw you two beggars into the sea to feed the sharks!” I stood still, holding my daughter, only watching Ethan, who dared not meet my gaze. “Ethan Lockwood, I’m giving you one more chance. Are you going to clarify our relationship to them or not?” Seven years of marriage, and my saying this was already granting him immense dignity and an easy way out. But he remained stiff, his back to Luna and me. Manny grew even more brazen, barking orders at the bodyguards. “What are you waiting for? Drag these two eyesores out of here! Move it! Don’t ruin Ms. Manny’s party or Mr. Chang’s mood!” Her lackeys echoed her, cheering her on. I watched Manny, cold and still, as she leaped and screeched. Then, I cast a deep, prolonged look at Ethan, who stood silently, unwilling to meet my eyes. Fine. Ethan, this is your choice. I raised my wrist, revealing my custom-made communication watch. The strap bore the White family crest, a unique piece issued only to core family members. Calmly, I pressed a speed-dial button I knew by heart. The call connected almost instantly. A steady, powerful female voice answered, “Ms. White?” I uttered seven plain words: “Sea Shark Security. Crescent Cove. Clear the area.” Manny, hearing me make a call, paused, seemingly confused. Then, she burst into even more exaggerated laughter. “Oh, wow! What an act! Calling for backup?” Tears streamed from her eyes as she laughed. Her sycophantic friends and “VIP guests” joined in, ridiculing me. “Who are you going to call? Your broke relatives to back you up?” they jeered. “Or are you going to ask Mr. Lockwood to reimburse your taxi fare so you can leave with dignity?” “A loser is a loser. Still trying to act tough when death is at your doorstep! How pathetic!” Ethan evidently thought I was just putting on a show, making him look even worse in front of his important clients and beloved mistress. He smiled apologetically at the portly Mr. Chang. “Mr. Chang, just ignore her. She’s just a crazy woman.” His words further solidified their contempt for me. Especially Mr. Chang, who bared a mouthful of yellowed, smoke-stained teeth and leered, pointing at Luna. “The adult can leave, but leave the girl!” “You wouldn’t dare!” I snapped, my voice sharp. Luna buried her face in my arms, trembling. “Mommy, I’m scared…” But to my shock, Ethan actually hesitated! My watch vibrated, a sign that the Sea Shark Security team was close. I took a deep breath, scanning the group surrounding us. “Ethan Lockwood, are you really going to use your own daughter to curry favor with a client?” Ethan awkwardly averted his gaze, muttering, “It’s just playing with Mr. Chang, it’s not like she’ll lose a limb…” His attitude was clear. I scoffed. “You’re truly beyond help!” Manny grew impatient and quickly beckoned her men to grab Luna. “Quickly, bring the girl to Mr. Chang!” “Mommy!” Luna gripped my arm tightly. I patted her back, reassuring her. “Don’t be scared, Mommy’s here.” Just as a burly man was about to grab my daughter’s arm, a dart whizzed through the air and embedded itself sharply in his forearm. Blood spurted, and I quickly covered Luna’s eyes. “Ah—” A guttural cry of pain echoed across the beach. The next second, five sleek black helicopters, each painted with a shark head emblem, descended from the sky!

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When news of his beloved’s death came, my husband, Lord Gareth, who was celebrating my birthday with me, threw himself into the lake, abandoning everything. It was then I realized he had never given up on Seraphina Hayes. Reborn to my coming-of-age, he didn’t come to propose to me. Instead, he arrived with a grand procession, banners unfurling for miles, to marry his beloved. I watched their lavish celebrations last for ten days and ten nights, then turned and walked away. From then on, we chose different lives. Ten years later, I accompanied my husband, King Rhys, on an envoy mission to the Verdant Kingdom. At the King’s reception banquet, I reunited with Asher Vance. By then, he had inherited his title, a pillar of the King’s court, and casually draped an arm around Seraphina’s waist as they strolled in. Seeing me burst into the banquet, searching, he frowned. “Ten years, and you still haven’t given up on me? Even if you offered to be my personal maid, I wouldn’t be swayed.” I ignored him, my gaze cutting past him as I marched directly to the screen and pulled my son, who was secretly drinking wine, into view. His eyes suddenly blazed, and he questioned me, his voice trembling with disbelief. “How could you marry? Didn’t you swear you’d wait for me your entire life?!” 1 I thought I would never meet Asher Vance again in this life. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. At the state banquet hosted by the King of the Verdant Kingdom, I saw the effortlessly charming Asher Vance, and beside him, the sweetly smiling Seraphina Hayes. He held Seraphina’s waist without a care for appearances, his gaze constantly fixed on her face. Guests around them beamed, offering compliments. “Lord Vance and his lady have been married for years, and still, such devotion!” “Lady Vance is truly blessed. Lord Vance is here today by royal decree to receive the envoy from the Northern Steppe Empire and their monarch. He’s sure to rise even higher!” Asher smiled tenderly, looking dotingly at Seraphina. “To have married her is my true fortune. Now that my dear Seraphina carries my child, I hope you’ll all grace our first birthday celebration with your presence.” Someone in the crowd asked, curious, “Lord Vance, you’ve been married ten years, why only now a child?” That was a question I also wanted answered. In my previous life, Asher had loved Seraphina his entire life, even willing to follow her to the grave. Reborn, he had defied the pressure from the Vance family, overcoming all obstacles to marry Seraphina. How could they have no children for ten years? Seraphina’s smile faltered, and she said uncomfortably, “My constitution is delicate. My husband feared I couldn’t endure the hardship of childbirth.” The women present listened with envy, praising Asher as an unparalleled husband. I remembered that in my previous life, after I married him, I remained childless for three years. The Dowager Duchess then began arranging for Asher to take a secondary wife. After Asher inherited his title, his mother and he even considered divorcing me. Now, Seraphina had been childless for ten years, yet Asher loved her as much as ever. So, it truly was obvious, the difference between being loved and not. I chuckled softly, shaking my head, my gaze catching a glimpse of a figure behind a screen. I was about to follow, when I turned and bumped into a stewardess carrying a tray. The pastries scattered across the floor. “Watch where you’re going! These were for the Queen of the Northern Steppe Empire!” The stewardess’s voice rose in a furious whisper. “If the Queen complains, how many heads do you have to bear the responsibility?” The stewardess’s scolding drew everyone’s attention. I gently explained to her, “It’s quite alright. I don’t care for these pastries anyway.” Asher Vance, standing nearby, looked utterly bewildered. “Evelyn Reed, what are you doing here?” Someone asked, bewildered, “Who is this?” Asher’s face showed disdain, and he said dismissively, “The youngest daughter of the Reed family. She was deeply infatuated with me, all of Veridia knew she would marry no one else. But alas, my heart has always belonged solely to my Lady.” Everyone suddenly understood, their eyes filling with mocking amusement as they looked at me. Asher frowned. “Don’t speak nonsense! Don’t let my wife misunderstand!” Seraphina’s smile faded slightly. She took Asher’s arm and said softly, “Husband, don’t be angry. Miss Reed showing up here just proves her devotion.” Asher frowned displeasedly, then turned to instruct a maid, “Escort her away. I will handle this.” From beginning to end, his eyes never rested on me for a moment, treating me like a stranger. The stewardess grabbed my arm and began pushing me out. “You’ve met a benefactor today, otherwise you’d be losing your head. Hurry, hurry! Is the Royal Palace a place just anyone can wander into?” I pulled my arm free from the stewardess’s grasp, my brow furrowed. “I’m looking for someone.” The stewardess scoffed, looking at my simple, foreign-style robes with disdain. “I’ve seen too many like you, trying to climb the social ladder. The Royal Palace has no shortage of beautiful women. Don’t delude yourself. If you don’t leave now, I’ll have the guards throw you into the Royal Dungeons!” “Stop.” 2 Asher’s voice drifted from behind me. He waved a hand, commanding, “She’s here for me. You may leave.” Then he walked in front of me, frowning, and warned in a low voice, “You’re a Reed; how can you be so ignorant of proper etiquette? This is His Majesty’s state banquet.” “No matter how much you miss me, you cannot cause a scene here.” “So, I’ll make myself clear today, to spare you this lingering obsession.” He put an arm around Seraphina’s shoulder, his gaze utterly doting. “My heart has always belonged solely to Seraphina. Even if you never marry for my sake, I won’t be moved.” Seraphina’s face practically glowed with triumph. “Miss Reed, don’t you feel ashamed, throwing yourself at him like this?” “A lady’s reputation is paramount.” “What man would ever look at you now?” She eyed me up and down, a mocking glint in her eyes. “Perhaps I can understand if you can’t forget Asher. After all, he’s a favorite in the King’s court, and there are always maids around who want to climb into his bed.” Perhaps my simple nomadic attire gave her confidence; she covered her mouth and chuckled twice, deliberately acting haughty. “You’re getting on in years, and dressed like… this. What man could possibly want you?” “Consider it my kindness today.” She took a golden hairpin from her hair and tossed it at my feet. “A gift for you. Go buy yourself some proper clothes.” I lowered my gaze to my robes. My husband, King Rhys, valued frugality. The entire Northern Steppe Imperial court dressed simply. How had it become ‘improper’ in their mouths? Seeing my silence, Asher frowned. He pulled off the jade pendant from his waist, a hint of impatience in his voice. “Is this enough? Don’t come looking for me again.” When I made no move to take it, Asher’s expression darkened. “What do you mean? You don’t want my things?” I was utterly bewildered. I was married and had a child. Was it not normal to refuse another man’s belongings? Besides, my husband was the King of the Northern Steppe Empire; taking his ‘junk’ would be an insult to him. “Didn’t you tell me not to take your things anymore?” Asher’s face turned cold. He gritted his teeth, saying nothing. I offered a faint smile, politely stating, “I don’t need these.” My repeated rejections made Asher’s expression even uglier. He said in a low voice, “If it weren’t for the Reed family’s decline, and the fact that you’re an orphan, do you think I’d bother with you?” Seraphina pouted, soothing him with affectionate glances. “Husband, you’re too sentimental. If you ask me, a woman this ungrateful should just be left to her own devices.” “Miss Reed is as beautiful as a flower; perhaps she has her own ways of making money. We don’t need to worry about her.” Her words were contemptuous, hinting subtly to Asher that I was frivolous and brazen. It seemed she had forgotten her own disgraceful past. 3 In my previous life, the reason Asher hadn’t married Seraphina wasn’t just because of family status, but also because Seraphina had once fallen into disgrace, a courtesan. The old Lord Vance had declared that if Asher insisted on marrying her, he would be stripped of his title and expelled from the Vance family. Asher had been willing to give up everything for Seraphina, but Seraphina, despising him for becoming a commoner, immediately went to become a mistress for a wealthy merchant. Asher fell gravely ill. If I hadn’t been by his side, caring for him, accompanying him through those dark days, he surely would have died. He loved riding and hunting, so I painstakingly practiced horsemanship, never giving up even after breaking my legs several times from falls. He wanted famous calligraphies and paintings, so I knelt for hours at the master’s door, begging for artworks for him. Later, he personally came to propose to me, swearing to my grandmother that he would love me for a lifetime. Before our wedding, I asked him if he still harbored feelings for Seraphina. After all, I had seen him more than once staring blankly at things she had left behind. But he swore to the heavens, his voice firm. “My heart holds only you. You are my only wife in this life. A woman as heartless as Seraphina doesn’t deserve my true affections.” “If I, Asher Vance, ever betray you in the future, may lightning strike me down, and may I never find peace.” But after ten years of marriage, I had not borne Asher a single child. I always thought it was my poor health, consuming countless herbal remedies, and frequently suffering the reproaches and insults of the Dowager Duchess, becoming the laughingstock of the entire capital. Later, I discovered that he had been secretly giving me contraceptive draughts disguised as tonics for ten years. He didn’t want me to bear his child. I confronted him, and just then, news of Seraphina’s death arrived. Asher immediately threw himself into the lake, taking his own life. Before he died, his eyes bloodshot, he looked at me. “The truth is, I couldn’t forget her. She was the woman I truly loved. Everything I said before was a lie.” “My Seraphina, wait for me. I’m coming to marry you in the afterlife.” In that moment, my heart truly died. So, after my rebirth, when Asher wanted to break off our engagement, I did not refuse. The day he welcomed Seraphina home with a grand procession and ten miles of crimson finery coincided with my grandmother’s passing. After arranging Grandmother’s funeral, I left the Reed family without a backward glance. I thought I would never have the chance to reunite with him in this life, but I never expected to meet him here. I wanted to leave, but Seraphina insisted on humiliating me. “Miss Reed, if you don’t want these gold and silver treasures, why not return to the Hayes household and become a maid?” “Being a maid in our family is far more glorious than being a young lady in some grand household.” “As long as you give up trying to seduce Asher, I might even make you my personal maid.” Upon hearing this, those around us immediately echoed her compliments. “A maid in the Marquis’s estate is a fine position! Why aren’t you kneeling to thank Lady Vance?” “Lady Vance is truly beautiful and kind-hearted. If anyone harbored ill intentions towards my husband, I’d scratch that vixen’s face off first.” Unable to escape for the moment, I could only say coldly, “I am already married. I have no improper thoughts about Asher Vance.” “You are going too far!” A flicker of something I couldn’t quite decipher—was it jealousy?—crossed Asher’s eyes. He scoffed. “Do you think saying that will make me regret it?” “Using your reputation to threaten me—do you even know the meaning of shame?” After leaving the capital, I traveled north, saving the severely wounded King Rhys of the Northern Steppe Empire on the border. He fell in love with me at first sight, pursuing me for three years until he finally won my heart. After we married, he left his concubine’s quarters empty for my sake, and everyone in the Northern Steppe Empire knew I was his life. How had I now become a tool for Asher’s jealousy? His inexplicable confidence made me frown. Since he wouldn’t believe me, I wasn’t willing to explain. After all, I had no one with me who could verify my identity. It was my son’s fault, really. If he hadn’t snuck out of the diplomatic residence, I wouldn’t have rushed out to find him without even tidying myself up. I was about to find an excuse to leave, but the stewardess from earlier suddenly spoke. “Her robes, though simple, the pattern… it looks like Northern Steppe Imperial court attire?” “This is the silk His Majesty sent to the King of the Northern Steppe Empire! The King of the Northern Steppe Empire even had clothes tailored for his Queen from it!” “Where did you steal this from?! Stealing from the Northern Steppe envoy—that’s a grave offense!” 4 I couldn’t help but frown. “Can’t it be my own?” Seraphina scoffed, mocking, “Someone from a small family just hasn’t seen the world. How could you buy anything from the palace?” “You didn’t steal these robes, did you, hoping to impress Asher and make him change his mind?” Asher looked at me, his face even more disdainful. “Delusional. My heart belongs only to Seraphina!” “Evelyn Reed, your petty tricks are truly sickening!” Those around us immediately began to fawn, flattering them. “I think we should just tie her up. Wouldn’t want to affect relations between the two kingdoms!” “Exactly! Everyone knows the King of the Northern Steppe Empire cherishes his Queen. If he found out some lowlife stole the Queen’s robes, he’d surely be enraged!” “Even worse, he’d probably have her torn limb from limb!” I knew they were deliberately humiliating me, simply to curry favor with Asher. Seraphina’s eyes instantly lit up when she heard them suggest I be punished. “Asher, we can’t let the King of the Northern Steppe Empire misunderstand!” “If you handle this envoy mission well, His Majesty will surely make you Grand Chancellor. You can’t let this vile woman ruin it for you!” Asher narrowed his eyes, about to order his men to seize me. Just then, the Chief Steward suddenly rushed in with a group of maids. “Lord Vance, have you seen the Little Crown Prince of the Northern Steppe Empire?!” “His Royal Highness has wandered off! The King is furious and searching for him!” The Chief Steward was drenched in sweat, his voice trembling with fear. “His Majesty has only this one son! I hear the Queen was just crowned Prince after he was born!” At this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and they immediately ordered their servants to search everywhere. After all, finding the Little Crown Prince would make them a great benefactor to the King. The Northern Steppe Empire was powerful; even the Verdant Kingdom had to cede land and pay tribute for years to maintain peace. Asher and Seraphina also joined the search, leaving no time to restrain me. I looked at the chaotic courtyard and walked straight behind the screen. Sure enough, I found my son, gleefully drinking from a goblet. I looked at my son, his cheeks flushed crimson, my voice turning cold. “Who let you drink that?” Seeing my angry expression, my son instantly dropped the goblet, his words stumbling. “I… I didn’t…” I was about to scold him, when the sound of the goblet shattering drew Seraphina over. She immediately stepped in front of my son, sternly scolding me. “Evelyn Reed! Mind your place!” “You’ve already sealed your own fate by stealing the Queen’s robes. Are you now trying to harm the Crown Prince?!” “Asher, this wicked woman cannot be allowed to stay!” Asher rushed over at the sound, his face etched with even deeper disappointment. “Evelyn Reed, you’ve truly gone mad with your obsession for me.” “Guards, take her to the Royal Dungeons! If she harms the Crown Prince of the Northern Steppe Empire, I’ll have your heads!” The eunuchs received the order and instantly seized my shoulders. Losing my balance, I fell directly to my knees. A vicious glint flashed in Seraphina’s eyes. “Show no mercy.” Then she turned, her face beaming with false kindness, and reached for my son’s hand. “Little Prince, tell me what you want, alright?” My son ignored her completely. To everyone’s shock, he kicked the eunuch’s knee. “Release your insolent hands! How many heads do you have to dare touch my Queen Mother?!”

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“Grandpa! Grandma!” Luna’s sweet voice chirped as she flung herself into Mrs. Hayes’s embrace. Then, her eyes landed on me, and her smile instantly froze, a fleeting flicker of disgust crossing her face. “Why are you still here?” “Mom, what are you trying to stir up now?” My older brother, Ben Hayes, stepped forward, shielding Eleanor Hayes. Before I could speak, Mrs. Hayes snapped, “I invited Elara back.” “Honestly, it’s almost the New Year, and you just had to make her come back. What a jinx…” Julian Hayes, my father, mumbled, his face clouding over. Ben and Luna also looked visibly displeased. “It’s rare for Sister to come home.” Eleanor stepped forward, exuding the graciousness of a hostess. Among the guests, whispers broke out. “Indeed, the younger Miss Hayes is truly sensible.” “Yes, I heard she studied abroad. Her perspective is just different.” “How could a mother be so cruel, abandoning her children…” “Grandpa, we have a gift for you. My assistant arranged for it; it should be delivered soon.” At these words, old Mr. Hayes’s face lit up with delight. “I hear all three of the Kingstons’ children are exceptional.” “The eldest son is the head of Kingston Enterprises, the second daughter is a viral influencer with millions of followers, and the youngest son is a top student at Imperial University.” “Mrs. Kingston must be living the dream! Honestly, to think the elder Miss Hayes was so foolish, abandoning her husband and children for such a paltry gain…” Someone beside him tugged at his sleeve, motioning for him to stop. Old Mr. Hayes’s face darkened, and he immediately turned his displeasure on me. “What are you doing back? No word for over a decade, and now that things aren’t going well for you, you suddenly remember to come home?” He scanned the empty space behind me, his eyes full of disdain. “Are you back alone?” “You have three grandchildren, sir,” I said calmly, meeting his gaze. “They’re busy with work. They’ll arrive later.” “When did you get married? How come I don’t know about this?” Julian’s eyes flickered with a complex emotion as he demanded. “You mean they’re already working? So you’ve been secretly raising bastards behind my back all this time!” Old Mr. Hayes slammed his cane heavily against the floor at his son-in-law’s words. “A disgrace!” Before he could finish, a polite, well-dressed man appeared at the doorway. Everyone gasped, struck by his extraordinary bearing. “That looks like a delivery company specializing in expensive luxury gifts. They only take orders for millions and above, and I hear their delivery fees alone are hundreds of thousands…” “Excuse me, is Mrs. Hayes present? These are New Year’s gifts sent personally by your children. Please sign for them.” Eleanor, all smiles, stepped forward to greet the distinguished man. “Mrs. Hayes’s three children are truly filial! Look, even the delivery person is so refined. These gifts must be incredibly expensive!” Eleanor walked forward with a triumphant smile, but after signing, the lead delivery man stopped her. He looked at Eleanor with a complicated expression, gently blocking her hand as she reached to unseal the packages. “The signatory on these packages is Ms. Elara Hayes. Madam, we do not allow proxy signatures.” “Who did you say the signatory was?” Ben walked forward, disbelief etched on his face. When he saw the sender’s information, he visibly relaxed. “It must be a mistake on their end. The signatory should be my mother.” Kingston Corporation, Horizon Media, and the research team at Imperial University. Weren’t these his older brother’s business partner, his younger sister’s investor, and his own university? The Kingston family had some reputation in their circle. With the holiday season and his grandfather’s birthday banquet, these gifts must certainly be for them. The delivery address was, coincidentally, the Hayes residence. But Elara didn’t live at the Hayes residence anymore. It must be that the delivery company hadn’t clarified and made a mistake. I looked at Ben, a flicker of irony in my eyes. “Sir, these items are extremely valuable. We can only allow the designated person to sign.” The lead delivery man looked apologetic. I smiled, stepped forward, and signed my name with my ID. The delivery team member breathed a sigh of relief, bowed politely, and left. His company never made mistakes about who the packages were for. These were gifts from those three titans. Eleanor, however, squeezed past me, tore open the packages, and displayed the contents for everyone. “How thoughtful of these three children to prepare such gifts for us.” Expensive jewelry, exquisite wines, and priceless health tonics unavailable on the market. “This…” Luna and Ben paused, a slight discrepancy between these gifts and what they had prepared. Looking at the items, they knew Elara could never afford such things. Besides, Elara was only a high school graduate. How could she possibly know people of such high standing? It must be for them, just a name misprint. Thinking this, they naturally claimed the credit. It was all Elara’s fault. Just the thought of having once shared a household register with her made them feel cursed. Hearing the guests’ praises, they smiled and elevated Eleanor. “Yes, we’re very proud to have such a mother.” “Indeed, Eleanor is a good one. Elara comes home, and she brings nothing.” “During the holidays, no matter how hard things are, you still have to show filial piety, right?” “Truly, the eldest daughter is an embarrassment…” Eleanor stepped forward, smiling sweetly. “Sister, I know you’ve had a tough time these past years, but as the younger generation, we should set an example, right?” She gave a slight tilt of her head. “Coming back empty-handed isn’t really… ideal. Even though the children are grown and don’t need cash gifts, you should still show respect to Mom and Dad, right?” She clasped her hands together. “How about this? You wish Mom and Dad a proper Happy New Year. It’s the holidays, after all, and we want to keep spirits high.” Eleanor covered her mouth, smiling coyly as she looked at me. “Eleanor, don’t forget, I was the one who signed for these. Are you so sure these things are yours?” “Dad, Mom,” I said, my voice cool, my eyes flicking with coldness as I looked at Eleanor. “These are gifts from your three grandchildren for you.” At my words, Ben, Luna, and Julian all frowned in unison. “Elara, you are truly shameless!” Ben roared at me. “Who doesn’t know those nutritional tonics are made by Imperial University’s research team, unavailable on the market?” “Yeah,” Luna chimed in, stepping forward. “Ms. Hayes, this jewelry is from Horizon Media. It’s obvious it must be from my investor, the empress of pop, Layla Thorne.” “And Kingston Corp is the Hayes family’s latest project partner,” Julian added, looking at Eleanor. “Mom, don’t talk nonsense and offend important people.” Luna and Ben both nodded in agreement. “Sister, I know you’ve always loved to steal things from me since we were little, but some things aren’t yours. Forcing it won’t do any good…” Eleanor finished, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Julian. Julian stepped in front of her, his gaze towards me laced with icy contempt. “Elara, don’t push your luck.” His voice was low and menacing. “What kind of occasion is this? What are you trying to stir up? Quickly, get down on your knees, apologize properly, and say something auspicious to bring some good cheer.” “Alright, alright, let’s just keep the family harmonious…” Mrs. Hayes said, seeing the tense atmosphere, trying to mediate. She knew her eldest daughter’s character all too well. “Mom… you always favor Sister! This is Dad’s eightieth birthday!” Eleanor’s words choked off Mrs. Hayes’s attempt at peace. Mrs. Hayes hesitated for a long moment, then turned her head away. “Elara, if you don’t kneel and apologize properly to Eleanor today, you will no longer bear the Hayes name,” old Mr. Hayes declared, successfully incited. Not only was this daughter a disappointment, but her divorce scandal had been public knowledge. Now, on his eightieth birthday, was she going to humiliate him again? Julian, watching my calm demeanor, found himself inexplicably annoyed. She shouldn’t be holding her head high like a swan. She should be bowing to him her entire life. Why did Elara seem to be living better after leaving him? No. Elara would always have to look up to him. He quietly whispered something to his assistant beside him. The assistant, seeing Eleanor’s face, immediately understood. Their boss wanted to stand up for his wife! And on New Year’s, who didn’t want a little extra something? It seemed this eldest Miss Hayes was penniless and powerless. If they could make the boss’s wife happy, they’d make the four Hayes seniors happy. “Don’t touch me!” I frowned, twisting my body to evade the approaching assistant. Ben and Luna frowned too, but they didn’t intervene. I didn’t expect, however, that Julian Hayes, standing behind me, would kick me hard in the waist. I stumbled and fell to the ground. The assistant immediately grabbed me, trying to force my head to hit the floor. “Who dares touch my mother!” A furious shout rang out, and everyone in the room instinctively turned towards the doorway. Liam Thorne and Alex Hayes strode in, their faces ashen. Alex kicked the assistant away and helped me to my feet. “Mom, are you alright?” Liam’s eyes darkened. “My sister’s dealing with a lot of people; she’ll be a little late. She told us to come first.” His gaze swept over the scene, full of cold fury. “Mom, do you want me to handle…” I shook my head, a deep, bitter disappointment in my eyes as I looked at Julian Hayes. “Elara, you really are something else, bringing such disreputable people to ruin my birthday banquet!” Old Mr. Hayes frowned, letting out a furious roar. “You’re not welcome here, get out! From this day forward, I, Arthur Hayes, have no daughter named Elara!” “Yes, and we don’t have a mother like you either!” Ben yelled at me, his face contorted in anger. Luna and Julian, though they said nothing, showed their agreement in their eyes. The guests began to buzz with whispers, pointing and muttering about me.

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On New Year’s Eve, my best friend, Stella, planned to marry me off to a local pig farmer with five children. I pretended to be oblivious, clutchng my newly won five-million-dollar lottery ticket, and followed her into the isolated village – a place from which I knew escape would be impossible. Sixteen years later, the five children, nurtured by my painstaking efforts, had grown into accomplished professionals. And then, just as the doctors confirmed my cancer diagnosis, Stella appeared before me, flanked by those same five children. “Actually, all five of these children are mine,” she declared, her voice dripping with venom. “And I must thank you for raising them, allowing me to live a carefree life for so many years. But now you’re useless. Just go and die somewhere out of sight; don’t sully my children’s eyes.” I looked at the ungrateful pack of wolves before me and smiled faintly. “I’ve been waiting for this day too.” 1 “Clara,” Stella chirped, her eyes wide with feigned enthusiasm, “my cousin is a billionaire, single, and currently experiencing life out in the countryside. Why don’t you come home with me for New Year’s? I can arrange a blind date for you two.” Stella’s sudden warmth was no coincidence; she’d just found out about my five-million-dollar lottery win. She pulled out a small, passport-sized photo of her “cousin.” The man in the picture looked to be in his early twenties, with striking dark brows and bright, open eyes—exactly my type. But I knew this man wasn’t Stella’s cousin; he was her husband, a butcher from her hometown. I didn’t press the issue. By the end of the year, I followed her home. The journey was an ordeal: five hours on a train, two hours in a rattling, three-wheeled utility vehicle, and finally, an hour in a bumpy farm cart. Only then did we arrive at Stella’s village, Maplewood Creek. The moment I saw the dilapidated, weather-beaten cabin, I knew—this time, escape would be impossible. Stella’s “cousin,” Mark, emerged from the cabin, trailed by five grimy children. Mark’s skin was tanned dark, his chin obscured by a rough beard; he bore no resemblance to the handsome man in the photo. He seemed to have a profound cognitive impairment; seeing Stella, he pulled at her hand like a child, demanding candy. As for the children, all under ten, they wore patched, threadbare clothes, their innocent eyes wide with apprehension as they stood shyly, silent. I frowned, turning to Stella. Stella laughed. “Clara, I’m sorry I didn’t make it clear earlier. These five children are all my cousin’s adopted children. From today onwards, you’ll be their mother.” I was about to speak, but Stella cut me off. “But I didn’t lie to you! My cousin is actually the son of an industrial magnate. He only broke ties with his family because he insisted on raising these five children. Once they come of age, he can go back and inherit his fortune.” Her story was riddled with holes, clearly a fabrication, but I merely feigned a seven-tenths belief. “Are you telling me the truth?” “Of course! You never wanted children, right? Well, now you’ve avoided the pain of childbirth and gained five children for free! This is a godsend! If it weren’t for our friendship, I wouldn’t even introduce you to him!” Seeing her plastered, insincere smile, I nodded. “Alright. Five children for a multi-million-dollar fortune. Seems worth it, no matter how you look at it!” Once I agreed, Stella whispered a few words to the children and then, with a casual wave, left. I asked one of the older boys to show me around the village. As we walked, I noticed villagers watching me with wary, suspicious eyes. Wherever I went, one of them would follow. I knew they feared I would run, leaving Stella to raise the children alone. Stella had already warned the villagers before she left; any attempt to escape, and they would unite to bind me and drag me back. But I had no intention of running. After familiarizing myself with the village, I returned to Mark’s cabin. I bathed the five children, braided the girls’ hair into cute pigtails, and trimmed the boys’ tangled, overgrown locks. I even considered shaving Mark’s beard, but when he realized Stella had truly left the village, he suddenly went into a rage, grabbing a wooden stick and wildly chasing me, striking out. “Did you drive Stella away, you wicked woman? I’ll kill you!” 2 The five children watched silently as Mark beat me, leaving me bruised and battered. Their cold, indifferent eyes seemed to echo his accusations: my presence had driven their mother away. Yes, Stella was their biological mother. I didn’t expect them to accept me, but I still pulled out my five-million-dollar winnings, dedicating myself to caring for this family of seven. I replaced the dilapidated cabin with a sturdy two-story house, paved roads in the village, and ensured all five children had access to schooling. Perhaps sensing my sincerity, the children gradually stopped resisting me and began to accept me as their mother. But their father, Mark, still treated me as an enemy. After our living conditions improved, he stopped butchering pigs. Instead, he spent his days sitting at the edge of the village, waiting for Stella to come home. My attempts to offer him care were met with indifference, yet I still took him to the clinic every week, hoping to treat his cognitive impairment. Finally, on the day the eldest, Ethan, was accepted into a prestigious high school, Mark’s long wait ended. Stella returned, bedecked in expensive jewelry and carrying various tonics. She embraced Ethan, showering him with kisses. “Ethan, your mother… your aunt knew you were the most promising one.” Ethan’s gaze was complicated; it had been years since he’d seen his birth mother, the woman he longed for. I cleared my throat, interjecting, “Stella, what brings you back this year?” She hadn’t contacted me once in all the years she’d been gone. Her sudden return, I suspected, was only because she’d heard about Ethan’s acceptance into a prestigious high school, and now sought to reconnect. She gave me a falsely grateful look. “Clara, you’ve worked so hard all these years.” She then handed Ethan a portable gaming device. “This is what you always wanted as a child, your aunt finally saved enough money.” A flash of surprise lit up Ethan’s eyes, but as he reached out, I quickly intervened, taking the device. “High school is crucial, son. I’ll hold onto this for you. Once you get into college, I’ll give it back.” Stella’s face twisted in disapproval. “This is my reward for Ethan. You can’t stifle a child’s playful nature.” I met her gaze coolly. “Ethan is the eldest son of an industrial magnate. He’s destined to inherit the family company. If he becomes a spoiled brat from playing games, his entire life will be ruined.” At my words, Stella opened her mouth, then closed it, utterly speechless. After sharing a meal of dumplings, Stella pulled out several bags of gourmet chocolates from her purse, giving them as gifts to the other children. She promised to return and bring them whatever they desired once they achieved success like Ethan. Mark knew Stella didn’t truly love him. So this time, he just stood there foolishly, watching her. Not until Stella rose to leave did he grab her hand. “Stella, don’t go!” She glared at him, then whispered, “If you keep this up, I won’t ever come back!” She then hissed, “If you really can’t bear to lose me, Clara must still have money, right? Steal her bank card for me!” 3 I watched, expressionless, as Mark retrieved the bank card, which still held a million dollars, from my drawer. He handed the card to Stella, who was waiting at the village entrance, a naive, childlike smile on his face. Stella’s eyes gleamed with a flicker of surprise. “What’s the password?” Mark shook his head. “Don’t know.” “Useless!” Stella snarled, throwing the bank card back at Mark’s face. This time, she left without a backward glance. But fearing her bond with the five children might weaken, she called them every year, checking in on their lives. She even mailed each child a Christmas present. I knew she was afraid the children, once they fully accepted me, would grow distant from their biological mother. But I never stopped her. I knew the children needed their birth mother’s attention. Compared to all that, I cared more about their education, determined to mold each of them into pillars of society. Luckily, by the time the five million dollars ran out… The youngest, Ryan, had finally been accepted into Continental University. On the day I was diagnosed with cancer, I hid the diagnosis report under my pillow to avoid dampening the mood. Then, I joyfully hosted a celebration for Ryan’s acceptance. Ethan had flown back from overseas. Chloe had been honored as an outstanding teacher this year. Daniel was a senior physician at St. Jude’s Medical Center. Sophie was pursuing her graduate degree. The villagers all envied me, saying I had raised five successful children, and my days of enjoyment were still ahead. I happily drank a few more glasses, about to make a celebratory speech. But then Mark appeared on stage, pulling Stella by the hand. “Stella’s back! Stella’s back!” Seeing their birth mother after so many years, the five children burst into tears, rushing onto the stage. “Mom!” They embraced tightly, as if they had longed for this reunion for ages. Stella had been planning this heartwarming reunion for sixteen years. This time, she even invited reporters from the National Broadcast News. After exchanging pleasantries, Stella looked at the bewildered villagers, then pointed at me, accusing, “Clara was a home-wrecker! Sixteen years ago, she seduced my husband, and to keep him, she deliberately injured him and left him incapacitated!” “Because she couldn’t have children herself, she stole mine! She made them acknowledge a stranger as their mother! My poor children, they couldn’t resist. But now they’re adults. We can finally reunite, mother and children, as a family!” I wasn’t surprised Stella could utter such words. Mark, in his state, understood nothing of right or wrong. I looked at the five children I had painstakingly raised. “Do you all believe this too?” Ethan pulled out the cancer diagnosis report I had hidden. “Aunt Clara, although you raised us for over a decade, we were forced into it. Now that you have cancer, don’t even think about using your past kindness to coerce us into paying for your treatment!” He didn’t even call me “Mom” anymore, a clear sign he was in on Stella’s scheme. The other four children nodded in agreement. Stella scoffed. “Clara, you destroyed my family, separating me from my children for sixteen years. Your cancer is just divine punishment!” Her voice grew sharp. “If you’re going to die, then just go and die somewhere out of sight; don’t sully my children’s eyes. Whether you agree or not, these five children, you owe them back to me!” This rousing speech quickly resonated with everyone present. Applause erupted throughout the room. The National Broadcast News reporter, seeing my calm reaction, held the microphone to my face. “Ms. Hayes, what do you have to say about this?” “I was never a home-wrecker, nor did I seduce Mark,” I stated, my expression unwavering. “But we understand you won five million dollars back then,” the reporter pressed. “If it wasn’t for love, why would you willingly stay in this remote village and devotedly raise Mark’s children for sixteen years?” I looked at the ungrateful pack of wolves before me and smiled faintly. “That’s an excellent question! Today, I can finally reveal the secret that has been buried in my heart.”

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1 Sister Lydia, in her deep devotion to Master Elias who had long since taken solemn monastic vows, had herself forsaken the world and joined the secluded Stonehaven Monastery. All in the village and beyond spoke in hushed admiration of their bond, deeming it a love that transcended mere mortal affection. For over a decade, she had remained by his side, and though no marital intimacy ever passed between them, their companionship was as steadfast as any lifelong union. Yet, when both were past fifty, Master Elias shattered that serene existence. He brought a woman from the village, a seller of perfumes and herbal remedies, into the monastery as his bride. He commanded us to call this woman our new Mistress, declaring it a wondrous thing to have a child in his twilight years – a venerable elder blossoming anew with a vibrant, youthful bride. Everyone whispered of his heartless betrayal, their indignation rising for Sister Lydia, who had toiled tirelessly for half a lifetime within the monastery’s ancient walls. But Sister Lydia herself seemed utterly unmoved, her demeanor as serene and unchanging as ever. We attributed this to her decades of spiritual discipline, believing she had achieved a detached, otherworldly tranquility. Yet, that day, as Master Elias and his new “spring bloom” walked hand-in-hand, radiating sickening sweetness, I unexpectedly heard Sister Lydia’s thoughts: “Ungrateful wretch! I’ll flay the hide off both of you, eventually!” … Sister Lydia had stood by Master Elias for half a lifetime within the venerable walls of Stonehaven Monastery. Though they never spoke of worldly affections, everyone regarded their bond as something far beyond ordinary love. Even Sister Lydia herself, it seemed, believed it to be so. After all, within Stonehaven, she had always borne the quiet responsibilities of a mother figure. Washing, cooking, mending our simple woolen tunics – these were her daily duties, performed without complaint. We had always imagined this tranquil life would simply continue, yet Master Elias chose to shatter that peace. He was set to marry a woman from the village below. Brother Alistair, our eldest, claimed she was a perfumer from the market, with an ample figure that swayed provocatively as she walked. We, his youngest disciples, were the very last to hear the news. We rushed frantically, distraught, to find Sister Lydia. She, however, merely sighed, her voice laced with a profound, almost poetic melancholy. “Oh, if only life could ever remain as pure as a first glance,” she murmured. “What use then, for the autumn wind to mourn a faded painting?” We six disciples listened, bewildered, but Sister Lydia said no more. Master Elias ultimately welcomed the woman into the monastery with a grand and flamboyant procession. We gnashed our teeth in silent fury; anyone with eyes could see that Sister Lydia had always been the one who truly cared for us, who looked after our every need! Yet, Master Elias had abandoned his sacred vows for this woman, even bringing her to the monastery in a lavish, celebrated arrival. Immediately, the villagers below scoffed at our monastery. “A monastic elder nearing fifty, and so scandalous!” they jeered. “There was already a woman residing in the monastery, tending to it, and now he brings another from the village? How utterly amusing… or disgraceful!” As disciples of the monastery, we were even more perplexed. Why would our Master become such a heartless cad, casting aside one for another? Sister Lydia, though never formally wedded to him, had certainly been devoted. She had willingly followed Master Elias up the mountain, forsaking her own life, dedicating decades of her youth to this very place. For as long as we could remember, it was always Sister Lydia who tirelessly looked after us, seeing to every chore. In spring, she sharpened our training blades until they gleamed, ready for our drills. In summer, she prepared refreshing slices of melon, chilled in the cool stream. In autumn, she meticulously stored provisions for the long, harsh winter. In winter, she painstakingly mended our heavy cloaks and tunics, ensuring we were warm. Though rarely outwardly jovial, she always met us with a gentle, smiling countenance, seldom speaking harshly. Decades of selfless devotion had weathered her once delicate skin, etching deep lines around her eyes and at the corners of her mouth. Now, Master Elias’s callous betrayal wounded Sister Lydia to the core. It rendered her decades of sacrifice utterly absurd, almost a cruel joke. One side of the monastery hung with vibrant, celebratory banners, while the other remained in desolate silence. That night, Sister Lydia never received an explanation from Master Elias. The next morning, during our daily drills, a woman with a voluptuous figure stood boldly beside Master Elias. 2 She truly was as Brother Alistair had described, yet her features were jarringly grotesque. Her face seemed a squeezed cluster of misplaced features, dominated by a prominent, wart-like growth that gave her a strangely gnarled appearance. The more I looked, the more ridiculous she seemed, and I nearly burst out laughing. It was only Brother Owen, beside me, who pinched my arm hard, stifling my mirth. Otherwise, I’d have been running laps around the monastery for a grueling hour. “Careful, you idiot! You’ll be feeling the sting of the rod again!” Brother Owen hissed, his voice barely a whisper. “But Brother, she looks truly… monstrous. Like that hideous creature we saw up the mountain the other day!” The memory almost made me giggle again. Master Elias stroked his goatee, his face flushed with satisfaction, and admonished us. “Silence! No more chatter!” It was clear to anyone that the Master had enjoyed a rather… fulfilling night. A man of the cloth, nearing fifty, yet still remarkably virile. Then, oblivious to our discomfort, he casually linked arms with the woman and declared in a formal tone, “From this day forward, she is your Mistress.” The woman feigned shyness, which only made her already unappealing face even more grotesque. We six disciples gaped, our jaws nearly dropping to the floor, shaking our heads in unison. Master Elias roared, “It is decided! You will refer to your former Mistress as Sister Lydia from now on!” Perhaps it was my imagination, but I sensed a mournful resignation from Sister Lydia. It was understandable; to be so casually cast aside by a man – who could truly accept such a fate? Master Elias noticed my gaze and deliberately turned to her. “Lydia, you have no objections, do you?” Lydia. That was Sister Lydia’s name. Sister Lydia forced a bitter smile. “No, Master,” she replied softly. “Whatever name you choose is acceptable.” Only we, her loyal disciples, understood that her heart was utterly shattered. Master Elias nodded, satisfied, and specifically instructed us, “Did you hear? From now on, she is Sister Lydia.” We, however, silently refused to accept this new arrangement. We bit our tongues, saying nothing. Master Elias, displeased, reached for his bamboo cane, ready to discipline us. The woman gently restrained his hand, feigning concern. “It’s alright, my love. Children always need time to adapt.” Her pretense was so sickeningly sweet, it made me want to vomit. At that moment, I heard two sharp, cutting thoughts. “Ungrateful wretch!” “Flaunt your affections all you want, I’ll flay you both alive!” Though venomous, the thoughts brought a strange warmth to my chest. I almost complimented Brother Owen beside me, assuming he had muttered them, but then I noticed his mouth was tightly shut! As I stood there, bewildered, I heard the familiar voice again. “And I have to call that monstrous hag our Mistress? Everyone in the village will laugh us out of the valley!” Then, a light, almost mocking chuckle. “That old fool truly is… robust. Lucky for that grotesque aberration.” This sounded exactly like Sister Lydia’s voice! And the “hideous creature” story was something we had shared with Sister Lydia during dinner! I could hear Sister Lydia’s thoughts! I tried to listen intently, but it seemed I could only hear her voice. “Once I find that thing, I’ll cripple both of you dogs!” That thing? What thing? Brother Owen, seeing my furrowed brow, nudged me. “What are you thinking about?” “Nothing, nothing at all,” I mumbled. Master Elias tried to compel us to accept the new Mistress, but we made our excuses, claiming urgency for our training, and quickly ran off. As I passed Sister Lydia, I clearly heard her joyous, unbridled laughter. “Those little rascals, they didn’t disappoint me! Let that old fool rage, it’ll do him good!” Hearing that, I nearly lost control of my grin and sped up, running faster than ever. 3 As the sun dipped below the western peaks, our attention was caught by a heated argument echoing from the woodshed. First, Master Elias’s booming voice, full of indignant rage, pierced the evening air. “Lydia, I never imagined you could be so petty!” When we rushed into the woodshed, we found Sister Lydia by the hearth, calmly splitting wood and tending the fire. Master Elias stood beside her, his face livid with fury, while the new Mistress, Eliza, stood nearby, sobbing dramatically. Master Elias didn’t notice our presence and continued to bellow at Sister Lydia. “Today, I specifically instructed the disciples to change their address. Why do you insist on defying me?” His voice hardened. “Lydia, for them to even call you ‘Sister Lydia’ is a courtesy; why must you demand more?” His words clearly referred to our refusal to call Eliza our Mistress. But these cold, cutting words surely pierced Sister Lydia’s heart like daggers. Sister Lydia’s brow furrowed, and she replied calmly, “Master, you misunderstand me.” Master Elias, consumed by anger, shot back, “Am I accusing you without cause, then?” He puffed out his chest. “If you still call me ‘Master,’ then you should show me some respect! And even more so for your… elder brother’s wife!” His words were sharp, and the atmosphere instantly dropped to an icy chill. “Is this old fool daring to push his luck? Asking me to call that grotesque hag his wife? It’s a courtesy I even acknowledge her as a person!” Sister Lydia’s derisive thoughts crashed into my mind, leaving me utterly dumbfounded. Yet, on her face, only profound sorrow was visible, making her seem pitiful and heartbreaking. Master Elias sighed at her apparent sadness, then conceded slightly. “Alright, alright. The children are ignorant, but as long as you understand the proper order of things, that is enough.” He then turned, brushing off his robes, and patted Eliza’s shoulder in a show of comfort. But his words were directed at Sister Lydia: “Call her.” This was worse than a slap to the face; at least that would have been quick and clean. From the corner of my eye, I saw Sister Lydia’s fingers, gripping the kindling, turn bone-white, and her carefully constructed smile threatened to shatter. When she didn’t immediately move, Master Elias grew impatient. “Lydia, don’t dally. Call her!” Just then, Brother Alistair, who had been standing beside us, charged into the woodshed like a mad dog, roaring at Sister Lydia, “Mistress, no! You mustn’t!” He was right. Even as children, we understood what that title, “elder brother’s wife,” truly signified. It meant Sister Lydia’s decades of companionship and sacrifice would be snatched away by this new woman. Hearing Brother Alistair’s defiance, Master Elias was the first to react with fury, while Eliza let out a theatrical sob, tears welling in her eyes. Master Elias bellowed, “Insolent boy! Do you have leave to speak here?” He then pointed angrily at Sister Lydia, raging, “This is what comes of your guidance!” Then, in three quick strides, he seized Brother Alistair by the collar and roared, “Call her Mistress!” Brother Alistair was held fast by his collar, but he merely gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I won’t!” Master Elias raised his hand, ready to strike Brother Alistair, but Sister Lydia intervened, blocking his blow. Then I heard Sister Lydia’s thoughts: “To think this quiet, eldest one has such fire in him. You mustn’t blame me, little leader, but I’m doing this for your own good.” She then swung the kindling stick, striking Brother Alistair’s thigh without hesitation. It was the first time we had ever seen Sister Lydia truly angry, and we watched, stunned. “If I don’t strike him now, that old fool will hit him harder, and he’ll be out of commission for a hundred days, broken bones and all.” Though the sound was loud, her blow was clearly not heavy. Brother Alistair, vexed by Sister Lydia’s unexpected strike, stood there sullenly. Sister Lydia, however, played her part perfectly, her feigned anger completely intimidating Brother Alistair. “Don’t hate me, little leader. It’s just that after I’m gone, only that old fool will be left to protect you.” Gone? Where was Sister Lydia going?

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