Category: English

I was Julian Thorne’s canary for three years. But lately, he’s been acting weird. At a high school reunion, people started teasing us: “I heard you guys live in the same gated community. Are you secretly dating?” I quickly explained, pulling out a photo of a random guy from Instagram as proof. “No way! I already have a boyfriend!” Across the table, Julian gritted his teeth, nearly crushing his wine glass. My phone buzzed with his texts. [Am I not your boyfriend?!] [Am I that embarrassing?] [What did you take me for these past three years?!] [A free gigolo?!] Me: “?” 1 “Snow! Over here—” As soon as I entered the private dining room, my best friend Chloe pulled me aside. She linked her arm with mine, muttering, “Why are you so late?” I pressed my palms together in apology. “It’s raining, traffic was terrible.” Looking around, our old high school classmates were all there. I secretly rubbed my sore waist and sat down next to Chloe. It had been seven years since graduation. I didn’t want to come to this reunion, but Chloe begged me. People greeted me warmly. “Snow White, I didn’t even recognize you!” “You’ve changed so much, you’re gorgeous now.” I smiled and made small talk, but they soon moved on to other topics. In high school, I was invisible. I wasn’t close to them then, so there wasn’t much to say now. The class president, holding the menu, asked, “Is everyone here? Should I tell the waiter to serve?” “We’re missing Julian.” “And Bella hasn’t arrived yet. She just flew in from Tokyo.” “What a coincidence!” someone teased. “I saw Julian posted from Tokyo just a few days ago.” Everyone winked and laughed, the implication clear. Even after all these years, the rumors about those two hadn’t faded. I sipped my tea, saying nothing. Just then, the door opened. A man walked in, raindrops clinging to his dark hair, making his eyes look even blacker. The room was warm, so he casually undid the top button of his dress shirt. My gaze traveled up his long, veiny hands to his pale wrists. For some reason, my waist started aching again. “What are you guys talking about?” Julian asked, glancing up. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp jawline. His eyes still held that arrogant laziness from our school days. “Prince Julian, what took you so long? We were waiting for you to start,” Max joked. “We were guessing if you went to pick up Bella.” “Bella?” Julian frowned, annoyed. “I was outside—” He paused, catching my eye. He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away. “…smoking.” He was the last to arrive. Only two seats were left: one in the girls’ section, one in the boys’. Max pulled out the chair next to him. But Julian walked right past him and sat down next to me. Max: “Why are you sitting with the girls?” Julian didn’t look at him, sipping his tea. “The ventilation is better here.” In high school, his temper was legendary. No one dared to question him. I kept my head down, but under the tablecloth, a hand hooked my finger and slowly caressed it. His fingertips were cool, the touch teasing and careless. I continued chatting with Chloe while my left hand ruthlessly shook him off under the table. I hate the smell of smoke. Julian froze. A moment later, I heard him grind his teeth and let out a cold snort. Chloe didn’t notice our silent war. She whispered, “Snow, how about that guy your aunt set you up with? Any updates?” I choked. I felt the hand under the table pinch my palm hard in punishment. On the surface, Julian looked bored. I quickly said, “I have a boyfriend now.” Satisfied, Julian took another sip of tea. Outside, loud voices announced, “Bella is here—” 2 Everyone looked up. A woman walked in. Years had shed her high school awkwardness; she was poised and elegant. Bella was the school beauty back then. The line of boys bringing her boba tea could wrap around the hallway. Even the girls had to admit she was stunning. Bella smiled at me when our eyes met. But when she saw Julian next to me, she paused, feigning resignation. “Looks like I’m late to the party.” Classmates urged Julian to move. “Julian, why are you crowding the girls?” “Come over here and drink!” Julian didn’t move. I nudged him gently. He stood up with an impatient tsk and moved to the empty seat in the boys’ section. As he passed Bella, she called out to him. “Julian, I haven’t paid you back for that watch you bought for me in Tokyo.” She held out her phone, smiling. “Add me back on WeChat/Venmo.” “Add back.” Those words carried weight. The room watched with interest. Everyone remembered how Julian gave up going abroad for college because Bella stayed in the country. They never officially dated, but everyone knew Julian liked her. Later, something happened, and they drifted apart. “No need,” Julian said indifferently. “Too much trouble.” Bella smiled brighter. “Fine, then consider it a birthday gift from you.” The crowd cheered. “Whoa! Birthday gift!” They shoved drinks into their hands, insisting they toast to bury the hatchet. Reunions are breeding grounds for rekindled flames. Chloe whispered, “This feels like a ‘get back together’ scene.” I smiled and said nothing. I could tell Julian was annoyed. He hadn’t even taken the glass. But the others were too drunk on nostalgia to notice. Only I sensed the storm brewing. With his temper, he might flip the table and leave. I sighed internally and spoke up with a smile. “Let’s eat first. The food is getting cold. Don’t waste the class president’s order.” Everyone finally sat down. Bella sat next to me. Seeing me pick up food, she suddenly spoke. “Snow, you bought that watch too?” I followed her gaze to my wrist. I didn’t usually wear jewelry, but Julian loved buying me random accessories and insisted I wear them. Today was no exception. Bella’s comment made me realize my watch was the same model she had mentioned to Julian. “No,” I smiled softly. “It was a gift.” Bella looked enlightened. “Are you married, Snow?” Honestly, Bella and I weren’t close in high school. I wasn’t close to anyone except Chloe. I was the introvert, the wallflower. I didn’t know why Bella was so interested in chatting with me today. “Not married,” I replied politely. “Dating?” she pressed. As she asked, I felt a gaze burning into me. I didn’t need to look up to know it was Julian. I opened my phone gallery. “Yes, I’m dating.” I showed her a photo. “This is my boyfriend.” The man in the photo had a bright, sunny smile. It was a random picture I found on Instagram to fend off nosy relatives. Clang— A glass smashed on the floor. Julian kept a straight face, smiling coldly. “Sorry. Slipped.” 3 Dinner ended. People were calling Ubers and designated drivers. Those with cars offered rides. Chloe waved at me. “Snow, I got a ride! Since we live close, let’s go together!” “I’m not going back to my mom’s place tonight,” I explained quickly. “Oh right,” Chloe paused. “You said you moved. Where do you live now?” “Um… pretty far out.” I couldn’t exactly say I lived in Julian’s villa in the suburbs. Just then, Max walked over, smiling. “Snow White, where do you live? I can drop you off if it’s on the way.” Max was Julian’s best friend. But even he and Chloe didn’t know about my relationship with Julian. I mumbled a vague area. “Oh, that’s on Julian’s way,” Max said. “Yeah, what a coincidence.” Julian walked over, glancing at me. “Let’s go. I’ll drop you.” He turned to Bella lazily. “Sorry, not going your way. Catch a ride with Max.” Bella pressed her lips together, glancing at me again. We walked to the parking lot. I stayed a meter away from Julian. At his car, I habitually went for the passenger side, then froze and reached for the back door handle. Julian stopped me. He pressed his hand over mine, smiling without warmth. “Sitting in the back? Treating me like a chauffeur?” Well, aren’t you driving me home? I lowered my eyes, too tired to argue. But my silence looked like I was being bullied. “Julian, don’t be so mean to Snow,” Chloe chided. She knew Julian and I had zero interaction in high school and knew his temper. Julian pursed his lips, silent. Max took the opportunity to hand me his phone. “Snow, let’s exchange contacts. We’re old classmates, might need to network later.” Julian looked down at me. I could feel his gaze darken. But I couldn’t refuse an old classmate, so I added Max. Max added fuel to the fire. “Don’t be scared. If he dumps you on the side of the road, call us.” I smiled gently. “We’re just classmates. Julian wouldn’t be that heartless.” Once everyone else drove off, I got into the car. Julian grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms. The alcohol buzz vanished instantly. I pushed him away, whispering, “Julian! Let go!” We were in a parking lot. Anyone could see. Julian held the back of my head, preventing me from struggling. In the cramped space, he leaned close to my ear. His warm breath tickled my skin. His voice was dangerously casual. “Snow White, say that again.” “What is our relationship?” 4 How do I explain my relationship with Julian? We met at a business mixer after college. He helped me out of a tight spot for old times’ sake. He was a major client for my company. He knew I needed money—lots of it. He liked my obedience. I was his canary in a gilded cage. This went on for three years. We weren’t lovers. We were a transaction. So in public, he maintained my dignity, and I stayed silent to protect his reputation. That night, Julian went crazy. I was disheveled, voiceless, reduced to soft whimpers. But he wouldn’t let me go. He kept asking in a hoarse voice. “Snow, am I that embarrassing?” “Why didn’t you reject them when they asked for your number right in front of me?” “What do you take me for?” … I woke up at noon the next day. My body ached. The house was empty. Julian had fallen asleep at dawn and left for the office after only a few hours. I didn’t understand his anger last night. I chalked it up to weird possessiveness. On the surface, Julian was a playboy heir. But his father had handed him the reins of the group. Recently, there was internal strife, and Julian was stressed balancing the board members. He often came home exhausted. I never asked questions. I just poured tea and massaged his shoulders. As long as he deposited the money every month, I didn’t care. My phone vibrated. I ignored it. The caller persisted. I frowned and picked up. “What?” “Why didn’t you answer?” My mom complained. “Too busy to talk to your own mother?” “Did you find a job for your brother?” I was silent. “Sorry, I don’t have that kind of pull.” “It’s just a few words for you. That Chairman Thorne is your classmate’s dad, right?” “You went to school with his son. Can’t you ask for a favor?” The “brother” she mentioned was her son with my stepdad. Spoiled and arrogant. He tried business and failed. Now he wanted a cushy job at the Thorne Group. “I saw you come home in his son’s car the other day. Are you dating?” My mom suddenly sounded alert. “If you’re together, we’re practically in-laws!” “Mom!” I cut her off. “It’s not like that. Stop imagining things.” She went silent. After a long pause, she said slowly: “Your brother said you changed. I didn’t believe him.” “But for Grandma’s birthday, you carried a bag worth thousands.” “Your brother saw you enter a villa complex. An old man picked you up.” “Snow, don’t forget your roots. We are your family. You can’t abandon us just because you have money.” My voice turned cold. “Caleb stalked me?” She ignored my question. “Anyway, I’ll say this.” “We know where your money comes from.” Her tone turned threatening. “Your brother knows where you live now.” “If you don’t want to be exposed and shamed, don’t forget to send money home.” “We are your family. We won’t hurt you. You understand, right?”

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I tossed my bridal bouquet into the arms of my best friend, Daphne Max, wishing her the kind of happiness I thought I had just found. Daphne’s smile stuttered for a moment before she playfully scolded me. “Don’t you dare curse me, Cass. I’ve dedicated my life to my art. Men are irrelevant.” Less than a year later, I found her, naked, in my husband’s office. The fallout was a catastrophe. I made sure of it. I hired a dozen people to string up posters outside Nolan Bell’s company headquarters, exposing their sordid affair. I printed thousands of flyers with pictures of them tangled up in my marital bed, then handed them out personally. I reported Daphne to her art school, and during her graduation ceremony, I had a loop of the office footage projected onto a jumbo screen. Yet, Nolan protected her. He pulled every string imaginable, ensuring she graduated with honors from the country’s top art academy. I was seeing red. I went for the one thing he couldn’t buy back: Daphne’s soul. I destroyed the entire gallery Nolan had bankrolled for her first solo exhibition. The price for my final act of rage: three years in a federal prison and a final, disgusted dismissal from Nolan. “You forgave my mother for sleeping with your father,” he sneered, his face a mask of contempt. “Why can’t you forgive me?” Five years after our divorce, I ran into Nolan Bell at the Saks Fifth Avenue jewelry counter. 1 The sales associate was wrapping up a tie I’d just chosen for my husband. Seeing Nolan approach, her professional demeanor ratcheted up a notch. “Mr. Bell, welcome. Your wife’s gown is prepped and waiting for you.” Nolan gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on the tie in my hands. “Pay for hers as well,” he murmured. I politely refused, placing a stack of crisp bills on the counter. He sighed, a dramatic flutter of breath. “Cassidy, after all this time, you still hate me.” I simply smiled. I didn’t have the time to hate him. I had moved on. I took the small designer bag and tucked it casually into the canvas tote bag filled with fresh groceries slung over my shoulder, then walked out. The early autumn wind howled around me. As I walked the familiar route toward the transit stop, my hair whipped into my eyes. I blinked hard, trying to clear my vision, and when I finally pushed the strands away, Nolan’s sleek black sedan was idling right in front of me. He frowned, noticing the redness in my eyes caused by the wind. “Get in. I’ll drive you.” “I’m fine, thank you. I’m taking the subway.” He studied me, head to toe, before his gaze settled on the canvas bag. He asked the question cautiously, as if approaching a skittish animal. “Have you been… okay these past few years?” “I’ve been great.” Nolan clearly didn’t believe me. “Just get in the car. Let me take you home.” The city bus behind us honked impatiently, but Nolan didn’t move. Under the scrutiny of onlookers, I reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat. “The Briarwood Estates,” I stated flatly. The air went dead silent. His voice was a rasp when he finally spoke. “Why are you living there? That development has been practically condemned. And for a woman alone, especially with…” He trailed off, unable to finish. But I knew exactly what he was going to say. It was the place where my mother died. Ten years ago, on the day of my wedding to Nolan, she refused to attend. She jumped from the tenth-floor rooftop. The backseat was spacious, but the heating was too high. I cranked the window down a bit. “You get sick the minute the wind touches you. Roll it up. If you’re hot, I’ll just lower the temperature.” I shook my head, offering a placid smile. “That doesn’t happen anymore. Suit yourself.” He fell silent. A moment later, his phone rang. “Hey, honey. Did you get the gown? Where are you now?” Daphne’s voice, familiar yet laced with an unfamiliar, syrupy enthusiasm, filled the car. “I did. I just ran into Cassidy and I’m dropping her off.” A pause hung on the line. “Cass? She’s back? Why didn’t you say something? We should all get together, why leave me out?” I had known Daphne for over a decade, but I had never heard that tone before. She used to be reserved and quiet, focused only on her painting. If someone stole her contest spot, she would just hide and cry. I was the one who grabbed a baseball bat and publicly smashed the usurper’s entry, wrote a letter exposing the corruption, and spent three days in juvenile hall to get her justice. The right kind of love could, apparently, turn glass into steel. “It was just a chance encounter, Daphne. She has things to do. I’m coming right back.” “A chance encounter means we’re fated to connect! Why can’t we just treat an old friend to one meal?” “Daphne, stop.” Another strained silence followed. Nolan’s coaxing had always been gentle, but when he decided something, no one could stop him. Daphne should have known that better than anyone. She hung up abruptly as the car pulled up to the curb outside the decaying apartment building. “We’re here.” I offered a quick, polite thank you and got out. Nolan slowly turned his head away from the surrounding buildings and called out. 2 “Cassidy, can I ask you one thing? Who was that tie for?” “My husband.” Nolan ran a hand over his face, a gesture of weary disbelief. He clearly thought I was still trying to wound him. “Same brand, same silk, same pattern you used to buy for me for five years.” “And?” I met his eyes, my gaze utterly calm. “You don’t have to keep this pretense up in front of me. After all this time, I just want to see you doing well, not… like this.” Like this. The glass of the main door reflected my image. Casual leggings, plain flat shoes, the grocery-filled tote bag. I looked like a thousand other exhausted women running errands for their families. For a woman who had once only worn couture and diamonds, this look felt perfectly fine. I smiled, not taking the bait. “I think I look great.” A flicker of genuine surprise crossed his face. “Cassidy, you really are different from before.” “That’s what everyone says.” I turned and walked away, not once looking back. I climbed five flights of worn stairs and unlocked the door. The interior was arranged exactly as it had been last year. A photo of my mother sat next to the old television. The candle in front of it had long since burned out. I lit a new one, tied on an apron, and went into the kitchen. I quickly prepared three dishes and a soup. A bowl of untouched rice sat opposite me at the table, and I ate slowly. “Mom, I ran into Nolan today.” “Don’t worry. He can’t hurt your daughter anymore. Besides, I’m not as stupid as I used to be.” The only reply was the vast, silent peace of the room. My appetite was gone. I put down my chopsticks and walked into the bedroom, pulling out an old photo album. “Let’s look at your stunning beauty, Mom. That black and white picture is depressing.” Before I could open it, a single photo slipped out and fluttered to the floor. I picked it up. Nolan, Daphne, and me. Three exuberant, youthful faces laughing for the camera. I was in the middle, my arms linked with theirs, smiling the widest—a gap where my right canine tooth should have been, making me look a little goofy. It was the summer I turned thirteen. Debt collectors had shown up at Nolan’s house, screaming threats. None of the neighbors, not even my parents, dared to intervene. But I charged in. The fist meant for Nolan’s face landed squarely on mine instead. My tooth was shattered instantly, and my face was swollen for weeks. My mother, heartbroken, told me to stay away from the Bell family. But Nolan’s mother, dragging her injured legs, crawled and knocked her head on our doorstep, thanking my parents until her forehead bled. My mother finally relented. For the next ten years, there was always an extra place set for Nolan at our dinner table, and an extra new outfit at Christmas. When my mother wasn’t busy, she helped Nolan’s mother run her stall, and if anyone tried to bully her, my mother would unleash hell. They called each other sisters. No one, however, could have predicted that the timid, stuttering younger sister, Loretta Max (Daphne’s mother), would end up in the bed of the elder sister’s husband. When I finally came home that day, everything had been smashed. My mother stood in the middle of the living room, weeping hysterically, the five-finger marks on her cheeks a terrifying sight. My father was shielding Loretta in his arms. “I’m divorcing you. You can have everything. I only want Loretta.” Nolan, standing beside me, panicked and tried to grab Loretta’s hand. My mother turned and slapped him. Twice. I pushed her away. She stumbled, falling to the floor, staring up at me in stunned disbelief. 3 I was crying, too. But the words I spoke were cruel and cutting. “Mom, how dare you hit Nolan.” The memories scattered. I looked down at the small photo in my hand. After the divorce, I had burned every single thing related to Nolan. This was a stray survivor. I was about to toss it in the trash when a knock sounded at the door. I assumed it was Mrs. Jones, who usually stopped by this time every year. I opened it without checking. Standing there were Daphne, arm-in-arm with Nolan. Her smile was radiant. “Cassidy! Long time no see! You haven’t changed a bit after all these years.” “Nolan couldn’t say no to me. We hope we’re not intruding?” I stared at them calmly. “I won’t invite you in. Do you need something?” Daphne faltered, shooting a wounded look at Nolan. “Daphne just wanted to see you,” he said, placing a luxury shopping bag on the foyer table. “She brought you a gift. No hidden agenda.” Daphne immediately jumped in to explain. “It’s a skincare set I’ve been loving lately. I had an extra one, and since we used to share everything, I thought I’d bring it over.” I glanced at the bag. It was the same brand my housekeeper, Marie, used. “And that photo…” Daphne’s eyes suddenly welled up. “Cassidy, after all this time, you still haven’t let go.” I crumpled the photo into a ball and dropped it into the wastebasket. “Hardly.” She started to reach for my hand, then hesitated, her fingers stopping mid-air. “I know you’re still hurting. Today would have been your wedding anniversary with Nolan.” “What happened back then wasn’t completely our fault. If you’re really over it, let us take you out to dinner. And please, tell us if there’s anything we can do to help you. We’re old friends.” My instinct was an immediate, firm rejection. Then the candle in front of my mother’s photo crackled loudly. I offered a small, quiet smile, suddenly changing my mind. “Sounds lovely.” Daphne talked far more than she used to. Her small, intimate gestures were also frequent. She recounted a romantic trip to Turkey the previous month, and while waiting at a red light, she leaned over and applied her lip balm to Nolan’s mouth with her finger. “Every fall and winter, I have to remind you. You kissed me so hard last time you made my lip bleed. Don’t you ever learn?” Nolan caught her hand, a hint of irritation in his voice. “Stop, Daphne.” “Oh, sorry! I forgot Cassidy was here. You don’t mind, do you, Cass? Nolan and I are just so used to this…” I cut her off, my tone utterly indulgent. “Of course not.” “I’ve seen the two of you tangle up on a king-sized bed, why would I mind a little lip balm?” The car fell into a profound silence. We were quiet the rest of the way. I watched the passing scenery, thinking that if my mother were still alive, she would be amazed by the changes. My father’s insistence on divorcing her for Loretta nearly drove my mother mad. And my secret marriage to the son of the woman who stole her husband was the final blow that killed her. At first, I only hated my father and Loretta. They had betrayed my mother, forcing her transformation from an unbreakable woman into a nervous, whiny wreck who aged before my eyes. 4 Later, I hated myself. After numbly arranging my mother’s funeral, I went south alone during what should have been my honeymoon, staying for a month. During that time, Nolan was the one person I couldn’t bring myself to hate. I saw him as a pearl covered in dust, a poor boy trapped by his circumstances. When I left, I entrusted Daphne to look after him. She took excellent care of him. In the new house Nolan and I had bought, she cooked with practiced efficiency; five dishes and a soup, all beautifully presented. I genuinely thanked her. For that year, the three of us became closer than ever. Nolan became even more devoted to me. He used the first big payout from his company to buy the sapphire bracelet I loved. He set off city-wide fireworks for my birthday. Every month, during my cycle, he canceled all in-person meetings and worked from home with me. I never once doubted it. He loved me completely. Until the day I went to his office unannounced. Behind a discreet, unmarked door in his inner office, I heard a low, breathless moan. I flung the door open. Two pale, naked bodies, white as bone, stabbed straight into my eyes. I shrieked, a sound ripped from my core. Nolan’s movement was swift and decisive, shielding the woman beneath him. “Who let you in here?!” “Get out!” I seized every object I could reach, hurling it at them. Blood streamed from a cut on Nolan’s forehead, but he remained rigid, desperately covering the woman in his arms. I smashed everything in the room, but I couldn’t bring myself to go near them—the two people I had loved most in my entire life. Terror was bone-deep. I tried to speak, my jaw trembling. “Daphne, look at me.” Tears streamed down her face. She pulled the covers up to her neck and knelt on the bed, looking at me. “Cassidy, I’m so sorry.” “Nolan and I know this is wrong, but we have fallen uncontrollably in love.” “Please, can you give us your blessing?” Her abject, pleading posture reminded me exactly of the day I first met her, cornered in an alley by a gang of girls. To protect her that year, I, the straight-A student, earned the lifelong enmity of that group and couldn’t walk home alone for months. I had personally handed her my wedding bouquet, wishing her all the happiness in the world. And now she was lying in my husband’s arms, begging me for permission. Tears poured down my face. My voice was a whisper. “When did this start?” She stammered, unable to answer. But Nolan answered for her. “Does it matter? Are you done making a scene? This is a corporate office, not our bedroom.” “Does it matter?! Nolan! Does it not matter to you?!” I screamed at him hysterically. He stood there, naked, his gaze shockingly frank. “Fine! I’ll tell you! Last March, when you ran off to the South and left me here alone—that’s when we started.” “I wasn’t trying to hide it forever. You had just lost your mother, and I couldn’t bear to hurt you again, so I let you maintain this marriage facade. Daphne has suffered enough, and I won’t let her worry anymore. I was planning to ask for a divorce after your mother’s death anniversary passed.” “Since you’ve discovered it now, let’s be honest. Divorce me. You can have anything, but I only want Daphne.” It was in that moment I understood the devastating force of the hand I had once pushed into my mother’s back, all those years ago when I chose Nolan. But before the divorce, I was determined to have my breakdown. 5 I used my phone to snap photos of them looking wrecked on the bed, printing hundreds of flyers and distributing them to every single one of his employees. I hung increasingly larger posters outside his company building, detailing their disgusting relationship. I reported Daphne to her university for professional misconduct. The art school forums were awash with vicious rumors about her. I even hired a projectionist to loop our happy pre-affair videos on a giant screen during her commencement ceremony. The memories I once cherished became the weapons I used to destroy them. But Nolan still protected her. She graduated from the nation’s top art academy and was set to open her own gallery show. To safeguard Daphne, Nolan finally deigned to look at me. “Daphne’s dream is about to come true. It has nothing to do with our grievances. Don’t you dare ruin it.” I was far beyond listening. “Ruin it? Hardly. I’ve already prepared something. I think the attendees will be very interested in seeing those masterpieces.” He slammed a document down in front of me. “If you want to keep your mother’s final resting place undisturbed, you’ll behave yourself. Sign the divorce papers and stay away from Daphne and me forever.” When my mother was buried, I was too overcome by grief to function. Nolan, as my then-fiancé, handled everything, including the selection and purchase of the plot. Given the land shortage, even final resting places had become commodities. If Nolan signed the paperwork, my mother’s eternal peace would be revoked. I hurled the cup of coffee I was holding right into his face. That night, I cried myself to sleep on my mother’s cold tombstone. The next morning, I went to the courthouse. The reality was different from what I’d imagined. Nolan only offered me the deed to his family’s dilapidated old apartment. “You reported the company’s tax issues, and a large portion of our funds is now frozen. This is all I can give you.” “If Daphne hadn’t pleaded for you, you wouldn’t get a penny.” I was no match for Nolan. Never had been. He was calm, serious, and achieved his goals through strategy and power. I was the one who rushed in without thinking, winning battles only to lose the war. I quieted down as he wished. I sold the apartment. But before I left for the South, I went to Daphne’s art exhibition. It was an impulsive decision. A massive digital billboard in the city center displayed her beautiful face. The exhibition was titled The Soul’s Latch. It was a phrase we used often in our letters during our teenage years—a naive hope, a pure wish for genuine friendship. Clinging to a final, masochistic sense of nostalgia, I fully disguised myself and stepped into the venue. I felt like a rat creeping into someone else’s happiness. Then I saw the painting titled The Soul’s Latch. It was two naked bodies. I had traced the small mole on the man’s shoulder blade a thousand times. The woman was clutching a crumpled pillow. The background was a bed covered in light lilac sheets. Outside the window, pink magnolias I’d personally chosen at the flower market were blooming, silent and beautiful. That was our house. It was also the place where Nolan and Daphne had first made love. The soul was hers, and Nolan was the latch. A violent, uncontrollable wave of nausea hit me. I vomited right there on the floor. The sound alerted the two of them, who were entertaining guests nearby. Daphne’s soft, velvety voice cut through the commotion. 6 “Are you alright, ma’am?” The heart-shaped brooch pinned to her chest was blinding, perfectly matching the key-shaped cufflink on Nolan’s sleeve. I went insane. I grabbed the brooch and scratched it violently across the massive canvas. SSSSCHLUCK! The sound of the canvas tearing echoed through the vast hall. Everyone gasped. The scene erupted in chaos. Security guards wrestled me to the ground. My face pressed against the cold marble, I looked up. Nolan was holding the crying Daphne, staring at me as if I were a sewer rat. “Call the police,” he said. I started laughing. A huge, maniacal laugh that shocked everyone, causing them to step back. Because the damages exceeded ten thousand dollars, I was sentenced to three years in prison, plus massive compensation for property and emotional damages. I made several attempts to end my life inside, but was miraculously saved each time. A year later, I was released early for good behavior, penniless, but radically changed. The car arrived at the restaurant. Daphne excused herself to refresh her makeup. Nolan stood beside me, his voice low and solemn. “I’m sorry.” “What we did was absolutely wrong. I’ll tell Daphne to watch her boundaries next time.” I raised an eyebrow. The old Nolan would never have bowed his head to me. Now, he was offering an immediate apology. I looked at him, confused. “Don’t bother. You’re married. I was just having a flashback to that time. It meant nothing.” A flash of genuine sadness crossed his eyes. I couldn’t decipher it, nor did I care to try. Fortunately, Daphne returned, acting as if the tense scene in the car had never happened. “We three used to love pooling our money for fancy steak. Let’s feast tonight!” Nolan quickly objected. “Cassidy only ate fancy steak for our sakes. Her stomach is too sensitive for anything too oily. How could you forget that?” “It’s fine. My stomach is much better now.” Years of dedicated recovery and a completely new lifestyle had brought my mind and body back to their best state. My phone suddenly rang. The name ‘Husband’ popped up on the screen. I answered. Lucian’s deep, clear voice was laced with a hint of playful complaint. “Wifey, taking Finn to that TV segment was more exhausting than ten days of work. I bet you’ll say I’ve lost weight when you get home.” In the background, my little boy’s voice squeaked a protest. “No way! Mama, Papa was talking to a pretty lady host, and they were laughing a lot!” “This little menace is digging a hole for his old man. That was the host, Cass!” I couldn’t help but smile at the noisy exchange. I looked up. The mall’s giant screen was playing Lucian’s handsome face, where he was formally giving an interview. Next to him, a perfectly adorable little boy with huge, round eyes watched the proceedings. I hung up after a couple more words and snapped a photo of the screen. When I looked down to send it, I realized that both Nolan and Daphne were frozen stiff. “Cassidy, you’re married?”

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Upon learning that the aloof senior I had a crush on was raising a zebra finch, I seized the opportunity to DM him. “Hey. Let me see your bird.” “Heard zebra finches are loud, is that true?” It took a long time for him to reply with a cold “Mm.” Just when I thought he didn’t like me and planned to give up, bullet screen comments (danmu) appeared before my eyes: [LMAO, the senior thought our girl wanted to see THAT bird. He finally convinced himself to take a mirror selfie, only to realize she meant the zebra finch. Sky falling moment.] [The senior is silent, only taking pictures of the bird. As for which bird, don’t worry about it for now.] 1 I had a crush on the campus heartthrob, Julian Thorne. But he was cold and unapproachable. I chased him relentlessly for over a year, outlasting wave after wave of competitors, and finally won! The title of “Simp King.” So what? My best friend Kenzie couldn’t stand it anymore and advised me: “If it really doesn’t work, let’s just switch to another handsome guy. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere!” That being said, Julian was truly handsome. Nearly 6’3″, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a face that was flawlessly crafted. His brow bone was high, making his eyes look exceptionally deep. Even when he stared at you emotionlessly, you could somehow read a hint of affection in them. The first time I saw him at a competition, I made up my mind to catch him. But a year and a half later, I started to waver. Maybe we were just not meant to be. But before giving up, I wanted to try one last time, unwillingly. Coincidentally, I heard someone gave Julian a zebra finch, so I used it as an excuse to DM him. [Hey. Let me see your bird.] [Heard zebra finches are loud, is that true?] I swear! If he doesn’t reply in one minute! I’ll stop chasing him! Forget it, three minutes. Five minutes is my bottom line. Actually, ten minutes is also— Buzz. My phone vibrated suddenly. Julian finally replied! There’s still hope for us! “Hehe.” I opened my phone with a silly smile, but froze when I saw the content. [Mm.] Yes. Just this one word. Haha. Turns out I’m the clown in the circus. Maybe it really, really is time to say goodbye. I sighed deeply, planning to block Julian and say goodbye to this simp era. Suddenly, a bunch of comments appeared in mid-air. [LMAO, the senior thought our girl wanted to see THAT bird. He finally convinced himself to take a mirror selfie, only to realize she meant the zebra finch. Sky falling moment.] [The senior is silent, only taking pictures of the bird. As for which bird, don’t worry about it for now.] [Our girl missed the pink one just like that, hehe…] … I was dumbfounded. What are these comments? Is this my final fantasy as a simp? But thanks to the comments’ reminder, I belatedly realized how roguish my message to Julian was. But… Julian really took a photo? Tsk. This is getting interesting, folks. Blocking is postponed. I’ll chase a little longer. So, the me who was sad a second ago, happily sent another message to Julian the next second. [Senior, hurry up and send me the bird~] I meant the zebra finch, okay. After a long silence, he sent a bunch of pictures of the zebra finch. From all angles. Except there was a very abrupt photo sandwiched in the middle. It was a man’s mirror selfie. Must be the one the comments mentioned. I turned to look at the pink curtains. Mm. Same color. Strong visual impact. I was completely stunned, but didn’t forget to take a screenshot immediately. We American women have fast hands! Sure enough, the photo was recalled by Julian the next second. The man who was just cold and only sent monosyllables panicked completely. [I sent it by mistake!] [I’m not a pervert!] [Student Mia Wells, you shouldn’t have seen it, right?] I answered honestly: [Sorry, not only did I see it, I saved it too~] Julian went silent. Comments: [The male lead seems to be still there, but actually has been gone for a while.] [Hahaha, laughing so hard the little prince chopped himself into a little princess.] [Sigh, forget it, male lead just give in. You can’t beat her! After all, you two are the main characters of this book, destined to reach the bang-bang-bang stage sooner or later.] [Can we fast forward to the heroine helping the male lead raise the zebra finch, only to find out the finch is the male lead’s avatar, and then pulling feathers in the North Pole?] … Only then did I know that Julian and I were the main characters in a sweet romance novel with a touch of fantasy. Of course, according to international conventions, this is a spicy romance. No need to elaborate on how developed the “traffic” is in there, right? I opened my photo album and watched the saved picture repeatedly. Thinking that I could actually eat a man of Julian’s caliber in the future, the corners of my mouth went up uncontrollably. After admiring, I sent a message to Julian, still wanting more. [Help! I’m known as the pure jade girl in our village, they even built a chastity arch for me. Now every time I open my phone I see this kind of picture, how can I face people in the future! You must marry me.] Honestly, I was just joking, but the man who was just quiet and overwhelmed replied instantly. [Okay.] Me: ? No way, bro, this progress is a bit fast, isn’t it? Comments: [This is different from my first read?] [Male Lead: Been waiting for you to say that.] [No way, I still want to see the plot where our girl doesn’t know the finch is the male lead’s avatar and keeps petting it until the male lead can’t handle it! Author, don’t change the script!] … I swear. I absolutely didn’t do it because I wanted to experience that plot! I did it for the sake of these readers posting comments. So I decided— [Sorry, I was joking.] Julian froze. After a long time, he sent one word. [Oh.] Great, back to being cold. But I’ve already thought of a way to handle him. [As for this photo, how about you treat me to dinner and we chat about its destination in detail?] Yes. I’m threatening Julian. The boy panicked again, as expected. [Okay, what do you want to eat? I’ll make a reservation.] I happily mentioned a BBQ place I’d wanted to try for a long time, missing a comment floating by: [The male lead has wanted to ask our girl out for a long time, finally got his wish.] 2 In the BBQ restaurant, the already aloof Julian became even more silent because of the accidental photo sending. And I, who was wild online, became a bit timid in person, not knowing what to say, only staring blankly at the small red mole at the base of Julian’s middle finger. Mm. His fingers are so long. Comments: [Mia, you’re still looking!!! Wait until the senior holds you, taps that small mole on his finger base and asks if you can eat up to here, then you’ll behave.] [Finger play, huh? Good, good, good, I like to watch!] [Hard to imagine our girl who is so full of memes online having social anxiety in front of her crush.] … Huh? This little red mole has this function?! Worthy of a spicy HE (Happy Ending) sweet romance novel. Making people all shy. I covered my hot face, forcing myself not to imagine that scene. Julian suddenly spoke: “Student Mia, can I trouble you to delete that photo?” His voice was nice, like a clear stream in the mountains, lingering in the ears, tingly and numb, taking away some of the heat. But I wouldn’t agree to him so easily. After all— “If I delete it, what will I watch when I entertain myself at night?” I swear, I originally intended to say this in my heart. But looking up at Julian’s waveless iceberg face, I got a burst of fire. Yes. In the lower abdomen. I wanted to make him blush so badly, and in my excitement, my mouth was faster than my brain. Julian froze, as if he didn’t understand what I meant, his narrow eyes staring straight at me. I didn’t dodge. After a while, pink crept up his ears. He unnaturally avoided my gaze, coughing lightly with one hand clenched into a fist against his lips. “Mia.” Julian called me softly, without the coldness on the phone. I raised my eyebrows, signaling him to speak. He pursed his lips before whispering four words. “That’s not good.” Comments: [You have such a cute male lead entering America.] [Still saying “that’s~ not~ good~”, actually blossoming with joy inside, what a poser.] [Hahaha, our girl is too bold, laughing so hard the little princess sprouted into a little prince!] … I blinked, suppressing the smile amused by the comments, and lowered my head pretending to be disappointed: “Oh… if you don’t like it, I won’t say it in the future…” “I don’t dislike it!” Julian hurriedly denied. Realizing what he said, he paused, put away his emotions, returned to his usual indifferent appearance, and inexplicably changed his words: “It’s fine if you think I don’t like it, as long as… you don’t say it again in the future.” Hearing the sudden loneliness and melancholy in his words, I scratched my head in confusion. Why did we suddenly switch to the “If Melancholy is a Talent” channel? Wasn’t I flirting with him? Fortunately, the comments answered my doubts. [The senior is insecure again, afraid our girl will treat him as a monster after knowing the zebra finch is his avatar, so he dares not respond to her love.] So that’s it. Tsk. Julian really overthought it. I don’t care at all. Especially after seeing that picture, I find it even more interesting. But I didn’t show it. After all, insecurity is the best cosmetic for a handsome guy! 3 I didn’t respond to Julian’s words, just pretended to be sad and kept eating BBQ with my head down. Julian stayed silent at first, but as time passed bit by bit, the atmosphere at the table became more and more oppressive. Finally, after I deliberately sniffled, he spoke. With careful probing. “Do you still want to see the zebra finch?” I looked up at him, my eyes teary because I deliberately hadn’t blinked for a long time: “Did you bring it?” “No, but I’ll be quite busy starting tomorrow and won’t have time to take care of it. Could I trouble you to come over and help me take care of it?” Julian said seriously. But the comments went crazy. [Excuse!!! Obviously he likes our girl too much but is insecure and afraid to approach, so he can only retreat to using the zebra finch avatar to make contact!] [The senior pretends to be busy to cover his lie, making room for our girl and the zebra finch, while he can only stay in the stairwell every day hahaha.] [The senior looks calm, but his hand under the table is shaking the whole time.] … I looked up. Julian was looking at me calmly, waiting for my answer. But if you looked closely, you could see the uncontrollable nervousness in his eyes. “I refuse—” The nervousness in the handsome guy’s eyes turned into sadness. “—Not.” Sadness turned into joy. Julian smiled subconsciously, revealing a very cute little canine tooth. A stark contrast to his usual aloof appearance. I was slightly stunned seeing it. He seemed to realize it too, restraining his smile, and said faintly: “Thank you.” 4 Back in the dorm after dinner, Kenzie leaned in with a gossip face. “How was it? Did you guys kiss?” Me: ? “Not that fast!” Kenzie pouted regretfully. Just as she was about to say something, another roommate, Sarah, spoke first: “Kiss? With whom? Not Julian Thorne, right?” She paused, looked me up and down mockingly, and said rudely: “Keep dreaming, you’re not worthy.” Sarah had also chased Julian, but gave up not long after because she couldn’t stand his coldness, choosing another boy in the same major instead. But she still held inexplicable hostility towards me, always interrupting when Kenzie and I chatted to belittle me. Luckily. Kenzie had strong combat power. “Damn, if you’re blind, go get treated, okay? Our Mia has the face and the body. Not worthy of that dead iceberg Julian? She’s worthy of him eight hundred times over and around the corner! Not worthy? She’s too good for him!” Actually, I wasn’t as good as Kenzie said. Even though I’m the heroine in this novel, the author, like many other creators of female-oriented novels, put a lot of effort into shaping the male lead Julian. I am ordinary, average, so I also felt inferior on the road to pursuing Julian. But whenever I felt inferior, Kenzie would encourage me without hesitation. Not encouraging me to continue chasing love, but encouraging me to be confident. “Everyone has their own shining points. Julian just has an advantage in looks. You have over twenty thousand fans with your drawings, you’re not bad either! Why feel inferior?”

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My family went bankrupt, so the “fake heiress,” Chloe, and I were sent to the wealthy Sterling brothers to pay off the debt. I ended up with the older brother, Julian. She ended up with the younger brother, Caleb. We were living the life of kept women. Even a quick trip for boba tea was enough time to complain about our sugar daddies’ endless energy at night. Later, Caleb’s “white moonlight” first love was returning to the States. Chloe asked, “Are you running?” Me: “I’m down for whatever. It’s up to you.” Chloe: “You go first or me?” Me: “Let’s go together.” As a result, we were caught red-handed that very night because we were too conspicuous. The older billionaire brother sneered, “He has a first love returning. I don’t. Why are you running?” 1 My family went bankrupt, and Chloe and I were sent to the powerful Sterling family in New York to pay off the debt. I was with Julian, the older brother. She was with Caleb, the younger brother. Life at the Sterling estate was pretty good. The brothers treated us surprisingly similarly. The monthly allowance was generous, but they barely looked at us. We were happy with the arrangement. Even a quick trip for boba tea was enough time to complain about our sugar daddies’ endless energy at night. But recently, Chloe seemed distracted during our venting sessions. I poked her arm. “What’s wrong? Did Caleb keep you up all night again?” She snapped back to reality and sighed. “Caleb’s ‘white moonlight’ is coming back.” I let out an “Ah.” I couldn’t really complain about this topic. Because on this point, the brothers were different. Julian had always been the ascetic type. Rumor had it that before me, there wasn’t even a female mosquito around him. Caleb was similar. But rumor had it there was always a first love he couldn’t forget. Chloe continued to sigh. “I think I should leave, to avoid running into her.” I took a sip of my milk tea. “Where to? I’ll go with you.” Chloe seemed to make up her mind suddenly. “I’m planning to run away. Are you in?” I didn’t hesitate. “If you run, I run.” Actually, Julian treated me pretty well. But sisters before misters. Who cares if he’s good or not? Chloe looked relieved. “So, you go first or me?” I thought about it. “Let’s go together.” Although Julian didn’t have a “white moonlight,” who knows if an arranged marriage partner would pop up someday? I should indeed plan ahead and take this opportunity to run away together. Chloe immediately agreed. “Okay! Let’s run together!” Next, she roughly outlined the escape plan: “I’ll be responsible for buying tickets and preparing supplies for the escape. You’re responsible for making the plan.” She paused. “If you slack off on the planning like before, don’t even think about coming with me!” Saying this, she clenched her fist, the threat obvious. I nodded frantically. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’ll do it tonight. I’ll make a PowerPoint and a text version!” After all, this wasn’t a normal trip. I had to be serious. Getting my assurance, Chloe nodded in satisfaction. 2 That night, back at the estate, we tacitly rejected our sugar daddies’ invitations for intimacy. She said she had a stomachache; I said I was dizzy. Watching the two men leave, I scrambled out of bed, opened my laptop, and started typing out the escape plan furiously. Halfway through, Julian came back with medicine, and I quickly jumped back into bed to play dead. He reached out and touched my forehead, murmuring, “Why are you sweating?” He tried to pull down the covers for me. I pulled them tighter, pretending to be cold. Julian checked my temperature again and found it had gone down a bit. Only then did he leave with relief. As soon as he closed the door, I took out the overheating laptop from under the covers. I was sweating buckets, but I didn’t care. I opened the laptop and continued writing. Throughout the night, Julian came to check on me every so often. As soon as he entered, I closed the laptop and pretended to sleep. Repeating this until dawn, I finally finished. I hit save, tossed the laptop aside, and fell into a deep sleep. 3 When I woke up again, Chloe was sitting by my bed. She looked even more haggard than me. Seeing me awake, she immediately reached out for the escape plan. I opened the laptop to show her. And asked, “Why do you look so bad?” Chloe scrolled through the screen and sighed faintly. “That idiot Caleb saw through my act, so he dragged me to do that all night.” Saying this, her suppressed anger flared up again. “Damn it, if I don’t run, I’ll die sooner or later.” I was drowsy. She finally finished reading and sent the plan to her own laptop. I yawned and asked, “Are you ready on your end? When do we run?” Chloe’s eyes were cold. “I heard that ‘white moonlight’ is coming back in three days. The Sterling brothers will both attend the welcome party.” “Running away that night is perfect.” I nodded. “Okay, whatever you say.” Whatever she said went. Chloe returned the laptop to me. “We’ll finalize the remaining details when they’re not around. I’m going back to sleep.” As soon as she closed the door, I covered myself with the quilt and continued sleeping. I slept until Julian came back. He took off his watch and touched my forehead again. “How are you today? The maid said you slept all day.” His hand was a bit cold, and I flinched. “I’m better.” With Chloe’s lesson in mind, I was afraid he would see through my act. Julian started unbuttoning his shirt. “Then sleep early.” I had PTSD from his unbuttoning action. I was so scared I stuttered, “Um, actually I’m not fully recovered yet. Let’s just sleep properly.” Julian reacted for two seconds, raising an eyebrow. “If we don’t sleep properly, what else are you planning to do?” What else could we do? He knew perfectly well. I blushed and covered my head with the quilt again. “Nothing, just sleep, sleep.” Julian didn’t say anything more. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, falling asleep quickly. Having slept all day, I stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. My mind was full of the escape plan and where it needed improvement. Staring until dawn, I finally felt sleepy. I could only hear Julian getting up; my eyes wouldn’t open at all. I don’t know how long passed, but he leaned over and kissed my forehead, and then there was no movement in the room. To lower the brothers’ vigilance, Chloe and I canceled our afternoon tea vent sessions. We stayed in our rooms every day to perfect the plan. Finally, the day the “white moonlight” returned arrived. 4 Early in the morning, Chloe picked a fight with Caleb over some excuse. Then she locked herself in her room, refusing to open the door even when I called. Caleb was convinced she was throwing a tantrum and stormed out in anger. My gaze fell on Julian, who was leisurely drinking tea on the sofa, and I was secretly anxious. Didn’t he say he was going to the welcome party? Why wasn’t he leaving yet? If he didn’t leave, we would miss our flight. I was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Finally, Julian stood up. I was delighted and prepared to tell him to be careful on the road. Unexpectedly, Julian glanced at me and frowned. “Why haven’t you changed yet?” I froze. “Huh?” He looked at his watch. “Aren’t you going to the welcome party tonight?” Of course not! Feeling his gaze, I had a flash of inspiration and squeezed out two tears. “I’m feeling a bit unwell again today, so I won’t go.” I thought saying this would be enough. But Julian paused putting on his jacket. “Then change your clothes. I’ll take you to the hospital.” I was so anxious I almost caught fire. I waved my hands repeatedly. “No, no, no, I don’t need to go to the hospital. Just sleeping a bit will do.” Julian’s tone brooked no refusal. “No, you’ve been feeling bad for so many days. You must get checked.” I shook my head. “The welcome party is important. You go ahead, we can go to the hospital when you come back.” By the time he came back, Chloe and I would have successfully escaped. Julian didn’t buy it at all. “It’s just an irrelevant person. Go get checked first. Be good.” Seeing that he was really going to drag me out, I quickly grabbed the sofa armrest. “Actually… actually I lied to you. I’m not sick.” Julian clearly didn’t believe it. He loosened his grip a little but looked displeased. “No matter what you say, you must go for a checkup today.” I broke out in a cold sweat. Thinking for a moment, I grabbed his sleeve. “I really am not sick. I just want to stay home with Chloe. She’s very sad today, and I’m worried about her.” Julian looked at me suspiciously. I continued, “You know, she’s one of the most important people to me in this world. I don’t want to leave her alone.” Julian probably remembered the romantic entanglement between the “white moonlight” and Caleb. He let go of my hand and nodded. “Alright then, keep her company.” I was overjoyed. I threw myself at him and kissed his lips. “You’re so good. Drink less tonight. Bye!” Julian held my waist and looked down. “She’s one of the most important people. Who are the others?” Actually, there were no others. Chloe was the closest person to me. But I didn’t mind coaxing him to make him relax his vigilance. “Of course, it’s you! Just the two of you, no one else.” The corners of Julian’s mouth turned up. “Smooth talker.” He lowered his head and kissed me. My legs went so weak I could barely stand. Afraid he would lose control, I quickly pushed him. “You’re going to be late. Go quickly.” Only then did Julian let me go. “Don’t sleep tonight.” To send him away, I dared to agree to anything. Watching his car disappear from the courtyard, I breathed a sigh of relief. Taking steps two at a time, I went upstairs to find Chloe. 5 Just as I knocked on the door, Chloe quickly opened it a crack and pulled me inside. I looked at the four huge suitcases in front of me and fell into contemplation. “You… are running away with this?” With such cumbersome luggage, we’d be caught as thieves before even leaving the Sterling house, right? Chloe clapped her hands, not thinking anything was wrong. “Yeah. Taking these things saves us money later.” “Once we’re out, we can’t use their cards. We have to save where we can, right?” I was silent. “…” Whatever, as long as she was happy. We dragged the suitcases downstairs while the servants were eating dinner. But because the boxes were too heavy, they made quite a bit of noise. I had a flash of inspiration and pretended to be angry. “Buying all this junk every day! I’m going to throw it out for you!” Meeting my eyes, Chloe instantly understood what I meant. She dragged the suitcase and walked quickly towards the outside. “Don’t act like the lady of the house with me!” “Fine! Throw it!” “I’ll help you throw it!” The servants stared dumbfounded at our sisterly feud, unable to react for a long time. Seizing the opportunity, I also walked outside. “Fine, I’ll throw it all away for you!” We pretended to argue all the way out of the villa. I put the two suitcases in my hand next to the trash can and pulled Chloe into the car we had booked in advance. Chloe looked back every three steps. “Wait, my stuff!” I yanked her. “What stuff! Leaving it there makes them believe we were really fighting!” Only in this way could we buy time to escape. Otherwise, they would see through it before we even left the villa area. Chloe adjusted instantly. “Right! Trash should be thrown away with trash men!” We didn’t dare delay at all. Once inside the airport, we dug out clothes from the suitcases and changed. While changing, I urged her, “Hurry up! Before they come back from the party, we have to transfer a few times!” Chloe in the stall didn’t respond for a long time. I thought she was waiting for me outside, so I tidied my clothes and walked out. But as soon as I left the restroom, I saw Julian standing not far away, his expression cold. My brain crashed on the spot. Before Julian came over, I put on my hoodie hood and tried to slip away with my head down. Just a few steps along the wall, someone grabbed my hood. I shivered and buried my head lower. Wait, how did he catch up so fast? Shouldn’t he still be drinking at the party right now? I looked down. Julian reached out and pinched my chin, forcing me to look up. He spoke with a half-smile, “Faking illness, acting coquettish, refusing to go out with me… was this your plan all along?” I dared not answer, nor look at him. Determined to play dead. Julian took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly. “Tell me, why run?” “What made you unhappy?” I whispered, “I don’t know.” Running with my sister, did I need a reason? Julian repeated, “Don’t know?” I felt guilty. “She ran, so I ran…” Anyway, I couldn’t leave Chloe. Julian laughed in anger. “She ran because my brother has a ‘white moonlight.’ I don’t. Why are you running with her?” I didn’t dare make a sound. Julian’s tone grew heavier. “Speak!” I shivered, about to cry. “I can’t betray my sister. She’s running, what would I stay for?” Julian didn’t expect this answer. He was so angry his breathing became heavy. After a long time, he adjusted his mood. “Go home.” I spoke cautiously, “Can I have my phone back first?” Since coming out of the restroom, I hadn’t seen Chloe. Nor Caleb. So she should still have a chance to escape. I wanted to text her, remind her to change her route. Julian glanced at me. “Want to tip her off?” I shook my head decisively. “No! I just want to check the time.” Julian extended his wrist in front of me, letting me look at his watch. “Look.” I choked on old blood. I grabbed his hand and put it down. “Just let me use the phone for a second, please.” Julian wrapped his arm around my waist, his tone cold. “No need. She was caught too.” He paused, staring at me with a sneer. “Her fate tonight shouldn’t be better than yours.” I panicked instantly. “What are you going to do?” “It’s clearly your brother being ambiguous with someone else. What’s wrong with Chloe running?” “Neither of you brothers is any good!” The more I spoke, the more agitated I got, watching Julian’s face darken. But since things had come to this, I might as well let my mouth be happy before I die. I was full of imposing manner. “What are you staring at? Let us go if you have the guts!” Julian tightened his grip, leaning close to my ear. He sneered in a voice only we could hear, “I don’t have the guts to let you go. But I have the guts to kill you in bed tonight.” My face instantly turned pale. Trembling, I said, “I withdraw. I didn’t say anything.” I got too carried away just now and forgot Julian wasn’t a good person either! Julian’s expression didn’t change. “Too late.” 6 Tormented by Julian all night, I woke up with a voice so hoarse I couldn’t speak. Supporting myself on the wall with trembling legs, I walked shakily to Chloe’s room. She looked bad, her eyes swollen. I took out the bank cards hidden in the lining of my pajamas. “These were all given to me by Julian. Transfer them to your account. You run first this time, don’t worry about me.” Last night I tentatively asked Julian why he found us so quickly. He said it was because two people together were too conspicuous. Plus, two inseparable people suddenly quarreling and dragging suitcases away from home was even more conspicuous. Almost the moment the servants called to report, he figured out why. Thinking about how I lied to him yesterday made him even angrier. I shook my head, shaking out the useless thoughts. I looked at Chloe seriously. “You run yours. When you settle down, I’ll find a way to meet you.” Originally I ran away just because I didn’t want to be separated from Chloe. So if she ran, I ran. But after last night, I made up my mind completely. I can’t stay by Julian’s side for long! Chloe’s eyes reddened. She shook her head. “Can’t run. Caleb took all my documents.” I hurriedly pulled tissues to wipe her tears and asked what happened. Chloe sniffled. “He said I had no right to be jealous of a ‘white moonlight’ and could only stay by his side for the rest of my life.” I clenched my fists. Damn scumbag. Thinking for a moment, I looked into Chloe’s eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll get the documents for you.” Chloe couldn’t hold it back anymore, hugged me and cried loudly. I sighed and patted her back.

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The day I personally secured my parents a spot on the billionaire list was the day I found out I wasn’t their biological son. “Rhodes, you’re moving out tomorrow. Before you go, make sure you finalize the repayment for all the upkeep expenses.” That was Victor. “Undergraduates can barely find jobs now, but out of the kindness of our hearts, we’ll let you stay on as a janitor at the office.” That was Lydia. I simply smiled, declining their pitiful offer, and prepared to go home, pack my things, and clear out. I thought their calculated coldness had reached its limit. But when I saw the two large suitcases and a cardboard box—already packed and sitting on the curb—at the front of the house, I couldn’t help but be stunned by their efficiency. After fishing my laptop out of the box, I instinctively typed in the top-tier administrative password I’d used for five years. Idiots. Without me, how do you plan to hold onto any of this? 1 I walked calmly through the throng of people, exiting the gilded, echoing doors of the stock exchange. I hailed a random cab and gave the driver the address of the sprawling house I’d lived in for over two decades. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, probably recognizing me; the bell-ringing ceremony had been live-streamed across every business channel. He said nothing, simply muting the financial news playing on the radio. I leaned against the window, watching the blur of neon lights slide past. My phone was vibrating constantly. I didn’t need to look to know it was the media, scrambling for a first-hand scoop. I just turned it off. The car stopped at the gate of the estate. From a distance, I could already see them: two large suitcases and a cardboard box, standing alone on the cold pavement outside the wrought-iron gate. I let out a soft, cold laugh. They certainly were efficient, desperate to ensure I didn’t waste one extra second inside. I dragged the luggage to the front door and, out of habit, placed my finger on the scanner of the biometric lock. “Access Denied. Please contact the administrator.” The electronic voice was ice-cold. The mockery in my eyes deepened. This entire security system, hardware and software, had been personally designed and deployed by me. The so-called administrator’s top-tier access had, until a few hours ago, been mine. I’d been locked out by my own creation. Perhaps it was better this way. It saved me the energy of going inside to perform the charade of fatherly affection, maternal concern, or brotherly love. I sat down on the stoop and opened my laptop. I swiftly logged into the internal server backend. I was curious to see just how thoroughly they had stolen my things. I typed in the top-tier account and password I’d used for five years. But instead of the familiar admin interface, a blazing red window popped up: User Not Found. They had truly cut all ties. I was contemplating my next move when the phone I’d just turned off suddenly lit up in my pocket. It was the one number I thought I would never see again. 2 The encrypted call request flashed for less than three seconds before it disconnected. It felt like a phantom limb, a brief hallucination. The screen went dark, returning to the pre-power-off black. I tried to turn it back on, but the phone was dead. I gave a wry chuckle. My immediate priority was finding a place to sleep. I flagged down a cab and headed to a moderately respectable budget hotel nearby. “A room, please.” I slid my driver’s license across the counter. “That’ll be three hundred sixty-eight for the room, plus a five hundred dollar deposit. How would you like to pay?” “Card,” I said, handing over the corporate bank card I’d used for years. It was a secondary card Victor Kingston had arranged, where all my salary and project bonuses were deposited. But when the front desk clerk inserted the card into the POS machine, an insistent, high-pitched alarm sounded. “Beep! Beep! Beep!” The young woman looked confused, tried again, and got the same result. She looked at me apologetically. “Sir, I’m sorry, there seems to be an issue with this card. It won’t process.” My heart sank. “Try this one.” I pulled out my personal savings account debit card. I’d opened it in college, and it held the modest savings from various scholarships and side projects—not a fortune, but certainly enough for a few nights in a hotel. The result was the same. “This one too…” Her voice was barely a whisper. I asked the clerk to at least plug in my dead phone for a few minutes. When it finally powered back up, an urgent text message from the bank immediately popped onto the screen. “Dear Mr. Rhodes Montgomery, pursuant to an application filed by Mr. Victor Kingston, all bank accounts registered under your name have been placed under a freeze pending review of ‘Maintenance Fee Reimbursement,’ totaling $XXX,XXX.XX…” I actually laughed out loud. Victor Kingston, you magnificent bastard. You should have been a Chief Financial Officer. So, a hotel was out of the question. I dragged my luggage back out onto the street. The night wind cut through my suit, slightly chilling. I opened my phone and found the number for Wesley. He was my chief programmer, the one I’d personally mentored, who always called me “Rhodes, boss” with an almost worshipful respect. I dialed. It rang for a long time. “Hello? Wesley, it’s me.” The other end was silent, save for a faint, shallow breathing sound. “I need you to help me retrieve the original development logs for the ‘Aether’ system…” “I’m sorry, you have the wrong number.” He cut me off, and the line went dead. Disbelieving, I called the number of another core team member. Number not in service. The partners who had once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me—sharing cup noodles through all-night coding sessions and the pure triumph of solving an impossible problem—were either hanging up, turning off their phones, or had become ghosts. This was the complete severance. A cold, calculated move to starve me into submission. I stood at the crosswalk, watching the traffic rush past, feeling a sense of bewilderment for the first time. My money was gone. My home was gone. Even my comrades had been turned into enemies. He was truly trying to destroy me. 3 I dragged the two suitcases across the midnight streets for so long that my legs went numb. Finally, I stopped at the entrance of a dark alleyway, where a cheap, flickering sign advertised an hourly rate. Scribbled crookedly on the wall in red spray paint were the words: ROOM FOR RENT, $300/MONTH. Fine. This will do. The landlady was a woman with a cigarette dangling from her lip, who eyed my expensive suit, then my two obviously high-end suitcases, with suspicious curiosity. She finally tossed me a greasy key. First month’s rent and a deposit, cash only, no questions asked. I emptied my wallet of the last few crumpled bills and traded them for a ten-by-ten-foot space. It contained a narrow cot, a chipped wooden desk, and a buzzing light bulb that flashed sporadically. The walls were covered in the stains of the previous tenant, and the air was thick with the mixed scent of damp mildew and cheap perfume. I lay down on the hard mattress in my clothes, staring up at the stubbornly flickering bulb. I didn’t sleep a wink. The next morning, I was woken by a sudden uproar. Footsteps were shuffling loudly in the hallway, mixed with a woman’s sharp cry and a man’s harsh voice. I ignored it, until there was a sharp, insistent knocking on my door. “Ratt-a-tat-tat!” The knock was impatient, almost confident. I assumed it was the landlady, and got up to open it. When I pulled the door open, I froze. It was Preston. He was wearing a perfectly tailored bespoke suit, looking like a prince who had wandered into the wrong side of the tracks. And trailing behind him were several reporters, cameras hoisted on their shoulders, the lenses pointed directly at me. The flashbulbs began popping—click-click-click—stabbing my eyes with painful light. “Rhodes, my brother,” Preston’s eyes immediately welled up with performative tears. “How could you be living in a place like this? Don’t you know Mom and Dad and I have been worried sick about you?” He started to reach for my hand, but I sidestepped, avoiding his touch. He didn’t miss a beat. He pulled out a thick, white envelope and, for the benefit of the cameras, attempted to press it into my hand. “Brother, I know you’re struggling right now. This is from Mom and Dad. Take it, find a better place to stay—don’t punish yourself.” His voice cracked with what sounded like genuine concern. “Just apologize to them, admit your mistakes, and the door to our home will always be open for you.” I looked at him, and the situation was so ludicrous that I nearly smiled. “Preston,” I said, my voice rough from a night without water, “do you honestly believe everyone is as stupid as you are?” The performance on his face fractured. The tears in his eyes nearly spilled. “Brother, how can you say that… I’m only trying to help…” “Cut the act,” I interrupted him. “Did you bring the media here to check on me, or to make sure my death is sufficiently ugly? Is your ‘boy genius’ narrative crumbling so fast that you need to use my corpse as a stepping stone to climb higher?” Preston’s face went completely white. He hadn’t expected me, reduced to this state, to still have the nerve to speak to him like this. He took a deep breath, dropping the innocent-victim routine. He stepped closer, leaning in to deliver his words in a low voice only I could hear. “Rhodes Montgomery, wise men know when to yield. You have nothing left. How do you expect to fight me? I promise you, one word from me, and you won’t even be able to stay in this hole.” He paused, a cruel satisfaction curling his lips. “Settle down and be a non-entity. Admit that everything was mine, and maybe I’ll be merciful enough to get you a job scrubbing toilets. Otherwise, enjoy starving on the street.” He pulled back, instantly restoring his kind, innocent expression, and sighed theatrically for the cameras. “Brother, think carefully about this.” With that, he and the entire media circus noisily retreated. I closed the door, listening to the murmurs and footsteps fade away. Starve on the street? Scrubbing toilets? I walked to the room’s single, dusty mirror. My hair was a mess, my eyes bloodshot, and I looked like a dishevelled wreck. But the light in those eyes, even in the dim reflection, was terrifyingly bright. 4 My world didn’t quiet down after Preston left. The landlady in the hallway, the corner store owner—they all gave me an extra look before leaning in to whisper to their companions. I didn’t need to check the internet to know the latest narrative was already blowing up. I locked myself in the ten-by-ten room and opened the laptop. On the screen, an unfamiliar encrypted communication request popped up. The interface was retro, a program Sawyer Brooks and I had written in college for fun. Only we had the encryption key. We hadn’t used it since graduation. I accepted, and a line of text appeared, written in her familiar, sharp tone. “Well, well, well, Rhodes Montgomery, America’s Most Wanted. How’s the international news treating you?” I could almost see Sawyer’s eyes curving into that mischievous, knowing smile of hers. She was the certified genius of our graduating class, the only one who could go toe-to-toe with me technically. After graduation, she went to Wall Street, and I came back here. We had drifted apart. I wasn’t in the mood for banter. I quickly typed: “Just spit it out.” “Alright, direct. I like that,” she instantly replied. “I did a free due diligence sweep on Kinetic Group, consider it a friend’s discount. Found something interesting. Your technical reports and your financial data don’t align. Especially the recent core patents. Beautiful theoretical models, but the underlying architecture… Tsk tsk. Full of holes. It can’t possibly support that valuation.” My heart plummeted. Sawyer continued: “Then I saw your news. My guess is the real engineering god is hiding in a glorified broom closet right now, contemplating the meaning of life, right?” I remained silent. She knew everything. “Send me your account number,” her next message flashed. “Any problem money can fix is not a problem. If it can’t be fixed, you haven’t spent enough.” I managed a tight-lipped reply: “All my cards are frozen. And I don’t even have a workstation. Money is useless to me right now.” They hadn’t just stolen my work; they had severed every possible avenue for me to fight back. No power, no server access, no tools. I had the knowledge of how to slay a dragon, but not even a rusty butter knife. Sawyer was silent for a few seconds. Then, a message flashed that sent a jolt through my entire body. “Who says you don’t have a weapon? Did you forget? The empire you built with your own two hands—your throne is still waiting.” My mind went blank. The throne? “Rhodes, are you losing it? The ‘Aether’ System’s Creator Backdoor—you forgot?” I felt all the blood rush to my head. My fingertips went instantly numb. How could I forget? To prevent commercial espionage and external hacking, when I designed the fundamental logic of the Aether System, I left myself one single, top-level access point, completely independent of all administrative systems. The activation key for that backdoor was a super-long randomized string tied to my personal biometric data. In the entire world, I was the only one who knew it. Victor and Preston, they thought they had won by taking my admin account and revoking my access. They thought they had the key to my house. They didn’t know that I was the architect of the entire building. And I could, at any moment, pull the foundation out from under the whole damned thing.

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The deal was simple. Cruel, but simple: My wife, Alisa, was a Traveler—a soul thrown into this world—and the only way for her to permanently stay was to successfully complete her mission: conquer the second Male Lead. But somewhere along the way of her mission, she fell in love with me, the actual Male Lead. She was caught between her survival, tied to the world’s directive, and the genuine affection she’d developed for me. A difficult choice, I thought at the time. Then I flew overseas to finalize a massive acquisition, only to be ambushed and snatched by an international criminal cartel. For three agonizing hours, I endured tortures that felt less like an interrogation and more like a depraved inventory—every piece of equipment they owned was tested against my body. In a momentary lapse of their attention, drowning in a pain that rendered me delirious, I managed to dial her number, a desperate plea for rescue. The line connected, but it wasn’t Alisa’s voice that answered. It was static, followed by her unconsciously picking up the call, allowing me to listen to her conversation with her secretary. “Ms. Sebastian, are you sure about this? Ordering the cartel to… put Mr. Hawthorne through that? It’s extreme.” Alisa’s voice was frighteningly devoid of emotion. “He won’t die. He can’t.” Once the secretary left, I heard her whisper to herself. “Noel is the Male Lead. He has the shield of the main character. He can’t die.” “This ordeal is the key—it breaks his narrative power, shifts him into Tristan’s role, the Male Lead 2. Once he becomes Tristan, the mission ends, and I get to stay and have him. It’s the only way to have both.” The words were a bucket of ice water, washing away the pain and replacing it with a bone-deep chill of understanding. The marriage, the love, the devotion—it was all a tactical play. When the thugs eventually dragged me, a broken, shivering mess, back to the torture rack, I offered no resistance. … The long, surgical needle pressed deep beneath my nail beds, but I barely reacted. I was numb. Not just from the pain, but from the utter emotional obliteration. “Damn, this guy’s tough as nails,” one of the thugs grumbled. “I’ve lost count of how many implements we’ve used. Not a single sound out of him.” The cartel leader frowned. “The employer said he must be brought to the brink of death. Repeat the last sequence!” After another relentless sequence of agony, the concrete floor was slick with my blood. Even the men administering the punishment looked uneasy. The leader, visibly unnerved, took a call. It was Alisa. “Ms. Sebastian, we’ve put this man through hell twice now. If we continue, he won’t make it,” he cautioned. Alisa instantly cut him off. “You have to keep going for three full hours! The torture cannot stop! And every man must take a turn on his… on his person. Ten cuts total, ten segments—not one segment less!” The leader glanced at my bloodied, unrecognizable form, a flicker of something that looked like pity in his eyes. “But, Ms. Sebastian…” “No buts. You took the money. Do the job. I promise you, he won’t die! How many cuts so far?” A raw, involuntary scream tore from my throat as a new wave of fire ripped through my body. “Ah!” Hearing my cry, she stopped the cartel leader from answering. “Enough,” she said, her voice catching with what I now knew was a performance of distress. “I can’t bear to hear his screams anymore. I’m… heartbroken.” Alisa inhaled deeply, her voice trembling slightly. “Do as we planned. Inject the virus into him last, then you can scatter.” Then, as if she couldn’t stand another second of hearing the echoes of my torment, she hung up abruptly. I knew exactly what “virus” she was referring to. I had traveled here a month ago for the deal. Before it was finalized, a lethal, rapidly spreading virus had caused the country to lock down. Alisa had shown up shortly after the outbreak began. I had been foolishly moved, believing she risked her life to be by my side. Now, I realized she had arrived early only to orchestrate this entire nightmare. The leader sighed, waving his hand for the men to continue. The next hour was a blur of suffering I can’t recall clearly, a period where my body ceased to feel like my own. When they finally lifted me off the rack, there wasn’t an inch of undamaged skin left, and I couldn’t even stand. The leader stepped forward, gripping my hair, and administered an injection into my neck. I was past feeling the prick of the needle, but I knew what he was doing. When the room finally fell silent, I opened my eyes. With the last ounce of strength, I focused on my left hand and forced the wedding band from my ring finger. I stared at the plain, platinum band. So many memories flashed through my mind. Our marriage was initially a strategic merger between the Hawthorne and Sebastian families. I was open to it, but Alisa fought it fiercely—after all, she was supposed to be conquering Tristan Bellweather. I had met with her, intending to break the engagement amicably. To my surprise, the moment she saw me, she reversed course. She insisted on marrying me. “I’m not impulsive, Noel,” she had said, her eyes wide and sincere. “I fell in love with you at first sight!” I had reservations about “love at first sight,” but she was so resolute, so beautiful, that I eventually agreed. It didn’t seem to matter who I was merged with. In the ensuing months, Alisa had proven her devotion in countless small ways, gradually melting the ice around my heart. She had placed this ring on my hand on our wedding day. She had told me it was a simple band because she’d made it herself, even sourcing the raw materials from a remote mine. Her sincerity had touched me deeply, and I had worn it ever since. Now, looking at it, I felt nothing but an absurd, choking mockery. This was Alisa Sebastian’s love. Ignoring the excruciating pain, I swung my arm. The ring, once a symbol of my devotion, arced through the dim light, struck the wall with a sharp, pathetic clink, and settled silently in the dust. I lay there, feeling the terrifying, subtle changes beginning inside me. The virus had begun its work. It was fast-acting, lethal, and started with crippling weakness and dizziness. It wasn’t instantly fatal, but that was if the body was intact and healthy. After three hours of unrelenting torment, my immune system was nonexistent. Injecting this now was a death sentence. The initial symptoms hit me like a sledgehammer. Within thirty minutes, I felt trapped between freezing cold and searing heat, my body racked by spasms. Without the counter-agent—the specific anti-viral vaccine—I had less than forty-eight hours to live. I had assumed the cartel wanted a ransom, given I was the CEO of the Hawthorne Group, worth billions. Instead, this entire horror show was orchestrated by my wife to turn me into Tristan Bellweather’s plot device. Tristan had been a constant shadow in our lives since the start of our marriage. I hated the man for his thinly veiled challenges, and the worst part was Alisa’s consistent defense of him. “Noel, you know I only interact with Tristan because of the World Will’s instructions. It’s the only way for me to stay here, for us to have a future. Please, just be patient with me.” “He’s only a friend, I swear. I love you, truly. Trust me, when this is over, I will make it up to you.” She had confessed everything about the Traveler premise on our wedding night. It was a fantastical, almost unbelievable story, but I loved her, so I chose to believe. For her, I had tolerated every provocation from Tristan. Alisa would always return with gifts and apologies, her eyes brimming with what I believed was genuine distress, begging for more patience. And I always forgave her. For our future. But this. This went too far. She had orchestrated my death. In that instant, the heart-wounding betrayal surpassed the physical agony. As my consciousness began to drift, I heard the rapid, panicked sounds of footsteps, followed by Alisa’s voice—a perfect blend of forced panic and manufactured distress. “Noel, stay with me! I’m getting you to the hospital now. You’re going to be fine!” She immediately directed her men to gently lift me onto a waiting gurney. Even with their careful movements, the raw pain was an oceanic wave, overwhelming everything. Seeing the grimace on my face, Alisa’s eyes welled up. She reached for my hand, then hesitated, unable to find an untouched spot to grasp. Suddenly, her gaze snagged on my bare finger. The lack of the ring made her body stiffen almost imperceptibly. She clearly wanted to ask about it, but seeing my condition, she swallowed the question. In this state, who would care about a piece of jewelry? She pushed down a flash of annoyance and leaned closer. “Just a little longer, Noel. We’re almost at the hospital!” Before, her concerned tone would have made me feel safe and cherished. Now, it made me sick. The pain in my body was a constant, searing reminder of the person responsible for it. Every ounce of love I had felt for Alisa curdled into a corrosive hatred. I clenched my fists, reopening the wounds on my hands, the sharp, distracting pain the only thing keeping the rising bile of hatred from consuming me completely. Alisa sat beside the gurney in the ambulance, her face etched with anxiety and pity. Looking at her tear-filled, concerned features, I found her utterly repulsive. If I didn’t know the entire sequence was her own macabre play, I might have believed she was heartbroken. My gaze hardened. My voice was cold, razor-sharp. “You had my GPS tracker. Why are you only showing up now?” The warehouse where I was held was only two blocks from the hotel. I had a subcutaneous tracker linked directly to her phone. She would have known my exact location the moment she checked. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Of course. She wasn’t nearby waiting for the timer to run out—she was waiting until the coast was clear. Hearing the caustic sound, Alisa flinched, assuming my bitterness was only about her delay. She looked contrite, tears spilling over. “I am so sorry, darling. It’s my fault. My phone broke while I was searching for you.” She reached for my face. “But I promise, you’ll have the best care. I’ll make sure you recover completely.” “And those savages who hurt you? They won’t get away with this!” I couldn’t stomach her hypocritical show any longer. I closed my eyes, seeking darkness to shut out her face. The ambulance sped to the nearest hospital. When the surgical team saw the state I was in—a body covered in blood—they gasped. They had never seen such extensive trauma. Inside the operating room, the doctors were visibly shaken. All my fingernails had been pulled out. My body was a roadmap of knife wounds, stab marks, burns, and needle punctures. It was a level of systematic cruelty that defied comprehension. Most people would have succumbed to despair after the first hour, yet somehow, I had survived. Just barely. Some of the nurses, overcome with emotion, wept silently, whispering curses against the inhuman kidnappers. Alisa waited outside. When the surgeon emerged, she rushed forward. The doctor removed his mask, sighing heavily. “It’s dire, Ms. Sebastian. The worst case I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, he maintained consciousness and possessed an unbelievable will to live. That’s why he’s alive now.” Relief washed over Alisa’s face. Then, the doctor’s expression turned grim as he described the extent of the physical damage. “The brutality of the perpetrators… Mr. Hawthorne… he is no longer whole. The injuries to his groin area were inflicted with such deliberate cruelty—ten distinct, severed segments. The damage is irreversible and beyond any current surgical repair…” Alisa’s face drained of color. She stumbled backward, hitting the wall. “Stop!” she cried out, cutting off the doctor’s sentence. She slid down the wall until she was on the floor, tears streaming down her face as she murmured, “Don’t say it… please don’t say it…” The doctor, believing her distress was due to her husband’s horrific suffering, decided to withhold the last piece of crucial information: the viral infection and the need for immediate vaccination. He figured he would simply have the nurse administer it shortly. When the anesthetic wore off, I woke up to Alisa’s concerned face hovering over me. A powerful wave of pure disgust and loathing surged through me, so intense it made my stomach churn. Unaware of my internal collapse, Alisa brightened, pressing the call button and immediately asking if I was in pain. Her fake concern felt like a physical violation. When the doctor arrived and finished his check-up, he turned to Alisa. “He’s stable, but we need to address the viral infection immediately. I’ll have the nurse come in with the vaccine.” At the mention of the virus, a flicker of panic crossed Alisa’s eyes, quickly followed by a strange, frantic motion as she ushered the doctor out. She returned to my bedside, whispering, “Don’t worry, once you get the shot, the virus will be harmless…” Just then, the door swung open, and a voice I equally despised chimed in. “Alisa, how is Noel holding up?” Tristan Bellweather walked in, an expression of studied worry on his face. But I saw the thinly veiled triumph dancing in his eyes. Alisa shook her head, unable to speak, then looked at the hypodermic needle in his hand, assuming it was the antiviral. Knowing Tristan had a medical background, she didn’t question it and quickly gave up her spot. “Why are you delivering it? Never mind. Give Noel the shot now, then I’ll arrange a flight for you back home.” Tristan frowned. “What about you?” Alisa gave me a look of staunch devotion. “I’m staying here until Noel is completely recovered.” I couldn’t stand her nauseating performance and turned my head away. Tristan sighed dramatically. “Alisa, I know how devoted you are, but you forgot about the mess waiting for us back home.” She met his gaze and remembered. Her sudden departure to execute this plan meant the Hawthorne Group’s board was already questioning her authority. She rubbed her temples wearily. “Fine. I’ll go back with you.” I laughed internally. Of course. Everything—the board, the company, the mission—was more important than me, her husband, who was fighting for his life. Alisa gave Tristan a few quick instructions, then left to contact the airport. The moment she was gone, Tristan slid onto the edge of my bed, intentionally pressing down on my wounded leg. I frowned, pulling my hand away. I refused to look at him. Tristan scoffed, his voice dripping with schadenfreude. “I never thought the great Noel Hawthorne would fall this far.” “How does it feel? To be crushed into the dirt?” I turned my head and met his gaze, my voice strained. “Even like this, she still hasn’t divorced me.” Tristan’s triumphant smile evaporated. He glanced at the syringe he had placed on the side table, then the grin returned, crueler than before. He picked up the needle. “Do you know what this is? This is a high-dose sedative. Enough to keep you asleep for at least twenty-four hours.” “Alisa told me to bring it. She needs that time to swoop in, steal the multi-billion-dollar medical contract you’ve been working on, and hand it straight to me.” My eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about!” Our companies were fierce, equally matched rivals in the medical equipment sector. This contract would solidify the Hawthorne Group as the industry titan, completely eclipsing Tristan’s Bellweather Medical. I had spent two weeks working non-stop, even drinking myself to the point of a near ulcer with the client, to secure this. Alisa knew how critical this deal was to my legacy. How dare she hand it to him! Tristan reveled in my stunned expression. He knew he was running out of time, so he grabbed my wrist, pushed the needle into my vein, and emptied the syringe into my system. As the fog of the sedative overtook me, I heard Tristan’s voice, thick with exhilaration. “Noel Hawthorne, everything you have—it’s mine now!” Tristan’s intent was quickly thwarted. My body was too ravaged, the pain too overwhelming. I only slept for an hour before the agony tore me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes to see a fully masked doctor standing by my bed. The doctor looked confused. “I specifically asked the nurse to administer the antiviral shot. Why are you still presenting with such aggressive viral symptoms?” I gave a bitter, gasping laugh. “Because the vaccine was swapped.” The doctor’s eyes widened in horror. “What! Who would do such a thing? Swapping a vaccine at a time like this—it’s murder!” I gripped his sleeve, my voice thin and desperate. “Doctor, it’s only been seventeen hours since the injection. There’s still time. You have to give me the vaccine.” I would not die. Not until I made them both pay. The doctor’s face fell. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hawthorne. The hospital is completely out.” I yelled, despair rising in my chest. “How can you be out!” He sighed. “We’re not in the main infection zone. All remaining stock was rerouted to the areas with higher confirmed cases. The vial that was swapped… that was the last one.” I instantly thought of my rivals. “Tristan! Alisa! They haven’t boarded yet. Call my secretary, Harrison. He needs to intercept them!” The doctor understood the urgency. He nodded and rushed out to contact Harrison Cole. Infected and isolated, I could only wait, paralyzed by the fever and the pain. Ninety minutes later, Harrison returned, his face pale and etched with defeat. He stood outside the glass partition, shaking his head. “I tried, Mr. Hawthorne. I demanded the vaccine. Tristan insisted he had already given it to you.” “And Alisa!” I pleaded. “She was right there! She should have forced him!” Harrison looked away, a pained expression crossing his face. “Mrs. Hawthorne… she believed Tristan. She told me to tell you to stop playing games and that she would come back to you once her affairs were sorted out.” Rage blinded me. I swept everything from my bedside table, sending instruments and water flying. “Who needs her company! I hope she dies! I just need the vaccine!” The moment the words left my lips, a searing pain erupted in my chest, and I violently spat out a mouthful of dark, clotted blood.

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It’s been a year since we broke up. My ex-boyfriend suddenly rose from the dead and sent me a text. 【Do you remember that lipstick you used to wear when we were together? What was the shade? I’m seeing someone new and want to buy it for her.】 I thought about it for two seconds and texted back: 【Oh, I forgot. Why don’t you ask that guy on your basketball team? He’s the one who bought it for me.】 My phone stayed silent for exactly two seconds before it started vibrating like a bomb. 【WTF!】 【Who? Which teammate?】 【Who the hell was it?】 【Answer me, please.】 I sent him a cheeky emoji with its tongue sticking out. 【None of your business.】 1 Friday night. I was huddled on my sofa, mid-slurp into a bowl of spicy ramen, when my ex-boyfriend’s name popped up on my screen. I didn’t just jump; I practically did a 360-degree backflip of joy. It wasn’t that I missed him—it was that “I won” feeling. When we broke up, I gave Caleb Vance the full treatment: deleted, blocked, and erased from every social platform. I only kept his number unblocked, waiting for the day he’d be the first to cave. “Ha!” I screenshotted it immediately and called my best friend. “Keisha, Caleb just texted me.” “No way. What’s he want?” “Probably realized I’m the best thing that ever happened to him. Probably crying into his pillow.” I opened the message, ready to reject a long apology. Instead, the smile froze on my face. 【Do you remember that lipstick you used to wear? It looked great. What was the shade? I’m seeing someone new and want to buy it for her.】 Are you kidding me? He’s already chasing a new crush? Was I the only clown here? Caleb really is a jerk to the bitter end. I thought for two seconds and hit him with the teammate line. Then, I turned my phone off. By the time I’d finished my dishes and came back, I had 99+ notifications. 【?】 【Chloe, tell me right now!】 【Who?!】 【Which one?】 【TELL ME.】 【Are you seriously ignoring me?】 Caleb’s texts were flying out like they were free. I pulled out my secret weapon: the cheeky emoji and the text: 【None of your business】. The phone went quiet. For a second. Then: 【Chloe!】 【Stay right there. I’m coming to your place.】 Someone’s triggered. 2 Caleb and I were a college romance that died at graduation. He’s a walking contradiction. Before we dated, he was the “Ice King”—cold, untouchable, the campus god. After we started dating, he turned into a total sarcastic brat. If I took my jacket off because I was hot, he’d ask if I was preparing for takeoff. If I crouched to tie my shoe, he’d call it “Transformers, roll out!” A high-altitude flower with a gutter mouth. I used to complain to Keisha, and she’d say it was “the gap-moe charm.” To be fair, Caleb had his perks. He did all my elective homework. He tutored me through Calculus until I actually got an A. He even mapped out the framework for my senior thesis. The price of being “carried” academically was that Caleb moved to Wall Street for a high-powered internship, while I became a junior editor at a tiny boutique agency. That’s when it fell apart. He was drowning in spreadsheets at an investment bank. We went from talking every hour to three sentences a week. I understood he was building a future, but I was lonely. The breaking point? One night, he finally had time for me. After a rare moment of intimacy, I wanted to cuddle and talk. Caleb just rolled out of bed, grabbed his laptop, and started working on a pitch deck. A total “hit it and quit it” move, even if we were dating. I snapped. I ripped off the necklace he’d bought me with his first paycheck and threw it at his face. “Caleb, we’re done.” The look on his face then was terrifying—like a storm about to break. I shuddered at the memory. “Bad vibes, bad vibes,” I muttered, closing my eyes to sleep. “Caleb has bad luck, Caleb has bad luck…” Just as I was drifting off, my phone rang. “What? Caleb is in the ER?!” Did my bad-luck chant actually work? Do I need to buy a lottery ticket? “Ms. Smith, you need to come down. It’s… complicated.” 3 I rushed to the hospital. I finally found the VIP wing and pushed open the door. Caleb looked up. His white shirt was stained with blood, his chest was half-bare, and his arm was in a heavy cast. Thankfully, his face was still perfect. The doctor handed me a chart. “Car accident. Road rash on his back, a fractured radius, and a significant concussion.” “Wait, a concussion? Did he hit his head hard?” I walked up to Caleb. “Do you know who you are?” Caleb stared into my eyes for a long beat, then slowly shook his head. Great. If I saw this plot in a Netflix drama, I’d turn it off for being too cliché. “Ms. Smith,” the doctor said, “you’ll need to settle the intake fees at the window.” “Wait, I’m not—we aren’t together.” The doctor looked at Caleb. “Didn’t you say she was your girlfriend?” I glared at him. What game was he playing? Caleb silently pulled out his phone and showed the doctor our lock screen—it was a photo of us making out from two years ago. Then he pulled up an old campus blog post about the “Chemistry Department’s Power Couple.” I couldn’t believe he still had that stuff. The doctor waved it off as a “lovers’ quarrel” and left the room. We were alone. I dropped the act. “I don’t have the money for this, Caleb. I’m leaving.” Caleb lunged for my hand, hissing in pain as he strained the wounds on his back. That low, gutteral groan… it was way too easy to misinterpret in a quiet hospital room. He looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes. “Babe, did we fight? My gallery is full of us, but I can only text you? Why am I blocked?” I fought the urge to give in to his “battle-worn” handsomeness. “Cut the crap. You’re faking. We’ve been over for a year.” Caleb’s breath hitched. “Babe, I’m not faking. Memories can go, but the feeling doesn’t. Whatever I did, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.” I was losing the battle. Even the toughest woman can’t handle Caleb Vance when he’s being this pathetic. “I’ll add you back on WhatsApp if you give me the cash for the bill,” I bargained. “I’ll send you three thousand,” Caleb said calmly. “Pay the bill, keep the change.” I found a “Sugar Daddy” in the ER. I pulled out my phone immediately. “Fine. Deal.” Caleb smiled—a satisfied, “gotcha” smile—and scanned my QR code. I texted Keisha: 【He’s faking amnesia. I’m taking the money and running tomorrow.】 Keisha: 【Spoken like a true queen. Drain him dry, girl!】 4 It was nearly dawn. I decided to crash in the VIP suite’s lounge chair so he couldn’t claim I robbed him. When I woke up, Caleb was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at me like a lost kid. “Chloe… about that teammate.” Here we go. “Which one was it? Why did he buy you lipstick? What shade?” I sat up, doing that “fake-busy” thing people do when they’re caught. I couldn’t tell him the truth yet—that his teammate did give it to me, but only because Caleb had been too shy to give it to me himself and used the guy as a courier. “I don’t have to tell you,” I snapped. “I didn’t ask you about your ‘crush’ from the text.” Caleb’s expression hardened. “I don’t remember much right now, but I know for a fact I don’t have a ‘crush’ on anyone but you.” Liar. I ignored him and scrolled through TikTok. The algorithm knew exactly what I wanted: hot guys in gray sweatpants. I was literally drooling over a video when I noticed Caleb’s shadow looming over me. “Phone’s dying,” I said, turning around. “Got a charger?” Caleb looked at me, his voice muffled. “In my bag.” Who brings a charger to an emergency room car crash? I went into his bag—a high-end leather briefcase. Hanging off the zipper was a tiny, knitted peanut keychain I’d made him for his birthday. He’d called it “low-effort” at the time, but he was still using it. My heart twinged. I grabbed the cable and went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up to a heart-stopping sight. Caleb was shirtless, crouching by my chair. Eight-pack abs, high-definition, no filter. “Babe, you’re awake?” He only used that word in bed before. I pushed him away. “I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet, get back!” 5 I didn’t realize how hard I pushed. Caleb is 6’2″, but since he was off-balance, he went straight to the floor. He groaned, clutching his injured arm. I panicked and helped him up, my hand “accidentally” lingering on his abs. Smooth, warm, rock-solid. Better than college. Caleb smirked, catching my hand and pressing it harder against his stomach. He leaned into my ear. “Like it? I worked out just for you.” My heart did a Olympic sprint. I pushed him again. “You’re shameless!” Caleb just laughed. He was a completely different person. The “concussion” had turned the Ice King into a Golden Retriever. The nurse walked in, clearing her throat. “Alright, break it up. Time to change the dressings.” I bolted to the bathroom to wash my face. When I came out, the nurse was handing me a tube of ointment. “Once a day. And tell him: No strenuous activity.” Caleb winked at me. I rolled my eyes. “Caleb, I have to go to work,” I said, packing my things. “It’s Saturday.” “…” “I’m wounded. I can’t even feed myself. You’re going to leave me here?” “The doctor said you’re being discharged in two days. You aren’t paralyzed.” “Chloe, stay. I’ll pay you a hundred dollars an hour to be my ‘medical companion’.” I paused. “You’re that rich now? What’s your salary?” Caleb shrugged. “I don’t remember the exact number, but my bank statements suggest I’m clearing well over seven figures.” My jaw dropped. I make forty-five thousand a year. “Well… purely for humanitarian reasons, I suppose I can stay.” 6 I spent the next few days in a daze. Caleb was being… nice. He didn’t make fun of my “Transformers” movements. He praised my “cooking” (which was just takeout I plated to look fancy). I was almost ready to give him a chance. Until I saw the truth. I arrived at the hospital thirty minutes early with “lunch.” Through the glass of the door, I saw Caleb. He was hurriedly throwing off his suit jacket and putting on his hospital gown. Standing next to him was an elegant, mature woman with French curls and a tailored power suit. She was fixing his tie. “Slow down, Caleb. She’s not here yet.” Her touch was familiar. The vibe was intimate. Caleb didn’t pull away; he let her touch him like it was a daily habit. I felt like a total fool. Played twice by the same man. I turned around and walked out. I’m not a dog; I’m not coming back when you whistle. 7 I blocked him on everything. Again. I went to Keisha’s place with a case of beer and the most expensive sushi we could order. “He’s dead to me,” I sobbed. “Good,” Keisha said. “Because I have someone new for you. My high school friend. He’s 6’3″, a corporate lawyer, and looks like a Disney prince.” I needed a rebound to save my soul. “Fine. Set it up. Tomorrow.” The next day, I wore my best white sundress. My date, Ethan Hunt, was actually better looking than his photos. He was a total gentleman. He pulled out my chair. He talked about philosophy, travel, and the future. Just as I was starting to forget Caleb Vance existed, Ethan leaned in. “You know, you actually remind me a lot of my ex-girlfriend.” I almost choked on my drink. “Excuse me?” “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just… she was my first love. We met abroad. We were going to get married under the Eiffel Tower.” “Then what happened?” “My parents. They’re old-fashioned. They didn’t think she was ‘high-class’ enough. I couldn’t stand up to them. I regret it every day.” I felt a wave of pity. We were both victims of circumstance. Suddenly, a hand clamped onto my wrist. I was yanked out of my chair and into a solid chest. The scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne hit me. Caleb. He was in a sharp navy suit, his left arm still in a cast, but his right arm was wrapped around my waist like a vice. “Having fun?” he whispered into my ear, his voice tight with suppressed rage. Ethan stood up. “Who are you?” Caleb gave him a terrifyingly polite smile. “I’m her boyfriend. Who are you?” Ethan looked at me. “Chloe?” “He’s my ex!” I yelled, trying to wiggle free. Caleb let out a cold laugh. He dragged me toward the exit. I pounded on his back. “Caleb, stop! This is kidnapping! I’ll call the cops!” He ignored my screaming, threw me into his car, and locked the doors. “Chloe,” he warned, his eyes dark. “If you try to get out, I’m posting your drunk singing videos from college on LinkedIn.”

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My mom is a famous “clean stream” movie queen in the circle, and also the toughest Top Talent Agent. The word she loves to hang on her lips most in her life is “Avoiding Nepotism”. When I was six, I won first place in the National Speech Tournament. She pried the gold trophy out of my hand and handed it to Scarlett, the neighbor girl who just lost her father. She said: “Jade, you have a mother, and talent, plenty of chances to win awards in the future. Scarlett is too pitiful, giving her this trophy can give her confidence.” I cried and refused. She turned cold for the first time, in front of all the neighbors, saying I was insensible, saying I had no big love. At eighteen, I was admitted to the top Film School, first in professional courses. Media came to interview, asking her parenting philosophy. She smiled gently at the camera: “This child is just lucky. Actually, I am more optimistic about my newly signed artist, Scarlett. Although she didn’t go to film school, that aura is God’s gift.” Later, Scarlett entered her agency and became the crowd-pleasing “America’s Sweetheart”. And I, became her invisible assistant, became Scarlett’s exclusive Stunt Double. Whenever I made a request, she had that sentence: “Jade, you are my daughter, this industry taboos nepotism most. You have to avoid suspicion, don’t let people say you rely on your mom to rise.” I avoided for twenty-three years. Until that mudslide scene, I was buried in mud and suffocated for a full three minutes. When dug out, I heard my mom in the tent, distressedly blowing on Scarlett’s hangnail. At that moment I laughed, this suspicion was avoided well. Avoided until the end, mom became someone else’s mom, life almost lost. Fine, since want to avoid suspicion, then avoid thoroughly. This daughter, I quit being. Chapter 1 Scarlett was crying again. In the dressing room, she cried like pear blossoms bathed in rain, mascara smeared all over her face, like a frightened quail. My mom Victoria, was holding a makeup remover pad, wiping her tears bit by bit, movements gentle as if wiping some rare treasure. “Auntie Vic, I really can’t… Director Chen’s requirements are too high, I can’t memorize the lines, I’m afraid of embarrassing you.” Scarlett sobbed, but her eyes drifted towards me. I sat on a small folding stool in the corner, holding a crumpled script. The edge of the script was pinched wet by me. That was Director Chen’s new movie “The Wind”, female lead. Three days ago, Director Chen named me to audition. I knelt in the rainstorm for three hours, acting alive that mute girl reborn in despair. Director Chen slapped his thigh on the spot: “It’s you! Jade, this role belongs to you!” The contract was mailed to the agency. Result now, this contract lay on Scarlett’s makeup table. “Scarlett, don’t be afraid.” Victoria sighed, hugged Scarlett into her arms, “Diligence can make up for clumsiness. I’ve already greeted Director Chen, this role is yours. You need a serious drama to transform, the recent nightclub scandal is too fierce, only this play can save you.” I stood up abruptly. The chair made a harsh scratching sound on the floor. “Mom, that role is mine.” I stared into Victoria’s eyes, voice trembling, “Director Chen decided on me. Also you said, as long as I get the role by ability, you won’t interfere.” Victoria turned her head to look at me. Eyes changed instantly. The warmth towards Scarlett just now vanished, replaced by a business-like indifference, and a trace of impatience. “Jade, this industry isn’t as simple as you think.” She walked over, snatched the script from my hand, threw it to Scarlett. “Director Chen was just polite to you for my face, you really took it seriously?” “Besides, you are my daughter. If you played the female lead, how would the media write? Say I, Victoria, practice nepotism? Say I pave the way for my own daughter?” Here it comes again, this set of words again. “I auditioned by strength, have the whole recording, afraid of what media?” I gritted my teeth, nails digging into flesh, “And Scarlett can’t even read lines smoothly, she acts a mute? Act a wooden stake?” “Shut up!” Victoria shouted low, brows locked tight, “How do you speak? Scarlett is your god-sister! Her family conditions are bad, do you know how hard she walked this way? Why do you have no sympathy at all?” I laughed in anger. “She hard? She entered the company for five years, fed with top resources, eight assistants when going out, tens of millions in pay. Me? I ran extras for five years, played corpses, played maids, was her stunt double!” “Mom, who exactly is your daughter?” Slap! A slap, heavily whipped on my face. Dressing room instantly dead silent. Scarlett scared stopped sobbing, stared wide eyes at me, but a trace of successful pleasure flashed in her eyes. Cheek burning pain. But I couldn’t feel the pain. Only felt cold, cold air coming out from bone marrow. Victoria’s hand froze in mid-air, seemed stunned for a moment too, but soon returned to that high-above posture. “This slap is to teach you rules.” She said coldly, “In this circle, I am the boss, you are the artist. Obeying arrangements is your duty.” “To avoid suspicion, this role must be given to Scarlett.” “As for you…” She paused, tone like giving charity, “Scarlett is physically weak, can’t stand high-intensity scenes. You go be her on-set stand-in, responsible for helping her walk positions, test lights, and those action scenes, you go for her.” I covered my face, looking at this woman who gave birth to me and raised me. This is my mother. For the so-called “reputation”, for the so-called “big love”, could unhesitatingly step her biological daughter into the mud, be a stepping stone for her “god-daughter”. “What if I don’t go?” I asked. Victoria reorganized her collar, didn’t even look at me: “Not go? Fine.” “Then I’ll stop all your cards, blacklist you. You know I have this ability, no company in the whole industry dares to sign you.” She turned around, continued to comfort Scarlett gently: “Alright Scarlett, stop crying, makeup is ruined. There’s a celebration banquet tonight, specially held for you, celebrating you winning the female lead.” I stood in place, like a joke. Celebration banquet? Celebrating her snatching my role? Scarlett looked at me through the mirror, corners of mouth slightly raised, mouthed to me: “Thanks, sister.” At that moment, I heard something shatter in my heart. Not glass heart. It was the last fig leaf named “family affection”. Fine, you want me to be a double, want me to avoid suspicion. I fulfill you. Chapter 2 “The Wind” crew started filming. Shooting location in a remote mountainous area, conditions tough. Scarlett was indeed “dedicated”. Posting ten moments on Instagram every day, that was really busy. Busy taking selfies, busy drinking bird’s nest, busy frying CP with male lead. Once serious shooting started, she began various “discomforts”. Sun too big would faint, rain would catch cold, ground too hard kneeling knees hurt. “Cut! Scarlett, eyes wrong! Want despair! Despair understand? Not rolling eyes!” Director Chen had a hot temper, shouted with a megaphone. Scarlett aggrieved shedding tears, turned head looking at Victoria behind the monitor. Victoria immediately rushed up with water bottle, distressedly wiping sweat for her: “Director Chen, Scarlett memorized script until 3 AM last night, too tired. Can let her rest a bit?” Director Chen angry throwing script: “Rest? Hundreds of people in the crew waiting for her one? Still shooting this play or not?” Victoria smiling apologetically: “How about this, let Jade go first. Let her test camera positions and movements well, bring emotions once too, let Scarlett watch and learn aside, find the feeling.” Director Chen looked at me hiding in the shadow, sighed: “Fine, Jade go.” I wore a tattered costume, barefoot, walked into the mud pit. This was a major scene. Heroine bullied by village tyrant, pushed into pigsty mud, that despair of calling heaven not answering. I said nothing, threw myself directly into the smelly mud water. Cold mud poured into nasal cavity, stones cut knees. I looked up, eyes empty and shrill looking at the camera. No need to act. That feeling of being abandoned by the whole world, I am very familiar with now. Surrounding staff quieted down. Director Chen stared at the monitor, hands shaking, muttering: “This is the heroine… this is the fucking acting…” “Good! Pass!” Director Chen shouted voice cracked. I climbed up from the mud, whole body trembling. I wanted to find a towel to wipe my face. Looked up, but saw Victoria holding Scarlett’s hand, pointing at me saying: “See that Scarlett? That look just now, you act according to that later. Although Jade is just a double, some clumsy methods are still worth learning.” Clumsy methods? Things I acted with my life, in her mouth became “clumsy methods”. Scarlett covered nose in disgust, stepped back, seemingly afraid mud spots on me splash onto her brand name haute couture. “Got it Auntie Vic, I will try hard. But sister is so dirty, will there be bacteria?” Victoria immediately protected her: “Stay away, don’t get smoked. You go fix makeup, just shoot a close-up later.” No one cared if I was cold. No one cared my knees were still bleeding. Even a dry towel no one handed to me. Because Victoria for “avoiding suspicion”, specially didn’t assign me an assistant. She said: “You are just an ordinary staff in the crew, don’t be special.” I walked to the tap myself, used biting cold water to wash off mud on body. Water very cold, cold to bone. But the fire in my heart, burned more and more vigorously. Finished work at night, I was gnawing cold box lunch in the corner. Victoria suddenly found over, face not good. “Jade, there’s a cliff jumping scene tomorrow.” She came straight to the point, “Although there’s Wire Work, but height a bit high, Scarlett afraid of heights, you also know her heart not good.” I swallowed a mouthful of cold hard rice, didn’t look up: “So?” “So tomorrow you go.” Victoria said as a matter of course, “You are her sister, physical quality good, sharing for sister what’s wrong? And this scene doesn’t show face, just shoot back and falling process.” I put down chopsticks, looked at her: “Mom, if that scene doesn’t show face, can totally use dummy or post-production. Why must jump for real?” “Pursue realism!” Victoria frowned, a look of hating iron not becoming steel, “We making movies need craftsman spirit! How can be lazy use dummy? Besides, this is key shot for Scarlett winning awards, must be perfect.” Paving way for Scarlett, need my life to fill? That’s a cliff over ten meters high, below is rapid river. Slight mistake, if not dead then disabled. “I won’t go.” I said. Victoria’s face sank instantly: “Jade, don’t be shameless. You eat mine live mine now, company also raised by me. This little favor not help? Do you not want to see Scarlett good?” “I said, I won’t go.” I stood up to leave. Behind came Victoria’s cold voice: “Fine, you can not go. Then your grandpa’s medical fees, figure out yourself next month.” My steps stopped abruptly. Grandpa. That only old man who loved me, but paralyzed in bed. His life, held in Victoria’s hand. I turned around, staring dead at this woman called “mother”. No guilt in her eyes, only pride of holding my weakness. “Okay.” I heard my hoarse voice, “I jump.” Chapter 3 Next day’s shooting scene, atmosphere very depressing. Wind very big by the cliff. I wore Scarlett’s flowing white ancient costume, waist strangled by thin wire. Scarlett wore down jacket, sitting under umbrella far away drinking hot milk tea, two assistants massaging her legs. “Ready—” Assistant director shouted with walkie-talkie. I took a deep breath, looked at cliff bottom. Water flow urgent, rocks rugged. “3, 2, 1, Jump!” I leaped, weightlessness wrapped whole body instantly. Wind whistling in ears, wire strangled ribs severe pain. Just when I was about to reach predetermined position, ready to be pulled up. Snap! A tooth-aching muffled sound. One wire broke! Body lost balance violently, like a rag doll smashed hard against protruding rock on cliff wall. Bang! Severe pain exploded from left shoulder and back. Vision black, almost fainted. Although backup wire held me, didn’t let me fall into river drown, but that collision just now, definitely hurt bones. I was hung in mid-air, cold sweat from pain, blood dripping down cuff. “Quick! Pull up quick! Accident!” Director Chen’s terrified roar spread through valley via megaphone. Staff scrambled to pull me up. I paralyzed on ground, gasping heavily, half body numb. “Okay? Call ambulance quick!” Director Chen anxious face white. Just then, a scream pierced crowd. “Ah! Scared me to death!” It was Scarlett. She stood more than ten meters away, covering chest, a crumbling look. “That noise just now so scary… my heart so uncomfortable… woo woo woo…” Next second, I saw Victoria rushing through crowd surrounding me like crazy. She didn’t even look at me on ground, ran straight to Scarlett. “Scarlett! Scarlett what’s wrong? Medicine? Bring medicine quick!” Victoria hugged Scarlett, face full of anxiety, “Don’t fear don’t fear, Auntie Vic here. Scared right? It’s okay, it’s okay…” “Auntie Vic, I so scared… if just now was me jumping…” Scarlett threw into Victoria’s arms crying. “Won’t, won’t let you jump. Look, luckily didn’t let you go, too dangerous.” Victoria distressed shedding tears. I lay on cold ground. Left shoulder drill-hearted pain. Surrounding was noisy human voice, but my world quiet terrible. Director Chen squatted beside me, looking at that “deep mother-daughter love” not far away, angry cursed: “Fuck! Who exactly injured? Is that agent blind?” He took off his coat covered me, held my cold hand: “Child, don’t fear, ambulance coming soon.” I looked at Director Chen, laboriously pulled a smile: “Director, that take just now… passed?” Director Chen eyes red: “Passed. Perfect. You are a born stunt performer.” Ambulance finally came. When I was lifted onto stretcher, Victoria finally remembered me. She walked over, face carrying a trace unnatural concern, but more was command: “Jade, go hospital recuperate well. Matter just now absolutely don’t say randomly, don’t say wire broke, say you operated wrong hit yourself. Otherwise spread out bad influence on crew, Scarlett this play not aired yet having negative news is bad.” I looked at her. Looking at this woman who gave birth to me raised me. Her every sentence, like a knife, precisely stabbed into softest place in my heart. To maintain Scarlett’s drama, even my work injury need cover? Even push responsibility to me? “Got it.” I closed eyes, didn’t want to look at her hypocritical face again. Stayed in hospital half month. Victoria never came once. Heard she busy taking care of “overly frightened” Scarlett in crew, also released press release saying Scarlett how dedicated for filming, personally battle overcome acrophobia, simply model worker. Only second uncle called me. “Jade ah, your mom said you played big shot in crew, insisted jumping yourself, result injured? Say you child, why so worrying? Look at Scarlett how sensible…” I hung up directly. Blocked. Day discharged, received a push notification. It was “The Wind” wrap party livestream. Scarlett wearing that white dress I exchanged with life in lens, standing C position, smiling like flower. Director Chen face very ugly, but under Victoria’s smoothing, still barely cooperating. Reporter asked: “Scarlett, heard that cliff jumping scene very dangerous, did you do it yourself?” Scarlett shyly lowered head: “Mm… although very scared, but for art, getting hurt a bit worth it.” Victoria supplemented aside: “Scarlett this child is too honest, leg hit blue also refused say.” I looked at screen, laughed out. Laughing laughing, tears flowed full face. My shoulder still has three steel nails now. My wound, became her medal. Door pushed open. It was Victoria’s assistant, Little Liu. She handed me a document, eyes dodging dared not look me: “Sister Jade… Boss Shen said, let you sign this.” I took look. Was a [Public Relations Statement]. Content roughly: I was temporary worker of crew, because improper operation injured, irrelevant to crew, more irrelevant to Scarlett. As compensation, company will give me fifty thousand dollars nutrition fee. Besides this, a new agency contract. Terms extremely harsh, basically deed of sale. Require me next ten years, must unconditionally obey company arrangement, main work content is serve as Scarlett’s exclusive double and performance coach. “Boss Shen said… for avoiding suspicion, also for your good. As long as you sign, Grandpa’s medical fees she will continue pay.” Little Liu whispered. I held pen, fingers gently rubbing paper surface. Fifty thousand. Buy my half life, buy out my life. Still use Grandpa threaten me. “Little Liu.” I suddenly spoke. “Ah? Sister you say.” “Is there an awards ceremony tonight? Scarlett going to receive Best Newcomer Award?” “Yes… heard this time internal decided, just rely on “The Wind” those few trailers won award.” I nodded, picked up pen, signed on contract. Handwriting scribbled, force through paper back. “Take back to my mom. Tell her, I listen to her all.” Little Liu sighed relief, took contract left. I pulled suitcase from under bed. Inside put all my savings, and a bankbook Grandpa secretly stuffed me. And a plan book I thought for long time. I took out phone, dialed a number. That was rival company’s gold agent, Kate. That day in hospital, she secretly came see me, left a card. “Hello, Kate?” I looked at gloomy sky outside window, voice unprecedentedly calm. “I am Jade.” “Tonight’s awards ceremony, I want send Scarlett a big gift.” “I think… we can talk cooperation.” Phone other end came lighter crisp sound, then Kate lazy and smiling voice: “I knew, wild rose can’t be locked. Tonight eight o’clock, I send car pick you.” Hung up phone, I walked to mirror, scissors snip, long hair kept ten years, broken on floor. Girl in mirror, face pale, but eyes ruthless like wolf. Mom, didn’t you like avoiding suspicion most? Then tonight, I let you in front of national audience, avoid enough properly.

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Branch manager Linda passed by my desk and suddenly exclaimed: “Scarlett, your hair is so messy, doesn’t your husband mind?” Colleagues next to her winked frantically, signaling her to stop. But she didn’t receive a single signal. I slowly put down the proposal I was halfway through revising, stood up, enthusiastically took the supervisor’s arm, and said gently: “Linda, seeing you’re not busy, let’s chat for a while?” Chapter 1 On the way to the break room, she didn’t forget to give me advice: “Scarlett, with your square face, try not to dye it red. Better do hair masks often after perming. Young girls shouldn’t always look so old-fashioned.” Linda usually dresses very exquisitely. Approaching forty, she often reveals an innocent look like a little girl, posting some heavily filtered selfies from time to time. Unlike me, wearing ugly cotton clothes to work every day, plain-faced, hardly wearing makeup. I nodded and perfunctory her: “Sis, you are right. I will definitely pay attention next time.” My mind was full of thoughts that it’s not easy to find a listener, can’t let her run away. Colleagues’ expressions changed from concern to schadenfreude. Linda probably doesn’t know yet that I am a “Trophy Wife” + “Love Brain”, super fond of sharing my private life with others. Chapter 2 I made a cup of coffee for Linda and pressed her into the chair: “Sis, you are really beautiful and attentive.” She looked a bit proud, corners of her mouth couldn’t be suppressed: “Just okay.” “Sis, why are you being modest! I’ve been working for three months, and you are the first person to notice my messy hair.” She was a bit embarrassed and wanted to explain something. I didn’t give her a chance to speak at all, speaking somewhat shyly: “My husband does dislike me, disliking me for being too clingy. Before I left this morning, he insisted that I smelled good, rubbing against me like a puppy, and kissed me for a full fifteen minutes, messing up my braided hair.” Linda’s hand holding the coffee trembled, a look of disgust appeared on her exquisite face, not wanting to listen to details. I was completely intoxicated in love, involuntarily opened the photo album and shoved it in front of her face: “Look at this one.” In the photo, I was wearing pajamas taking a selfie, a stubbly chin intimately pressing against the top of my head, I grinned silly at the camera showing big white teeth: “I didn’t wear makeup that day, my husband kept saying I looked good, simply growing on his heart tip. Sis, do you think men’s words are all deceiving ghosts? I’m just an ordinary person, where am I pretty.” Linda’s mouth barely maintained a smile, trying to get up to grab the folder: “Scarlett, I still have to find Mr. Chen to sign.” I snatched the folder and threw it aside: “Mr. Chen is not here today.” Seeing her lack of interest in my private affairs, I also actively switched topics. She usually carries designer bags and wears watches worth over ten thousand, should like talking about outfits. I sighed, putting on an envious expression: “Sis, your husband chose this bag, right? Very tasteful.” A trace of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. I spoke again: “My husband has straight-man aesthetics. The ugly bags he buys for tens of thousands every business trip, simply no face to carry out. Last month I said I wanted a commuter car, he actually secretly bought a G-Wagon, don’t mention how hard it is to drive, and fuel-consuming. So angry I went to buy an electric scooter myself…” At this moment, I was talking endlessly with unfulfilled desire, but she still wanted to leave. I cursed myself secretly for being too ruthless and forgetting feelings again, killing the conversation. Next time I definitely won’t lead the topic to my husband. Just then the break room door opened. Colleague Millie, suppressing subtle sympathy, said to me: “Scarlett, your phone has been ringing at your desk for a long time…” I complained coquettishly: “My husband is so annoying, just a few minutes not replying messages, and he calls like crazy!” Supervisor Linda took the opportunity to flee: “Scarlett! Sorry, I suddenly remembered I have an appointment with a client from The Hamptons at 10:30, leaving first!” I hurried to chase out, sending her to the company gate: “Linda, come often, I like you especially.” Chapter 3 Back at my desk, thinking back and forth, I felt Linda is a good person. I came to the headquarters for three months, colleagues around have too much sense of boundary. Every time I talk about my husband, they find excuses to run. As if I am some terrible person. No one chats with me, I can only bury my head in work. Accidentally pushed the performance to number one in the whole company. Now hubby must love me to death. Actually, if colleagues are willing to be closer to me usually. Once I get excited, I can’t help sharing many spicy secrets with them. For example, who and who in the headquarters drink from the same cup. For example, the big boss’s trunk has an adult Toy. And the afternoon tea sent by the company is actually from… I don’t believe anyone in this world can walk out of the break room with closed ears. At lunch, I ate the Sweet and Sour Ribs my husband cooked while scrolling TikTok. The homepage pushed me a workplace complaint post: “What to do with a poser in the company? I don’t want to talk to her, she has no sense at all, dragging me to show off love then showing off cars and bags, every sentence not leaving husband. Actually riding an electric scooter every day wearing Temu, probably marriage unhappy delusion syndrome committed, finding presence everywhere. I’m really going to vomit.” The comment section was also lively: “Is she writing a novel, is her husband fictional?” “Which company? Really want to apply, watch this kind of disgusting colleague.” “Yeah, the more a person shows off what, the more she lacks what, must be poor and lack love.” The poster liked these comments one by one. I also replied anonymously: “How is her performance?” Result poster turned a blind eye, continued complaining: “I asked around, the husband, G-Wagon, tens of thousands bags she mentioned, no one has ever seen, high probability fabricated. Does anyone have a good way to slap her face? I must expose her!” A bunch of people below gave bad ideas. The poster’s avatar is a city night view taken from the top floor. Really didn’t expect, the seemingly high-intelligence branch manager is a person with low cognition. She dares to really listen, believe and practice the bad ideas given by netizens. They discussed enthusiastically wanting to embarrass me at the Holiday Party. Chapter 4 Lisa from the admin department usually has a good relationship with Linda. When Lisa came to send the notice, she specifically told me: “This time employees can bring family members to participate in the on-site lottery at the annual meeting. The grand prize is a two-person trip to the Maldives. If you don’t want to go, the boss also gives cash.” I was shocked: “Really? Hubby and I have been to Maldives more than twenty times, not much interest. But cash would be great.” She looked at me like I was a psycho. Obviously, Linda had already complained to her that I was a poser. But she still said patiently: “Scarlett, do you have a suitable dress for the annual meeting? Now many places rent clothes and do makeup, not too expensive. Shall I send you the link?” The makeup artist Crystal she recommended, I know, $5000 an hour, hard to book. They are testing me again. Actually, I am also very curious about their motives. Last week, internal staff Yun wore an affordable dress, they publicly commented it wasn’t classy. Intern Min has oily hair, they concluded Min failed blind dates because she was sloppy and didn’t pay attention to image. And Millie was the most wronged, she forgot to cut the tag on her coat. They claimed Millie’s whole body luxury brands were rented. Must be afraid the rich second-generation boyfriend she just dated would look down on her. These years, Linda and Lisa’s eyes have been staring at others’ appearance, enthusiastic and mean. And what confuses me is, no matter how smelly men are, they won’t say a word. I politely declined Lisa: “No need, I’ll go back and let my husband borrow one from the brand side.” At this time Linda also came, hearing me say borrow from brand side. The teasing look could hardly be hidden: “Scarlett, your husband is so considerate, will you bring him to the annual meeting? Listening to you all day.” I shook my head: “Not bringing.” Lisa pretended to be surprised: “Doesn’t your husband love you the most? Not accompanying you on such an occasion, how awkward you alone.” I answered honestly: “My husband is relatively busy and very introverted, only enthusiastic to me. He feels uncomfortable in crowded places.” I have already hinted at my husband’s noble identity very obviously. But they still didn’t realize. Linda asked with concern: “You wouldn’t have no husband at all, right?” Hehe, waiting for me here. No wonder hubby didn’t let me work these years, he even bet a Penthouse with me, saying I would definitely be bullied in the company. In a bad environment, people and things are just so disgusting. If I bow my head, they will step on it. If I prove myself, they treat me as a psycho. And once I prove myself, they will also pick new problems from my husband, like rich people must cheat, or he has leverage in my hands so didn’t divorce me etc… Then I completely fall into their logic. Since they are certain I am a delusional person, can neither wear decent clothes nor bring a real husband. Then I’ll just fulfill their wish first. I didn’t answer this very offensive question. Instead, my eyes turned red, teardrops crumbling: “Linda, actually he doesn’t want me to work this crappy job, let alone accompany me to this level of annual meeting. He goes on business trips for months, cold pot cold stove at home every day, sometimes I really feel, better to divorce.” Linda and Lisa looked at each other. Busily took out tissues from bag and handed to my hand. Such a flawed marriage fits their imagination. Linda patted my back hypocritically: “Don’t be sad, men all run for career.” Colleagues also stopped work in hand. Pretending to bury heads in work, ears didn’t miss a sentence. I sniffled: “Linda is right. But he also suffers on business trips, he said the anniversary buffet at The Hamptons Hotel is particularly terrible.” Linda’s action of comforting me stiffened slightly. I secretly observed her expression. The category of anniversary celebration is different from the usual set meal. Two more Boston lobsters. And I found the reflection in her night view photos on social media had the anniversary table card of The Hamptons Hotel, so just bluffing her. But looking at her expression, this melon should be true. I just need to use my gossip connections to find evidence. So I leaned in intimately: “Sis, you often go on business trips to The Hamptons, must also think it’s terrible right?” She pushed me away alertly: “Never been, the meal fee there exceeds reimbursement ratio.” “Oh, then Linda is very lucky…” She didn’t listen to my nagging, dragged Lisa up and left. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, sat back at the workstation. Continue to maintain the potential customers just connected. Chapter 5 After work, I returned to the empty home, lazily fried a piece of Wagyu beef, opened Linda’s complaint post. She indeed updated again: “Sisters, so annoying, our company is having an annual meeting, I recommended a top makeup artist in NYC to that poser, she didn’t even dare to add, said she would borrow a dress from the brand side herself. What brand side is willing to lend to her kind? Simply addicted to pretending!” The comment section has started partying. [Laughing to death, how can she pretend so much? Borrowing Old Navy to attend annual meeting!] [I think Shein suits her identity better.] [Looking at sister’s daily life, know this company has good benefits, want to attend this specification big annual meeting, help sister slap poser face, beg for referral.] Immediately she posted a diamond necklace. Asking sisters on social media, will such big one be hard to match. I smiled without speaking, secretly added some heat to this post, selected precise push to women over forty in The Hamptons. Before long, someone will dig out the company name. When small matter becomes big matter, making trouble until PR team needs to step in, the best time belonging to me arrives. Chapter 6 On the day of the annual meeting, of course I didn’t borrow clothes from the brand side. This grade of annual meeting is not worth being so grand. I wore a simple little black dress. Casually matched with a faux fur short jacket sent by the brand. Can’t ride an electric scooter wearing this. Bestie Crystal drove her Maserati to send me to the banquet hall entrance. On the way she said distressedly: “Scarlett, you insist on suffering hardship.” I smiled: “For the Penthouse, I go all out.” Entering the hall, I saw Linda at a glance. She wore a valuable champagne dress, a big diamond shining on her neck. She was raising champagne laughing with a few male colleagues, eyes and brows full of practiced charm. She absolutely won’t bring her husband to this occasion. Her gaze drifted to my empty wrist and neck, smile in eyes growing: “Scarlett, you really came alone.” Lisa followed behind her, gently touched my fur, said teasingly: “Does faux fur get static? Riding an electric scooter so far is cold. Don’t freeze. Let your CEO husband park the helicopter on the roof, send you a thick coat.” They laughed to tears themselves. Gazes from people around carried scrutiny and pity. Also an excitement of about to eat melon. I indeed prepared a big melon for everyone to gnaw. Just not mine. A gentle female voice appeared behind me: “Scarlett?” I turned around, it was the company’s big client Mr. Zhou and his wife. “Sis, long time no see, thinner again.” People in the company don’t know. Mr. Zhou was an ordinary salesman at first. Relied on wife’s family support to have current social status. Just Mr. Zhou got tired of good days, a bit inflated, actually had an affair taking advantage of business opportunities. Linda panicked as soon as she saw Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou, turned to leave, but was held by my wrist calmly: “Linda, don’t rush, I remember Mr. Zhou is your client. No reason to leave the client behind.” Mrs. Zhou asked me familiarly: “Scarlett, this is?” “Look at my brain, forgot to introduce, this is our company’s big hit, Linda, Supervisor Lin.” Linda reached out awkwardly to show goodwill, Mrs. Zhou scoffed lightly, didn’t move, just stared at that dazzling diamond on her neck, then looked at Mr. Zhou who was sweating cold sweat: “Husband, this diamond looks very like the one I asked you to send to the second-hand luxury store for recycling. This carat weight is rare.” Her words, like a ladle of cold water thrown into hot oil. Gossip sizzling in the pot. Mr. Zhou wanted to explain something, but his expression was unnatural. Linda’s hand unconsciously protected the necklace. “Mrs. Zhou, this is a second-hand gift from a friend, maybe the style is very similar…” Mrs. Zhou’s tone remained peaceful, didn’t pursue, indifferently praised: “Your friend has good taste.” Mrs. Zhou didn’t bother to look at her again, took my arm: “Scarlett, let’s go sit over there, also want to thank you for inviting me. Tell me about your husband quickly, my life is too boring, urgently need to hear your stories…” A resentful gaze followed me behind. Don’t need to look back to know who. Linda wanted my husband to come to the annual meeting, wanted to embarrass me. But she would die not thinking, I invited her old baby Mr. Zhou she dated in The Hamptons Hotel. Throughout the annual meeting, Mr. Zhou was eight meters away from Linda. Discussion sounds were endless. They should rejoice, Mrs. Zhou only touched the point today. Just didn’t want to make him more embarrassed in public. But I just like watching something awkward.

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The day the System departed, my husband, whose affection meter had been completely filled, brought his new lover home. He sneered, a dismissive glance thrown my way. “Let me guess? You finished your quest, you could have gone back to your original world.” “But you chose to stay, for me and for our children?” “Laughable. A broken toy played by ninety-nine men, do you really think I’m madly in love with you? Do you even deserve it?” I froze. My twin son and daughter spat at me. “Stop pretending! We’ve seen all the comments. You’re just a shameless quest-completer! We’re disgusted to have been born by you!” “Auntie Julianna should be our mother!” My husband, Vance, held his lover close, his expression full of contempt. “Julianna and I will marry, and she will raise the children.” “As for you, serve Julianna like a loyal dog, and I might just throw you a bone.” My thoughts: Huh? The System had merely gone ahead to arrange my reward for completing a hundred quests. In a week, I’d be back to living a lavish life as a wealthy socialite. What on earth were they yapping about? … I kept a poker face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” My son, Jake, pointed at me, his face twisted in disgust. “The comments told us everything!” My daughter, Clara, was even more direct: “You make money by seducing men! You’re disgusting! We don’t want a mother like you!” Vance stared at me, a cold chuckle escaping his lips. “Hear that?” “You think you’re a great actress?” “Your petty schemes and tricks only worked on those other men, and a few foolish fans in your stream.” Stream? Fans? It took me a moment to process, then I raised a hand and lightly tapped the air. The stream’s comment section materialized before me. In my world, transmigration quests had become a form of entertainment. And I was a professional transmigration streamer, the fastest and most popular one on the entire network. Fame brought trouble; the comments section was constantly filled with people accusing me of being a cheap hustler. I’d long since blocked their hateful remarks, focusing solely on my quests. A cascade of dense comments scrolled rapidly before my eyes. [Got played! Serves her right! The b-tch finally got what’s coming to her!] [If you say it now, she’ll see it!] [So what if she sees it? The System’s gone, where can she run? Stay in this transmigration world and be a bitter old hag, hahaha!] It seemed my stream’s audience couldn’t see my conversations with the System. Otherwise, how could they not know the System was just off arranging my rewards? I immediately sent feedback to the System. [System! There’s a bug! How can people in the quest world see the comments??] The System’s automated reply came. [Feedback received!] I tapped the “connect to human operator” button dozens of times. [I was supposed to have perfectly completed the quest. How do you explain this situation? And I have to stay in this world for another week. What if they hurt me?!] The System took a while to respond. [The waiting period will not affect the final quest outcome.] [During this time, any harm you receive will not affect your physical condition in real life.] [Furthermore, additional quest rewards will be added as compensation upon your return to the real world!] My eyes fixated on the word “compensation.” Wasn’t this the universe practically showering me with money? I immediately switched on my acting skills, my eyes welling up instantly as I grabbed Vance’s sleeve. “Those others were tasks, but with you, I was sincere!” Vance’s face was etched with revulsion. “Your sincerity is worth a fortune?” “Do you know how many showers I had to take after every time I forced myself to have physical contact with you? I was terrified of getting sick!” Vance finished speaking, then, as if disgusted, he violently flung my hand away. The force was so strong I staggered, my head hitting the corner of the table. Julianna gasped dramatically, “Oh dear!” “Vance, you mustn’t be so harsh with Evelyn. She’s a pitiful soul, after all, having to… with so many men to complete her tasks… tsk, tsk, tsk…” I lay on the floor, looking utterly heartbroken. But in reality, I was arguing with the System in my head. [Because of your screw-up, the male lead, the third party, and the children are all humiliating me! He even laid hands on me! How will you settle this score?!] The System glitched for a moment. […Detecting sustained malicious behavior.] [Compensation multiplier in the real world increased by five percent.] The base reward for one hundred perfect quests was ten million, multiplied by five percent. In just a few minutes, I’d earned an extra five hundred thousand. I almost couldn’t keep my grin in check. I had to lower my head, playing the part of a sycophant. “…Alright.” “Just don’t cast me out.” “I’ll do anything you ask.” The comments section exploded. [Holy cow, no way, she actually fell in love?] [She can’t go back, so now the male lead can do whatever he wants to her?] [Typical h-e, cheap to the bone!] Vance looked a little surprised. The two children immediately shouted, “Daddy, don’t let her trick you!” “The comments said she knows she can’t go back, so she’s just putting on a sweet act!” The flicker of pity in Vance’s eyes vanished, replaced by even greater disgust. He pulled out divorce papers. I signed them without even a glance. Then a second document was tossed at my feet. It was a servitude agreement. Julianna leaned over to look, her smile barely contained. “Vance, you’re too direct. What if Evelyn can’t handle it?” Vance sneered. “Then she can get lost.” “Didn’t she say she’d do anything to stay?” “Evelyn Hayes, from today onwards, you are a house servant of the Thorne family.” I immediately activated the live stream’s recording function. I recorded this inhumane, unequal contract in its entirety and sent it to the System to demand compensation. Only then did I theatrically sign it with trembling hands. Julianna smiled sweetly, then immediately ordered me to make her coffee. I brought it to her, and she barely glanced at it before deliberately splashing the scalding hot coffee onto my face. She then acted as if she was startled. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Evelyn! This coffee was so bitter, I just lost my grip for a moment.” Vance’s gaze lingered on my reddened face for less than a second before moving away. “Julianna, you’re still too kind. You’re the lady of the Thorne house; you don’t need to apologize to anyone.” His words gave Julianna all the confidence she needed. From that day on, if a meal wasn’t to her taste, I had to remake it. If there was a speck of dust on the floor, I had to kneel and scrub it. Clothes had to be hand-washed. She even made me kneel in a corner for two hours with a simple phrase like, “You’re an eyesore.” And I played along perfectly. I bowed my head, apologized, and knelt. Then, in my mind, the System’s notification of accumulated compensation would chime precisely. The notifications were frequent, but the increase was slow. Four days passed. I looked at the compensation multiplier floating in my vision. [Twenty percent.] I frowned slightly. …That’s it? Come on! I only have one week to earn extra money! Time is tight, and the task is heavy. I really don’t have time to play these games with you! Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open. “Can’t you see the water stain on the floor!? Hiding here to slack off without cleaning it properly?” Vance dragged me out directly. The two children threw a dirty rag into my face. Julianna stood by, looking down at me. “Evelyn, how can you not even do such a small thing well?” “Perhaps… go kneel for half an hour first? Will that help you clean better?” I looked at the blatant malice in her eyes. A plan suddenly formed. I slowly got up, my eyes red, and looked at Vance. “Do you really think… no matter what I do, I’m stuck here?” Vance sneered. “Or what?” I rushed to the kitchen, pulled out a fruit knife, and held it to my throat. “Don’t push me!” “If I die in this world, I can go back too!” The comments went wild. [Suicide to return to the original world? I don’t remember that being a rule??] [This is a new sob story tactic, clearly an act!] [Who knows what happens if she dies in the quest world? Does she dare to gamble? Who’s she trying to scare?!] Vance instinctively softened his tone. “Evelyn, don’t get agitated, put the knife down.” Even if he found me dirty, thought I was manipulative, he had, after all, had his affection meter filled by me. In a moment like this, he couldn’t help but worry. I watched Julianna’s face twist with jealousy. She’s hooked. She shrieked and rushed over to grab the knife. “Hasn’t Vance been tricked enough by you?! Why are you still trying to force him like this?” Then she deliberately grabbed the blade, slashing a deep cut into her palm. “Ah—!” A short, sharp scream. Julianna clutched her hand, crying pitifully. “Evelyn, I just wanted to persuade you not to do anything foolish, how could you…” Vance saw the blood gushing from her palm, his attention immediately diverted. “Julianna!” Julianna shook her head at him, then turned to the children, her voice hesitant and innocent. “Jake, Clara…” “Did you see the comments just now?” “Is what she said true? Is she trying to force your father again…” Jake immediately chimed in, his tone firm. “She’s lying! There’s no such mechanism at all!” Clara also nodded vigorously, “The comments said she doesn’t dare to die!” “She’s just faking pity, trying to use death to make Daddy soften!” The last shred of wavering in Vance’s eyes completely vanished. “Evelyn Hayes.” “If you want to die, go die far away! Don’t involve others!” With that, he raised his hand and struck my knife-wielding hand. The blade twisted, leaving a cut from my lower jaw all the way to my cheek. Blood dripped onto the floor from my chin. But Vance didn’t even look at me. He scooped Julianna into his arms. “Let’s go, to the hospital.” Julianna, nestled in his arms, didn’t forget to glance back at me, her eyes full of triumph. The two children immediately followed. I raised a hand and casually wiped it. Dying to return to my original world? Of course, I made that up. And whatever injuries I sustained here would be perfectly healed upon my return. Such a golden opportunity—wouldn’t it be a waste not to take full advantage? The next second, the System’s notification arrived as promised— [Detecting severe physical harm maliciously inflicted by the male lead.] [Compensation multiplier significantly increased.] The number jumped. Directly to thirty percent. That’s three million. A smile spread across my lips. Now this is the right rate of increase. I looked up at the tightly closed door. “Julianna… you really need to push Vance harder.” “After all, you only have three days left to torment me.” Julianna didn’t disappoint me. That day, Vance’s wavering under my ‘death threat’ left her seething. The next day, she suddenly dragged me out of the utility room. She stripped off my pants and shoes and left me to stand in the heavy snow as punishment. The reason? I had nudged her wedding ring while wiping the table. My legs were frozen solid in the cold wind, losing all sensation. By the time she finally dragged me back inside, I was unconscious from hypothermia. Vance merely glanced at me. “Just don’t kill her. Wouldn’t want her to get off easy.” I lay on the bed, suffering from hypothermia, unable to feel my legs. The System detected irreversible damage to my legs. The compensation multiplier shot up by several tens of percent. Julianna smiled as she brought me a bowl of black soup. “Evelyn, I was worried you caught a chill, so I made you something to warm up.” The black soup reeked of decay and was steaming hot. She smiled sinisterly. “Don’t worry, you won’t die.” Then she force-fed it down my throat. My throat was so scalded that even swallowing saliva hurt. My stomach churned with nausea, burning as if on fire. I vomited blood all over the floor. I curled up on the ground, my consciousness blurring. It truly hurt. For the endless money I’d have back home, I was pushing myself to the limit. Fortunately, the System’s compensation multiplier didn’t disappoint, already reaching seventy percent. Seven million. But I was greedy. I still felt it wasn’t enough. The basement was dark and sunless; I could only tell how much time had passed by the System’s countdown to my return. Until the last day, Julianna and Vance’s wedding day. I was dragged out and shoved into a car. Then dragged out again. I paused, realizing this was the back-office storage room of their wedding venue. Julianna stood before me in her wedding dress. “You really are tough as nails.” I smiled, casually spouting nonsense, and even flipped her off. “That’s because I have the System.” “I’m the female lead of this world. Whatever you do, you’re just a trashy side character.” No sooner had the words left my mouth than I was violently seized by several people and bound inside a giant transparent tank. Julianna’s eyes were brimming with hatred. “Originally, I wanted to keep you by my side and slowly torture you.” “But now, it seems you must die.” “If you die, no one will steal my Vance! And Vance and I can be happy forever.” As soon as she finished speaking, the tank slowly began to fill with water. A screen was placed in front of me. On it, the wedding ceremony was about to begin. Julianna resumed her gentle smile. “I’m really curious, can the System save your life?” “Oh dear, imagine watching Vance marry me, this ‘trashy side character,’ then slowly dying yourself. Wouldn’t that make you die with regret?” She leaned in, her voice dripping with venom. “Evelyn Hayes.” “If you can go back after you die, then consider it my parting gift to you.” “But if you truly die—then you deserve it!” She left. The warehouse door closed. The water level began to rise, slowly covering my calves, knees, thighs. I was fixed in the center of the tank, unable to even turn my head, forced to watch the screen. When the wedding began, the water had already reached my chin. Yet, my return countdown still had a few minutes left. The comments in the corner scrolled wildly. [This b-tch deserves it, hahaha!] [What happens if a quest-completer dies in the quest world? I heard they become a vegetable!] [Die quickly! This awful woman tricked so many men, and she still gets to live it up? Why? She should just die!] At the wedding venue, Jake and Clara suddenly changed their expressions. “Daddy! What’s a vegetable…?” “The comments say Mommy is about to become a vegetable…” Vance’s heart plummeted. Julianna’s eyes flashed with hatred. She quickly grabbed Vance’s hand, soothing him. “I merely locked her up for a small punishment, how could she become a vegetable?” “She knows the children can see the comments now, she might just be acting, deliberately making the comments send messages to trick you!” Vance hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. He took the wedding ring, ready to place it on Julianna’s finger. In the tank, the water had completely covered my nose. I could no longer draw a single breath of air. My lungs convulsed frantically, my body shaking uncontrollably. For the first time, I felt a clear panic. If my return was delayed by even one second, I might truly die here. In this life-or-death situation, my compensation multiplier soared almost every second. [Return Countdown: One minute] My vision began to darken. A buzzing filled my ears. Just as my consciousness was about to snap— My stream’s light screen suddenly flared to life. A golden banner stretched across my entire vision. [Congratulations, Evelyn Hayes, on becoming the first streamer to complete one hundred consecutive quest challenges!] [Pre-allocated bonus of ten million! Other subsidies around twenty million!] [Return Countdown: Ten seconds] The comments instantly exploded. But I could no longer keep my eyes open to read them. Three… Two… In the final second, the warehouse door was kicked open. “Evelyn!” And I completely lost consciousness.

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