Category: English

I was at a hot pot place when the bullfrog on the table suddenly stood up on its hind legs and spoke like a human: “Eat me and you will have good luck. Anything you want, you can get easily!” I thought it was some kind of prank by the restaurant, just laughed it off, and didn’t pay much attention. But from that day on, my luck was insane. My mother’s paralysis was completely cured, and our old family home got demolished for a redevelopment project, netting us a cool ten million. When my best friend found out, she started frantically searching for talking bullfrogs. She camped out at frog farms, blending thousands of frogs into a paste and swallowing it whole, nearly bankrupting dozens of farmers. Eventually, the owner caught her, doxxed her online, and demanded a million in damages. My best friend had a breakdown: “How expensive can a few frogs be? You guys are extorting me!” “Once I find the talking frog, I’ll have endless money!” But everyone just treated her like a psycho. After receiving a court summons, she decided everything was my fault. She hired someone to break into my house, set it on fire, and kill me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day of the hot pot. My best friend was frantically messaging me: “Which hot pot place are you at? Answer me right now!” 1 My best friend’s frantic interrogation pulled me back to reality. I realized I was covered in goosebumps. As the phantom pain of the fire faded, I realized I had been reborn. “Steph, are you deaf or something? Don’t consider me a friend anymore? I’m asking where that frog place is, not asking for money. Can’t even let me mooch a meal?” Her voice was shrill and anxious, piercing my eardrums. I knew immediately: my best friend, Bella, had been reborn too. In our past life, I tried to invite Bella out for dinner. She flaked on me, so I picked a random hot pot place. It was terrifying. The raw bullfrog the waiter just placed on the table stood up like a person the next second. “As long as you eat me, I can grant your wishes. Even the stars in the sky, I can conjure for you!” At first, I thought it was a marketing gimmick. But everyone else insisted they didn’t hear the frog speak, so I brushed it off. But the result was exactly as the frog said. My mother’s chronic illness was cured, and my life turned into a winning streak. I reached the peak of success. When Bella found out, she unleashed all her rage about missing the “lucky frog” on me. Not only did she frame me for her million-dollar debt—causing me to get stabbed by creditors late at night—but she also hired someone to loot my house and burn my family alive while we slept! Because of her, my family was destroyed. I knew exactly how crazy Bella could be. Now, she would do anything to eat that lucky frog before I could. After getting my location, Bella appeared in front of me in less than ten minutes. She walked in just as the waiter brought the skinned bullfrogs to the table. Bella had sharp eyes. She immediately spotted the one frog that looked different. She lunged forward and scooped the entire plate of raw frogs into her arms. “Sorry, Steph. You know I love bullfrog. Let me have all of these today!” Bella looked up at me, a flash of triumph and relief in her eyes. Looking at her face, remembering how she frantically stuffed raw frog into her mouth in our past life, my stomach churned. I suppressed the urge to vomit and asked, eyes red: “That’s a lot. Are you sure you can finish it all by yourself?” Hearing this, Bella thought I wanted to fight her for the food. She panicked and shielded the frogs in her arms. To avoid blowing her cover, she forced herself to calm down and comforted me: “It’s fine, Steph. I’ve been dieting for days and haven’t had a proper meal. Consider this my cheat day.” “Besides, you have that interview at the modeling agency soon. You should stick to veggies!” With that, without even cooking them, she couldn’t wait to stuff the raw frogs into her mouth. She even swallowed the uncleaned intestines, calling them “liquid gold.” Murky juices dripped from the corner of her mouth, but Bella looked ecstatic. I clenched my fists as I watched her eat every single raw frog in her arms. She still thought I achieved my success because of that frog. I couldn’t help but sneer internally. In my last life, I treated Bella like a true friend, and she murdered my entire family! Thank God for second chances. This time, I’m going to make her life a living hell. 2 When it was time to pay, the waiter handed me the bill, but Bella snatched it. “Give it to me. I’m buying.” After eating that plate of frogs, she looked even more radiant, immediately adopting a superior attitude. Knowing Bella for so many years, I knew her financial situation was a disaster. I smiled, feigning surprise: “Didn’t we agree I was treating? What money are you using?” Hearing this, she pulled out her phone and piled on the mockery: “You poor thing, using cheap perfume and knockoff bags. Why are you acting like a big shot in front of me?” “Save that little bit of money to buy your mom a wheelchair!” As if that wasn’t enough, she called the manager over on the spot: “I’m paying for everyone in the restaurant today.” “Everyone… are you sure?” The manager paused, his tone laced with disbelief. She frowned, impatiently urging him: “Duh, what are you waiting for? Careful or I’ll call corporate and complain!” The manager assumed she was some rich heiress and respectfully took her card. In an instant, everyone treated her with extreme warmth. Basking in the attention, she remembered I was standing behind her. Her smile instantly turned cold: “See that? I have plenty of money. Steph, hurry up and roll on home. Don’t embarrass me by hanging out with me anymore!” “Okay.” I nodded. The company was doing performance reviews over the next two days. There was only one spot for overseas training, and it would go to the most prepared. Career-focused as I was, I wouldn’t slack off. Mocking laughter rose behind me. I ignored it, turned around, and got into my car. The next day, Bella strolled in two hours late. She arrogantly pulled a stack of cash from her bag: “So I’m late. Here’s a year’s worth of fines in advance. Deduct it slowly. If it’s not enough, tell me and I’ll top it up!” Her blatant display of wealth scared HR into silence. Afterward, she deliberately stood next to me to announce she bought a car. Seeing the Porsche key in her hand, the office exploded. “Holy crap, that car is worth millions!” “Bella, where did you get the money? Did you win the lottery?” “So awesome, a Porsche! I remember you and Steph started interning at the same time. Guess you’re the successful one!” … She smiled: “It’s nothing, just a tool to get around. Once the assessment results are out, I’m treating everyone to dinner!” The crowd gasped, convinced she had struck it rich overnight. “Looks like Bella has the assessment in the bag too!” “For sure. Just one spot, but for our Bella, it’s a piece of cake!” Suddenly, all my colleagues were kissing her ass. Only I felt something was off. I knew Bella had zero ambition. With her meager salary, there was no way she could afford to treat everyone and buy a Porsche. Could it be… that frog really did bring insane luck? Just as I was puzzling over this, my boyfriend sent a breakup text. “Let’s break up. I’m with Bella now. You don’t deserve me.” I stared coldly at the emotionless text and laughed. In my past life, I accidentally found out that during our five-year relationship, he had been messing around with Bella for four of them. This time, he wasn’t even pretending. Fine. No need to date trash anymore. I blocked both Mark and Bella immediately. Out of sight, out of mind. 3 When the assessment results came out, everyone was shocked. The board unanimously decided to give the only overseas training spot to me. I wasn’t surprised, but I feigned shock: “Really? Me? Thank you for the opportunity! I won’t let the company down!” Bella’s face turned ugly. To save face, she pretended not to care and lifted her chin: “Steph, what are you so smug about?” “Don’t think I don’t know. With your family situation—paralyzed mom, useless dad—you think getting the spot means you have the money to go abroad?” Hearing her say this, Mark joined in the mockery: “Exactly. Once you’re abroad, you won’t even be able to afford rent. Why show off?” I looked up calmly: “I can’t afford it, but you can?” Bella, choked by my retort, became even more furious. “Of course I can afford it. You think I’m like you?” Saying this, she pulled out her phone, mysteriously made a call, and then announced smugly: “I’m happy today. I rented a yacht at the beach this weekend. Everyone is invited!” “And you, Steph. You have to come!” “I know you were always the ‘frugal model’ in our class. Don’t worry, I won’t make you split the bill.” Everyone thought I would get into a huge fight with Bella for humiliating me. But I just smiled: “Sure!” Only I knew. It had been a week since she ate the frog. But she hadn’t won the lottery, nor passed the assessment. Where was this money coming from? When I arrived at the destination on the weekend, I saw Mark and Bella waving at me from the yacht. They were decked out in haute couture from head to toe. Just the watch on Bella’s wrist was worth six figures. My colleagues crowded around her, fawning and flattering. “Bella, I knew from the start this company was too small for a big shot like you. You were bound to soar. Unlike some people who get the training spot but can’t afford to go…” “Yeah, Steph is just sour grapes!” They built her up and tore me down perfectly. Bella laughed so hard she trembled, clearly enjoying the adoration. She casually called the waiter over, who immediately brought out delicacies fit for a five-star restaurant. “Eat up, everyone! Whatever you eat today, I’m paying for. Money is no object!” Watching their cheeks puff out like toads, sauce dripping down Mark’s chin onto his collar, my stomach churned. This scene looked weird no matter how I looked at it. Seeing I hadn’t moved, Bella raised an eyebrow: “You couldn’t afford this stuff even if you worked for a month. Not eating?” I sneered and said nothing. Hope she can still laugh in a bit. Just then, a waiter walked out carrying an oversized plastic bag. Something inside was wriggling. A bullfrog poked half its body out of the bag, its pitch-black eyes staring straight at us. I suppressed the excitement in my heart and pointed blankly at the frog: “Bella, look. Does that bullfrog look like it’s standing up like a person?” “And this frog… it looks just like the one we saw at the hot pot place…” Following my gaze, she quickly spotted the frog. Her expression shifted from arrogant to stunned. Suddenly, she changed. She rushed the waiter and snatched the plastic bag. She stared straight at the bullfrog, eyes full of fanaticism: “God has favored me again! I knew I was reborn to change my destiny!” Just as Bella expertly skinned the frog and prepared to stuff it into her mouth, I grabbed her arm. She looked at me warily. I deliberately raised my voice: “What did you say, Bella? Is this the reason you got rich overnight?” The deck went silent. Everyone’s eyes focused on the frog. “Bella… is talking to the frog?” “Does eating this frog really make you rich?” Mark wiped the grease from his mouth, eyes full of greed: “So you bought a car and a house because you ate a lucky frog!” Everyone’s gaze instantly turned predatory. The next second, someone rushed up to snatch the frog from her hands. Bella, desperate, ignored everything else and shoved the frog into her mouth. Bloody slime dripped from her lips. Due to the violent struggle, the frogs in the bag scattered all over the floor. Mark grabbed a frog from the ground and swallowed it whole, alive. People started brawling, fighting to get rich. It was chaos. Suddenly, a strange man dressed oddly rushed in from the sidelines, looking nervous. Seeing the scene before him, he almost puked. He looked horrified: “What the hell are you doing?! These frogs are rejects! They’re meant to be destroyed! You can’t eat them!” 4 Everyone turned around. When the stranger saw the frogs crawling everywhere, his face went dark. Bella still had a frog leg hanging from her mouth. The man rushed up to grab the frog from her hand without a word. “I told you these frogs are inedible! Are you crazy?” Bella couldn’t handle hearing this. She thought this guy was just another person trying to steal her luck like her colleagues. Without hesitation, she slapped the stranger. “None of your business! It’s not like I’m not paying. Think I can’t afford it?” “I booked this place today, so these frogs are mine too. Why can’t I eat them?” “You poor losers have never seen money. Think I’m not offering enough? Take this and get lost! This is enough for you to live on for a month!” Saying this, she took out a thick stack of cash and smashed it into the man’s face. The man turned red with anger but stood there, hesitant: “That’s not what I mean. If you want to eat bullfrog, just tell the kitchen to prepare it properly. There’s no need to eat them raw!” “Let me take you to the hospital, miss…” Hearing this, Bella and the crowd reacted as if triggered. Mark shoved the stranger away, full of suspicion: “I think you’re just jealous of us. You see us eating frogs and about to get rich, and you’re upset, right?” The man looked incredulous: “I’m just concerned about your health! I raise bullfrogs. If eating them brought good luck, wouldn’t I know? Did you guys read too many fairy tales?” Bella didn’t believe a word of it. She suspected even more that this guy knew the secret and wanted to stop her from getting rich. She flipped the table over. Expensive liquor and dishes shattered everywhere: “Bullshit! I will have good luck!” “Don’t believe this liar, everyone! He just wants us to go to the hospital to get our stomachs pumped!” Her colleagues agreed and refused to leave. She was maniacal. She and Mark smashed everything in sight. The shop was a wreck. Seeing persuasion was useless, the chef stormed out angrily. When he returned, a man in a suit was with him. I knew him. He was the manager of this yacht rental company. He frowned at the mess but tried to maintain professionalism: “I’m sorry, miss. Since you rented our luxury yacht, the alcohol and ingredients are extremely expensive. You need to pay extra for these damages, or we will have to call the police.” Bella rolled her eyes and scoffed: “How expensive can it be?” “I’ve calculated it for you. Including the rare vintage wines you smashed, you owe an additional one million dollars.” Hearing the price, Bella and Mark froze. That amount was almost as much as the yacht rental itself. Those wines were priceless collectibles. She knew nothing about high society; how would she know their value? Seeing her silence, the manager assumed she couldn’t pay and urged: “Will that be card or…?” Bella’s phone rang, snapping her back to reality. She hung up, pulled a bank card from her bag, and threw it in the man’s face: “It’s just booze money. I have plenty. Think I can’t pay?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387018”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I’m a struggling, C-list actress. Gigs were rare, so I had to take on side hustles to survive. Like playing a zombie NPC in an escape room. The problem: my performance was too convincing. I terrified the customers so badly they ran out and demanded refunds, leading to my immediate firing. Good news: I was invited to a major reality TV show. Bad news: They invited me to play a Zombie NPC. Before the premiere, the delicate, innocent starlet cooed to the camera: “I’m a really slow runner, I hope the production team will be gentle with me.” Then, she caught sight of my half-decayed face and instantly turned into an Olympic sprinter, clocking a half-mile in sixty seconds. The comments section exploded: “A woman driven by the wind.” The cool, unsmiling A-list actor was so startled by me that he passed out cold, forcing me to cry while giving him chest compressions. The comments section: “Girl, please just back away. He’s only going to faint again when he wakes up.” That night, I was trending: “Investigate Leo Vance. He’s not acting.” 1 I’m a D-list actor, constantly struggling to land a role. When I did, they were mostly non-speaking background parts. The pay was so low I could barely afford groceries. To survive, I had to find side gigs. That $2,000 rent was a real nightmare. So, in my spare time, I decided to deliver food. The result: I’m directionally challenged. I ended up losing more money than I earned. Next, I tried setting up a street stall to sell jewelry and bags. The result: I was chased away five times in three days. Just as I felt small, alone, hopeless, and depressed. A newly opened escape room caught my eye. “Now Hiring: Zombie NPC. Work 4 hours a day, 2 days off per week. Salary: $4,500/month. Requirements: Open to all genders, excellent stamina, must be fast runner, preference for scary appearance, acting skills a plus.” My eyes lit up instantly. Was this job custom-made for me? I was a former college athlete who had studied dance for years. Not only could I run fast, but I could act my butt off. I could even touch my foot to my forehead. Crucially, I was a die-hard zombie fan. I’d watched dozens, if not over a hundred, related movies and TV shows. My “experience” was abundant. 2 I rushed to the owner immediately. After I explained why I was there, he just lifted an eyebrow. He didn’t seem convinced at all. He said lightly: “Okay, show me something then.” Granted permission, I took a deep breath. Time for my performance. I stood still, head bowed. My entire body seemed to melt like a pile of mud. I collapsed softly onto the floor. Then, under the owner’s increasingly bewildered gaze, my upper body pulled my lower body, and I rose smoothly. The owner’s eyes widened. I extended my hand and slowly approached him. The muscles in my face twitched unsettlingly. My limbs swayed erratically, moving as slowly as a toddler taking its first steps. The whole scene was unsettlingly like a creepypasta “flesh-suit.” The owner held his breath, terrified. However, the agonizingly slow speed suddenly shifted to a motor-driven pace. In the blink of an eye, I was right in front of him. He instinctively shoved me. I fell backward, then executed a smooth, fluid recovery, completing the movement with a terrifying, bloody-mouthed snarl. The owner shrieked: “Stop! Stop! That’s enough, you’re hired! Tomorrow—no, tonight—you start!” I screamed internally, Yes! Finally, no more scraping by! 3 This job was a godsend, and I loved it. Every time I put on my detailed makeup and my costume. Watching the cocky customers scatter and run for their lives was pure bliss. It was the most fun I’d had in ages. I approached my work with serious dedication, never half-assing it. I aimed to give every customer the right to scream their lungs out. I aimed to give every customer a memory of clutching their heads and running wild. No one leaves disappointed. No one leaves disappointed. Then I noticed that a lot of first-time customers weren’t coming back. Some of the five-star reviews even read like this: “Truly immersive horror atmosphere, absolutely amazing. I will never return.” Me: “…” I had a bad feeling. Sure enough, after less than a month, the owner gave me the final word. “Don’t come in tomorrow. Or ever again. Your month’s pay has been transferred.” I was completely confused. “Why, Boss? Was my performance not good enough?” He sent me several video clips. I opened them: it was me chasing customers, mouth agape, ready to bite. Mid-run, I tripped, but just kept going on all fours, crawling and scrambling. The customers were running and crying. Now it was the owner’s turn to cry. “Please, I’m begging you, don’t come back. This is a small business; we can’t handle this kind of chaos.” 4 Losing my favorite side gig made me incredibly sad. Life was tight again. Thankfully, my agent was a trooper. She was still relentlessly submitting me for roles. Bless her heart, I could cry. It would be even better if fewer of those roles were for corpses. Until that day, when she excitedly told me: “Leo Vance! You’ve been invited to the reality show, The Deep Dive!” My head exploded. I thought I misheard her. “Are you talking about the live-streamed, super-hit horror reality show that only A-list celebrities get invited to?! The national phenomenon?!” My agent was even more thrilled than I was: “Yes! I submitted your resume and thought there was no chance, but the director replied the next day! He wants you to audition right away! He must be drunk, so you better seize this opportunity!” I was ecstatic. Finally, a director saw my talent. Of course, a big-name show like that would require an audition. The Deep Dive was a show that blew up the moment it premiered. Everyone was desperate to get on it. This time, only five main cast members were invited. Including me, tee-hee. All were the hottest celebrity traffic, except for me, sob. There was still a week until the premiere, and the official social media comments section was already flooded. The two most prominent threads were about the cool, unsmiling A-list actor, Liam Thorne, and the delicate starlet, Lily Ray. “So excited to see the unshakeable, mountain-moving Liam Thorne on a horror show!” “Waaah, what will happen to our sweet Lily? Production, please be nice to her!” I looked at the comments, tears streaming down my face, and comforted myself: It’s okay. I’ll be famous after this show! 5 My beautiful dream was shattered. “Wait, you invited me to play a Zombie NPC?” The director nodded, looking quite impressed. “We watched the video attached to your resume. You have immense potential. That’s why we extended the invitation. Our show typically doesn’t invite non-celebrities, but Ms. Vance, you are truly exceptional…” I thought I heard wrong: “Non-celebrity?” Then I remembered: I accidentally attached the escape room owner’s video to my professional resume. The sadder truth: Three years into my career, I was still being mistaken for a non-celebrity. Just as I was sinking into self-pity. The director spoke again: “If your performance is as exciting as the video, we’re prepared to offer you $10,000 per episode. How does that sound?” I was stunned: “Ten thousand?!” How many corpses did I have to play to earn that much?! The director nodded: “We can increase the rate later if your performance exceeds our expectations.” I stepped forward and grabbed the director’s hand: “Thank you, Director. It’s a pleasure to work with you. I absolutely will not let you down!” The premiere day finally arrived. Everyone was giving their pre-show interviews. The camera zoomed in on the starlet, Lily Ray. She shyly covered her face: “I’m a really slow runner. I hope the production team can be gentle with me.” I felt sorry for her. What an innocent, pure soul. I’ll chase her slowly later. The camera moved to the movie star, Liam Thorne. He was still a man of few words: “Mmm. I can handle it.” I nodded approvingly. Good backbone. I’ll chase him first.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387034”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 Just before quitting time, the general manager’s wife suddenly dropped a PDF file into the company-wide work chat. [A Sterling Corp Intern Named Sienna Climbed the Ladder on Her Back, Shamelessly Playing the Other Woman] I opened it. It was filled with screenshots from my social media. Every post lined up perfectly with the general manager’s travel schedule. Her message was confident, accusatory: “He confessed everything to me yesterday. I suggest you give back every cent he spent on you.” Faced with what looked like irrefutable proof, the way my colleagues looked at me shifted. I froze. I couldn’t understand how I could be the target of a smear campaign like this, especially when I was working at my own family’s company. After all, if I said the word, she and her husband could be fired tomorrow for stepping into the office with the wrong foot. … Veronica pointed a scornful finger at me. “Mark and I have been married for years. We’re past the honeymoon phase. Just pay me back for the luxury goods and trips, every single penny, and I promise I won’t make a bigger scene about your little affair.” My colleagues shot furtive glances in my direction. My expression hardened. “Mrs. Hayes, are you prepared to stand by those accusations? The general manager and I don’t even have each other’s contact information.” Veronica let out a cold, impatient laugh. “Alright, that’s enough. I don’t need to hear the sordid details. I did the math. He’s spent about two hundred thousand on you recently. Just give me the money, and you two can do whatever you want.” She then turned to the rest of the office. “You all know I’m not an unreasonable person. I don’t go after people without cause. I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t have proof. But the girl is young, and I don’t want to embarrass her too much… Just keep things professional with Sienna. Don’t let our personal business get in the way.” Her speech was broadcast live to the company chat. Now, not only did everyone in the company know, but our clients did too. The general manager, Mark Hayes, walked over, his brow furrowed in annoyance. “What is all this? Making a scene in the office, stirring up trouble with your paranoia.” But Veronica wasn’t backing down. She pointed to a smudge of lipstick on his collar. “You have the nerve to lecture me? Look at this! You didn’t even bother to wipe off her lipstick. What, are you embarrassed now that your little darling is here?” Mark’s face darkened. He didn’t say a word, just grabbed Veronica by the arm and dragged her out of the office. His ambiguous silence only seemed to confirm the rumors. The next day, every female employee in the company received a designer handbag from Veronica. Except me. The excuse? “Better to reward my loyal team than let a homewrecker spend it.” And just like that, the entire office turned against me. I was completely ostracized. Colleagues I used to joke with moved their desks away, creating a dead zone around my workspace. The people I ate lunch with started leaving early, afraid I’d try to join them. By the time I finished my work, the office was always empty. My direct reports stopped responding to my messages. A project I was about to complete was snatched away and given to someone else. When I went to my team lead for an explanation, the usually friendly man just frowned and ignored me. The rumors were relentless. Everywhere I went, I was followed by hushed whispers. “I have to say, Veronica is being generous. A lot of women would have just fired the girl.” “So that’s how a fresh graduate landed two major accounts right off the bat… I guess she has her methods.” “Playing around like that… isn’t she afraid of catching something?” I had zero interest in being the rumored girlfriend of a middle-aged man with a beer belly. That afternoon, during a lull, I knocked on the general manager’s door. Mark was reviewing the quarterly reports. He didn’t look surprised to see me. “Sienna. I know why you’re here. And I do owe you an apology for this whole thing.” “My wife… she tends to speak her mind without thinking. She misunderstood our relationship.” I waited. He offered no solution, no plan to fix it. My eyes locked onto his. “And that’s it? She’s a grown woman. Does ‘speaking her mind’ just excuse everything?” Mark’s expression soured. “You’re just a kid. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? I said it was a misunderstanding. You haven’t lost anything. My wife is your superior, for all intents and purposes. Are you expecting an apology from her?” “Instead of dwelling on this, you should be focusing on improving your skills. You’re still an intern, you know. The company has no place for slackers.” I was so stunned I almost laughed. The same Mark Hayes who was so deferential and meek in front of my father was a completely different person in front of his employees. A petty tyrant on his little fiefdom. Before I could say another word, he ushered me out of his office. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. As I was walking away, I heard Veronica’s voice from inside. “Trash all of it! She thinks she can steal my man? I’ll show her what happens when you mess with me!” I shoved the office door open. My desk had been ransacked. My personal belongings and some files were scattered on the floor. The cute stuffed animal I kept on my desk had been torn to shreds. My colleagues, who had been gathered around, all turned to look at me, their faces a mixture of expressions. My face was a cold mask. “Did you do this?” No one answered. The office was dead silent. A woman named Lily, standing next to Veronica, stepped forward, her arms crossed. “So what if we did? A homewrecker like you deserves it. If we beat you, we’d be doing the world a favor.” Another colleague nodded in agreement. “Exactly. No wonder her social media is all trips and designer bags. She earned it on her back. What a disgrace to professional women.” “I told you, there is nothing going on between me and the general manager. I don’t need his money. Why would I sell myself to a fat, old man?” I tried to explain, but they weren’t listening. “What money could a recent graduate possibly have? When you interviewed, you were dressed so plainly. The minute you got hired, you started showing off designer bags. You must have seduced Mr. Hayes right from the start!” I couldn’t believe it. Even my interview attire was being used as a weapon against me. Lily, still at Veronica’s side, sneered. “Your profile says you’re a ‘new age woman’ inheriting the ‘family business.’ Is your family business being a professional mistress?” “It all makes sense now. I was wondering why someone with your credentials would choose a small company like ours. You had your sights set on Mr. Hayes all along.” The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife when the CEO’s executive assistant, Mr. Wu, suddenly walked in. He placed a gift box on my desk. Mr. Wu adjusted his glasses, his tone all business. “Ms. Sterling, Mr. Hayes asked me to give this to you as an apology. He hopes you won’t make a fuss over such a small matter and storm his office again.” I laughed, a bitter, humorless sound. It was obvious what was happening. Mark was using me as a shield, a decoy to protect his real mistress. And it worked. The moment she saw the gift, Veronica, who had been maintaining a thin veneer of civility, lost it. Her face contorted with rage. “Fine! So you’re not even trying to hide it anymore, you two degenerates!” Before I could say a word, Veronica lunged at me and slapped me hard across the face. “You bitch! I’ll teach you a lesson today!” My cheek stung, a fiery pain spreading across my skin. I clutched my face, my eyes darting around the room, only to be met with the mocking stares of my colleagues. When I decided to go undercover at my own family’s subsidiary, I had prepared myself for being scapegoated, for being ostracized, even for workplace harassment. But I did it to prove to my father that I had what it takes to be his successor. I chose to start from the bottom, to earn my place. I never imagined that in my own company, I would not only be the subject of a vicious smear campaign, but I would also be physically assaulted. I raised my hand to strike back. Lily immediately jumped in, grabbing my arm and shouting, “Oh my God! She’s the other woman, and she has the nerve to hit the wife! Do you have no shame?” The other employees, not knowing the full story, started chiming in. “How arrogant! She really thinks she’s the favored concubine.” “I can’t believe it. She seemed so nice.” “All that talk before… I actually thought she was innocent!” Mark walked in to see Lily shielding Veronica, holding my upraised arm. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shoved me away. “What’s all this commotion? Sienna, this is a workplace. You will follow the rules.” I stumbled and fell, my head cracking against the sharp corner of a desk. A searing pain shot through my skull, and warm blood trickled down my face, past my eye. I looked up at Mark, who was now holding Veronica in his arms, and a cold, bitter smile touched my lips. “You will regret this.” “Regret it?” Mark laughed. “I’d like to see how an intern makes me regret anything.” Veronica clung to Mark’s arm, pouting. “Honey, she almost hit me. You have to defend me.” I tried to get up, but Mark held me down, pressing on my shoulder. As a sharp pain shot through my knee, he raised his hand and slapped me again, and again. The world swam before my eyes, stars exploding behind them. The tears I’d been holding back finally fell. Veronica knelt, grabbing my chin and examining my swollen face with a sadistic pleasure. “See that, you little slut? No matter what tricks you pull, my husband still loves me.” Lily stepped forward, a sarcastic smile on her face. “Sienna, you should thank Mrs. Hayes for the lesson.” I reached for my phone on the floor, intending to call the police, but Mark kicked it away. As my colleagues watched with amusement, Veronica pulled out a wad of cash and threw it in my face. “Is this what you want? Money? Here. Take it.” The thick stack of bills hit me, the sharp edges of the paper cutting my skin. Mark shook his head, his face a mask of disappointment. “Sienna, I thought you were a reasonable person. Now you want to call the police over this little squabble? You’re embarrassing Sterling Corp and the entire Sterling Group.” With that, the HR manager, who had just arrived, tossed my employee file onto my lap with a sigh. “Sienna Sterling, due to the significant negative impact you have had on the company’s reputation during your employment, we can no longer continue your internship. Your records have been sent back to your university.” “No company in this city will hire you now.” “No, not just this city…” Mark interjected. “From this moment on, no company under the Sterling Group will accept your application.” The office, which had been buzzing with whispers, fell completely silent. Everyone knew that the Sterling Group was the industry leader. To be blacklisted by them meant your career was essentially over. Veronica looked triumphant. She took a picture of me in my disheveled state and sent it to the executive management chat, then recorded a voice message, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Gentlemen, this Sienna Sterling is a snake in the grass. The Sterling name is too good for the likes of her.” I closed my eyes. Any last shred of hesitation I had vanished. If you can use your power and position to humiliate Sienna Sterling, the ordinary intern, then don’t be surprised when the heiress of the Sterling Group comes for you. I was escorted out of the office. In the elevator on the way down, Mr. Thompson, a manager from another department, blocked the colleague who was supposed to be watching me leave. His lecherous gaze roamed over my chest. He rubbed his hands together, his greasy face eager. “Sienna, so young, and such poor judgment… Everyone at Sterling Corp knows Veronica is a shrew with no talent. The only reason she has any power is because her mother was a nanny for the Sterling family for twenty years. If it wasn’t for that connection, Mark would still be a junior manager. You picked the wrong horse. You should have picked me! My wife at home has only given me daughters. If you give me a son, I’ll marry you…” As he spoke, his hand crept toward my chest. My face darkened, and I slapped his hand away. “Get lost.” Thompson’s expression turned ugly. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed my head against the glass wall of the elevator. “You think you’re too good for me? You’re just another slut who’s been passed around. If I took you right here, right now, everyone would just think you were asking for it.” My head swam, and I tried to fight back, but he just grinned and slammed my head against the glass again. I gritted my teeth, but I was too weak. I slumped to the floor, watching helplessly as his fat, grasping hands came closer. “You animal!” “Still playing the innocent maiden… You’re about to be mine anyway.” He was impatient now, his fingers fumbling with the buttons of my shirt. Just then, the elevator stopped. The doors opened, and a familiar voice cut through the air. “Miss Sterling! Are you alright?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387050”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I crashed my ex-boyfriend’s wedding. As everyone gathered around for the cake cutting, I walked up to him, leaned in, and whispered a single sentence in his ear. He whipped around, the cake knife still in his hand, and plunged it into his bride’s chest. One stab, two stabs, three… He stabbed her eighteen times, like he was venting a lifetime of rage. Guests scrambled, screaming in terror. The “Red Wedding” dominated the news cycle for weeks. Everyone wanted to know what happened. But neither Cole nor I said a word. It was our unspoken pact. The police investigated for months but found zero motive and zero evidence of incitement. They had no choice but to declare him legally insane. He spent the next five years in a psychiatric hospital. The day Cole was released just happened to be his parents’ 70th birthday bash. And once again, I showed up uninvited. I walked up to a fully recovered Cole and whispered the exact same sentence in his ear… 1 “Cole hasn’t spoken to you in three years. Why can’t you let it go? Are you here to object or something?” I stood there in a black dress, looking like a grim reaper at Cole’s big day. Cole’s eyes were cold, scanning me like I was a stranger he’d never met. His gaze lingered for a second, then he turned back to whisper sweet nothings to his bride. The guests started whispering, their eyes darting between me and the groom. Cole’s parents marched over, faces purple with rage. “We didn’t send you an invite. If you know what’s good for you, get out. Don’t make a scene!” But the bride, ever the gracious saint, stepped forward. “We all know each other. I’m sure Fiona just came to wish us well.” Cole’s parents couldn’t argue with their new daughter-in-law, so they shoved me to a table in the very back corner. The awkwardness passed quickly. The party resumed, laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. It was cake-cutting time. The crowd surged toward the couple. In the chaos, I was pushed right next to Cole. His arm was around his bride’s waist, a loving smile plastered on his face. I seized the moment. I leaned in and whispered in his ear. His smile froze. His eyes shifted from gentle to monstrous, like something terrifying had just shattered his soul. He gripped the cake knife and drove it straight into the bride’s heart. She didn’t even have time to scream before blood soaked her white dress. The guests screamed, scattering like roaches. The flowers, the tablecloths, even the sky seemed to turn red. I stood there calmly, watching him kill. I didn’t stop him. I didn’t flinch. Until the sirens cut through the chaos. 2 Cole and I were interrogated in separate rooms. “What did you say to him?” Detective Miller slammed his hand on the table, barely containing his anger. “Why did he suddenly snap and butcher his own bride?” I lifted my eyelids slightly, my expression flat. I didn’t look like someone who had just witnessed a murder. “I don’t know.” Miller exploded. “How can you not know? Because of one sentence from you, an innocent woman is dead!” “We checked. Cole and the victim, Sarah, had a great relationship. No fights, nothing. If you hadn’t shown up, why would he turn into a monster?” I sneered. “Detective, do my words have magical powers? Do you really believe Cole killed his wife just because I whispered something?” Miller choked. Obviously, he didn’t believe in voodoo either. They’d done their homework. They knew Cole and I hadn’t seen each other in three years. Zero contact. Cole was a model citizen. Good grades, good job, volunteered at the animal shelter. He loved stray cats and dogs. He had zero history of violence. They couldn’t figure out why he snapped, so they pinned it on my whisper. “So what did you say to him? You can at least tell us that.” I looked him dead in the eye. “If you can prove my words caused the murder, I’ll tell you.” “Otherwise, I’m only stating what I saw.” “But you probably don’t need that. You have the tapes. Watch them yourself.” “You…” Miller’s face turned red. He gritted his teeth, looking like he wanted to throttle me, but eventually just stormed out of the room. Meanwhile, in the other interrogation room, Cole was in worse shape. He sat in the chair, eyes empty, like a puppet whose strings had been cut. No matter what Miller asked, he didn’t speak. It was like he had forgotten how. 3 As soon as I walked out of the station, Cole’s and Sarah’s parents swarmed me like vultures. “Fiona! What did you say to him?!” Cole’s mom screeched, her hand landing a sharp slap across my face. “I always knew you were trash. You never deserved my son.” “Now that you’re broken up, why can’t you let him go? Why do you have to ruin his life?” Even though Cole held the knife, Sarah’s parents poured all their hate onto me. Sarah’s mom was sobbing, tears streaming down her pale face. She grabbed my collar, shaking me. “Our Sarah was so kind. She never hurt anyone. Why did you make Cole kill her?” Sarah’s dad stood by, fists clenched white. “Cole broke up with you voluntarily! It had nothing to do with my daughter! Why take it out on her?” Let them scream. Let them curse. I stood there like a statue, feeling nothing. After that, reporters camped on my lawn, demanding answers. Some bored billionaire even offered a huge bounty for the “magic words” that could make a man kill. But no matter the threats or bribes, I kept my mouth shut. Six months passed. The police still couldn’t find a motive or proof of incitement. They had to settle for an insanity plea. The Cole family grabbed onto this lifeline. They spent their fortune on lawyers. They pulled every string they had. Finally, after a long legal battle, they got him committed to a mental institution instead of prison. To pay for his treatment and care, Cole’s parents sold their business. They rented a tiny apartment near the hospital and dedicated their lives to him. For five years, they blocked every attempt I made to visit. My entire interaction with Cole was limited to that one sentence at the wedding. Thanks to his family’s relentless efforts, Cole was finally declared “cured” and released after five years. The day he got out happened to be his parents’ 70th birthday. Double celebration. Even though the family fortune was gone, they took out loans to throw a massive banquet to celebrate their son’s rebirth. 4 I showed up in the same black dress from five years ago. The unwanted guest at the feast. Everyone froze. The lively hall turned dead silent. Cole’s mom couldn’t keep up the facade. Her smile cracked. She rushed over, grabbing my arm to drag me out. “You jinx! Why are you haunting us like a ghost?” “Get out! Or I won’t be polite!” Even though they were broke, Cole’s parents wanted to prove to the world that their son was normal again. They invited every VIP they still knew. They wanted to wash away the stain of the past. But seeing me shattered their illusion instantly. “Mrs. Stone, relax. I’m just here to celebrate the big day and Cole’s recovery.” I kept that ambiguous half-smile on my face as I handed over a gift box. She slapped it out of my hands like it was a bomb. “We don’t want your trash! Who knows what you put in there!” “Take your garbage and get the hell out!” There were reporters there, smelling blood in the water. One shouted out: “Mrs. Stone, are you scared because Cole isn’t actually cured?” “Are you afraid he’s gonna grab a knife again?” Cole’s mom frowned, forcing a smile. “Of course not. The doctors said Cole is fully recovered. He’s not dangerous.” “But this woman is evil. Who knows what she’ll say to trigger my son!” The reporter sneered. “If one sentence is enough to make him kill, he belongs in a cage, not at a party.” His words hit her like a hammer. She was speechless. I picked up the gift box, dusted it off, and handed it to her again. This time, she didn’t refuse. She took it with shaking hands, muttering a dark “thank you.” 5 She shoved me to the back table again. She and her husband glued themselves to Cole, terrified we’d make contact. When the toasts began, the crowd surged toward the main table. Cole’s parents got distracted by well-wishers, laughing and drinking. They relaxed. They didn’t see me raising my glass, moving closer to Cole. When it was my turn to toast, I leaned in and whispered the same sentence from three years ago. Cole’s face changed instantly. He grabbed a carving knife from the table, moving faster than thought, and plunged it into his mother’s stomach. Blood sprayed everywhere. His mother’s eyes bulged in disbelief as she slumped to the floor. “Cole is killing again!” The scream tore through the room. Tables flipped. Glasses shattered. No one dared to step in. His dad tried to stop him. But Cole was in a frenzy. He slashed wildly at his father. His dad fell, arms and legs cut, begging on the floor. “Son… it’s me… it’s Dad…” Cole didn’t hear him. He slit his father’s throat. Blood soaked the carpet. After finishing his father, Cole walked back to his dying mother. Just like with Sarah, he stabbed her eighteen times. Someone called the cops. They arrived quickly. Cole didn’t fight. He let them cuff him. But his relatives turned on me, screaming. “Why aren’t you arresting her?!” “We saw it! She whispered to him, and he snapped!” The crowd joined in. “Yeah! Five years ago, she did the same thing! He killed his wife because of her!” “She’s the real murderer!” Detective Miller was there. He recognized me instantly. “What did you say to him?!” Just like five years ago, I stayed silent. “Three dead bodies, Fiona. Are you still not going to talk?” Suddenly, a kid ran out holding a camcorder, grinning. “I recorded what the lady said!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387066”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After three years of a secret marriage where Sebastian Stone never touched me, I’d had enough of his cold shoulder. I asked for a divorce. His handsome face remained expressionless, his voice indifferent. “Suit yourself.” Then, the moment the door clicked shut, I heard a familiar voice in my head: [My wife wants a divorce! It must be some other guy seducing her! Damn it!] [That shameless little homewrecker, daring to leave a hickey on my wife’s neck? Does he think I’m dead?] A pause, then the voice cracked with a sob: [Why does my wife want to leave me? Is it because I’ve been slacking on my workouts? But my abs are still rock hard!] [Or does she think I can’t satisfy her, so she went looking for some foxy man? Boohoo~ I always let her finish first…] 1 My heart trembled, and my legs went weak. Maybe I was just starved for affection, but lately, I’d been having those kinds of dreams more often. The Sebastian in my dreams was nothing like the man in reality. By day, he was buttoned-up, ascetic, and distant, his shirt always buttoned to the very top. The eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were as cold as a dead pool. But in my dreams… His desires were insatiable, completely unrestrained. Glasses off, those narrow, phoenix eyes burned with lust, fierce and dangerous. Pressing me against the floor-to-ceiling window, the cold glass against my back contrasting sharply with his scorching body heat that threatened to melt me… His long fingers showed no restraint, moving with undeniable force, mapping every inch of my body. This extreme contrast was driving me crazy. I felt like I was losing my mind, unable to tell which version of him was real. 2 In the morning, the sound of gym equipment echoed from the fitness room. Passing by the half-open door, I saw Sebastian working out. He was shirtless, the muscles of his back rippling with every movement. Sweat trickled down the groove of his spine, disappearing into the waistband of his low-slung sweatpants. He was panting softly, his voice husky and sexy. Even though I had asked for a divorce, he seemed completely unbothered. Disappointed, I was about to turn away. Suddenly, he shifted his posture. In the sunlight, his eight-pack abs were strikingly defined. His V-line cut deep into his waistband, rising and falling with his breath, tantalizingly visible… My throat tightened. I stopped in my tracks, swallowing involuntarily. Sebastian got up to grab a towel. His gaze swept over me standing outside the door, and his hand paused. Then, he casually looked away, his voice as cold as ever. “The divorce papers… I’ll have my assistant send them over.” His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. “Okay.” I clutched my nightgown and turned to leave. Suddenly, that inner voice exploded in my mind: [I can’t look up! My wife is wearing my favorite silk nightgown today! The hem is so high up her thighs! If I look again, I’m going to pitch a tent…] [I’ll scare her. She’ll think I’m disgusting and want to run away even faster.] [Is she really going to divorce me? Does she want me dead?] [Or did she find out…] I whipped my head back, catching his gaze before he could look away. Sebastian quickly turned his back to me, but I saw the tips of his ears turning red. Sweat rolled over his Adam’s apple, down his chest, and vanished into the valley of his abs. With his back to me, he wiped his sweat, his Adam’s apple bobbing violently. “Anything else?” Before I could answer, the voice rang out again: [Why isn’t she leaving? Did she find out I stole her underwear? I swear I locked it in the safe after I used it… wait, the lace one from this morning is still by the treadmill! I didn’t hide it yet… and it still has…] Sebastian stole my underwear? And it still has what on it? My eyes went wide, heart pounding like a drum. I pretended to walk casually towards the treadmill. Just as I got close, Sebastian sidestepped to block my view, frowning slightly. “Anything else?” I stood on my tiptoes, peering over his shoulder. Sure enough, a glimpse of lace peeked out, glistening slightly in the sunlight… “N-nothing.” I fled back to my bedroom and locked the door, my cheeks burning. Was that really Sebastian Stone? 3 I went to work with mixed feelings. That evening, my boss took me to a business dinner. Good, I thought. Coming home late means avoiding him. But when I pushed open the door to the private room, Sebastian was there. Thankfully, no one knew about our relationship. But somehow, I ended up seated to his left. All night, I sat on pins and needles, afraid to look at him. After a few rounds of drinks, the executives opposite us were flushed. Sebastian seemed tipsy too… or something else. Under the table, his long leg kept brushing against my calf. I tried to dodge, practically sitting on the edge of my chair. The voice returned, full of resentment: [We’re not even divorced yet, and she won’t even look at me? Are these ugly old men better looking than me? Do they have eight-pack abs? Do they have a V-line?] [It’s all their fault, peacocking in front of my wife. Who are they trying to seduce? Do they think I’m dead? I’m going to ruin all of them tonight!] My hand shook, dropping my chopsticks. I squatted to pick them up and didn’t see whose legs were whose. What I did see was a shocking outline in Sebastian’s suit pants. My face flushed crimson. I stood up too quickly. Bang! My head hit the table. I yelped in pain, gritting my teeth. My boss asked with concern, “Moon, are you okay?” As soon as he spoke, the inner voice chimed in: [Moon? Since when are they on a first-name basis?] First-name basis? I frowned. Did Sebastian misunderstand something? My name is Luna Luo. My colleagues call me Moon. It’s normal. I rolled my eyes internally. [Scumbag! How dare you touch my wife’s hand…] Crack! The wine glass in Sebastian’s hand shattered. Bright red blood flowed from the cut. Everyone stared, faces pale. They called for a waiter to bring a first aid kit. Sebastian spoke calmly: “Miss Luo, could you help me bandage this?” Since he named me, I couldn’t refuse. Then, I heard a secret delight in my mind: [I knew it. My wife still cares about me.] [Was she scared just now? It’s all my fault. I didn’t want this to happen, but every time I touch her, my body reacts…] His eyes flickered, and the thought shifted: [Dammit, is she dressed this sexy for that old man?] I looked down at myself. Long-sleeved shirt, knee-length pencil skirt. Covered up completely. Where’s the “sexy”? And “old man”? My boss is 32. That’s hardly old. I carefully dabbed disinfectant on his wound with a cotton swab. My fingers trembled slightly as I touched him. His long fingers curled slightly, his palm burning hot. [Her hands are so soft and fragrant. Not like mine… rough and useless.] I couldn’t look at my hands the same way anymore. This dog! Is his brain filled with nothing but filth? I bandaged him up, trying to stay calm, but then he lowered his voice: “Miss Luo, you’re very skilled with your hands.” His warm breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I looked up into his deep eyes behind the glasses. The undercurrents there made my knees weak. “Done.” I pulled my hand back quickly, voice tight. Sebastian leaned closer to whisper: “Thank you, Miss Luo.” His breath hit my ear again. [Her ears are red. So cute. Want to bite…] The dinner finally ended. Relieved, I grabbed my bag to leave. At the hotel entrance, a large hand stopped me. “Miss Luo, I’ll drive you.” Sebastian had followed me out. His black trench coat made his shoulders look impossibly broad. Before I could refuse, he opened the passenger door. [Hmph, I won’t let that old man get a chance.] I had no choice but to get in. The car smelled of cedarwood—his signature cologne. 4 The car glided into the night. Back home, Sebastian went straight to the bathroom. I collapsed on the sofa, finally able to breathe. A while later, the bathroom door opened. Sebastian walked out wearing only a towel around his waist. Water dripped from his wet hair, sliding over his Adam’s apple. He bent over to get a glass of water right in front of me, and the towel “accidentally” slipped lower. [Why isn’t she looking? Are my abs not defined enough? I’ll do 200 more crunches tomorrow…] I quickly looked away. I didn’t see him frowning at his reflection in the mirror behind me. I grabbed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom. Just as the door was closing, Sebastian’s voice (the real one) spoke up. “What you took… are my clothes.” “I like wearing them, okay? It’s not the first time. Why can’t I…” wear them? When I realized I was holding a pair of men’s briefs, the air froze for a few seconds. “Of course you can, if you like them.” The corner of his mouth twitched up. He stared at me, then at the “stolen goods” in my hand. I threw the hot potato back at him and slammed the bathroom door. Middle of the night, I woke up thirsty. Groggy, I went downstairs for water and saw the study light on. Through the crack in the door, I saw Sebastian staring coldly at his computer screen. On the screen was a zoomed-in photo of me at the dinner tonight. [That bald guy’s hand was three centimeters from my wife! And this fatty, where is he looking?!] I vaguely saw words like “Acquisition” and “Layoffs” flashing on the screen. [Dare to covet my wife? Your company goes bankrupt tomorrow…] I quietly retreated to the bedroom, heart racing. A thought crossed my mind. Maybe I never really knew Sebastian Stone. 5 At the gala, crystal chandeliers cast a brilliant light over the luxurious crowd. As a rising star in the business world, Sebastian was surrounded by admirers. In his sharp suit, his eyes were cold and distant. Completely different from last night. I suddenly remembered hearing at work that the companies of those clients from last night were acquired overnight, and the managers fired. Suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind— “Luna.” I froze, turning slowly. It was Julian. My ex-fiancé. “Luna, can we talk?” He wore a light gray suit, smiling just like the boy who confessed under the cherry blossom tree years ago. Julian had tried contacting me recently, but I blocked him. My life, which should have been ordinary, became a spectacle because of him. The night before our wedding, Julian disappeared. On the wedding day, with the groom missing, I became a joke overnight. The shock sent me into a deep depression. I even attempted suicide, but was saved. I clenched and unclenched my fists, taking a deep breath. Finally, I smiled at him. “Sure.” Since he delivered himself to me, let’s end this. I walked ahead; Julian followed. Just like countless times walking home from school, he kept a respectful distance. I could see him whenever I turned back. Reaching a secluded corner, I stopped, turned, and raised my hand. Slap! The sound echoed in the quiet corner. “Julian, you owed me that.” “Now, we’re even.” As I turned to leave, Julian grabbed my hand. I lost my balance and fell into his arms. “Luna, I’m sorry. I regret what happened back then.” “Can you give me another chance…” Just then, Sebastian appeared nearby. His gaze fixed on us “hugging.” He strode over, grabbing Julian by the collar. The next second, he punched Julian, sending him crashing into tables and chairs. Wine glasses shattered, red liquid splashing onto Julian’s white shirt. “Stay away from my wife.” Sebastian’s eyes were terrifyingly dark. Julian wiped blood from his mouth, raising an eyebrow. “Mr. Stone, why the panic? I just wanted to catch up with Luna.” “Are you afraid we’ll rekindle an old flame?” That line snapped Sebastian’s last thread of control. He swung again, but this time Julian was ready. They brawled. It was chaos. Julian’s forehead was bleeding. Sebastian fought viciously, seemingly losing his mind. “Stop it!” I tried desperately to pull Sebastian away, but he grabbed my wrist. His hand froze in mid-air, pain flashing in his eyes. “Wife, I…” His voice was terrifyingly hoarse. [She’s protecting him? After all these years, she still can’t forget him? Is it because I’m not good enough?] [I want to lock her up. No one can touch her. No one can take her away from me!] “Sebastian, you’re hurting me!” My eyes reddened with pain. He loosened his grip but didn’t let go. He hoisted me onto his shoulder and walked out.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387082”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Two years in a cell, sent there by my own wife. The moment I got out, I changed my name and fled the country. Seven years later, we met again before my sister’s gravestone. Our eyes locked. She froze, the cloth in her hand hovering over the cold marble. A storm of emotions I couldn’t decipher flashed across her face—shock, elation, guilt… “Paul,” she breathed. “I’ve been looking for you for years. I thought… I thought you were gone, too.” Her voice trembled. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you ever call me?” When I said nothing, she quickly dabbed the corner of her eye. “You’ve been avoiding me on purpose, haven’t you? You still hate me for what happened back then. But you have to understand, I had no choice.” I couldn’t fathom how she had the audacity to say those words in front of my sister’s grave. Not after she’d orchestrated my sister’s death, stolen her husband, and driven me to the brink of utter ruin. But love and hate are luxuries I can no longer afford. To me, she was nothing. 1 With a final, lingering look, Linda turned and walked away. I knelt, placing the bouquet of snow-white chrysanthemums before the headstone. In the photograph, my sister, Amelia, was forever twenty-five, her smile warm, her eyes clear and full of light. If she were still here, she would have been at the airport to pick me up today. She would have ruffled my hair, just like she always did when we were kids. “Hey, kiddo, why the long face?” No. If she were still here, she never would have let them bully me into leaving in the first place. I crouched lower, my fingertips gently tracing the curve of her smile etched into the stone. “Amy,” I whispered, “I have some good news…” Before I could finish, Linda returned, holding out a heavy-looking gift bag. “I promised you I’d make you a gift for your birthday, every single year,” she said, her voice soft. “I couldn’t find you, so… I saved them all.” Inside were an electric razor, the latest gaming console, a designer watch… I could tell she’d put thought into them. I remained unmoved. Her hand hung awkwardly in the air, a flicker of hurt and embarrassment on her face. “You don’t like them? I can have my assistant get something else. We could… we could have lunch?” “No, I have plans.” She started to protest, but her phone buzzed. “Linda, when are you coming back?” a man’s voice demanded from the speaker. “It’s our seventh wedding anniversary today. I’ve already booked the restaurant…” My fingers paused as I brushed a fallen yellow leaf from Amelia’s name. This, Amy, I thought, is the man you once saved, the man you gave everything for. You saw him all wrong. And I trusted him all wrong. A sudden tickle in my throat forced a pair of dry coughs from me. “Linda, where are you? Who is that? Is there a man with you?” She hung up without a word and pulled a disposable mask from her coat pocket, offering it to me. “Your allergy to the cold air… it always makes you cough in the fall. You should wear one of these.” I turned my head away. “I’m over it now.” After a final goodbye to my sister, I walked toward the cemetery gates. Linda hurried to catch up, her presence a clinging shadow I couldn’t shake. I didn’t understand. Seven years ago, she had warned me to never show my face to her again. Now, she was stuck to me like glue. A rack of city bikes stood by the entrance. I scanned a QR code and unlocked one. Just as I was about to push off, her Mercedes pulled up smoothly beside me. “Paul,” she asked, a fragile, hopeful light in her eyes under the autumn sun, “have you been alone all these years?” I nodded once, offering no explanation. The truth was, I’d come back to tell my sister that I was getting married. That was a joy I was willing to share only with her. “Paul, don’t try to be strong all by yourself out there. If you ever need anything, please, call me.” She rushed the words out. “My number is still the same. I never changed it. I was so afraid that if you ever wanted to reach me, you wouldn’t be able to find me.” A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Ironic, wasn’t it? The very person who had severed every tie between us, who had wished me out of her life forever, was now playing the part of a devoted, long-suffering lover. “No thanks,” I said, my voice flat. “I’m not interested in getting tangled up with a married woman.” I pushed down hard on the pedal, and the bike carried me away, down the long path paved with golden gingko leaves. The wheels rustled over them, a sound that echoed with ghosts of the past. I knew this path better than my own reflection. As kids, Amy and I would come here for morning runs, for bike rides. She was better than me at everything, except running. I would always slow down to let her catch up, and she’d mess up my hair, laughing as I pretended to be annoyed. She used to say that even when we were eighty, we’d still be here, arm in arm, walking this path and enjoying the sun. But now, I was two years older than she would ever be. 2 I rode all the way back to the old apartment building where my sister and I had lived. It had been empty ever since she died. The rusty security door groaned open, and a wave of stale, forgotten air hit me. On the living room wall hung a photograph of four people, veiled in a thick layer of dust. It had always been just me and my sister, two orphans against the world. Then, when I was sixteen, Linda burst into our lives. She said Amelia had saved her from drowning, had given her a second chance at life. She swore to be Amelia’s best friend forever. From the start, Linda and I were like oil and water, always bickering over the smallest things. That all changed on our senior trip, when a mudslide hit the resort. Our classmates were picked up by their parents, but my sister was away on a business trip, too far to reach me. A torrent of mud and debris swallowed the hotel. I was trapped under a collapsed beam, waiting for death to take me. But Linda, ignoring the chaos and the danger, ran back into the wreckage. She dug with her bare hands from dawn till dusk. “Paul, don’t be scared! I’m here!” She carried me on her back for what felt like an entire night. It wasn’t until we reached the hospital that I realized she’d lost both her shoes. Her feet were a mess of raw, water-logged cuts. Her perfectly manicured nails, her pride and joy, were broken and bloody. “You idiot, what are you crying for?” she had said, grinning through her exhaustion. “As long as you’re okay, I’d do it again in a heartbeat, even if it crippled me!” In that moment, her smile was brighter than any spring day. Then came Leo. It was New Year’s Eve, and the three of us were making dumplings when he showed up at our door, a wreck of a man. He was the son of an old neighbor; his family had gone bankrupt, and he was hiding from loan sharks. Amelia, ever the soft heart, remembered his family once giving us a bowl of hot porridge. Without a second thought, she took on all of his burdens. She quit her stable, respectable job and threw herself into the ruthless world of business, drinking herself into the ER with a bleeding stomach and cheating death more than once. In two years, she lost thirty pounds, paid off all of Leo’s debts, and won his heart. We raised our glasses together, the four of us, and swore we’d be a family forever, that we would never be separated. I was lost in the memory when the sound of a key turning in the lock jolted me back to the present. The door swung open, and there they were. Leo and Linda. I had forgotten. We each had a key to this place. “Linda told me you were back,” Leo said, forcing a smile. “We figured you’d be here. You should have told us you were coming; we would’ve picked you up.” He moved to clap me on the shoulder, but I sidestepped him. “You can’t stay here,” he continued, gesturing around the dusty apartment. “Come back with us. Our housekeeper is on vacation, so we have a spare room.” I looked down. My fiancée’s family lived right here in the city. I was only here to see my sister, and later tonight, I was meeting my future mother-in-law for the first time. I held out my hand. “The key.” This apartment was my sister’s, but the deed was in my name. It had nothing to do with either of them. Linda’s gaze flickered to the old photograph in my hands, her expression unreadable. “Paul, if Amelia were here, she would want to see the three of us getting along.” Leo looked away, unable to meet the eyes in that picture. Ignoring me, Linda walked in, took off her coat, and rolled up her sleeves. She grabbed a broom from behind the door. “Leo, go open the windows. Let’s get some air in here.” For a dizzying moment, it was like stepping back in time. The four of us, gathered here. Amelia would cook, Leo would help, and Linda would clean. I would be the one giving useless directions. The small apartment used to echo with our laughter. Now, only a heavy silence remained. I wiped down the table and carefully placed Amelia’s memorial portrait on it. In the photo, her smile was so gentle. I never imagined this would be how the four of us reunited. Suddenly, Leo lunged forward and slammed the portrait face down on the table. “What are you doing, putting that up for?” he snapped, his voice tight with panic. Seeing his frantic expression, a cold smirk formed on my face. So, he could feel guilt. He didn’t have the courage to face my sister’s clear, honest eyes. “Paul, Leo is just worried about you,” Linda said softly. “After all, someone… someone died here.” “And you two know better than anyone how my sister died, don’t you?” The broom clattered from Linda’s hand, the sound echoing in the dead quiet of the room, broken only by the wind whistling outside the window. The year after my sister and Leo got married, everything changed. 3 Amelia’s business was booming, and she was constantly flying all over the country. The day she secured her first round of angel investment, she was so ecstatic she took us all out for a celebratory dinner. Halfway through the meal, she got a call from Linda, who hadn’t joined us. “Amy, I’m in trouble,” Linda cried over the phone. “Some guys have me cornered at a bar.” Without a second’s hesitation, Amelia dropped her chopsticks and ran out. She never came back whole. Protecting Linda, Amelia was struck in the back of the head with a liquor bottle. By the time Leo and I reached the hospital, she had the mental capacity of a five-year-old child. She had forgotten everyone and everything, except me. Her little brother. My world collapsed. While grappling with my own grief, I tried to push Leo away. “When Amy was herself, she loved you more than anything,” I told him, my heart breaking. “She wouldn’t want you to waste your life on her now. As her brother, I’m making the decision for her. You two should get a divorce.” Leo gripped Amelia’s hand, tears streaming down his face as he shook his head fiercely. “I will never leave her. Never. Not even in death.” His devotion was absolute. In a moment of naive gratitude for his loyalty, I signed over all inheritance rights to Amelia’s company to him. Linda, consumed by guilt, locked herself in her room, drinking herself into oblivion. It was Leo who finally kicked her door down and doused her with a bucket of cold water. “If you want to make things right with Amelia,” he yelled, “then you’ll get your ass up and help me protect her company and this family!” From that day on, Linda became a different person. She joined the company and shouldered the burden of caring for us all. At the time, I was drowning in grief and uncertainty. Linda’s constant presence and support became my only lifeline. We got married, and by my sister’s hospital bed, she swore she would take care of me for the rest of her life, just as Amelia would have wanted. Linda’s phone rang, pulling me from the depths of my memories. Leo, as if desperate to escape the past, suddenly became talkative. “Don’t be mad at Linda,” he said, a smug tone creeping into his voice. “She’s the CEO of a publicly-traded company now. She’s a very busy woman.” He rolled up his sleeve, deliberately flashing a limited-edition vintage watch. “She got this for me last month for my birthday. Flew to an auction in Paris to get it.” Linda ended her call. “What are you two talking about?” Leo took her hand, his touch sickeningly affectionate. “I was just saying, Paul’s clothes look a little worn. I’ll pick out a few of my old suits for him later.” My voice was devoid of all emotion. “Don’t bother. I wouldn’t want anything you’ve touched.” Leo’s face turned ugly. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I met his gaze directly. “You know exactly what it means.” If it hadn’t been for that night, for that “accident,” it should have been my sister standing here now, successful and triumphant. Amelia’s descent into a childlike state was a wound in my heart that would never heal. But life had to go on. In the darkest hours of the night, I would find a sliver of comfort, thankful that Amelia had left me with two people who were closer than family. The night before I left for grad school, Linda promised me again and again that she would take perfect care of Amelia. Lost in despair, I clung to her words like a drowning man to a raft. I believed her. And at first, she was flawless. She seemed determined to give me all the love Amelia no longer could. Every two weeks, she would fly to my city, terrified I might be feeling lonely or neglected. “Paul,” she would say, her eyes shining, “the day the first snow falls, we’ll have our wedding. We’ll be the happiest couple in the world.” The city where I studied was known for its year-round warmth, but that winter was unusually cold. The forecast predicted the first snow in fifty years would fall on Christmas Day. I used the money I’d earned from a part-time job to buy a diamond ring. I secretly bought a ticket home, planning to surprise them. But when I opened the door to our home, the surprise was mine. There was my sister, chained to a radiator, emaciated and frail. And in front of her, on the floor, were two naked, writhing bodies. 4 A glacial cold seized me. I trembled, bile rising in my throat. I didn’t know what was worse: the fury over how they’d abused my sister, or the sickening sting of their betrayal. The two most important people in my life had betrayed me, together. My mind went blank. But Amelia, in her fog, saw me first. My sister, who had always been so meticulous about her appearance, was now filthy, her hair a matted nest. She held out a dirty, stale bread roll to me. “P-aul… eat…” The tears I’d been holding back for months finally broke free. I lunged forward, a guttural roar ripping from my chest, and swung my fist at Leo’s face with all my strength. He shrieked, scrambling to his knees before me. “Paul, I know I’ve wronged you! I’ve wronged Amy! But I’m not even thirty yet! I can’t spend the rest of my life tied to a… to an invalid!” But I had offered him his freedom. He was the one who had sworn he would never leave her. Did he think he could have it all? “Linda and I… we’re in love,” he stammered. “I won’t challenge your position as her husband, I swear. I’ll take good care of your sister, I promise. Just… just let me stay with Linda. The four of us can still be together, can’t we?” My sister had always shielded me from the world’s darkness. This was the first time I had come face-to-face with such vile, selfish treachery. I raised my hand to strike him again, but Linda slapped it away. Amelia, terrified by the commotion, began to wail. But a primal instinct took over. She threw her frail body against the iron chain, again and again, until with a sickening crack, her ankle snapped and she broke free. Dragging her broken leg, she threw her arms around me, shielding me with her own body. The wooden stool Linda hurled at me crashed down on Amelia’s head instead. Warm blood soaked my hands. Numb with shock, I fumbled for my phone to call for an ambulance. But Linda, now dressed, calmly walked over and crushed it under her heel. I had seen her mischievous, happy, and guilty. But this was the first time I had seen such cold, calculated cruelty in her eyes. “If you want this idiot to live,” she hissed, “you will shut your mouth. Your position as my husband is secure. I’ll even get the best doctors for your sister. But you will never, ever mention what you saw between Leo and me again.” My poor, confused sister didn’t understand what was happening, but she clumsily tried to wipe away my tears. “P-aul, don’t cry… Amy’s here…” I surrendered. After their initial panic, Linda and Leo became brazen. Rumors of their affair spread through our social circle. People called them ungrateful parasites. The scandal even threatened the company’s plans to go public. Then, the most important thing happened: Linda got pregnant. She came to me with a demand. She wanted a divorce, and she wanted me to publicly confess that my sister and I were the third parties who had ruined her relationship with Leo. “Paul, if you let your pride get in the way,” she threatened, her voice chillingly calm, “you will never see Amelia again.” She wasn’t bluffing. I searched everywhere, but my sister was gone. Defeated, I knelt before her like a stray dog. In front of countless media cameras, I bowed my head and confessed my “sins,” publicly apologizing to her and Leo. “It was Amelia who drugged Leo and seduced him. It was me who deliberately sabotaged their love…” As I read the confession they had written for me, a script full of twisted lies, my first instinct was to run. But Linda leaned in close and played a voice recording from her phone. It was Amelia, her voice weak and slurred. “P-aul… so cold…” I bit down so hard I thought my teeth would crack, and I read every last word. The crowd stared at me with contempt, disgust, and morbid curiosity. I don’t know how I left that press conference. All I wanted was to see my sister, to know she was safe. But a nurse at the care facility told me that Amelia had seen the video of me kneeling. She had become agitated, demanding to go find me, and had slipped away. The next time I saw my sister, she was a cold, lifeless body in the morgue. She was covered in filth, her body broken. Clutched in her hand was a crumpled paper airplane, a toy I had loved as a child. I beat the homeless men who had assaulted her until they were bloody, but it didn’t change anything. I would never hear her call my name again. I held her body and sobbed until I had nothing left. Meanwhile, my phone lit up with headlines celebrating the fairy-tale romance of tech-world darlings Linda and Leo. How could I not hate them? I arranged my sister’s funeral alone. With a fruit knife tucked in my pocket, I went to their company’s IPO ceremony, ready to take them down with me. I burst in, but I was too naive. Before I could even get close, security guards had me pinned to the floor. In front of all the cameras, I screamed the truth, crying out about their shamelessness, hoping to ruin them. But I was no match for them. “He’s suffering from a mental breakdown due to his sister’s passing,” Linda announced calmly to the press. “We are so sorry for the disturbance. I promise, we will ensure he never has the opportunity to harm anyone again.” They had all the power and resources they needed to crush a powerless orphan like me. I was charged with assault and sent to prison. When I was released two years later, the world had moved on. Linda was the revered CEO of a major tech corporation. I couldn’t even get past the front gate of her company campus, let alone get my revenge. Linda opened her mouth to say something, but my phone rang. “Paul, I’m here.” A warmth spread through my chest, and I jogged downstairs to meet her. As I led Maya up the stairs, I could hear arguing from inside the apartment. “Why? Why are you just giving him half the shares?” It was Leo’s voice, shrill with anger. “Your eyes have been glued to him since he walked in! Am I invisible to you?” “If you ever go near him again, I swear, I can have him thrown back in prison, and this time—” The sound of a sharp slap cut him off. “The company belonged to his sister in the first place!” Linda’s voice was laced with fury. “It was Amelia who took you in when you were homeless, who paid off your debts! Without her, you’d be rotting in a gutter somewhere! After everything we did to him, aren’t you afraid Amelia’s ghost will come back to haunt you?” Hearing them mention my sister filled me with a sudden, weary disgust. I pushed the door open. They both fell silent. Linda’s eyes fixed on the woman whose hand was intertwined with mine. Her voice was a raw whisper. “Who is she?” “My fiancée.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387099”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My daughter and my husband’s “one that got away’s” cat were kidnapped at the same time. The kidnapper gave Julian a choice: pick one. Only one would survive. I knelt on the ground, banging my head until it bled, begging him, “Save Rosie! Save our daughter! She’s only five!” But he wavered, torn between his daughter and a cat. Sophia cried, “Julian, forget about Snowball, she’s just a cat. But… she’s the only thing I have left…” He glanced at me, his eyes complicated. “I’ll roll a die.” The kidnapper laughed and agreed. Odd numbers saved the daughter, even numbers saved the cat. The die landed. Three. I instantly relaxed, my whole body going limp. But Julian screamed, “Doesn’t count! My hand slipped! I demand a redo!” The kidnapper sneered, “One finger for a redo.” Without hesitation, Julian broke his own pinky finger. I watched helplessly as he threw the die again with a trembling hand. This time… it was a four. 1 “Even! It’s an even number!” Julian laughed with relief, shouting at the kidnapper. The kidnapper grinned, his tone full of mockery. “Hahahaha! Mr. Gu, you are something else!” “You had a chance to save your daughter and you didn’t. You chose to save an animal instead. Mr. Gu, you truly are a once-in-a-century talent!” Julian’s face turned crimson, but he didn’t argue. He just stubbornly repeated, “It’s fate!” My heart sank to the bottom of the abyss. My whole body was trembling, blood and tears blurring my vision. Julian walked carefully to Sophia, opened the cage, and hugged the terrified Ragdoll cat. “It’s okay, Snowball is safe.” Sophia threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Meanwhile, my daughter Rosie—her face pale, tape over her mouth—was crying so hard she was turning purple. I rushed over to hug Rosie. Her small body shook violently in my arms. Only then did Julian seem to remember us, walking over casually. “Is Rosie okay?” he asked lightly, his eyes never leaving the cat in his arms. My throat was so tight from fear I couldn’t make a sound. Suddenly, Sophia screamed, “Julian, Snowball is fading! We have to get her to the vet!” “Okay, we’ll go right now!” Julian anxiously turned away with the cat, never sparing another glance for me or Rosie. He just coldly threw a sentence at the kidnapper: “The money will be transferred. Let my daughter go.” Then, he supported Sophia and hurried away. The warehouse’s iron door slammed shut, cutting off the outside world. I held my daughter, cold all over. The kidnapper squatted down in front of me. He dangled a cigarette from his mouth, sneering at me. “I’ve never seen a guy as ‘awesome’ as your husband. Which dumpster did you find him in?” I stared at him blankly, unable to speak. The kidnapper blew a smoke ring in my face, bringing me back to reality, choking me. “Tell you what. I’m in a good mood today. I’ll give you another chance.” He held out his phone. “Call your husband.” “If he’s willing to turn back right now, I’ll let you both go.” “How about it? Merciful enough?” He laughed at his own joke. My hands shook so badly I could barely hold the phone. I dialed Julian’s number. It rang for a long time before connecting. “Hello?” It was Julian’s voice. In the background, I could clearly hear Sophia’s anxious sobbing. “Julian…” I choked out, “Save Rosie… please come back…” On the other end, his impatient voice cut in. “Layla! I’m getting Snowball emergency treatment! She’s in shock!” “Rosie is my daughter. The kidnapper won’t dare hurt her once he gets the money. Stop adding to my trouble!” 2 He hung up without hesitation. The kidnapper listened to the dial tone and took back his phone. He shrugged, sneering. “I gave you a chance. Mr. Gu is a busy man, and the money hasn’t hit my account yet.” “Can’t blame me for this.” He signaled to his lackeys behind him. A blonde guy stepped forward and roughly snatched Rosie from my arms. “No!” I let out a heart-wrenching scream, crawling on hands and knees to stop him. Another lackey kicked me in the chest. I slammed into the wall and fell to the floor. Blood ran down my forehead, blinding me. My daughter’s cries echoed in my ears. “I want Daddy! Daddy, come save me!” “Mommy! Mommy help!” The next second, Rosie’s terrified screams and my cries stopped abruptly. I watched Rosie’s small body go limp and fall, silent. I shook my head violently, chin trembling, slowly pushing myself up, stumbling toward my daughter. My hand touched Rosie’s face, which had been vibrant just hours ago. Blood from my hand smeared onto her face. I tried to wipe it off frantically, but there was just more and more blood. I picked up my daughter and finally broke down, wailing. When I was exhausted from crying, I looked up to find myself surrounded by a group of people—different from the kidnappers earlier. Before I could react, they swung clubs at my legs and arms. The sound of bones breaking filled the air. Pain threatened to knock me out. In the last second before passing out, I heard their cruel laughter. “This bitch is weak. Sister Frost said just break her limbs, leave her a breath.” … I woke up in the hospital. Everything hurt, like I’d been taken apart and put back together wrong. The doctor said my left arm and right leg were shattered, and I almost didn’t make it. I stared blankly at the ceiling, my heart aching, but no tears would come. Why didn’t they let me die with Rosie? A nurse walked in and whispered, “Is the little girl in the morgue your daughter?” “The autopsy is done. Family can claim the body.” My heart was stabbed again. Just then, Julian pushed open the door. He was holding Snowball. Sophia followed behind him, eyes red. Seeing me awake, Julian smiled, holding up the cat for me to see. His tone held a trace of relief: “Snowball was critical, but luckily she made it.” I remembered the doctor saying I almost didn’t make it either. A cat, a human life… Heh, this is my husband. I stared emptily at the wall, silent. Just as Julian was getting impatient, I spoke, my voice hoarse, every word scraping my throat like a knife. “Julian, the doctor said they issued twenty-five critical condition notices for me. I almost died.” “I barely survived, but Rosie… she’s never coming back!” I practically roared the last sentence, tears splashing onto the sheets. Julian choked, then sighed. “You know Ragdolls are fragile. Of course we had to save Snowball first.” “Aren’t you fine now? You recover fast, unlike Snowball who needs months of rest.” Then, as if remembering something, he frowned and asked. “What happened to Rosie? Did the kidnapper let her go?” I looked at the face I had loved for ten years, suddenly finding it strange. I opened my mouth, voice raspy: “Rosie… is dead.” “You killed her!” My emotions collapsed instantly, and I started screaming hysterically. “You killed her! Julian, you are a murderer!” 3 Julian’s face turned ugly instantly. Sophia rushed up to hold him back, persuading softly: “Julian, don’t be angry. Layla just woke up, she’s unstable.” Julian shook her off, pointing at my nose and cursing: “Layla, enough! Are you crazy?!” “Frost already contacted the kidnappers. They said they got the money and released her ages ago!” “Where did you take Rosie? What kind of mother are you? Can’t even watch a kid!” I looked at him in disbelief. He didn’t believe our daughter was dead. My eyes widened, lips trembling: “The kidnappers killed her because you didn’t send the money immediately…” Julian sneered, “Layla, I know you hate that I chose Snowball, but you can’t make up such lies just to make me feel guilty!” “How could Rosie be dead? Kidnappers just want money!” “You must have lost her and are afraid to admit it, so you made up this ghost story to trick me!” “Go find Rosie! Stop making a scene!” He finished, hugged the cat, pulled Sophia, and left without looking back. I screamed, throwing everything within reach onto the floor. The movement tore my freshly stitched wounds, blood staining the sheets red. I collapsed on the floor, heart in agony. On the day of discharge, Julian came to pick me up. I was wheeled out of the hospital. He didn’t mention Rosie again. Sophia told him I had accepted the “fact” that I lost my daughter, and just needed time to recover from the shock. He believed it. Back home, I had nightmares every night, often waking up crying. My dreams were filled with images of Rosie dying in front of me. That night, I woke up from a nightmare again and went to the kitchen for water. Turning on the light, I saw a dead cat by the sink. It was Sophia’s Snowball! Before I could react, Sophia screamed behind me. “Layla, you… you killed Snowball!” The scream brought Julian. He pinned the crime on me without asking. Face full of disgust, he scolded me harshly: “Layla, how can you be so vicious?! Even if Rosie going missing made you sad, Snowball is innocent!” “Besides, it was your failure as a mother. Must you make a voiceless cat pay for your mistake?!” I roared with red eyes: “Did Rosie deserve all that? Deserve to die?!” Julian looked at me with disappointment. “You’re really crazy, completely mad! Rosie is just missing, why do you curse her to die?!” I didn’t want to argue anymore. I ran out of the house, ignoring Julian’s rage behind me. I ran barefoot to the hospital, feet bloody. At the morgue entrance, I didn’t dare take another step. I squatted down, covering my face and crying. Julian chased after me. He yanked me up violently, roaring at me. “Layla, what the hell are you doing?!” “Running to this godforsaken place in the middle of the night, are you sick?!” “I haven’t settled the score for Snowball yet, and you ran out because of guilt!” Looking at Julian’s twisted face, I couldn’t hold back my anger. I rushed forward and bit his arm, tearing off a chunk of flesh. The next second, he kicked me away. My head hit the wall. My broken leg couldn’t support me, and I fell, blood dripping. I looked up, meeting Julian’s bloodshot eyes. He pointed at me. “Layla, are you a dog? Biting people!” I laughed. Laughed until tears streamed down, laughed until the wound in my chest throbbed with pain. I wiped the blood from my face, trembling as I struggled to stand. It felt like walking on knives. But nothing compared to the pain in my heart. “Didn’t you say Rosie is just missing?” “She’s lying in there right now. Do you dare go in with me and look?!” “Look at what your choice did to your five-year-old daughter?!” 4 The anger on Julian’s face froze instantly. He looked at me in disbelief. “Layla, are you delirious from the shock? The police are looking for Rosie. How could she be here? Stop talking nonsense!” He tried to drag me away, impatience in his tone. “Alright, if you don’t trust the police, I’ll hire the most expensive private detective to find our daughter. Let’s go home first.” “I’m not crazy.” I shook off his hand. “I’m more sober than ever. Rosie is inside.” I looked him straight in the eye. “What? Are you scared?!” “You were willing to break your finger for a cat. Now you’re too scared to look at your own daughter’s body?” “Watch me!” Julian was provoked. He shoved me aside and strode in. “If I find out you’re lying to me…” He suddenly went silent. The words choked in his throat. Because I had lifted the white cloth covering Rosie. Her face was exposed under the harsh white light. Swollen, pale, lips a terrifying blue-purple. “No… impossible!” Julian’s face went white. He staggered back a step, eyes full of fear and denial. “No… this isn’t Rosie… this isn’t my daughter! There must be a mistake! It’s you! Layla, you found a dummy to trick me! You set this up, didn’t you?!” He whipped his head around, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes. Then, like a madman, he rushed forward to cover her with the cloth, muttering, “Fake… it’s all fake…” The attendant was frightened by his behavior and tried to stop him. “Sir, please calm down! Respect the dead!” I watched his breakdown coldly, feeling nothing. Not even a shred of pleasure. My heart had died with Rosie the moment she stopped breathing. I walked up to him and slapped a document onto his face. The police autopsy report. “Julian, look closely.” Cause of death: Abuse, multiple comminuted fractures. I remembered Rosie’s tragic state again. Painfully, I said: “I watched Rosie die at the kidnappers’ hands. Before she died, she kept calling for Mommy and Daddy. But her daddy ignored her to be with a cat in the hospital!” I sobbed, shouting at him: “Didn’t you say you’d pay before leaving? But you didn’t! You’d rather pay vet bills than ransom!” Julian shook his head incessantly, voice trembling. “No… Snowball’s injury was severe that day, I was busy, but I told Sophia to transfer the money…” I laughed out loud. “Hahaha, Julian! Did you not even have time to check if the transfer went through? So Rosie died because of you. Funny, so funny!” He looked at my maniacal state, wanting to comfort me, but I pushed him away hard. Julian staggered up, picked up the scattered report. His daughter’s name and photo were right there. “Ah!!!” His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, clutching his head, howling in agony. 5 Julian knelt on the cold morgue floor, crying pathetically. He banged his head against the ground repeatedly, dull thuds echoing. “Rosie… Daddy was wrong… Daddy was wrong…” “Come back, okay? Daddy begs you… Daddy will never let you suffer again…” The attendant couldn’t watch anymore and called security, dragging the near-insane Julian out of the morgue. In the hospital hallway, he calmed down slightly, grabbing my arm with red eyes. “Layla, I’m sorry. I really didn’t know it would be like this…” His voice was hoarse. “The kidnappers… it’s all their fault! They killed Rosie! I want them to pay with their lives! I want them all dead!” Looking at him, I suddenly found it laughable. Even now, he wouldn’t admit his mistake, pushing the blame onto others. “Kidnappers?” I shook off his hand. “If you hadn’t given them a second choice, would they have killed her? Julian, the kidnappers held the knife, but you handed it to them.” My words were like a sharp blade, piercing his hypocritical mask again. His face paled, lips moving, but not a word came out. He sat dejectedly on the bench, hands in his hair, groaning in pain. After a long time, he looked up, begging me: “Layla, I know it’s too late to say anything. But trust me, I’ll make it up to you! We’re still young, we can have another child…” Slap! I used all my strength to slap him across the face. Julian’s head snapped to the side, five clear finger marks appearing instantly. He looked at me in disbelief. This was the first time I had ever hit him. “Julian.” My voice was ice. “Rosie isn’t an object to be replaced. She’s gone, never coming back. Keep your disgusting compensation theory to yourself. You don’t deserve to say her name, and you don’t deserve to be a father!” Just then, hurried high heels approached. “Julian, what happened?” Seeing the slap mark on Julian’s face, Sophia immediately cried out in distress. She looked up at me, accusingly: “Layla, you ran out in the middle of the night, Julian chased after you out of worry. Instead of thanking him, you hit him? Why can’t you be considerate?” I sneered: “Don’t you know why I hit him? You knew Rosie was dead long ago. What are you pretending for?” Sophia’s face went white. “Enough! Layla, stop talking! This has nothing to do with Sophia, she’s a victim too! If you’re unhappy, take it out on me!” I smiled bitterly. Julian was still defending Sophia. I stopped looking at them, turned, and left, leaving one sentence behind. “Julian, you regret it now? Too early. There’s more you don’t know.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387115”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My mom, worried about my spending habits, entrusted my monthly $500 allowance to my childhood friend, Ryan. But he only gives me $10 a week. When the summer heat became unbearable, I asked to use my own money to move to a dorm with AC. He flatly refused. “You’re only hot because you’re too fat,” he sneered. “Eat less, lose weight, and you’ll be fine.” On Valentine’s Day, I caught him and his bros partying at a bar. “Yo, Ryan, where’s your girl? Still saving yourself for the wifey?” Ryan clinked his glass with a laugh. “Yeah. Once she slims down, I’ll bring her around to meet you guys.” “Drink up, everyone. Tonight’s on me.” His friends praised him for being generous and loyal. I stood in the corner, watching them, when a strong arm wrapped around my waist. A husky voice whispered in my ear: “What are you looking at, wifey?” I pouted, turned, and buried my face in the bar owner’s chest, sobbing dramatically: “Boohoo, Seth! Someone stole my money! Beat him up for me!” 1 I’m 5’5″ and weigh 140 pounds. I’ve got curves in all the right places and I’m perfectly happy with my body. But Ryan always thinks I’m fat. Back in high school, during P.E., he’d always take off his jacket and drape it over me. Classmates would coo about how sweet and protective he was. Only I could hear the venomous whisper in my ear. “Luna, have some shame! You’re so fat, everything jiggles when you run. Don’t you see all the guys staring at you?” I threw his jacket on the ground. If guys are staring, that’s their problem. Or maybe it’s the sports bra design, or the shirt cut. What does it have to do with me? There were countless incidents like this, but I never took Ryan seriously. He couldn’t control me. Until college. My mom, brainwashed by Ryan’s constant nagging, decided I was indeed too fat. She resolutely handed over my monthly allowance to him. “Ryan, I know you’re a good kid and you care about Luna. I’m leaving her in your hands.” Ryan looked solemn and serious. “Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll make sure Luna loses weight!” I almost choked on my own spit. Out of my $500 allowance, Ryan only gave me $10 a week. He refused to let me switch to an AC dorm and demanded I report everything I ate. I tried to act cute: [Ryan, look, ten bucks a week means less than two dollars a day. A bagel is two dollars. I can only eat three bagels a day. I’m going to turn into a bagel! Boohoo.] He replied like a robot: [A plain bagel is 250 calories. A cinnamon raisin bagel is 300 calories. Next time, stick to plain. Also, did you buy that coffee next to it? From now on, your allowance is $8 a week. Exactly enough for three plain bagels.] Insane. I complained to my mom, but she sold me out in three seconds. “Ryan is a good kid, top of his class. Just listen to him, he won’t hurt you.” I was furious! I threatened Ryan directly: [If you don’t give me money, I’m going to find a sugar daddy!] [Luna! You dare!] [Try me.] 2 Of course, I didn’t actually dare. I’ve always been open-minded and practical—money talks. But the world is messy, and I didn’t want to catch anything nasty. I decided to get a job. Sophomore year was busy, so I only had evenings free. All the good gigs were taken by upperclassmen, so I ended up at a late-night food stall. Right across from a big club, business was booming. Standing next to the grill in midsummer was sweltering. I wore a tight tank top and hot pants under an apron, my pale skin glowing in the dim light. I was on my feet constantly. Occasionally, I’d sneak a skewer when the boss wasn’t looking. My coworker, Peach, watched jealously as I munched. “Luna, the boss is so cheap. Why does he let you steal food?” I grabbed another lamb skewer for her and blinked. “Oh, I thought it was allowed.” “Tsk, dummy. Look over there.” She gestured with her chin. “See him? That’s the owner of the club across the street. He used to eat at the place next door. Since you started, he comes here every night at 8 PM sharp. And because he’s here, all the girls from the club come too. Sales have doubled! You’re the boss’s money tree now!” I looked over. A group of guys sat at the big table on the edge. The one in the center stood out. He wore a floral shirt unbuttoned to reveal a solid chest, his jawline sharp in the flickering light. He held a cigarette between his fingers, squinting as he watched his friends play cards. As if sensing my gaze, he turned. Our eyes met, and ash fell from his cigarette. Wow, he’s hot. But… I pouted. “He smokes. I hate the smell of smoke.” The man’s hand twitched, and his half-smoked cigarette fell to the ground. I realized something was off and shut my mouth. He couldn’t have heard me, right? We were five or six tables apart. 3 The food stall paid daily. Peach might have been right; when I started, I got $20 a night. Within two weeks, it went up to $60. Thrilled, I Venmo’d Ryan back his pathetic $8, skipped work, and treated myself to a buffet. Unexpectedly, I ran into Ryan. He was with a thin, pale girl. They walked in right after paying. Before I could hide, Ryan spotted me and stormed over. “Luna! Are you sneaking food here?” I crawled out from under the table, defiant. “Who’s sneaking? I’m eating openly!” My gaze shifted to the timid girl behind him. I smirked. “Yo, bringing your girlfriend out? Ryan, if I don’t tell your dad you’re dating, will you stop controlling my allowance?” Ryan’s dad was strict. No drinking, no staying out late, no dating before graduation. One strike and he’d break Ryan’s legs. Ryan frowned, afraid I’d misunderstand. “Sarah is in the student council with me. Her monthly allowance is only $100. Poor thing almost fainted from low blood sugar today while helping out. As president, I’m treating her to a good meal.” “Luna, don’t overthink it.” I laughed bitterly. “My allowance is less than $50. Why don’t I see you feeling sorry for me?” “Sarah only weighs 90 pounds. You’re 30 pounds heavier. Can you compare?” So what if I’m 30 pounds heavier! My weight is in all the right places! I put my hands on my hips, glaring at Ryan. Sarah was thin, with a high ponytail, looking small and fragile. She hid behind Ryan like a frightened deer, but couldn’t resist peeking out to ask curiously: “You only get $50 a month, but this buffet is $80 a person. Where did you get the money…” She covered her mouth, looking innocent. “Sorry, Luna. I was just curious, no other meaning. But your skirt… is really short.” Ryan’s eyes darkened as he scanned my little black dress that didn’t reach my knees. He grabbed my hand, his voice rising sharply. “Luna, did you actually find a sugar daddy!?” 4 I’ve never had a good temper. I shot a cold glare at Sarah. “If you can’t say anything nice, shut up. Know what thoughts to keep to yourself? Understand?” Sarah’s eyes turned red immediately. She clutched Ryan’s sleeve pitifully, her voice trembling. “President, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean anything by it. Your friend… is so scary.” Ryan, with his cold, handsome face and gold-rimmed glasses, looked like a refined scumbag. As soon as he started college, he attracted girls like a flower attracts bees. I didn’t understand why he kept fixating on me when he had so many girls around him. And now he was bringing this drama to me. Seeing I was genuinely angry, Ryan reined in his emotions. He pursed his lips, shook off Sarah, and scolded her coldly. “Luna is right. If you can’t speak properly, don’t speak.” “If I catch you doing this again, you’re out of the student council!” Without looking at Sarah’s embarrassed face, he dragged me out. In a quiet corner of the mall, he cornered me. Fist pressed against the wall, he tried to control his anger. “Where did you get the money?” Thinking of Ryan’s terrifying control issues, I worried he might find the food stall. I pouted, looking at the ceiling, looking at the floor. Saying nothing. Ryan, out of options, softened his voice and stuffed a bill into my hand. “I’ll raise your allowance to $20. Don’t go looking for sketchy people.” I finally looked at him. Oh, his eyes were red. Who knows what he’d do if pushed too far. I decided to compromise, taking the money but complaining: “Ryan, you’re so cheap.” 5 Today, the club across the street had an event, and it was packed. Business at the food stall picked up too. The boss messaged me to come in early. Before I got there, I saw a guy surrounded by a group in an alley. The leader was the owner of the BBQ place next door, covered in tattoos. Looking dangerous. I squinted, not wanting to get involved. But a glance back revealed a pair of dark, intense eyes. I froze. Seth. The club owner. Isn’t he tough? Big guy, lots of friends. Getting bullied? Curiosity got the better of me. I bit down on my lollipop and peeked around the corner. Before long, the group started beating him. Seth didn’t seem to fight back. The sickening sound of punches hitting flesh drifted from the alley. Afraid they’d kill him, I rushed in, swinging my bag. “I called the cops! They’ll be here any second! Stop!” Before I could do any damage, the group scattered, cursing as they ran. “Fck, crazy btch! Almost broke my ribs!” ??? I weighed my bunny backpack, which only held a few lipsticks. Was that a fight or a scam? I looked at the man sitting on the ground. Dim streetlight fell on his brow, illuminating his sharp features. His handsome face was clean, not a scratch. Instead, his tank top was intentionally lifted, revealing eight distinct abs. In the light, I could even see the pink of his chest. I quickly covered my nose. Damn. I was a little turned on. Seth blinked his long lashes, looking at me with a lost, husky voice. “They blamed me for not eating at their place lately, dragging down their business.” I looked skeptical. Peach told me he owned all the shops on this street. Tenants beating up the landlord? But it was gossip, so maybe not entirely true. I felt a pang of sympathy. “Can you walk?” Under the night sky. Seth’s dark eyes flashed. “Can’t move. Take me home?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387131”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My decade with Ethan ended under a sky choked with snow. He stood in the center of the campus green, his friends cheering behind him, and in his arms, he held the girl who, according to legend, was his destiny. And I, his girlfriend of three years, stood at the edge of the crowd, a complete and utter joke. A cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind. [Congratulations, Host. Mission ‘Unite the Protagonists’ is complete. Do you wish to return to your original world?] I watched the two of them kissing in the snow and smiled, a thin, brittle thing. I had no one left in my original world. Here, even though I had just lost the love of my life, I had parents who adored me and a youth I had lived for ten years. I told the System, “I choose to stay.” [Wish protocol initiated. Please state your wish.] I closed my eyes, letting the snowflakes land on my face, their icy touch numbing me to the core. “My wish,” I said, forcing each word out with all the strength I had, “is to forget Ethan. Completely.” … Our school had an unwritten rule, a romantic legend. The first snowfall of winter was Confession Day. Any couple who confessed their love on this day was said to be blessed, destined for a lifetime together. I had imagined this moment a thousand times. Ethan, holding my hand, telling me in front of everyone that he would love me forever. After all, we were childhood sweethearts. Everyone said we were perfect for each other. From the moment I arrived in this world ten years ago, the first person my age I saw was him. We grew up together. He watched me transform from a little girl with pigtails into the young woman I was today. In our first year of high school, on a snowy day just like this one, he had wrapped his arms around me to shield me from the cold, his voice filled with a boyish mix of confidence and nerves. “Maya, will you be my girlfriend?” Everyone thought we would be the couple of the legend. Until Sophia showed up. She was like a character straight out of a campus romance novel: poor but resilient, kind, with a stubborn streak she didn’t even know she had. The day she transferred to our school, she ran right into Ethan, knocking the basketball from his hands and stumbling straight into his world. From that day on, everything spiraled out of control. He would drive all over town to buy her favorite snack just because she’d mentioned it offhandedly. He’d give her his jacket when she was caught in the rain, completely ignoring me shivering right beside him. He would leave in the middle of our dates because she called, needing his help with something trivial. My best friend, Sadie, had yelled at me more than once. “Maya, are you blind? That girl, Sophia, has him completely bewitched, and you’re just standing here, lying to yourself!” I would just smile. Because I knew. It was the power of the plot. I was a transmigrator. Ten years ago, I was a sick little girl lying in an orphanage hospital bed. When I woke up, I was here, in this novel, as the childhood sweetheart of the male protagonist, Ethan—the classic, cliché villainess. My mission was to use my supposed arrogance and irrationality to highlight the female protagonist Sophia’s kindness and virtue, ultimately serving as a stepping stone for their great love story. The System told me that if I completed my mission, I could return to my own world and have one wish granted. My original wish was to be a multi-millionaire. But ten years is a long time. Long enough to forget who I was. Long enough to gain parents who loved me. Long enough to… truly fall in love with Ethan. I naively believed that a decade of shared history could defy a pre-written plot. Until today. The first snow arrived, right on schedule. Ethan texted me, asking me to meet him on the green, saying he had something important to tell me. Clinging to one last sliver of hope, I dressed carefully, wrapping the white scarf he’d given me around my neck, and arrived half an hour early. But it wasn’t him I was waiting for. It was a grand, public confession, meticulously prepared for another girl. Ethan’s friends had arranged candles in the shape of a giant heart. A romantic ballad drifted from a portable speaker. And Ethan, the boy who had whispered countless promises to me, was now looking at Sophia with an ocean of devotion in his eyes. “Sophia,” his voice, amplified by a microphone, carried to every corner of the field, “I don’t know when it started, but my eyes just started following you everywhere. When you smile, my world is sunny. When you cry, it rains. I know this makes me a bastard, and I know I’m hurting Maya, but I can’t control my heart.” A wave of good-natured laughter and cheering rippled through the crowd. “I’m in love with you. Will you be my girlfriend?” Sophia covered her mouth, her eyes welling with tears as she nodded emphatically. The cheers were deafening, loud enough to shake the stars from the night sky. They kissed in the falling snow, a fairytale prince and princess. I stood outside the circle, feeling the blood freeze in my veins. The same guys who used to joke around and call me Ethan’s “better half” were now roaring with applause for his new romance. No one saw me. Or maybe they did, and they pretended not to. In a perfect love story, after all, I was just an insignificant side character, destined to be sacrificed. My phone buzzed. A text from Ethan. It was short, simple, and colder than the ice forming on my heart. [Maya, I’m sorry. We’re over.] I stared at the words until my vision blurred. I didn’t cry. I just felt cold, a deep, bone-aching chill. I calmly deleted the message and dialed his number. He picked up almost immediately, his voice barely audible over the celebratory noise. “Maya?” A flicker of impatience and guilt. “Ethan,” I said, my voice unnervingly steady, “we’re breaking up.” I hung up before he could reply and blocked his number from everything. Then, in the quiet of my mind, I spoke to the System that had been dormant for so long. The moment I made my choice, it felt like a mountain had been lifted from my shoulders. A virtual panel materialized in my mind’s eye, presenting two options. [A: Return to Original World] [B: Remain in Current World] Without hesitation, I chose B. The System was silent for a moment, as if surprised. [Host, please confirm. Returning to your original world will allow you to forget everything here and start anew.] I smiled, but a tear I couldn’t stop slid down my cheek. I couldn’t start anew. Before I came here and knew the love of parents and the warmth of friendship, my reality had been nothing but the cold, sterile walls of a hospital and the sharp smell of antiseptic. “I confirm,” I whispered. “I’m staying here.” At least here, I knew what warmth felt like. The virtual panel shifted, displaying an input box. [Wish protocol initiated. Please enter your wish.] With fingers numb from the cold, I traced the letters in the air. “I. Want. To. Forget. Ethan.” As I finished the last letter, I felt completely drained, as if every ounce of my strength had been siphoned away. [Wish confirmed. The System will now erase all memories pertaining to Ethan. Warning: The erasure process will be accompanied by a strong external physical impact. Please prepare, Host.] [Countdown initiating. 10, 9, 8…] I took a deep breath and turned away from the suffocating scene. I couldn’t bear to look at the happy couple, couldn’t bear to hear another cheer. I needed to go home. Home, where there was hot soup and a warm light waiting for me. I walked, step by step, as the snow began to accumulate on my hair and shoulders. A decade of memories flashed through my mind like a movie reel. The first time I met Ethan, he was a cocky little kid who pulled my pigtails and called me a tag-along. We climbed trees to find birds’ nests, counted stars in his backyard on summer nights, and shared popsicles. The first time he got into a fight for me, his face was a mess of scrapes, but he grinned like an idiot. “Don’t worry, Maya,” he’d said, “I’ll always protect you.” I remembered him giving me piggyback rides on the long walk home, the evening breeze cool against my skin, his back so broad and warm. And that day in the snow, just like this one, when he’d blushed and told me, “Maya, I think I’m falling for you.” He said we’d go to the same college. We’d get married after graduation and have a daughter who was just as cute as me. He said he would love me forever. Those memories, once so sweet, were now daggers twisting in my heart. So this was it. Ten years of friendship and three years of love, all worthless against the so-called “destiny” of a single glance from her. How utterly pathetic. [3, 2, 1…] The moment the countdown finished, I reached the edge of the road. A pair of blinding headlights flared, followed by the screech of tires. I didn’t even have time to react. My body was thrown into the air like a broken kite. In the final second before my world went dark, I thought I heard the System’s last words. [Memory wipe commencing… I wish you a bright future, Maya.] Goodbye, Ethan.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387147”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After the college entrance exams, my twin brother and I were dragged to the Judgment Stage. In our world, the rule is simple: only the “superior” twin gets to live. Everyone thought I was dead meat. Even my parents were betting on my brother, smug in their certainty that he’d be the survivor. What they didn’t know was that I’d been letting him win for eighteen years. And now, the act was finally over. 1 In the society I live in, twins are considered a curse. The law dictates that only the best one survives. So, on our eighteenth birthday, every set of twins faces the Judgment. A series of tests determines who is worthy of life. My brother, Julian, and I are twins. But from day one, our parents played favorites. To ensure Julian was the survivor, they sabotaged me at every turn. They stunted my growth, capped my potential. If I showed even a glimmer of talent above Julian, they crushed it. By eighteen, I was, by design, a nobody. “Noah, we don’t want to see you go either, but these are the rules,” my dad said, standing on the Judgment Stage, his arm protectively around Julian. His tone was dripping with fake sympathy. “Don’t blame us. You just didn’t try hard enough. Personality, grades… you never measured up to your brother.” “I’m sorry, bro,” Julian added, his voice sickly sweet. “But rules are rules.” They spoke as if the verdict was already in. The audience below seemed to agree. “This is a waste of time. The older brother is toast.” “Look at his parents crying. He doesn’t even look sad. No filial piety score for him.” “I saw the leaks online. He’s inferior in every metric.” “Ungrateful brat. Just execute him already.” The comments flooded the livestream. The world had already condemned me. Everyone assumed I was walking to my execution today. Facing the camera, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. A genuinely excited one. In my past life, I let their sabotage turn me into a loser. I thought they were being strict because they loved me. I thought they just didn’t want me to work too hard. It wasn’t until I stood on this stage the first time that I realized: it was all for Julian. From the start, they chose him. For eighteen years, they groomed me for death. In that life, I lost. I died a humiliating death, labeled a waste of space, while my parents celebrated their golden child. But when I opened my eyes, I was three years old again. Reborn. This time, I trained in secret. I hid my skills. I played the fool so my parents wouldn’t see me as a threat. I let Julian win for fifteen years, just for this moment. Now, the mask comes off. 2 [The 120,893rd Twin Judgment has officially commenced.] [Order in the court!] The AI Judge slammed the gavel. The stadium went silent. [This Judgment will extract memories from five dimensions for comprehensive analysis. Only the superior twin may survive.] [Dimension One: Personality.] The massive screen lit up with memories provided by Julian. It started when we were four. We were trying to make friends at the park. Julian was instantly popular, surrounded by kids. The memory showed me being pushed aside, alone in the sandbox. This scene replayed over the years. New schools, new neighborhoods. Julian was the social butterfly; I was the outcast. The livestream chat scrolled fast. “Noah must have a personality disorder. Why does everyone hate him?” “Exactly. If he’s the only one being isolated, he’s the problem.” “Personality round goes to Julian, no contest.” “Betting a dollar on the little brother.” After a minute of processing, the AI Judge spoke. [Dimension One: Personality Judgment. Winner: Noah.] The crowd gasped. Question marks flooded the chat. My parents and Julian looked like they’d been slapped. “??? What? Is the AI glitched?” “Did Noah bribe the system?” “The AI never makes mistakes. We need an explanation.” Beep. The screen flickered. Now, it was playing my memories. In the video, four-year-old me stumbled upon Julian whispering to a group of kids. “My brother steals toys. And he doesn’t wash his hands. Don’t play with him, okay?” “Really? He seems nice,” one kid said. “He’s faking it! He steals my stuff all the time. My mom says so. If you play with him, he’ll steal from you too. And… if you play with him, you can’t play with us anymore.” The kids nodded, terrified. “Okay! We won’t play with him!” Scene shift. High school. I was standing outside the classroom door. Inside, Julian was holding court. “You guys don’t know what it’s like at home. Noah bullies me constantly. And… he sleeps around. Like, a lot. I tried to tell him to stop, but he just screams at me…” “Whoa, really? That’s disgusting.” Julian’s lies poisoned every well. For over a decade, every time we entered a new environment, Julian launched a smear campaign. He orchestrated my isolation. Anyone who tried to be my friend was bullied into submission by Julian’s clique. In my last life, I thought I was just unlikable. This time, I watched him. I gathered evidence. The chat exploded. “Holy crap. Julian is a master manipulator.” “I went to high school with them! I can confirm Julian was always talking trash about Noah.” “Poor Noah. Stabbed in the back by his own twin.” “That’s not just mean, that’s sociopathic. Team Noah all the way.” Seeing the tide turn, Julian panicked. “No! That’s not it! I was just joking! I didn’t think they’d take it seriously! I didn’t mean to isolate him…” Nobody bought it. The “bully” label stuck. 3 The gavel banged again. [Order!] [Dimension Two: Talent.] The screen showed Julian’s highlight reel. Dance competitions. Trophies. Since he was five, my parents hired top coaches for him. They flew him around the country for contests. Julian was hailed as a prodigy. Julian and my parents smirked. This was their slam dunk. “Where’s Noah’s reel?” someone asked in the chat. My dad chimed in, looking sad. “We tried to put Noah in dance class too. But he had no talent, and he complained it was too hard. He quit.” I scoffed. “Ah, so Noah gave up. Typical.” “Julian is a bully, but you can’t deny his talent. That pirouette was clean.” “I’ve seen his TikToks. Kid can move.” [Dimension Two: Talent Judgment. Winner: Noah.] “WHAT?!” “Okay, the AI is broken. Julian has trophies! What does Noah have?” Beep. My memories played. Little Noah and Little Julian in the dance studio. I was naturally flexible. The teacher praised me constantly. Julian’s face in the background was twisted with jealousy. Scene shift: The day of a big competition. Julian sneaking into the locker room. Putting thumbtacks in my ballet shoes. I put them on. Blood soaked the satin. I couldn’t walk, let alone dance. My parents didn’t care. They left me bleeding on the bench to go watch Julian perform. “Julian, you make us so proud!” they cooed after he won, hugging him while I limped behind them. When I showed them the tack—a specific colored tack from Julian’s craft kit—they dismissed it. “It’s not Julian’s fault you’re clumsy. You just don’t have the talent.” They pulled me out of dance class the next day. The chat went nuclear. “Those parents are monsters!” “They forced him to quit because they were scared he’d beat the golden child!” Julian and my parents were turning pale. But the video wasn’t over. In my last life, I quit dancing and ate my feelings. I became obese and depressed. Julian stayed fit and famous. This time, after being pulled from class, I went to my teacher, Mr. Yang, crying. “Mr. Yang, I love dancing. But I can’t come anymore.” “Noah, you’re the most gifted student I’ve ever seen. Why?” “My brother doesn’t want me to be better than him. My parents said no.” Mr. Yang looked at me with heartbreak in his eyes. Then he grabbed my hand. “Noah, come to my house after school. I’ll teach you for free. Secretly.” For thirteen years, I trained in secret. Every routine I mastered, Mr. Yang recorded and posted online under an anonymous account. I am “The Masked Dancer.” I have five million followers. “Wait… The Masked Dancer?! Professionals study his videos!” “Holy sh*t! Noah is The Masked Dancer?!” “Julian is a good amateur. Noah is a pro. No wonder he won.” 4 Two losses in a row. My parents were fuming. “Noah! You snuck around behind our backs?! How could you be so deceitful?!” “Yeah! Keeping secrets from family?” [Order! Disruption of the court will result in immediate termination.] The AI shut them up instantly. [Dimension Three: Compassion.] Julian’s memories again. Him feeding stray cats. Him building shelters. A montage of saintly behavior. Then, a scene where I kicked over a bowl of food he set out. “What are you doing?!” Julian cried in the video. “They’re hungry!” “No! Don’t feed them!” Video-Me shouted, kicking the cats away. “Scram!” “You’re so cruel, Noah!” Julian sobbed. The memory ended. “Okay, Noah is an animal abuser. Confirmed.” “Kicking cats? Yeah, he’s evil.” “Doesn’t matter how good he dances if he has no soul.” [Dimension Three: Compassion Judgment. Winner: Noah.] “…” “This is rigged.” “I saw him kick the cat! Explain that!” The AI played my perspective. After I kicked the cats away, the conversation continued. A part Julian’s memory conveniently left out. “Are you an idiot? Cats can’t eat that much salt! You’re feeding them our leftovers—oily, spicy, salty food! You’re killing their kidneys!” “I just wanted to help! My intentions were good!” Julian yelled back. “Keep your fake kindness. Why do you think the strays around here keep dying? Kidney failure. Because of you!” I stormed off. Scene shift: Me at the vet, paying with my saved allowance to treat a sick cat. In my last life, I found out during the Judgment that Julian had been poisoning the neighborhood cats with human food for years, thinking he was Snow White. “Oh my god. Julian was killing them with ‘kindness’.” “He’s stupid and malicious.” Julian was trembling. “I didn’t know! I didn’t mean to…” The chat wasn’t having it. “Ignorance isn’t an excuse for killing animals.” Julian, who had never faced real criticism in his life, broke down sobbing. “Don’t cry, baby,” Mom comforted him. Then she glared at me. “Noah, he’s your brother! Can’t you let him win one? Just this once?” “Let him win?” I asked innocently. “You mean lie to the Supreme Judge? Isn’t perjury… illegal?” [Warning. Coercing a participant to commit perjury is punishable by immediate termination.] My dad shut his mouth so fast I heard his teeth click. “No, no! Just a joke!” [Halftime. Judgment will resume in 30 minutes.] The chat was buzzing. “Noah is actually… kinda cool.” “Yeah, the cold demeanor makes sense now. He’s surrounded by idiots.” “I feel bad for him. Imagine living with that family.” The tide had turned. And my family knew it.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387164”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel