Category: English

Bella Maxwell, the undisputed queen of Blackwood Academy, cornered me by the lockers, demanding to know why I’d left the final question of the calculus exam blank. “Don’t try to pretend you know how,” she asserted, her voice layered with condescension. “Only a handful of people—and I mean only me—could crack that problem. Just admit it, Reed.” That single, arrogant sentence put five thousand dollars into my bank account. My deskmate, Tess Riley, immediately chimed in. “Yeah, stop lying, you Swamp Thing. Always putting on airs.” Another five thousand dollars. I had meticulously curated this role—the ugly, gap-toothed, low-achieving liar—and relied on their daily barrage of scorn and insults. It had allowed me to quietly amass $14.8 million. I continued to play the part. Until the day world-renowned artist and choreographer Corinne Sinclair arrived at school for an exclusive audition, insisting that all male participants be completely bare-faced. Jax Donovan, the resident football star and supposed school heartthrob, smirked with open malice. “Better skip this one, Asher. You don’t want to scare Corinne Sinclair away, do you?” Only I knew how catastrophically wrong they were about to be. 1 I was sixteen when I discovered my ability to monetize malice. I had missed the freshman orientation and retreat due to a sudden illness. By the time I returned to class, the rumor that I was “the ugly kid” had already spread through the entire grade. Jax Donovan and his entourage were the primary sources. “Asher Reed? Yeah, I went to middle school with him,” Jax told his buddies, loud enough for me to hear. “The kid practically lived under a baseball cap and a mask. Guess he knew he couldn’t show his face.” Someone beside him always agreed. “Right? Jax is the school’s golden boy. The fact that the Gargoyle was even in the same building was a privilege. Gross that he followed Jax here for high school, too.” The rumors evolved. It started with me crushing on the most popular girl. Then, somehow, it morphed into me having a secret, sickening crush on Jax himself. I did nothing, said nothing, yet two days into the school year, I had forty thousand dollars deposited into my account. I tracked the amount—it corresponded precisely to four distinct insults aimed at me. Because Jax had established the narrative first, no one ever considered that my appearance was a disguise. I was simply the “Gargoyle” who’d followed the “Golden Boy.” I had operated this peculiar, profitable system for nine hundred and sixty-four days. The balance in my bank account was a number most people wouldn’t see in a lifetime. When I looked at that number, the vile words seemed less important. They weren’t insults; they were a program executing a transaction. I reorganized my life around it. I woke up at four a.m., two hours before everyone else. I spent ninety minutes on my studies and the remaining thirty on meticulously applying the “ugly mask”—the careful arrangement of makeup, hair, and clothing that would reliably provoke the insults and trigger the deposits. For a kid who had to budget every meal, the money was useful. A few words wouldn’t hurt me; my psychological tolerance was high. Besides, in three months, I would graduate, and my life would diverge completely from theirs. 2 Today, Tess Riley brought in a new “Ugly Guy Leaderboard.” My stolen, unflattering photo sat at the top, marked with a huge, angry red ‘X.’ “Congratulations, Asher Reed,” she drawled, her voice a sickly sweet imitation of a TV host. “You’ve clinched number one again.” She turned to the students in the front row. “What can I say? The Swamp Thing is a natural-born winner.” Jax Donovan threw his head back and laughed. I glanced at the photo and tried to focus on my notes. The final college-prep mock exam results had just been posted. Bored students had started a “Guy Rating Scorecard,” and as it circulated, I was consistently awarded the lowest score: two points. In their cruel, coded slang, two points was the rating for “The Gargoyle.” Tess, my deskmate, snatched the form and tossed it onto my desk. “Can’t be helped. Your teeth jut out, your skin is like asphalt, and your personality is worse. I lost a bet, otherwise I wouldn’t sit next to you.” Last month, I’d been accused of cheating. My test paper and Jax’s had suspiciously identical answers, down to the punctuation. I sat in front of him, and my average scores were always better. But Jax had only to wrinkle his nose and squeeze out a few crocodile tears—he had eyes that weirdly resembled the famous TikToker “A.R. Sings”—and the girls immediately decided I must have copied him. The scandal only died when the Math department head found the definitive proof: a complex problem involving the Greek letter Beta (β) that only I had solved correctly. But after that, the negative chatter only intensified. I went from an overlooked nobody to their definite “Swamp Thing” or “The Rat.” The small harassments started: being locked in a bathroom stall and having a bucket of dirty mop water poured over me, or simply walking past the art wing and setting off a chorus of mocking catcalls and invented rumors about me crushing on one of the cheerleaders. Teenagers are brilliant storytellers, and their vocabulary of cruelty grew daily. Anyone else would have crumbled. I remained perfectly calm. 3 My score on the first mock exam put me second in the entire school. The only person ahead of me was Bella Maxwell, the Dean’s daughter, an accomplished violinist who already had an acceptance letter from Juilliard. But she insisted on taking the college exams, and until then, she’d been the undisputed number one. Since I no longer needed to work odd jobs, I had more time to study, and my scores had finally closed the gap. Sera and I began trading the top spot. I checked my score, confirmed I was well within range for my target school, and started to pack up. Rank didn’t matter to me. But after class, Sera came looking for me. “Asher Reed, the Queen wants a word,” Jax informed me, a venomous edge of jealousy in his tone. I met his gaze and walked out into the hall. The familiar ‘+5,000’ dinged in my head. Sera stood leaning against the wall. Even in the plain school uniform, she looked immaculate, her gold-rimmed glasses perched perfectly on her nose. Her brow immediately furrowed when she saw me. “Asher, why didn’t you attempt the final problem on the calculus section?” I recalled the question. I had solved that exact derivative three times the previous week. I had a rule: if I’ve solved a difficult problem twice, I won’t waste time writing it out again. I told her simply, “I was being efficient.” Her frown deepened, and she reached out, grabbing my wrist. “You can have bad character, Reed, but don’t lie about your intelligence,” she said, her eyes, magnified behind the lenses, were ice-cold. “I spent twenty minutes on that problem. In this entire school, I’m the only one with the capacity to solve it.” She delivered her verdict. “You just couldn’t do it. Don’t make excuses.” Tess followed us out, backing her up. “She’s right, Asher. You’re desperate to save face.” I didn’t know how to respond to such absolute, unshakeable arrogance. Just then, Jax burst out of the classroom, practically vibrating with excitement. “Guys, the National Dance Fellowship is holding an unprecedented audition at our school!” 4 “The notice says this is a fast-track invitation!” Jax waved a flier. “If you get selected, you’re guaranteed a fellowship and a chance to share the stage with Corinne Sinclair!” Corinne Sinclair was an icon. She achieved fame young, studied in Vienna at seven, and was internationally known by fourteen. She was stunningly beautiful and universally acknowledged as an artistic genius. Her immense fame, however, had led to a serious invasion of her privacy. She had retreated to the relative quiet of our state, rarely appearing in public. Jax clutched the flier, his voice ringing with fervor. “Corinne Sinclair… If I could just be on the same stage as her, even as an extra, I’d die happy!” A few boys reached for the flier, but Tess swatted their hands away. “Look at yourselves. This is clearly for Jax. Don’t waste your time. You want to dance with Corinne? Dream on.” Jax lifted his chin, already certain of his success. “I’ll be sure to hand out signed photos later.” Tess instantly fawned. “Oh, Jax, when you’re famous, promise you won’t forget me.” It was only then that Jax seemed to notice me. “Oh, Asher Reed. You’re still here.” He smiled—an awful, fake amiability. “Are you going to try out? The notice says all boys are required to attend. You can sign up with me.” Before I could answer, Tess cut in. “Him? The Fellowship is looking for dancers, not… cautionary tales. Don’t embarrass the class, Asher.” Jax chuckled, a sound like scraping metal. “Yeah, man, you need to know your limits. You definitely shouldn’t go. Especially if Corinne shows up… you might terrify her.” I ignored them, pulled a new set of practice tests from my backpack, and started working. Sera, who had watched the exchange with an unreadable expression, finally asked me, “Asher, are you going?” “No,” I said, without looking up. “Why?” “I have to study.” 5 The day of the Fellowship audition, every boy in the school went to the main yard. Except me. I sat alone in an empty classroom, working through my practice tests. My seat was by the window, giving me a clear view of the proceedings. Jax had preened for the occasion. He’d spent a fortune on his hair, getting a specialized stylist to craft it into an artful sculpture. All the boys had put on their best performance attire, hoping to seize the opportunity. I kept writing. After the Dean’s introductory remarks, Corinne Sinclair walked onto the stage. She wore a simple white gown, and her presence was as cool and distant as her public image suggested. The first step of the audition, she announced, was mandatory: every boy had to completely wash off all makeup, foundation, and hair products. It was, she explained, a non-negotiable requirement from the Fellowship Director. Jax’s face went pale. He shot a frantic glance at Corinne, but resignedly grabbed a cleansing wipe. “Wait,” Corinne suddenly said, her voice cutting across the silence. “Are all the male students present?” The Dean was flustered. “We… we believe so.” Tess piped up eagerly, “Yes, sir! They’re all here, Jax was one of the first!” Corinne frowned. “No. I sense one is missing.” The Vice Principal said, “The hall monitor just checked the classrooms. They were empty.” Bella Maxwell, who had been standing silently nearby, finally spoke. “There is one person missing,” she said, her voice flat. “Someone who did not want to come.” 6 I finished the final problem and closed the test booklet. “Ms. Sinclair, the student is right here.” The Vice Principal ushered a group of people into the room, knocking on the open door. “Asher Reed, still studying? Why miss an audition this important?” He moved to pat my shoulder. I subtly moved out of range. “No need, sir,” I said calmly. “I know I won’t be selected, so I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.” The Vice Principal’s hand stopped in mid-air, his expression slightly unnatural, much like the last time he’d cornered me privately and asked to “talk” about my “poor attitude.” “Nonsense, son. You can’t know if you don’t try.” A cool, detached voice came from behind him. I looked up and saw Corinne Sinclair. She was exactly as I remembered her: pale lips, long lashes, and an aura of remote perfection. My heart gave a quick, sharp beat. I allowed myself a small, knowing smile. “I won’t trouble you,” I paused, and used the name only she and I ever used. “Corinne.” “Hmph,” she actually responded. “Since you still acknowledge me as your sister, you will come with me now.” Her tone permitted no argument. The Dean and the other teachers exchanged shocked glances, but the Dean quickly recovered, his eyes now alight with a strange new enthusiasm. “Well, Asher, let’s go! You heard Ms. Sinclair!” I had no choice but to follow them to the yard. The boys waiting on the field had been muttering for a while. I caught Tess’s voice on the edge of the crowd. “This is pointless. Why drag Asher Reed out here? Doesn’t he look even worse without his heavy clothes?” Another girl laughed. “Yeah, the first round is looks. He’s already disqualified.” “I thought the Queen had a thing for him, but she just wanted to watch him squirm.” The whispers seemed to soothe Jax, whose color had started to return. The Dean led me back to the stage and addressed the crowd. “We had a small clerical error. We’ve found the missing student. The audition will now continue.” I was escorted to a corner where a basin of water waited. This was no gentle wipe; it was industrial-strength makeup remover. Tess, standing nearby, was triumphant. “That’s from my uncle’s lab! It dissolves anything! Get ready for the freak show, everyone!” Jax, who had finished his own removal, was still covering his face with his hands. Someone shouted, “Hurry up, Asher! Wash it off!” I took a deep breath and plunged my hands into the water.

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My childhood best friend thought I was too well-behaved. Yet he fell in love with the even more well-behaved scholarship student. Out of spite, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and got involved with some thugs. Desperate and cornered, I begged him to save me. He ignored me. Covering the scholarship student’s eyes with his hand, he gently said, “Don’t look, it’ll scare you.” He abandoned me in that dark alley, where I was tortured to death. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my best friend rejected me. 01 When cutting the cake, they egged me on to confess. I mustered my courage and said, “Lucas, my birthday wish is you.” The hand Lucas used to hold his cigarette trembled. He smiled. A bad boy smile, he said, “Sorry, you’re too well-behaved.” “Not my type.” In my previous life, these words drove me crazy. Thinking of my miserable death. My body turned cold, and I wished I could kill Lucas right now. “Sarah, are you okay?” “Lucas, seriously, can’t you say something nice to make the birthday girl happy?” Lucas remained his lazy, nonchalant self. He blew a smoke ring. Lazy drawl, he said, “I can’t learn to lie.” His lazy, slight New York accent was very charming. But listening to it, I only felt disgusted. In front of everyone, I cold my face and made a new birthday wish. “Lucas, I wish that in this life and the next, you and I will have nothing to do with each other ever again.” I blew out the candles. They tried to stop me, but couldn’t. Lucas’s smile froze on his face. “Sarah, are you serious?” “I’ll give you another chance. Make a new wish, and I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.” No need. I ignored him. Picked up the knife and cut the cake. Lucas ran to me and grabbed the blade with his right hand. “Sarah, I’m talking to you.” The blade cut his finger. Blood flowed out. Someone exclaimed: “Blood! Lucas, you’re bleeding!” I know. He was having another episode. Lucas had severe psychological issues. In my previous life, only I could stop his episodes. Oh. Specifically. Before the scholarship student appeared. Only I could. Because of this, I also always thought that for him, I was a special existence. Until I heard his lazy tone when he coaxed the scholarship student. “She’s different from you.” “At best, she’s a placebo. Only you are my only medicine.” “Without you, I’ll die.” I let go and said, “If you like it so much, I’ll give it to you.” I turned to leave, Lucas threw the knife and grabbed me. His bloody fingers soiled my white shirt. “Sarah, who are you throwing a tantrum for?” Blood terrified me. Uncontrollably, I remembered the things from my previous life. My head spun, I couldn’t handle it, and fainted. When I woke up, Lucas was guarding my bedside. “Awake?” “Clearly you made me angry, and I had to carry you back. Sarah, how do you plan to coax me?” Lucas was a prodigal son. He always loved to say such ambiguous things. Making my heart rise with expectations I shouldn’t have. But I was no longer the same as before. I knew very well. Facing the person he truly liked, Lucas couldn’t say a word of flirtation. Even when he confessed, his voice trembled. I sighed and said, “I’m tired.” “Lucas, let’s not see each other again in the future.” 02 The next day, I went to school alone. Lucas didn’t wait for me. I knew this was his punishment for me. He was waiting for me to apologize to him. But I ignored him all day. In the afternoon, I was sleeping in the classroom and was shaken awake. “Sarah! Wake up! Lucas got into a fight on the basketball court!” I wasn’t fully awake yet. My desk mate dragged me to the basketball court. “Go see, Lucas is going crazy. Only you can stop him.” No. He was wrong. There was no need for me to go. Because his female lead had already appeared. My guess was right. When we arrived, Lucas had stopped fighting and was sitting aside, sweating profusely. Beside him sat a girl. She wore a low ponytail, her face tranquil. Holding his hand, her voice carried a hint of a choke. Whispering: “Lucas, you’re hurt.” Lucas hated outsiders’ touch the most. Wanted to pull his hand back. But when his gaze met mine, he stopped his action, his eyes darkened, allowing Mia Chen to hold his hand. The senior he beat up left with the help of classmates. “Wait,” he called out to him. Pointed to Mia beside him. “Apologize.” The senior was beaten black and blue. Classmates tried to persuade him: “Lucas, let him go to the hospital first.” Lucas refused, his voice deep, repeated: “I said, apologize to her.” Mia grabbed Lucas’s hand and shook her head: “It’s okay, Lucas, I’m fine.” The senior was beaten like that, and he still had to bow and apologize. Someone asked him why he was beaten. My desk mate answered: “He called her a scholarship student, and Lucas heard it.” “Deserved it! Who told him to have a cheap mouth!” “Lucas is so handsome! A hero saving the beauty!” “High school sweet romance walking into my life?” Only I knew that the truth wasn’t like that. In my previous life, the senior was forced to transfer schools by Lucas. Before leaving, he found me. Told me to be careful of Mia Chen. He wouldn’t say more. Probably scared by Lucas’s beating. The senior needed to go to the hospital, it would take some time for the ambulance to arrive. I ran over and said: “Drive my car.” The senior was startled and said: “Thanks, no need.” Lucas ran over and grabbed my arm. “Sarah, are you intentionally making me unhappy?” I looked at Mia Chen behind him, whose eyes were red. “Mind your own business.” “If you dare to leave, don’t come to find me again.” I didn’t look back. Left with classmates helping the senior. “Bang!” Commotion behind. It was Lucas punching the basketball hoop. Tsk. Really doesn’t care about pain. 03 Lucas and I didn’t have much interaction recently. Heard that for Mia Chen, he hadn’t fought for a long time. Even turned over a new leaf and wanted to study hard. Lucas’s brothers called him to go to the internet cafe. Mia Chen whispered to him: “You haven’t memorized the English vocabulary yet.” Lucas sighed long, and sat back down. “Strict family, can’t go.” My desk mate told me stories like this every day. Just every time they saw me approaching, they would stop discussing and turn to do their own things. “She’s so pitiful.” “Yeah, chased Lucas for so long, intercepted by a scholarship student.” Pitiful? I didn’t think so. My procedures for going abroad were done. Once I passed the English exam, I would go abroad to study. Study my favorite journalism major. My beautiful new life was about to begin. That day after school, Lucas’s mom stopped me: “Sarah, Lucas forgot his medicine again. Help Auntie take it to him.” I really wanted to refuse. But seeing the bruises on Lucas’s mom’s wrist, I sighed and said: “Okay.” I asked Lucas: “Where are you?” He replied to me a long time later, sending me a location. Pool hall. In my previous life, I went to this place a lot. After I arrived, I went downstairs familiarly. The choking smell of smoke made me feel nauseous. I found Lucas at a glance. He was standing at the central pool table, betting on pool with others. A thick stack of cash was on the table. I walked over and threw the medicine to him. “Your mom asked me to bring it to you.” Seeing me. Lucas frowned and said: “Who let you come?” I didn’t pay attention to him at all. Dropped the medicine and left. Blocked by someone. “Lucas, your girlfriend?” Lucas sneered, took the cigarette handed to him, and tucked it behind his ear: “You think it’s possible?” At this moment, Mia Chen came in with her backpack. As soon as she entered, she kept coughing. Lucas stood up and blocked in front of her. “Put out all the cigarettes.” The guy with yellow teeth who blocked me just now grinned. “Seems like the real sister-in-law is here.” Mia Chen’s face was red through. “Lucas, don’t talk nonsense. The teacher said, we can’t…” “I know.” Lucas lightly hooked her nose tip. “Good girl, call me big brother, I’ll let you go.” Mia Chen said “Ah”, pointing at the cigarette on his ear: “Lucas, didn’t you promise me to quit smoking?” I sensed Lucas’s gaze falling on me. Suddenly remembered, I also asked him to quit smoking before. Because I had asthma since I was young and couldn’t stand the smell of smoke. He refused even perfunctorily then, and deliberately blew smoke rings in my face, saying: “Can’t do it.” A cold smile appeared on my lips. Wanted to bypass the crowd to leave. Pulled by someone again. “Don’t go, little sister.” “Lucas, hurry up. Two against two. My girlfriend is here. Who’s going to play on your side?” 04 I walked straight out. Mia Chen tugged my cuff. “I… I don’t know how to play pool.” I frowned and said, “What does that have to do with me?” “I…” Fierced by me, Mia’s eyes reddened. Lucas ran over, shielded her behind him, and questioned me: “Can’t you talk properly?” “Psycho.” I wanted to leave, but he blocked me. Unbearable, I deliberately provoked him: “What, Lucas? Playing hard to get, want me to be your girlfriend?” “In, your, dreams.” “Then don’t block me.” I left. This time no one stopped me. Heard Mia’s flustered voice behind me: “What to do, Lucas? I don’t know how to play pool.” Lucas coaxed her patiently: “Silly girl, with me here, you won’t lose.” I had no interest in winning or losing their game. Just at dinner time. My mom kept sighing, saying: “Today I saw Lily again, covered in bruises. Old Xu is too much…” “By the way, Sarah, why haven’t I seen Lucas come home for dinner these days? Did you two fight?” “No.” “That’s good. If you have nothing to do, call…” I looked up and interrupted my mom. “I broke up with him.” “Huh? Why?” I took a bite of the tender fish. “No reason, just hate people who are blind.” My mom was careful and asked: “Lucas is dating?” I picked a piece of fish and put it in Mom’s bowl. “Yeah, ‘Give Life’ literature walked into reality, so sweet.” They acted in an idol drama, but insisted on dragging me, a passerby, to be a supporting actress. Early morning at school, I heard Mia Chen crying. “What to do, Lucas? It was in my school bag this morning, how come it’s gone when I came back?” My desk mate told me: “The class fees Mia kept were gone. Everyone is helping her find them now.” I said casually: “Check the surveillance.” Mia reacted strongly. Specifically walked up to me and said: “Sarah, my family is poor, but I haven’t reached the point of stealing class fees.” I didn’t say she stole class fees. What’s the rush. Lucas walked over and ordered coldly. “Apologize to her.” I put my school bag on the table and sat down. The school bag was thrown by him. The desk was also overturned by him. Lucas had an episode again. “Apologize to her, can’t you hear?” The classmates dared not breathe. No one dared to stop him. I bent down, wanting to lift my desk. My neck was strangled by Lucas. His eyes red, saying: “A-po-lo-gize-to-her.” I couldn’t breathe. Tears came to my eyes, and my neck was quickly strangled with a circle of red marks. Mia stopped him: “Lucas! Lucas!” He wouldn’t listen to anyone. Looking at me with red eyes. Didn’t know who he mistook me for. Several teachers rushed in and separated us. Mia went up and hugged the crazy Lucas. “It’s okay, it’s okay, Lucas. I don’t care about others, as long as you believe me.” He buried his head in her neck, his gaze aimed at my direction. I was taken to the infirmary by the teachers. His gaze was obscure. Staring at my departing back all the time.

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I received a confession for my boyfriend on the university’s “confession wall” page that I run. At first, I was happily thinking he was quite a catch, but the next day the girl commented, “Thanks Wall, we’re together now.” I looked at my boyfriend beside me and fell into deep thought. 1 I manage our university’s confession wall account because I find it interesting to watch others confess their love. I didn’t tell anyone that I was the one behind this account because I was worried it would lose its sense of mystery, and also worried about missing out on gossip about my friends. But I never expected that one day I would receive a confession from another girl for my boyfriend. That confession was very simple, roughly saying: “Senior Liam from X College, I like you very much, and I’ve liked you for a long time.” And attached a photo of his back. I would recognize that back even if it were burned to ashes; it was definitely my boyfriend. I originally felt smug, thinking that I had good taste and that the man I chose was actually a hot commodity. Then I didn’t take it seriously and forgot about it. Who would have thought that the next day, this girl would message me privately again. “Thank you, Wall, we are together now. Just came to give feedback, no need to post it.” ??? I looked at my boyfriend who was eating with me and fell into deep contemplation. “Liam, how have you been lately?” He looked up at me slightly blankly, “Huh? Aren’t I with you every day?” Yes, that’s why I’m even more confused. The reason I didn’t take that confession seriously was that in my heart, Liam was absolutely the kind of person who would not cheat. He would report his whereabouts at any time, be on call, and his phone had no password for me to check at any time. We have been together for almost six years, from high school to junior year of college, and even agreed to get married after graduation. I absolutely wouldn’t believe such a person would cheat. So I decided to give him a little trust first and start with that girl to see if she mistook someone or if it was just a misunderstanding. So I created a fake account to add that girl, with the note “Friend of Liam.” Unexpectedly, she accepted very quickly, but the girl seemed very vigilant and just sent a question mark. “It’s okay, Old Liam asked me to add you, he can’t talk right now.” The girl still didn’t say anything, just sent an “Oh.” But it was this “Oh” that made me suspicious. Normally, hearing such strange words, one would at least ask a question. But she didn’t question it, just replied “Oh.” I don’t know what happened, maybe it was a girl’s intuition. I suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of two things from a long, long time ago. About a year and a half ago, the photography club Liam belonged to seemed to have a girl as a model. I remember after the photos came out, I even praised, “Cute little girl.” A year ago, Liam suddenly hung a little duck on his backpack. Because it was cute, I noticed it. “Liam, I remember you didn’t like small dolls before.” He just pinched it, “I saw it that day and thought it was quite cute, so I hung it. You like it? Then I’ll give it to you?” “If you think it’s cute, just hang it.” Two very simple things suddenly appeared in my mind. I still remember that girl was his direct junior, and we occasionally bumped into her on campus, and she would greet both of us. When I looked carefully at the little girl’s social media, I found it very clean, without any information, also like a fake account. After saying goodbye to Liam, on the way back to the dormitory, I went through their club’s Instagram. I looked through all the posts from one to two years ago and finally found the one where that girl was a model. I found the account of the girl’s classmate through the comments section, and then found the girl’s own account from the like records. I found out that the girl seemed to have a boyfriend??? This boyfriend looked more and more familiar to me. Wasn’t this Liam’s classmate??? I began to suspect if I was overthinking, maybe it wasn’t this girl. But I scrolled through her homepage and found that she had posted a photo of a little duck identical to Liam’s doll?? “Playing so big?!” 2 Once suspicion arises, everything seems suspicious. Liam and I are in different departments, so our schedules are different. We shared our schedules and always chose times when both were free to meet. This day, I picked an unimportant elective class of his and sneaked in. I wore a mask and a hat, sitting early in the corner of the last row of the lecture hall. As class time approached, students came in one by one. I stared almost unblinkingly, but I didn’t see Liam walk into this classroom. At first, I still held onto hope, wondering if he skipped class. Ten minutes into the class, the professor took out the roster and started roll call. Surprisingly, his name was not there! I swear I didn’t miss any name, but there was no Liam Walker. Originally, I just had a curious gossip mentality, and even always felt like an outsider watching this farce. Until this moment, I felt my heart cool inch by inch. This matter is nine out of ten true. Being together for five years, we experienced so many things, thousands of days and nights that I thought were full of love. When I smiled and planned the future with him, he was probably watching coldly and planning how to leave. Thinking about it, I couldn’t help crying. Because I was in class, I couldn’t make a sound, so I could only bury my head and wipe away the tears that welled up bit by bit. “Classmate? Are you okay?” I was startled, looked up and waved my hand, “Sorry, sorry, I’m fine.” He handed over a pack of tissues, “Wipe it.” When thanking him, I seriously looked at the person next to me. It was actually that girl’s boyfriend. He didn’t seem to recognize me as Liam’s girlfriend. He just politely handed me the tissue and turned back to listen to the class. “Um, classmate, I’m also in this class. Can I add you on WeChat? We can form a group and do homework together.” Actually, I wasn’t sure he would agree, after all, he had a girlfriend. Adding a girl on WeChat might feel inappropriate. He indeed hesitated for a moment, showing a thoughtful expression on his face. Just when I thought he would refuse me, he said, “Okay.” The boy looked delicate and fair, seemingly introverted and quiet. What the hell, blind eyes, having such a good-looking boyfriend and insisting on snatching a piece of shit from me. After class, we politely said goodbye and agreed to save seats for each other next time. I browsed the boy’s Moments, set to three days visible, signature and background were blank, not looking like he was in a relationship. Walking into the campus following the flow of students after class, I walked aimlessly, my mind full of bits and pieces of the past with Liam. I began to doubt if those happy moments were fake. If every vow he made was fake. If from the first moment he saw that girl, I was no longer the number one person in his heart. Walking, I couldn’t help crying again, but there were too many people around, so I had to hide in a small path and walk all the way to a corner of the secluded artificial lake. Then I happened to see two people holding hands on a bench, the girl smiling very happily. Just as I was about to leave, I heard Liam’s voice, “Your hands are so soft.” Being some distance away, the girl blocked his face, but I remembered his voice. Talking on the phone every day for five years, how could I not recognize it. Then I stood there dumbfounded, watching the boy reach out and stroke the girl’s head. The two of them were kissing. At that moment, I wanted to rush over and slap each of them. Then loudly question, why can you be so shameless! The fire in my chest almost broke through my reason. But, not enough, not enough! Going over to break the window paper and break up like this would be directly giving up my seat, letting this pair of dogs be together without any psychological burden. Except for a few seconds of physical pain and a few words of insult, they are deeply in love, how can they empathize with half of my pain today. I will never let them off so easily. So an evil thought quietly arose in my heart: you cheated on me, then I’ll cheat on you too. The pain of cutting flesh must be experienced personally to be bloody enough. I will use all means to stay by Liam’s side, letting your relationship remain underground forever. Then get your boyfriend, every one of your boyfriends. Liam Walker, I want your heart to never get a moment of peace from now on. 3 I took photos of them, uploaded them to a private album in my cloud, and then cleared the traces on my phone. After crying heavily, I carefully reviewed the bits and pieces of the past. I couldn’t be sure at all, and dared not be sure, at which moment a third person appeared in our relationship. After crying enough, I returned to the dorm, looking at the person in the mirror, examining carefully. Messy hair, plain and yellowish face, wearing a large unisex hoodie, baseball cap always pressing half the face. Since falling in love, except for special occasions or when in a good mood, I rarely put on makeup. Bought many beautiful dresses, but because I didn’t like washing my hair and felt the style didn’t match, the tags were never removed. I thought we had been together for so long, we knew each other’s looks by heart even with eyes closed, why bother with these fancy tricks. I put down the mirror and moved all the clothes out of the closet. Cleared out a small pile of tattered T-shirts, black, white and gray baggy jackets, unisex knee-length shorts. Folded them one by one into a clean bag and put them into the recycling bin downstairs. After throwing away the clothes, I carried my shower basket to the school bathhouse, thinking of washing away the bad luck and regrouping. Who would have thought I would meet that girl here again. The bathhouse in the north is public. After undressing, everyone meets honestly under dozens of shower heads. The bathhouse was steamy, blurring everyone’s faces. I was opposite her, rubbing foam on my head. Glanced twice, slender and tender girl, flat abdomen, curvy like a flower bud. I looked down at myself; my tummy was quite magnificent. For a second, I was a little discouraged, even mocking myself secretly, does a girl like me deserve to be dumped by a man. She turned around to scrub her back. I looked up and saw a patch of crimson turning purple under the hair on the back of her neck. It was a hickey. These two poor losers, can’t afford a room? My fighting spirit soared again instantly. Why should my worthiness of love be judged by such animals? After washing, I went straight to the hair salon and spent twenty bucks to straighten and volumize my hair. Back in the dorm, I dug out a slim-fitting misty pink long dress, put away my frame glasses, wore small diameter colored contacts, and put on light makeup. My roommates clicked their tongues in wonder, “What big day is it today?” While applying makeup, I messaged Liam, “Liam, miss you, walk with me later.” The message came back quickly, “Okay, I miss you too.” I looked at that message, lost in thought for a long time, eyeliner almost drawn into my scalp along the eyelid. Can a heart really be split into two mutually non-interfering parts to love different people separately? When I went downstairs, he had already arrived, sitting on the steps with his head down playing games. He always waited for me in advance, no matter how long he waited, he wouldn’t be anxious. I couldn’t help wondering, are you like this when waiting for her too? “Liam, sorry, I came down late.” Seeing him, I put on a smile to pull his hand, sticking to his shoulder and looking up at him. Seeing me, he raised his eyebrows, “Why is baby so beautiful today?” In the past, he would hold my hand, but today he put his arm around my waist, buried his head in my hair and shook it, “You smell so good.” Saying this, he leaned in to kiss me. Looking at that mouth, I felt nauseous inside, so I reached out to cover him, pinching my voice and asking coquettishly, “Are you angry that I made you wait?” In the past, I would directly grab his hand and walk forward carelessly, rarely asking him warmly and coquettishly. He was a little puzzled, but enjoyed it very much, “No, how could I be angry with my beautiful baby.” We walked hand in hand, “Do you have a night class later?” “Yes.” “Then I’ll accompany you?” I’m someone who is lazy even attending my own classes, so I never mentioned accompanying him to class, and would even refuse if he proposed. “Anyway, we are in the same school, we can meet anytime, not missing this moment.” I used to say this. He was silent for a while after listening, then said calmly, “Forget it, the night class is small, bringing you along is a bit conspicuous.” Oh, something fishy, but it doesn’t matter. “Okay, then I’ll pick you up after evening self-study.” The hand on my waist tightened secretly, then gently let go, “What’s wrong today? You’re acting a bit strange, baby.” I grinned, climbing up his arm and clinging, “My mom said she wants to buy me a house, asking what size you like, and whether to add your name.” Baby, sister has plenty of money. Even if you don’t care about old feelings, I don’t believe you don’t like money. Sure enough, he stammered, “Ah, is that so, then I’ll see if I have anything to do during evening self-study later, if not I’ll call you over okay?” Tsk tsk tsk, looks like it’s just so-so. “It’s okay, since you are busy, forget it, another day.” 4 I registered a new fake Weibo account, found some fake daily selfies, posted a few daily updates, actively followed that girl, and made my presence known in her comments. After a few times, she noticed me, “Hello, do we know each other?” “Hello senior, I saw the photos you took before one day and thought you look so good, wanted to get to know you.” After all, she is a young girl, direct praise is easiest to make one elated. Because I supported everything and often flattered her, finally one day I added her WeChat. Our netizen relationship was officially established. After I mailed her a small gift once, she officially recognized me and treated me as a good friend. On the other hand, I spared no effort to coax Liam, and gradually discovered some things I hadn’t noticed before. This day I carried a lot of snacks and went directly to the place where their photography club held activities. They often organized activities, portrait exchange, ID photo exchange, PS course teaching. Today was a mutual free activity, anyone who wanted to take photos could come as a model and get three free refined photos. As soon as I pushed the door open, it was a simple studio, men and women talking and laughing. Seeing me, most people inside looked confused, only Liam was stunned with some surprise, then came over slightly guiltily, “Why are you here?” I looked at him and smiled, then bypassed him and walked straight in, “Hello everyone, I am your President Liam’s girlfriend, entrusted by him to comfort everyone, you’ve worked hard.” Several boys reacted first, hurriedly welcomed me, shouting sister-in-law in unison. The girls didn’t know why, but were also happy to have free snacks. Only a few scattered people whispered to each other, looking at me with dodging eyes, reluctantly stood up to give me a smile. Among them was that girl. When I came in, she was wearing a suspender gauze dress laughing and playing with Liam. What was her name again? Bella, yes, Bella Kong. I smiled and walked in, holding the bag, handed a popsicle, “Bella has worked hard as a big model, so beautiful, the club’s recruitment, thanks to our Bella.” The expressions of the two boys next to her were awkward, busy winking at Liam. But Bella didn’t change her expression, picked up her phone to send a message, smiling still very sweet, looking at me frankly, “Thank you senior, what are you saying, it’s all President Liam’s credit, I didn’t do anything.” Liam hurried over to pull me, smiling awkwardly and nodding to everyone, “This is Sarah Xiang, Senior Sarah, these snacks were bought for you by the senior.” Even though it was obvious, he didn’t mention a word that I was his girlfriend. He pulled me to sit aside, half squatting in front of me, “Sarah, wait for me here, there are many people coming for the activity today, I may not be able to attend to you, if you are in a hurry, go back first, I’ll find you for dinner tonight.” I nodded, watching him trot back, re-greeting Bella and others to stand up and start shooting. There were dozens of people in the photography group, a dozen boys, fewer girls, and mostly came as models. But Bella’s photographer was always Liam. He held up the camera, “Bella, look here, light brighter, hey, very good, beautiful smile.” I originally came with the mentality of embarrassing them, fully armed, fully psychologically constructed and prepared, I thought I would be the one showing off. But I felt like I was the one embarrassed. Bella was laughing, carrying her skirt hem, standing under the spotlight, the reflector hitting her face, shining like an angel. Liam bent over, staring at the lens, uncontrollable smile on his face. The look in his eyes at the lens was not only appreciation but also thick affection. He wasn’t looking at the work, he was looking at her. Although there was almost no dialogue or physical contact between them. But I was still so sour that I couldn’t speak, nails digging deep into my palms, painful to numbness. Because the person in front of that lens used to be me. The person looked at by that gaze countless times used to be me, and only me. Because I was loved, I know what he looks like when he loves someone else. I took a deep breath, stood up ready to say hello and leave. At this time, a second person came in, surprisingly Bella’s boyfriend. The two looked at each other, waved hello, and the boy found a corner to sit down, right next to me. I sat down again, looked at him and smiled, “What a coincidence.” He was stunned for a moment, looked at me for a few seconds, then revealed a smile, “It’s you, what a coincidence.”

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My ex-girlfriend always had to be contrarian. I’d crave a slice of pear, and she’d shove an apple in my face. I’d bring up marriage, and she’d declare herself a devoted non-committalist. She used to say that sparring was her way of flirting, that she only pushed back because she found me adorable. It took me nine hundred and ninety-nine pleas, but she finally conceded to having a wedding ceremony—just to fulfill the dying wish of my critically ill mother. My mother, frail and already suffering, endured a grueling cross-country bus and train journey just to be there. She arrived, only for the bride to be a no-show. When I called her, Gigi’s voice was sharp and accusing: “Brooks’s fiancée bailed on him, so I’m stepping in to save his day! Your mother couldn’t be sick any other day, could she? The one day Brooks is celebrating, she’s demanding a wedding? How tasteless! I’m not going anywhere, Callan. I’ll come to your wedding, just wait!” But my mother, holding on by sheer willpower, never saw the bride. The guests cleared out at midnight, and my mother finally slipped away, heartbroken. Meanwhile, Gigi’s social media status had been quietly changed to “On Honeymoon,” with a geotag for Bali. “I’ll be back in ten days, maybe two weeks. Just tell your mom to hang in there, and we’ll go sign the papers then.” She didn’t know that the moment my mother died, I decided I was done with her. 1 A week after the funeral, the company sent me a notice: violating policy due to unauthorized absence, report for termination proceedings. As I boxed up my belongings at the office, the whispers followed me: “Isn’t that the guy who tried to force Miss Winslow to marry him? Unbelievable nerve. Firing him isn’t enough; he should be blackballed from the industry!” “I heard he shot himself in the foot and actually drove his own mother to her grave with the drama. Serves him right.” I paused, a half-packed file box in front of me. My ex, Genevieve “Gigi” Winslow, was the company’s CEO, my direct superior. She’d claimed I was just a supervisor and didn’t meet her mother’s standards for a suitable fiancé, which was why we had to keep our relationship a secret. To avoid suspicion, she constantly undermined me in the office. She’d dump the coffee I bought her or tear my meticulously prepared proposals to shreds. My colleagues considered me a pathetic, bootlicking annoyance. They treated me like a human dumping ground, constantly passing off their tasks to me. After my mother’s death, my tear ducts were dry, and their venomous whispers simply couldn’t touch me. A slow, cold smile spread across my face. “Apologies, but my absence wasn’t for a vacation,” I said, my voice empty of warmth. “I was scouting locations. I’m starting my own company.” Their jaws dropped. I got home just as Gigi called. The sound of the ocean wind howled through the phone, painfully scraping my eardrum, forcing me to hold it away from my ear. “Callan, get home right now! I need you to mail the gift box in my dresser drawer to the address I sent you—expedite it, overnight air freight! It’s Brooks’s birthday tomorrow!” Even when I had a hundred-and-four-degree fever, she wouldn’t let me call in sick. But now, she was ordering me home immediately to ensure her childhood sweetheart, Brooks, got his present on time. The dresser was right beside me. I pulled open the drawer, and there it was. Inside the ribboned box was a Patek Philippe watch, subtle yet devastatingly expensive. A month ago, I had pointed at a billboard on the street and casually mentioned how much I liked that particular model. Gigi had just given me a dismissive side-eye, asking if I even thought I was worthy of such a timepiece. I hadn’t asked her to buy it for me. I just liked it. I wasn’t worthy, but Brooks apparently was. It wasn’t the first time. A year ago, she gave him a luxury sports car the day he returned from overseas. For my birthday, she’d gone to the discounted section of the grocery store and gifted me a bag of snacks that were about to expire. She’d said: “You shouldn’t compare yourself to Brooks. My intention is so much more valuable than some ridiculous five-hundred-thousand-dollar car.” I had let her lead me by the nose until this latest stunt: Gigi skipping our wedding to stand in for Brooks at his, and then going on his honeymoon. The memory of my mother, fighting for every last breath, closing her eyes in final, silent despair because she never saw me with a wife, brought a sharp, clarifying pain. I bit down on my tongue. The pain grounded me. I tossed the gift box back into the drawer. “I won’t mail it.” Gigi was silent for a beat, then her voice spiked in rage. “Callan, do you have any humanity? Brooks is sick with culture shock, and he just wants to cheer up on his birthday!” Brooks’s gentle, understanding voice came over the line. “It’s okay, Gigi, really. No gift could compare to you being here with me.” Gigi immediately refuted him. “No! If you want it, I’ll pluck the stars out of the sky for you!” I was speechless. I had only ever asked for a pear. She’d insisted on the apple. She’d told me apples were cheap and filling—suitable for a man like me. In ten years, she had never once considered what I truly wanted. For Brooks, she was ready to move heaven and earth. Gigi huffed, indignant. “I will be good to him! You dare defy me?” Brooks sounded resigned. “As you wish, my little princess. I just worry Callan will get upset.” Gigi scoffed. “Who cares about him? The man has zero empathy! You were sick, your fiancée ran off—I just stepped in as a temporary fill-in and came on a quick trip to help you relax. And he throws a fit!” “I told him I’d marry him once I got back and make him the ideal son-in-law, but he’s still being petty and relentless. Honestly, he’s such a headache.” I lowered my eyes, utterly numb. Gigi treated Brooks this way because she was certain I would never leave her, no matter what. “Alright, I have to take Brooks to the clinic now. Just mail the package. Hurry.” She hung up after her perfunctory order. A minute later, I saw a new post on Brooks’s social media. A single, simple photo. The two of them building a sandcastle at sunset. Their hands were overlapped, and the brilliant sparkle of matching commitment rings on their fingers was blinding. This was their trip to the “clinic.” I couldn’t even summon the energy to confront her. If I did, I would only be berated for being small-minded and for questioning their “pure, platonic friendship.” Now, all I wanted was to leave this soul-crushing city, return to my hometown, and build something of my own. At my mother’s funeral, I’d reconnected with my old friend, Marcus. He had the capital and the location for a new business, and all he needed was a strong operations person—me. I had promised him three days to wrap up my life here before joining him. Thinking of this, I texted Marcus. We chatted until the sun set, and a genuine smile finally touched my lips. Just then, a different friend messaged me. “Callan, Gigi posted you for sale on that used-goods app! What is going on?!” 2 I clicked on the link my friend sent. The product photo showed me wearing an apron, focused intently on cooking. “Used-up Boyfriend for Sale. 90% New. 99 cents to the first bidder.” The comment section was flooded by Gigi’s friends, turning it into a group event. “Gigi, you’ve had this product for ten years; you can’t call him 90% new! He was a looker when he was young, but now he’s just old bark.” “Not the prettiest accessory, but buying him means a free housekeeper. Pretty good ROI.” The friend who’d sent me the link weakly commented: “Gigi, won’t Callan be mad if he sees this?” Immediately, everyone swarmed him: “If Callan gets mad, he can’t take a joke.” “Give it a rest. Callan’s just a country boy clinging to Gigi, hoping to cash in on her family’s wealth. He’s pretending to be a great lover!” My heart was like a stone in my chest. I felt nothing. I already knew Gigi’s friends looked down on me. They even had a private group chat where they constantly urged her to break up with me. Everyone assumed I was a gold-digger, never realizing that for ten years, I’d never spent a dime of her money. I’d handed over every paycheck and worked extra shifts just to buy her gifts and help with expenses. I was so broke that I had to borrow the money for my mother’s funeral from Marcus. I meant to close the app, but I accidentally hit the “Make an Offer” button. I watched, frozen, as a private message popped up: “Fine, you win. Offer accepted. Final price: 97 cents.” While I was still reeling, trying to figure out how to delete the transaction, Gigi called, sounding completely unconcerned. “It was just a game of Truth or Dare, Callan, don’t take it seriously. I’ll take it down tomorrow.” The background noise was a roar—she sounded like she was in a crowded club. Brooks’s voice, loud, cut through the din: “My bad, Callan! It was supposed to be me she put up for sale, but Gigi was afraid someone would actually bid on me, so she used you instead. But hey, that picture is great! Everyone in the group chat said you look so domestic and competent!” My grip tightened on the phone. Before the wedding, Gigi had seen me cooking and said my focused look was handsome, impulsively taking a picture. I’d been so touched, happily posing. I’d been nothing but a source of entertainment for her. Gigi sounded slightly chastened, a rare moment of weakness. “Look, I’ll be back in a few days. I’ll bring you a souvenir.” “You don’t have to. I’m leaving in two days—” —I’m leaving. The words caught in my throat. She had already hung up. I suddenly felt a profound, overwhelming sense of futility. The next morning, I received a call from a repair center. “Mr. Han? Ms. Winslow’s tablet is ready. She’s out of the country, so she asked us to contact you for pickup.” The tablet. After my mother fell ill, I had desperately begged Gigi to set a date. She ignored me, glued to her tablet, refusing to commit. I had snapped, asking her if her reluctance to marry me was because of Brooks. She’d immediately thrown the tablet, shattering the screen, then her face went cold and she mockingly agreed to my request. Now I knew. She hadn’t been angry; she had been guilty. Snapping back to the present, I decided not to make things difficult for the repair guy and headed to the center. The technician handed me the device. “Just the screen was broken. The data is all intact!” I idly swiped the screen twice and realized she hadn’t logged out of her messaging app. I looked closer. It was her burner account. Brooks was pinned to the top of her contacts. They shared matching pink-themed avatars. His nickname was “My Prince.” Hers was “The Prince Is Mine.” I swallowed hard and opened Gigi’s profile. The tablet froze for a moment. Then, a dense, unending stream of posts—all visible only to her, or Brooks—an archive of photos, messages, and every piece of information about him, erupted onto the screen. 3 I scrolled for what felt like an eternity before reaching the first entry. “October 29, 2015. Brooks’s first month abroad. I think I’m going through withdrawal. I saw someone in the cafeteria who looks just like him…” That was the day Gigi and I met. My family was poor; I was eating instant ramen in the school cafeteria. She suddenly sat down next to me, slid her full tray of expensive food toward me, and begged me to eat it. She added my contact info and asked me to tutor her for her finals. “January 1, 2016. Brooks’s third month abroad. I confessed to Callan. He was so happy, so shy. I feel a strange sense of guilt. He’s not Brooks, after all.” … The realization hit me with the force of a physical blow. The account Gigi gave me, the one we used for ten years, wasn’t her real account. It was the placeholder, the cover, maybe even just her work number. Frowning, I tapped on Brooks’s chat history. January 15, 2025. Brooks: “I’m craving a slice of watermelon.” I remembered that day vividly. It was a snowstorm, ten degrees below freezing, with strong winds. Yet, Gigi had agreed without hesitation and had driven all over the city to find one. Brooks had responded: “Winter watermelon isn’t great after all. Gigi, can you just take it and toss it?” That afternoon, Gigi came home holding half a watermelon, her nose raw and red from the cold, her eyelashes speckled with melting snow. She smiled as she handed the fruit to me. I was nearly in tears, vowing to devote my life to her. It had all been a performance. I had been a fool. In a self-destructive trance, I continued to read every thread. The patience, the encouragement, the gentle sweetness—the things I had always been denied—were all lavished on Brooks. I had always thought Gigi’s venomous tongue was just the result of a cold, elite education, that she was socially awkward and didn’t know how to be kind. Now I understood. It was simply because of two words. Not worthy. I took the tablet and left. When I reached my apartment building, a delivery guy was waiting for me, holding a battered, worn package that required a signature. Inside, resting on a bed of crumpled paper, was a thin gold chain. The delivery guy hesitated. “The sender said she wasn’t qualified to be your girlfriend and asked you to take back this family heirloom necklace. She insisted you verify the contents right here.” Gigi knew exactly how to manipulate me. Whenever we argued, she would return the necklace, our only meaningful token of commitment, claiming my temper was too much and she couldn’t handle me. It was her ultimate threat to end things. And every time, I would panic. I would refuse to sign for it, sobbing and begging her forgiveness, asking her to put it back on, desperate in my humiliation. But this time, I slipped the gold necklace into my pocket, took the pen, and signed my name. Just as I stepped out of the coffee shop, Gigi called, sounding triumphant. “Callan, did you see the package? That’s what you get for not mailing Brooks’s watch! I bought him a five-million-dollar villa as a birthday gift and promised to vacation with him there every year. Didn’t you just shoot yourself in the foot?” The next second, she shrieked. “You signed for it?!” “Yes.” She frowned, displeased. “Why did you sign for it? You said it was your family’s heirloom, to be worn only by your wife, only me, for life!” I simply asked, “Didn’t you send it back?” Gigi choked on her words. Before I could speak again, she spoke, her voice ice-cold: “Callan, you are despicable! You can’t take a simple joke. Fine, keep the damn necklace and wear it until you die!” She didn’t just hang up; she blocked me on every platform. I knew she was genuinely angry this time. But all I felt was silence. And peace. Two days later. I was planning for my long-haul flight and stepped out to buy some energy bars. When I returned, the front door was ajar. A thief? I peered through the peephole. Inside, Brooks was holding a fork and a slice of cake, licking the metal with a look of pure satisfaction before forking another piece and feeding it to Gigi. “Gigi, this cake is amazing. Only you would go all the way across town to get it.” “You were with Callan for ten years, though. Maybe you should talk things out when he gets back? Don’t stay angry.” Gigi, who was normally a germaphobe, tilted her head slightly and bit the cake off the fork, her eyes fixed on Brooks. “To be honest, ten years with him doesn’t compare to ten days with you.” Brooks froze. Gigi laughed, playfully punching his arm to mask the sudden intimacy. “Just kidding! Didn’t your mother line up another potential match for you? Let me vet her for you. We’re best friends, right?” In matters of the heart, everyone has insecurities. Even Gigi, normally so arrogant, feared rejection or disdain. A draft blew through the gap, slamming the door shut. I took out my key, ready to open it. Gigi beat me to it, yanking the door open. She launched a preemptive strike, demanding an explanation. “Callan, you’re not at work. Why didn’t you meet me at the airport?” 4 I put the keys back in my pocket and held up the snack bag. “I didn’t know you were coming home today.” Gigi frowned. “I posted the flight information on my socials!” “I was blocked.” “Well, couldn’t you ask your friends? Couldn’t you call my secretary? Your girlfriend was gone for two weeks, and you weren’t worried at all? What are you holding, anyway? Not only are you absent from work, but you were out spending money?!” When did she become so verbose? I nodded toward Brooks. “Worried about what? You clearly had company.” Brooks intentionally licked his fork again, offering the cake toward me. “Callan, why are you so tense this morning? Want some cake?” I felt a surge of nausea. “Apologies, I don’t share food, especially not saliva-laced cake.” Gigi’s body trembled. She stepped toward me to argue, knocking into the large shopping bags at her feet. Coffee pods and high-end wellness supplements spilled out. She angrily kicked a plastic bag toward me. “I even brought you and your mother souvenirs! Callan, you are utterly heartless!” I knew Gigi was lashing out because she felt guilty and was trying to deflect from the ambiguous intimacy she shared with Brooks. But there was something far more important on my mind. “Gigi, keep the souvenirs. Just hand over my payroll card.” I needed the money. I still had to repay Marcus for the funeral expenses. Brooks feigned shock. “Callan, what kind of man asks his girlfriend for money? I know you’re still angry about Gigi standing in as my replacement fiancée, and I’m sorry, okay?” The familiar manipulation. The old me would have lunged at him, demanding he drop the pretense. Now, I was too tired. Gigi was shaking with rage. “We agreed you’d hold all your savings with me so we could buy a house together! What do you mean, you want it back?!” “I always knew you were vain, always wanting to spend money or beg for a promotion. I’m the one who signs your paychecks, so what right do you have to ask for it? I’ll demote you if you keep this up!” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Gigi, a person with my skills would get a starting salary of twenty thousand a month at any other company. You pay me six thousand. Should I thank you?” Gigi looked at me, her eyes wide with disbelief and disappointment. “Callan, don’t be ungrateful! Do you think you would have gotten your foot in the door at a massive company like ours if you weren’t my boyfriend?” “You’re so shortsighted, a total simpleton. Why do you think I was marrying Brooks? It was to secure our networking, for our future! My mother finally agreed to hand over the company to me soon, and then I would have married you. Do you really need this paltry salary now? Are you really giving me the cold shoulder over this small amount of money?” Who was giving whom the cold shoulder? I said, cold and hard, “Gigi, I only want the wages I earned. And, we should—” Break up. The two words wouldn’t come out. Instead, Gigi pulled the card out and slapped it against my face. “Callan, everyone told me you were just after my money, and I was stupid enough to defend you. Now I see I was wrong. A provincial man like you is completely unworthy of my sacrifice!” The sharp edge of the card cut my cheek. I felt a sudden coolness on my right cheek. I touched it with my finger and saw the wet, crimson smear. She was right. I was unworthy. This toxic, broken relationship should never have started. Gigi looked momentarily panicked but quickly hardened her voice. “Serves you right.” Brooks gently patted her back, then looked at me with smug satisfaction. “Callan, just apologize to Gigi before you hurt yourself more! She waited for you at the airport for ages. It’s just a girl’s temper. A man needs to be the bigger person.” My attention was drawn to the familiar timepiece on his wrist. My pupils contracted. If they were in the living room, what about my mother’s portrait? I rushed into the bedroom. A sigh of relief. It was still on the bedside table, untouched. I picked up the portrait, ready to leave this disastrous place for good. Gigi snatched it from my hand and slammed it face down on the table. “I’m talking to you! Why are you in the bedroom? I told you, you can’t run away. You have to apologize! Otherwise, I won’t go through with the wedding, and your sick mother can just keep waiting!” Brooks walked over, ostensibly to mediate, but his eyes narrowed, and he suddenly knocked my mother’s portrait onto the tile floor. Smash! The frame hit the tiles, and glass shards flew. Brooks yelped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” The world seemed to recede, focusing only on the portrait lying on the floor. I crouched down, eyes stinging, and started picking up the glass. My fingers were immediately sliced open by the tiny fragments. Gigi only cared about Brooks, checking him up and down. “Brooks, are you okay? Did any glass hit you?” She turned and cursed at me. “Callan, are you blind? Why do you keep such dangerous things in the house? Apologize to Brooks now, or I swear I will never marry you!” Seeing me stubbornly picking up the glass, my hands dripping with blood, she kicked me in frustration. “I’m talking to you! Stop picking that up! Aren’t you the ultimate filial son? Don’t you want to grant your mother’s wish?” Then her eyes landed on the black-and-white photograph. She froze. “Who… who is that?” I wiped the blood, my blood, from the photo with my shirt sleeve. My mother’s loving, gentle gaze was still looking up at me. Thankfully, the picture itself was undamaged. I looked up at Gigi and finally, finally finished the sentence I had started so many times. “Gigi, my mom passed away. There won’t be a wedding.” “We’re done.”

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A video of me scolding a child went viral, and netizens quickly uncovered that the child was none other than the son of Ethan Sterling, the crown prince of New York’s business world. My rival, a young starlet, posted a scathing condemnation: [She looks glamorous on the surface, but I never expected her to abuse children in private! Is she bullying the child because he doesn’t have a mother?] Anti-fans united to boycott me, screaming for me to get out of the entertainment industry. Me: “?” Wait… who said this child doesn’t have a mother? That night, the billionaire prince himself tagged me: [Allow me to introduce everyone to my wife.] 1 Early in the morning, before I had even woken up, my agent, Yolanda, barged in, flustered and panicked: “Sophie, you’re done for!” I was completely confused, but she looked like the sky was falling. “How dare you hit Ethan Sterling’s son?” Me: “???” Yolanda quickly opened her phone and handed it to me. A video titled “Sophie Turner Abuses Child” was trending at the top. In the video, I was pinching the cheek of a three or four-year-old child, my mouth moving as if I were shouting something. The child looked teary-eyed, standing there, afraid to move. Because of the camera angle, my expression, which was actually gentle at the time, looked stern and severe in the video. [Oh my god, is that Sophie Turner? What is she doing!] [Hurting a child? That kid looks so pitiful!] [That’s not just hurting a child; that’s child abuse! I’ve long heard insiders say Sophie is selfish and manic, and likes to hit people to vent her anger! I didn’t expect her to target a child now! Look at that scary expression on her face!] Beneath the video was a pile of rumors and curses aimed at me, though there were some defending me too. Until someone posted a photo. It was a picture of Ethan Sterling holding the hand of a three or four-year-old child at an event. In the photo, the man was in a black suit, his face fair and handsome, his deep dark eyes revealing a distant indifference. The child he was holding looked like he was carved from the same mold! [Oh my god! That kid is Ethan Sterling’s son!] Everyone knows that Ethan Sterling, the crown prince of the business world, has a son whose mother is never seen. But this son has been spoiled by him since childhood; not even a scratch is allowed. Ethan takes this son with him wherever he goes. Once, someone from a rival company tried to “invite” little Leo Sterling over behind Ethan’s back. Although they didn’t succeed, the crown prince was furious and directly acquired all the companies under the rival’s name. This incident caused a sensation in the elite circles. Once this photo came out, the internet went silent for a moment, then erupted into even greater discussion. Those who had spoken up for me before didn’t dare to make a sound. [Sophie is finished! Completely finished this time! Who gave her the guts to abuse Ethan Sterling’s son!] [Sophie deserves it! I’ve disliked her for a long time. She’s probably done for this time!] Meanwhile, some celebrities also jumped in. Among them was my rival, the young starlet Chloe White. Since her debut, she became popular by imitating my style and acting path, earning the nickname “Little Sophie.” But compared to me, she likes to play the innocent white flower online. Chloe posted a tweet: [I didn’t expect some people to look glamorous on the surface but be so cruel at heart. To even commit child abuse… this involves criminal liability, right?] She also tagged some famous lawyers in the comments. Although she didn’t mention my name, everyone knew who she was talking about. For a while, her popularity soared, and the comments section was filled with insults towards me. 2 I am a “black-red” female star in the industry, meaning I have a group of loyal fans but also a massive number of anti-fans. Even the slightest thing about me gets magnified infinitely and quickly climbs the trending searches. Especially now that my name is linked with “child abuse” and “billionaire crown prince.” Yolanda’s phone kept ringing. At first, when I started trending, many brands and partners were watching silently, not making any moves. But once it was revealed that the child was Ethan’s son, they called one after another to terminate contracts. Me: “…” Ethan and I have been secretly married for five years. Leo is my son. What’s wrong with pinching my son’s cheek because I find him cute? That day, I had just finished an event and was rushing to the next one when I saw my son. He pitifully said that Daddy prepared a candlelight dinner and wanted to invite me back to eat together. Three meals a day, Ethan could prepare six! Veins popped on my forehead. I was afraid the child would be photographed by paparazzi—after all, being with me is less safe than being with Ethan. So I said a few words to him and told him to go back quickly. Unexpectedly, I was still photographed, and online it turned into me abusing a child. Yolanda collapsed on the sofa, muttering, “It’s over, it’s over… everything is over.” Seeing her like this, I felt a bit unbearable: “Yolanda, maybe there’s a turning point…” But before I could finish, Yolanda interrupted me, crying with a mournful face: “What turning point? Everyone knows Ethan’s son is untouchable. Why couldn’t you pinch someone else? Pinch me! Why did you have to provoke his son…” I moved my lips, just about to say something to Yolanda, when her phone rang. After Yolanda answered the call and came back, her eyes lit up: “Sophie, a variety show wants you! They offered three times the usual price! Let’s do one last job before retiring!” Me: “…” Looking at Yolanda’s expression, I felt helpless and nodded. 3 This was a travel variety show. The production team, eyeing the heat of me being scolded, invited not only me but also Chloe. The show was livestreamed the entire time. When I arrived, Chloe was facing the camera, explaining the law: “Child abuse is punishable by law. In severe cases, constituting the crime of abuse, one can be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than two years…” The livestream comments were full of praise for Chloe’s beauty and kindness. However, upon seeing me, Chloe’s face turned cold immediately. The camera also focused on me, and the comments in the livestream began to roll. [Damn! How does Sophie have the nerve to appear here and participate in the show so blatantly?] [Where are the police! Why haven’t they arrested Sophie yet! She committed a crime!] [Good job, Chloe! Our Chloe is straightforward and hates evil. Seeing Sophie for the first time, you can clearly tell she’s angry!] [That’s child abuse! Even I’m angry watching it! Disgusting Sophie, get out of the entertainment industry!] Chloe walked straight up to me and said, “Sophie, do you have anything to say about your child abuse?” I sneered, “To you, I have nothing to say. If you’re sick, don’t come to me; I’m not a vet.” My reputation online was already ruined, and I had long disliked Chloe, so I wasn’t polite at all. Chloe’s face turned red, seemingly from anger. Netizens in the livestream launched a new round of attacks on me. [Damn! Bitch Sophie, you dare call Chloe sick?!] [Disgusting Sophie! I want to tear your face apart!] [Honestly, I kinda agree with Sophie. Looking at the video alone, she just pinched the kid’s cheek. It doesn’t reach the level of abuse. Netizens talking is one thing, but Chloe, as a public figure, directly labeling Sophie as a child abuser and educating about laws in the livestream, leading the rhythm… she deserves to be scolded.] [Previous commenter, you’re disgusting too. You probably like abusing children as well, right?] There were people speaking up for me in the livestream, but they were quickly drowned out by insults. Chloe sneered, “Sophie, don’t be too willful. This is a society under the rule of law. Everyone must be responsible for what they have done! Brother Ethan won’t let you off!” I keenly caught the two words in Chloe’s mouth— “Brother Ethan.” What the hell is this? Netizens in the livestream were curious too. [Brother Ethan? Does she mean Ethan Sterling?] [Does Goddess Chloe have any relationship with the crown prince? Otherwise, why would she call him Brother Ethan?] [Ahhh, Chloe, tell us! What’s going on!] Chloe saw the scrolling comments. She took a deep breath, a smile on her lips, and said to the camera: “That’s right. I didn’t want to say it originally. But Sophie went too far, bullying my little nephew!” “As his aunt, I really couldn’t stand it anymore, so I had to stand up! I am actually Ethan’s cousin!” Ethan’s cousin? Why didn’t I know that! 4 Chloe’s words undoubtedly caused waves in the livestream. The comments were boiling. [Whoa! Chloe is actually Ethan’s cousin? Hidden so deep, never heard a whisper before!] [Boohoo, I’m crying. My Chloe really comes from a good family, and she’s beautiful and hardworking. She deserves to be famous!] [Sophie is done for now, right? Bullying the young master of the Sterling family, and now his aunt is right here!] [At first, I thought Chloe wanted to ride the wave of popularity, but I didn’t expect she stood up because she couldn’t stand it and wanted to protect her family.] I frowned and voiced my doubt: “How come I didn’t know you are Ethan’s cousin?” Ethan is an only child. Although we are secretly married to the public, I know most of his relatives. I never heard he had a cousin like this. Seeing the number of people in the livestream soaring, the director was also excited. After all, the name “Ethan Sterling” represents popularity and power, but Ethan is unreachable. Now that “Ethan’s cousin” appeared right in front of them, the director definitely had to seize this opportunity! Immediately, the director arranged for the cameraman to give Chloe a close-up and asked: “Chloe, so you hid your identity to join the industry to experience life?” Chloe smiled decently at the camera: “Being an artist is my dream. I didn’t say it before because I didn’t want everyone to misunderstand that my achievements relied on my cousin. I want to prove my strength to everyone.” [Oh my god! I love Chloe so much! She’s really working so hard!] [Told you, being a fan of Goddess Chloe is never a loss!] Chloe’s words hit the trending searches. #ChloeWhiteIsAWealthyHeiress #ChloeWhiteHidesIdentityToChaseDream Several hashtags kept trending, and her follower count skyrocketed. Of course, I learned all this from the staff’s discussions nearby; phones are confiscated during filming. The director struck while the iron was hot: “Chloe, we are going to Cloud City for filming next. I heard Young Master Sterling has a big villa in Cloud City. Could you ask him to lend that villa to our production team for a few days?” “No problem,” Chloe agreed immediately. I narrowed my eyes. Ethan does have a villa in Cloud City. I picked it out back then. The scenery is nice, and it’s large enough to house a production team. That villa is under my name. “Did you ask the owner? You just agreed?” Chloe frowned and looked at me dissatisfied: “My relationship with my cousin has always been good. What’s the problem with me borrowing it for a few days?” A young woman in a white short skirt next to her also linked arms with Chloe: “Chloe, maybe someone is just jealous of you. Let’s ignore her.” This was another female guest participating in the show, named Sarah. There were six people participating in the show. Besides me, Chloe, and Sarah, there were three male guests. The five of them stood together, distancing themselves from me. Off-camera, my agent Yolanda kept signaling me not to argue with them. I squeezed my palm and didn’t speak anymore. I also wanted to see if Chloe could really get into that villa in Cloud City.

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Everyone tuned in expecting a catfight between the “Real Heiress” and the “Fake Heiress.” Instead, they watched us bond over trash-talking our boyfriends. Chloe Sterling: “How’s yours doing?” Me: “Clingy as hell. I haven’t slept a full night in weeks. I’m thinking of dumping him.” Chloe Sterling: “Mine too. I literally only get seven days of rest a month… You dump yours first?” Me: “Let’s do it together.” We both hit send on the breakup texts at the exact same second. Ten minutes later, Oscar-winning actor Atlas Thorne and chart-topping pop star Ezra Thorne hijacked the live stream. They arrived via helicopter and motorcycle, tossing us over their shoulders like sacks of potatoes. Ezra: “Bro, never sign them up for the same reality show again. We almost became single men today.” Atlas, hoisting me up: “Noted.” Twitter imploded that day. #Trending: Atlas and Ezra Thorne almost got dumped in 4K. Chapter 1 Chloe Sterling and I are the subjects of the biggest “Switched at Birth” scandal in New York history. She is the biological daughter of the Sterling dynasty. I was the one raised in her place. When the truth came out, Chloe took back her name and moved into the Sterling estate, instantly becoming the city’s darling. I moved out, took back my birth name, Harper Vance, and according to the tabloids, became the unwanted reject. Just then, a trendy new live-stream reality show invited us both. They offered an obscene amount of money, so naturally, I packed my bags. On filming day, I arrived panting, riding a bicycle with my luggage strapped to the back. As soon as I pulled up, I saw my nemesis—the B-list actress Bella Knox. I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. Bella and I debuted around the same time. She used to follow me around like a puppy, calling me “Harper, Harper!” Back then, I was naive. I thought she was my friend, so I shared my resources with her. The moment the news broke that I wasn’t a real Sterling, she cut ties. Her fans started dragging me online. We’ve been enemies ever since. Seeing me, Bella’s eyes flashed with disdain. But since the cameras were rolling, she put on her sickly-sweet voice. “Harper! So good to see you!” Her voice was so high-pitched and fake it gave me goosebumps. I immediately took a step back. Bella seized the moment. She looked at the camera, eyes filling with tears, acting like I had just slapped her. Her “bullied victim” act worked instantly. The live chat exploded with her fans attacking me: [Wow, Harper Vance got kicked out of the Sterling family and she’s still acting like a princess? Shameless.] [Bella is being so nice to her! Harper should be grateful anyone is talking to her at all.] [You aren’t a rich heiress anymore, honey! You aren’t even fit to tie Bella’s shoes.] [If Bella wasn’t an angel, you wouldn’t even be on this show!] Bella glanced at the comments on the monitor, a smirk flickering in her eyes. She kept up the act: “Guys, don’t say that about Harper. Even though she’s the… you know, the ‘fake’ daughter, I still consider her a friend…” Before she could finish, I pulled out my phone. I opened our chat history. I played the voice memo she sent me the night my scandal broke. I held it up to the microphone. “Harper Sterling… oops, I guess it’s Harper Vance now. I was just using you. Did you really think we were friends? Don’t be stupid.” “I’m warning you, stay away from me. Don’t try to leech off my fame.” “You’re a nobody now. You really think you’re worthy of being my friend?” I played three messages in a row. Then I looked at Bella with innocent eyes. “But you told me to stay away from you.” Bella froze. She didn’t think I’d have the receipts ready to go. [Wait. Plot twist!] [So Bella told her to get lost in private, but is acting like a saint on camera? That’s toxic.] [That is disgusting. She was friends with her when she was rich, and dumped her the second she fell?] [Bella Knox? More like Bella Two-Face.] The tide turned instantly. Bella was getting roasted. But her die-hard fans tried to save her: [It’s just a recording! Deep fake! Harper probably AI-generated it!] [Harper is so manipulative. No wonder the Sterlings kicked her out!] [Scheming witch!] While the chat was filled with “The Sterlings don’t want you,” a Maybach with the license plate “8888” pulled up. The driver jumped out and opened the rear door. Chloe Sterling stepped out, looking like a runway model in designer shades. She paused, looked at Bella, then looked at me with a frown. Bella’s fans went wild. [She’s here! The Real Heiress is here to slap the Fake one!] [Yes! Chloe hates her! Look at that frown!] [Drag her, Chloe! Take back what she stole!] Bella saw her chance. She walked towards Chloe, hand extended. “Hi, Miss Sterling. I’m Bella Knox. It’s an honor to meet…” Chloe walked right past her like she was air. Bella was left shaking hands with the wind. Chloe walked up to me, circled my bicycle, and sighed. “I told you to ride in the limo with me. Why did you ride this bike? Look at you, you’re sweating. It’s not a good look.” She pulled out a silk handkerchief and wiped the sweat from my forehead. No malice. Just big sister energy. Bella and the audience were stunned. [Am I hallucinating? Are they… friends?] [Where is the catfight? I came for blood!] [Scripted! This has to be scripted! There’s no way Chloe doesn’t hate the girl who lived her life for 20 years!] I swatted Chloe’s hand away. “Girl, relax. Dad just bought me this bike. It cost seven million dollars.” Chloe whipped off her sunglasses and squatted down to look at the gears. “Say what? Seven mil?” Bella, recovering from the snub, thought this was her moment. She stepped forward, ready to scold me for spending “Daddy Sterling’s” money—until she heard Chloe’s next words. “Let me ride it.” Chloe hopped on the bike and started doing laps around the set. “Damn,” she yelled. “You can really feel the seven million dollars in the pedals!” “Right? And it’s great cardio,” I yelled back. “I lost three pounds already!” Atlas had been away filming for a month. Without him… exercising me every night, I had gained weight from stress eating. I needed this bike. “That effective?” Chloe stopped. “Let me do two more laps. I gained weight too.” “Stop! We’re filming a show, not a spin class!” I grabbed the handlebars. Chloe froze, remembering the cameras. She looked at me, panicked. “Wait, was I supposed to act like a poised heiress?” I pointed to the blinking red lights. “Too late. It’s live.” Chloe: “Crap.” Chapter 2 The show was called “Spill the Tea.” Just four girls in a garden, gossiping. Me, Chloe, Bella, and a cool rapper named Jinx. The host immediately went for the jugular. He asked Chloe how she felt about the “switch.” Chloe’s eyes got red. She couldn’t speak. Bella saw an opening. She handed Chloe a tissue, feigning empathy. “I understand. Living a hard life for twenty years and finding out you were rich… I’d be sad too.” Chloe looked at her, confused. “Hard life? You think living with the Vances is a ‘hard life’?” “What?” Bella blinked. “But… aren’t they poor?” “Harper’s biological father is Vance,” Chloe said. “As in, the Tech Billionaire Vance. The richest man in the state? Didn’t you know?” Bella looked like she was going to throw up. She thought I was a broke fake heiress. Turns out, I was just a switched billionaire. “Harper…” Bella turned to me, eyes watering. I smiled and hit play on my phone again. “Don’t ever talk to me again or I’ll blacklist you.” “I’ll send my fans to cyberbully you.” “You don’t want to be canceled, do you?” I smiled sweetly. “Sorry, I’m scared of being cyberbullied. I can’t talk to you.” Bella looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. The comments were merciless. Her fans were defecting in droves. To save the show, the host pivoted. “So, Chloe… are you dating anyone?” Chloe blushed. “Yeah. I have one.” Host: “What about you, Harper?” I thought about Atlas, that handsome demon. “Yeah. I have one too.” Chloe asked me instinctively, “How is he?” Me: “Too clingy. I get zero sleep at night. I’m dumping him.” Atlas is a beast. If he’s not filming, he’s in my bed. All night. Every night. I love him, but my body needs a break. Chloe sighed deeply. “Mine too. I literally only get seven days off a month… You dump yours first?” I thought about it. “Let’s do it together.” We both took out our phones. We both sent the text: We’re done. The studio went silent. The live stream comments froze for a second, then exploded. [OMG. Did they just dump their boyfriends live on air?] [Rich girl problems: My boyfriend loves me too much in bed?] [I am living for this tea!] [Wait, only 7 days rest a month? Girl, are you dating a machine?] The server crashed. The screen went black. Bella was dragged away by her agent. Then, my phone started blowing up. Atlas. Blocked. Then the texts came through on my iPad. [Break up?] [What did I do?] [Was I not good enough last time?] [Wife?] [Baby, are you mad I was filming for a month? I’m done now. I won’t take long shoots anymore. I can be home every night for the next three years.] [Where are you? I’m coming to get you.] Every. Night. For. Three. Years. My eyes widened in horror. I looked at Chloe. She was pale. “What do I do?” she whispered. “Ezra said he’s coming to ‘fix’ me.” I grabbed her hand. “Run.” “Run!” We stood up, but the internet came back on. The director waved us down. We had to sit. Bella came back, revitalized. Her fans were back, trying to change the subject. Host: “I heard Bella is getting married soon. Who is the lucky guy?” Bella blushed. “He prefers to stay private.” Host: “Is he famous?” Bella: “Maybe…” The chat lit up. [It’s Atlas Thorne! They have matching phone cases!] [Atlas is the heir to the Thorne empire!] [Bella is going to be Mrs. Thorne! Take that, Harper!] I frowned. Matching phone cases? Atlas has a custom case with a photo of my back on it. “Are you sure Atlas Thorne is your boyfriend?” I asked. Bella flinched, remembering the audio recording, but doubled down. “Why are you asking? Jealous? I’ll send you an invite to the wedding.” I was stunned by her audacity. Chloe slammed the table. “You’re lying!” Bella wiped a tear. “Just because you’re a Sterling doesn’t mean you can bully me.” Her acting was Oscar-worthy. The chat turned on us again. I laughed. “Okay. Call him. If Atlas picks up and calls you ‘babe,’ I will bow 90 degrees and apologize to you in front of 200 million viewers.” Bella froze. “He… he’s busy.” “Call him,” I smiled. “He wrapped filming today.” Bella, cornered by the chat demanding proof, dialed. Ring… Ring… No answer. She tried again. No answer. “He’s busy,” she smirked. “Sorry, Harper.” I pulled out my phone. I unblocked Atlas. I hit FaceTime. Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter rotor drowned out the audio. A black helicopter hovered over the open-air garden set. A man jumped out, looking like an action hero. It was Atlas Thorne. Then, the roar of a Ducati engine. A man in all black skidded to a halt. He took off his helmet. Ezra Thorne. “He’s here to kill me,” Chloe squeaked. Atlas marched toward me. I panicked and pointed at Bella. “You don’t need to call him. I brought your boyfriend to you.” Bella turned white. Atlas looked at Bella, confused, then flicked my forehead. “Stop talking nonsense. You’re the only girlfriend I’ve ever had.” The internet broke again. [Atlas is Harper’s boyfriend?!] [He just admitted it!] [So Bella was lying the whole time?] [Matching phone case? She probably just bought a stalker case!] Bella rolled her eyes back and fainted for real this time. Atlas picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I grabbed his shirt. “Put me down! It’s daytime!” “Don’t worry,” he growled. “It’ll be dark by the time we’re done.” Ezra grabbed Chloe. “Brother, next time, separate shows. My wife almost escaped.” Atlas nodded solemnly. I looked at Chloe. She looked at me. Wait. Brother? They were brothers? Chapter 3 Atlas carried me straight into our downtown penthouse. “Why did you break up with me?” He unbuttoned his collar, tossing me onto the bed. “Wait! It’s 3 PM!” I scrambled back. “It’s fine,” he said, looming over me. “I have a lot of time to make up for.” Chapter 4 I didn’t see the sun until the next morning. I couldn’t feel my legs. Atlas, the monster, was in the kitchen making pancakes, looking fresh as a daisy. I ate the pancakes and texted Chloe. Me: [You alive?] Chloe: [Barely.] We met for lunch. We were both walking funny.

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I am rich. Seriously, absurdly rich. Add to that my face that’s always been more than serviceable, and my entire life has been a relentless parade of thirsty suitors and envious whispers. So, when my path was suddenly blocked by a man in an expensive but slightly too-tight suit, my mind went completely blank. I didn’t recognize him. I only registered the fact that he was rude, standing in the middle of a high-end gala without moving. I offered a polite, clipped request: “Excuse me, sir. Could you please step aside?” 1 His brow instantly furrowed into a tight knot. He didn’t just look angry; he looked genuinely incredulous, like I’d just broken a fundamental law of physics. “Are you seriously pretending you don’t know me?” The woman draped over his arm like a drama queen. She covered her mouth, a dramatic performance of shock. “Scarlett Hayes? Is that really you?” Her eyes, predatory and quick, scanned me from head to toe. She zeroed in on the understated, low-key blazer I’d chosen for professional comfort. The smug, gleeful pity in her gaze was impossible to hide. “Oh my God, you actually fell this far? Are you… are you serving tables now?” She stepped closer, dropping her voice just enough to ensure the surrounding circle of guests could still hear. “We’re classmates, aren’t we? If you were in trouble, why didn’t you say anything? This kind of serving-staff work? You, Scarlett? You were the most fragile princess in the whole class.” “If others couldn’t help, you had Ethan Bell. Remember? He was so devoted to you. He worked three months straight just to buy you that gift. He even hurt his hands trying to cook you a meal.” Her voice carried load. A ripple went through the crowd, and dozens of appreciative eyes settled on Ethan. Ugh. There it was—the Hero of Devotion narrative, perfectly executed. A few older, heavy-set executives nearby began to coo. “Not many young men show that kind of devotion anymore. Ethan Bell? Isn’t he the one from Ascend Tech?” “He just landed a major project, I heard. A man of substance. We should get in touch.” The wives and socialites swooned with a collective sigh. “A man that devoted? His current girlfriend must have saved an entire galaxy in a past life.” “Though I wonder, if he was so perfect, what kind of idiot would ever break up with him?” That was the question Chloe was waiting for. She shot a triumphant smirk my way, then pivoted back to the crowd. “Oh, I forgot. Back then, Scarlett threw the necklace Ethan gave her in the trash. She said her dog wouldn’t wear something that cheap. And she poured out the dinner he worked so hard to make, complaining it wasn’t made with imported ingredients.” The air went dead silent. The pitying looks that had been directed at me curdled instantly. After a long, uncomfortable pause, someone finally spoke in a low murmur. “I knew it. No good man like that gets dumped unless the woman is a gold-digging nightmare.” “A waitress? Snuck into a high-society event like this? She’s probably here looking for a ‘special side-gig.’” Finally, Ethan opened his mouth, his voice a low, self-satisfied rasp. “Scarlett Hayes, I told you back then you’d regret it. And now…” He took his time, staring at my basic suit, at the empty hand that had just been steadying a server’s tray. He sneered. “It looks like I didn’t even need to lift a finger. Karma handled the job for me.” A blank finally lifted from my brain. I dug through the forgotten basement of my memories and pulled out the bin file. “You’re… Ethan Bell?” I glanced at the clinging woman beside him. “And Chloe Davis?” Chloe snickered, a high, brittle sound. “I thought you’d keep up the act forever.” “Scarlett, I remember exactly how you humiliated Ethan. How you treated me. You can’t tell me you’re not regretting it now that Ethan is the one who’s made it big?” Regret? Not even close. I simply remembered the persistent, self-appointed Martyr who had stalked me through college, and the jealous hanger-on next to him. The first time I saw him, I’d just stepped out of my family owned Bentley and saw a commotion outside a fancy restaurant. A guy in a faded, washed-out button-up shirt was yelling, his face beet red. “This one dinner cost how much? That’s my whole month’s allowance! This is robbery!” The manager, looking bored, rolled his eyes. “It’s clearly marked on the menu. Why weren’t you complaining while you were eating it? Pay up, or I call the police for dine-and-dash.” That was Ethan Bell. Next to him, shoulders hunched and eyes wide with manufactured terror, was Chloe Davis. Chloe was clutching his sleeve, sobbing into his arm. “Ethan, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I just wanted to try some fancy meal, but I didn’t know it would be this expensive…” The manager laughed, a harsh bark. “Too late now, kids. Pay the check! And what kind of college students try to play high-roller when they can’t even afford the bill?” Ethan’s fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. He glared at the manager. “I’ll give you fifty now. The rest…” A flash of genuine shame crossed his face. “I’ll find a job. I’ll earn the money and bring it back.” I later found out he was the pride of his small town, a first class college student whose family had sacrificed his sister’s tuition to send him out. Grabbiing that check, and under the worshipful gaze of his hometown friend, Chloe, the guy got a little too big for his britches. Chloe gave him the puppy-dog eyes about the restaurant, and his fragile male pride—that damned pride—made him walk straight in. The manager was about to relent when I cut in. Ethan’s face was the color of a plum, but his spine was ramrod straight. The next second, a pale, manicured hand slid a black card between them. “Count it on me.” Both Ethan and Chloe froze, staring at me. I was completely expressionless. I just wanted to get to my table; they were blocking the entrance. “It’s fine. We’re classmates. This one’s on me.” It should have been a non-event. A mild, passing courtesy. Instead, Ethan yelled after me as I walked away, “What’s your name? I’ll pay you back! I don’t accept charity!” Without turning around, I tossed my name over my shoulder: “Scarlett Hayes.” Honestly, my initial impression of him was… fine. Mostly a decent kid with too much pride. Two months later, he cornered me. He was clutching a wad of cash—the thousand dollars, or whatever the bill was—like it was his entire self-worth. “Here. This is what I owed you. I’m paying you back.” His posture suggested that if I didn’t take the money, I was personally committing a felony against his dignity. I didn’t have a habit of crushing people’s egos. Besides, a debt is a debt. I took the money and asked, “Can you move now? I’m late.” He flinched, his face flushing again. “I… I’m Ethan Bell.” I was running to a lunch with my father, so I waved dismissively. “Ethan Bell. Got it. Thanks.” I genuinely thought he was a one-off extra. But apparently, the man had a spectacular inner monologue. Staring at my retreating back, he suddenly inflated with adrenaline. “Scarlett! I love you! May I ask you out?” I was thunderstruck. Buddy, this is the second time we’ve spoken. I was in a rush, so I didn’t give it a second thought. I turned back and said flatly, “No. I don’t like you.” The incident went exactly as you’d expect. Some people laughed: “A scholarship kid trying to date Hayes? What a joke.” Others pointed fingers at me: “Spoiled bitch. Couldn’t even let him down gently. Public rejection like that is cruel.” Wait, what? He proposed in public, but I was the asshole for rejecting him in public? “I try to do a good deed, and I get branded the villain,” I vented to my girls in a private dining room. Just then, the door slammed open. A pristine, ten-thousand-dollar bottle of Cristal, freshly uncorked for us, flew off the table and shattered on the floor, the golden liquid splashing everywhere. It was Chloe Davis, wearing a server uniform. She pointed a furious finger at me, as if she’d caught me molesting a puppy. “That bottle cost over a grand! Do you know how long Ethan had to wash dishes to pay back that thousand dollars? How dare you waste his hard work like this?” I was stunned. My friends were stunned. The manager, running in, looked utterly bewildered and let out a string of expletives. “Are you out of your mind?!” The manager was having a bad run with his staff. He tolerated Chloe’s constant, muttered complaints about customers—”wasteful trust fund kids,” “slutty clothes,” and so on. But this? This was a new level of insanity. She had destroyed client property and insulted the most valued patron. I gave the manager a cold smile. “Manager, your service here is truly… unique.” Manager’s face went white. He apologized profusely and immediately dragged Chloe out. As she was being hauled away, Chloe screamed, “Am I wrong? Scarlett, don’t think your money makes you superior! Poor people have dignity!” “Ethan worked his hands raw to pay you back! And you just throw your money away! Don’t you have a conscience?” I nodded slowly. “You’re right. I made a mistake.” Chloe instantly lifted her chin, radiating the glow of moral victory. “Good! Then send the bill back and go apologize to Ethan!” I gestured to the puddle of shattered glass and champagne. “I won’t be drinking this one. Whoever broke it pays for it.” Chloe’s triumphant expression dissolved into panic. Then I continued. “And based on that quality, please bring me ten more bottles. I’d like to hear them all clink.” “Ten… what ten?” Chloe stammered, horrified. Another server dragging her out had to remind her. “The wine list, remember? That bottle is two thousand a pop.” Chloe’s legs buckled. She was dragged away. My friend, Maya, stared after her. “Who was that psycho?” I rolled my eyes. “A psycho fangirl.” Of course, I wasn’t actually going to smash ten bottles of champagne. My family’s wealth came with strict discipline against that kind of childish, nouveau-riche arrogance. But when we left, Chloe was standing by the entrance, eyes red-rimmed, acting like a fragile heroine. Seeing me, she bit her lip and choked out a grudging, “I’m sorry, Miss Hayes.” With the ice broken, the tears came fast. “I just… I just felt so bad for Ethan. He’s so smart, he’s meant to do the study, but he was washing dishes for a week to pay you back. He only suffered because of you…” “Because of me, what?” I cut her off, my voice ice cold. She looked startled. She expected tears or a softening of my heart. “He did that menial work for you. How can you spend his money with a clear conscience…” “His money? It was a debt he owed me. A transaction. He owed money, he worked, he paid it back. What does that have to do with me?” I examined my freshly done manicure, completely unconcerned. “I didn’t charge him interest. The ten thousand dollar champagne is my choice. My standard of living is my own. Why should I lower it to filtered tap water just to spare his fragile pride?” “You! You!” Chloe was shaking with rage. “How could Ethan ever like someone as vain and cruel as you?” It was laughable. If you can’t afford to date me, don’t ask me out. Was I supposed to pretend to be poor and subsist on fast food just so his ego could feel satisfied? Who did he think he was? The next day, Ethan showed up, Chloe sobbing dramatically behind him. He was shaking with suppressed anger. “Scarlett. I need to talk to you.” “Can you please drop the complaint against Chloe? She didn’t mean it. That ten thousand… we can’t pay it right now.” A crowd of students was already forming. I didn’t even look up. “No.” Chloe’s crying instantly ratcheted up a notch. “Why? That’s nothing to you! Is it because of me? I truly love you!” Ethan roared, trying to force a confession of love into a financial negotiation. “I don’t love you. And as for her…” I pointed at Chloe. “She broke the glass; she pays the tab. I’m not her mom, and I don’t clean up other people’s messes.” Ethan looked devastated, as if my refusal to be financially exploited was a moral failing. “You are just like everyone else. You look down on people who come from my background.” He grabbed Chloe’s arm to leave, but before walking away, he threw a parting shot at me. “Scarlett Hayes, I will prove to you that I love you. Even if you reject me now, I will never give up!” And that was it. The entire university had its newest campus legend: the tormented, dedicated, lovesick hero from the engineering program. And me? I was the greedy, cold-hearted villainess who used her money to crush a noble woman. Everyone said he loved me “into the grave.” He worked three months to buy me a cheap necklace. “I know you usually wear expensive things, but when I get rich, I’ll buy you the best.” His friends were there, chanting. “Say yes! Say yes!” “Scarlett, do you know what Ethan went through for this necklace? Where will you find a man this devoted?” I was so furious I almost laughed. They wanted a show? Fine. I’ll give them a show. Since they already labeled me as an arrogant bitch, I’d play the part. He liked moral grandstanding in public? I’d like to destroy him. I snatched the cheap chain from his hand and slammed it on the ground, grinding my heel into it. “I said I don’t want it! Are you deaf?” “This thing? My dog wouldn’t wear it. She’d get a rash.” Ethan’s face went corpse-white, as if I’d physically slapped him. The cheering instantly died. The proudest “Village Hope” had never been humiliated like this. But he was persistent. The Martyr narrative was strong with this one. A few days later, he brought a Tupperware container to my dorm. “Scarlett, I know you like expensive food. This is a meal I made for you by myself.” In the summer heat, he deliberately showed his hands—they were covered in fresh blisters. I gave a cold laugh and kicked the container into a nearby trash bin. “What trash are you bringing to me now?” “Unless the ingredients were flown in on a private jet, I’m not eating it.” Chloe popped up instantly. “Can’t you see the burns on his hands? He’s never done dishes at home!” I feigned shock, covering my mouth. “Wow, such a huge sacrifice. He definitely deserves a medal. Should I call the president?” Then my face fall. “Now, how is that my problem?” The real turning point came in our year 3. I was leaving campus when a middle-aged woman grabbed me. She looked me up and down. “You must be Scarlett Hayes? Ethan’s girl? You’re not bad looking, but you dress a little loose. Not proper.” “Once you marry into our family, you’ll need to be a decent wife. Ethan spoils you, but don’t push it.” “Little Chloe told me how wasteful you are. Your family is rich, but so what? You’ll be Ethan’s wife, and his money is yours.” “Oh, where is Ethan? I brought my home-made pickles. This one’s half-finished, but it’s still my wish.” She shoved a greasy, half-full jar of cloudy, home-made pickles into my hands. She kept the other, pristine jar—packed full of pickles — clutched tightly to her chest. I stared at the jar, then up to the clear sky. I zoned out for a while and waved to my driver. “Get this person away from me.” My driver, a former Marine, gently but firmly moved the woman aside. Ethan’s mother started screaming, throwing a fit. “What are you doing? Who is this man? You’re cheating on my son with a thug!” “I’m getting my son! He will break up with you!” Ethan rushed over. Seeing the scene, he immediately went to shield his mother, his face a mask of wounded outrage. “Scarlett, how could you treat my mother like this?” Chloe, sensing her moment, fanned the flames. “Mrs. Bell, see? She doesn’t respect you at all.” Ethan’s mother was practically hopping mad. “Break up! You must break up! Unless she gets on her knees and apologizes to me, she’ll never set foot in a Bell home!” I was beyond done. “Did my being your ‘girlfriend’ ever pass by me for approval?” Ethan stiffened. He looked at me, a silent, pleading expression in his eyes. Don’t embarrass me, Scarlett. Don’t ruin the vibe. His mother, taking my silence for submission, leaned in. “What? Cat got your tongue?” I pulled out my phone and dialed the non-emergency police line. Then I answered her calmly. “Ma’am, you have just publicly slandered and physically accosted me. I have the right to press charges.” “And you can tell your son to stay away from me. If he harasses me again, I’d be happy to see your whole family behind bars.” Chloe gasped. Ethan’s mother was frozen, gaping. I got into the car, leaving them in the chaos. In the rearview mirror, Ethan chased the car for a few steps, roaring my name. “Scarlett Hayes! Aren’t you afraid that one day, karma will get you, and you’ll end up poor like me?!” As he cursed. Five years after graduation. He clawed his way up and became the new tech darling. And me? I was the one attending the gala who casually steadied a tray for a hurried waiter—the CEO of a financial empire. 2 Ethan’s face was a study in toxic, triumphant smugness, like he’d just won the lottery and couldn’t wait to spend it all on revenge. He pulled a business card from his jacket pocket, pinching it between two fingers, and offered it to me like a handout to a beggar. “Take it. Ascend Tech. I’m the CEO now. For old times’ sake, if you’re truly desperate, I can give you a janitorial position.” He paused, a cruel smirk twisting his mouth. “Specifically, cleaning the men’s restroom. How about that? Since you were so high-and-mighty, it’s time you experienced how the other half lives.” Chloe dissolved into peals of fake laughter. “Oh, Ethan! Scarlett is so capable, I’m sure she’ll make that restroom sparkle!”

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“Who the hell adjusted the threading tolerance by seven-thousandths of a millimeter?!” “I did. Got a problem with that?” The factory’s resident Human Lucky Charm was applying lip gloss in the reflection of a polished machine panel, not even bothering to look up. “I just thought it looked better, so I made a tiny adjustment. Why are you screaming?” The production line had been running to the wrong specification for twenty-four hours. I slammed the emergency stop button. I forced my anger down. “It doesn’t meet the export standard now. We can’t ship tomorrow. We’ve worked overtime for a month, and the penalties will wipe out any profit—and then some!” “Seriously? It’s one number. You’re being so dramatic.” Skylar Bloom snapped her compact shut. “It’s New Year’s Eve, and I have a date. I’m not sticking around to watch you panic!” Before she could reach the exit, I motioned for a floor manager to lock the main bay doors. “On a precision component like this, that one number represents a million dollars.” I fixed her with a cold stare. “You can take this pile of defective parts and explain that to the regulatory inspectors.” 1 Skylar paused, stunned for a fraction of a second, then scoffed. “Don’t go acting like this is the apocalypse. What difference does 0.007mm make? You can still screw it in, right?” She grabbed a nearby component and twisted it into a wooden block a few times, her expression smug. “See? No difference. You’re just jealous of my easy job and looking for a fight.” I suppressed a weary sigh and picked up the spec sheet. “The buyer for this batch is a high-tech firm overseas. Their compliance standards are strict. 28 TPI corresponds to a pitch of 0.907mm. This is for precision instruments.” I tapped the sheet. “Your little adjustment of 0.007mm is going to cause slippage, strip the threads, and damage expensive equipment. We won’t pass customs and compliance, and the company won’t just owe massive penalties for late delivery—our entire corporate credibility will be destroyed.” “You call this ‘looking for a fight’?” Watching the blank look in Skylar’s eyes, I knew her simple brain couldn’t process the technical complexity. Sure enough, the next second, she huffed and faced me. “Don’t think you can baffle me with a bunch of fancy technical jargon.” “I’m calling someone who knows what they’re talking about. Let’s see if you still have the guts to bully me then!” The phone connected quickly. Loud bar noise crackled through the speaker. “Skylar, where are you? I’ve been waiting forever.” Skylar’s voice immediately turned whiny. “Brad, I wanted to come, but Anya’s locking the doors and won’t let me leave.” “She keeps saying that because of me, we won’t meet the delivery deadline tomorrow—” “Nonsense!” Brad Harrison roared. “Put her on speaker. I’ll talk to her.” Skylar hit the speaker button, her eyes daring me, the look clearly saying, Let’s see you squirm. “Brad, Skylar unilaterally adjusted the production specs. The screws we produced are non-compliant with international standards—” Brad cut me off, his voice laced with aggression. “Anya Reed, are you still struggling to understand your place here?” “Skylar is the Human Lucky Charm I brought in to draw in prosperity. She’s willing to even step onto the floor, and that’s a privilege for you. How dare you cross her?” “If she gets upset, the company will have bad luck. Can you handle the consequences of that?!” I knew that business owners often believe in luck or superstition. But whatever the future held, the immediate disaster was the priority. I was about to explain, but Skylar jumped in. “Brad, that’s what I told her! But she keeps using this scary professional language to intimidate me.” “She even threatened that the company is doomed! I was so angry, I had to call you.” Eighteen years in this industry. It was the first time I’d ever met someone so gifted at twisting the truth. Logic told me I couldn’t waste any more time arguing with her. I needed to immediately convey the severity of the situation. I grabbed the contract and pointed to the fine print. “Brad, I’m not threatening bad luck. If we can’t deliver tomorrow, the buyer has the right to demand three times the penalty fee.” “Plus, they are a major global player. Messing up this order means we lose access to the entire Western market. The losses are truly incalculable!” Brad Harrison, Mr. Maxwell’s sister’s husband and the newest VP, usually acted like the big shot, but he valued money above all else. I thought this would finally get his attention. Instead, he sneered. “It hasn’t happened yet, has it?” “If it weren’t for Skylar gracing the floor with her presence, do you think we would have even landed those contracts?” “And besides, failing to meet the production deadline is your job, not hers. Don’t try to pin your failure on Skylar. You deliver that product tomorrow, or I’m holding you responsible!” I nearly laughed out loud from the sheer ridiculousness of it all. This order took our sales team three months to secure. It had nothing to do with Skylar. All she’d done since arriving was cause chaos. I gritted my teeth. “Brad, I refuse to knowingly ship defective products. Customs will never clear it.” The laughter on the other end grew louder. Brad sounded completely irritated. “I hired you to solve problems, not create headaches for me.” “Give me a straight answer, Anya: Do you want this job or not?” 2 Mr. Maxwell—Brad’s brother-in-law and the actual owner of the company—had lured me away from my last job with a salary 20% above the industry average. He respected my stringent quality control. I took a deep breath. “Brad, since you refuse to address this situation, I have no choice but to report directly to Mr. Maxwell.” At the mention of the owner, Brad’s fury intensified. “Anya, going over my head is a serious offense. Besides, my brother-in-law is ill and recovering. If you upset him, can you handle the consequences?” “I’m in charge of this floor now. Reporting to him undermines my authority. Where does that leave me?” “Stay right there. Don’t move. I’m coming down.” It wasn’t long before Brad stormed into the factory bay. The first thing he did was snatch my phone. “I hate people who don’t follow the chain of command.” He flopped into a chair, his tone mocking. “So, tell me. What is this earth-shattering issue you’re threatening to take to the owner?” I ignored the sarcasm and recounted Skylar’s unauthorized spec change. Brad leaned back, contemplating. “Skylar, why did you do that?” I thought, finally, he’s listening. “Because the Vibe Consultant said I shouldn’t see too many decimal points,” Skylar said, linking her arm through his. “You’ve been complaining that this department’s profits are shrinking. But everyone says Anya is so competent. It doesn’t add up. I think Anya is exaggerating, Brad. She’s probably padding the specs by 0.007mm just to claim extra material costs. That’s at least seven thousand dollars per million screws. She’s probably been skimming off the top for years!” Skylar was accusing me of fraud, and everyone understood it. A few workers spoke up for me. “Brad, Anya is not like that!” “She’s incredibly responsible. Anyone else, maybe, but never her.” “She pays for our late-night catering out of her own pocket when we work overtime. She won’t even accept a bottle of water from us. She would never steal!” Most of these men and women had followed me from my previous company years ago. My eyes stung a little. To speak up when Brad was at his most aggressive meant risking their jobs. Skylar sneered. “That just proves Anya thinks your little contributions are beneath her.” “Brad, she’s so desperate she’s threatening the owner. I think something suspicious is going on. You should have Internal Affairs audit her books!” Brad, eager for an excuse to assert his power, immediately agreed. “Audit her! I want a deep dive into everything!” He then ordered the remaining crew to triple their efforts to meet the deadline. A few veteran employees tried to object, but he shouted them down. “Anyone who doesn’t want to work can leave right now!” he bellowed. “But consider it a voluntary resignation. Don’t expect severance or any of that piled-up overtime pay!” They had all been working crazy hours for this order for a month. Losing their jobs and their paychecks would ruin their families. The workers lowered their heads, defeated. I raised my voice again. “Brad, the screws we made yesterday are defective. We can’t—” Before I could finish, Brad had two security guards clamp a hand over my mouth and drag me away. He had me locked in a utility closet. A short while later, two Internal Affairs staff arrived. Skylar followed, acting as the lead whistleblower. She pointed a finger at me. “I saw Anya giving an envelope of cash to the Accounting Department!” “Do you have proof?” one of the IA staff asked. “Yes, look at this!” 3 Skylar produced a grainy photo. It showed me handing a thick manila envelope to our staff accountant, who was holding it to her chest. The IA officer’s expression hardened. “Anya Reed, how do you explain this?” I stared at the picture. That was the day I had taken the factory’s collective donation—I was the representative who visited her in the hospital. But the angle was deliberately misleading. It looked less like a charitable gift and more like a clandestine transaction. The IA officer adjusted his glasses. “We will verify your account. Next, let’s discuss the alleged financial discrepancy.” I was frustrated but detailed the situation again, explaining why the 0.007mm adjustment was not padding the books but sabotage. The IA staff were older employees, not yet fully swayed by Brad. They finished their questions and left. My young apprentice, Leo, slipped into the closet while the door was momentarily unguarded. He whispered that Skylar had already posted everything online. Skylar had already built a minor online following based on her ‘Human Lucky Charm’ persona—everyone admired her high salary and easy job. She had just posted a video detailing how she had discovered a management loophole and saved the company from a major fraud. The comments section was a toxic mess. “OMG, the audacity! Not only is this girl lucky, she’s smart too! The Human Lucky Charm is real!” “That Plant Manager totally deserved it! Who messes with the Good Luck Mascot? Busted for embezzlement, serves her right.” “Finally! My parents work on the floor, they work so hard, and people like Anya hurt their paychecks. She should be fired and prosecuted!” “Piece of trash! If I saw her on the street, I’d punch her!” …A rare comment defending me was instantly buried. Reading the venom, I felt icy cold. Skylar wasn’t just looking for a win; she was trying to destroy my career. I quickly regained my focus and gave Leo instructions. “Copy the surveillance footage from the past week. Especially the part where Skylar changed the numbers and our confrontation.” “Also, Brad is useless. Go to my desk, find Mr. Maxwell’s private contact card in the top drawer, and tell him everything that’s happening.” Leo looked distressed. “The footage I can get, but your office is locked. I can’t get in.” “Find a way, Leo. Mr. Maxwell is the only person who can stop Brad now!” Leo nodded and slipped out. Skylar returned after seeing the IA staff off. She smiled, watching me sitting there disheveled. “Anya, everyone knows Brad favors me. Why would you set yourself up for this?” She picked up the technical documents I had compiled, scribbling all over them with a permanent marker. “What good is all this work? I can get more done with one sentence than you can with a hundred pages.” “Brad told me to keep an eye on production. I missed my New Year’s Eve date, but ruining your career is a good enough substitute!” I couldn’t fathom the depth of her malice. I had only been professional. Yet, she had constantly disrupted my work, picked fights, and even rear-ended my car trying to beat me to the parking lot. Seeing my confusion, a flash of pure spite crossed her eyes. “Don’t play innocent, Anya. I’ve hated you since the day I walked in.” “Yes, you’re competent, but you think I only got this job because of my ‘lucky chart,’ and I earned this! You wouldn’t let me drop the decimal points? Fine. Then I’ll change the strength ratings—the 4.8, 8.8, and 12.8—to 5, 9, and 13. You can’t complain about those numbers, can you?” Her ignorance horrified me. Those numbers represented the tensile strength and load-bearing capacity. Exceeding the maximum could lead to structural failure and collapse! “Skylar, you’ve made a catastrophic mistake! You can’t touch those numbers!” I jumped up to run out and stop the production line, but Skylar mistook my panic for an escape attempt. She immediately yelled for the guards outside. “Tie her up! And muzzle that doom-and-gloom mouth! Brad said she’s not to leave until the investigation is complete!” 4 My mouth was taped shut, and I was tied to a chair. I could only watch Skylar sashay out. I struggled, but the combination of exhaustion and the tight ropes made me lose my balance, and I crashed to the floor, chair and all. I knew the company was doomed. Early the next morning, Brad arrived to oversee the shipping. He finished the process and burst into the closet, grinning triumphantly. He dangled a thick document in front of me. “Anya, you’re stuck in a junior manager mindset because you’re not flexible enough. See this? Customs clearance!” “If I had listened to you and delayed the shipment, we would have paid a fortune in penalties!” I managed a strained smile, despite the gag. Originally, it was just a delay and a penalty. Now that they had shipped and used the defective screws, the entire finished product would be affected. This was far beyond a simple breach of contract. There’s no reasoning with the willfully blind. I was helpless. With the shipment out, Brad was ecstatic. He draped an arm around Skylar. “Skylar, thanks to your presence, we delivered the goods without paying a single penalty. Name your reward!” Skylar’s eyes immediately welled up. “Brad, you’re already so good to me.” “I don’t want anything… except a public apology from Anya. I want her to clear my name.” “Done! Consider it handled.” Brad had the guards haul me out and gather everyone on the floor. “I called this meeting to address Anya Reed’s abuse of power and alleged embezzlement,” he announced. “Skylar Bloom uncovered the fraud and saved the company from a major economic loss. Effective immediately, Skylar is the new Department Head!” “As for Anya, once the investigation is complete, we’ll turn her over to the authorities.” He had the guards pull the tape off my mouth. “Anya, you owe Skylar an apology.” I stretched my jaw, which was sore from the tape. “I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do.” “Brad Harrison, you’re celebrating too soon. The hole Skylar just dug is too deep for you to climb out of.” Perhaps Brad hadn’t expected me to refuse, especially after he’d ostensibly ‘solved’ the problem. I had publicly humiliated him. He grabbed my collar, eyes blazing. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Anya. Once this is out, no firm in this industry will touch you.” He was still using that as leverage, clearly unaware Skylar had already posted everything online. It wouldn’t work on me. He leaned in, his voice low and cruel. “You brought fifty people with you when you jumped ship, right? They’re older, they have families to feed. What if I fire all of them?” His threat sent a jolt through the crowd. The workers who had followed me were skilled technicians. They erupted in anger. “Anya, don’t listen to him! We’re skilled workers; we can find jobs anywhere!” “Yeah! A pigheaded leader like him is a liability! We don’t need him!” “Brad, you don’t fire us—we fire you!” A few of them tore off their company uniforms and moved to usher me out. The situation was spiraling out of Brad’s control. He started to panic. Then, a stern, booming voice cut through the chaos. “What is going on here?!” Brad spun around, his face lighting up with relief. “Brother-in-law, you’re finally here!”

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I am Blair Sterling, the beautiful, wealthy, and fierce daughter of a billionaire tycoon. I am also the villainess in a trashy romance novel. That day, I was enthusiastically bullying the innocent “white lotus” heroine, ready to slap her face, when I suddenly saw her brother running towards us. The slap I had aimed at her face morphed mid-air into a gentle caress. “My dear little sister, I’m your future sister-in-law!” “As long as you help me catch your brother, my black card is yours to swipe~” If I had known her brother was such a breathtaking beauty, who would care about some childhood sweetheart fiancé! 1 I am the rich, gorgeous, and slightly terrifying Blair Sterling. My childhood fiancé fell for a poor, innocent scholarship student named Summer. Consumed by jealousy, I tricked Summer into a deserted corner of the campus to teach her a lesson. Just as I raised my hand to strike, I glimpsed a figure sprinting towards us from the distance. The boy’s face crashed into my vision. Simultaneously, a sharp pain pierced my brain. A flood of memories drowned my mind. Dimly lit rooms, tangled sheets. The air thick and humid with heat. Entwined shadows on the wall under the warm glow of a lamp. In countless R-rated scenes, the protagonist’s face overlapped perfectly with the boy running towards me. It was terrifyingly clear. My raised hand froze in mid-air for a few seconds. Then, it landed gently on Summer’s cheek. Summer, who had squeezed her eyes shut and braced for impact, slowly opened them. After a moment of confusion, she looked at me with stubborn hatred. “Blair Sterling, if you dare to hit me, I’ll call the police! Others might be afraid of your family’s power, but I’m not!” My vicious expression instantly melted into one of tender affection. I stroked Summer’s smooth cheek. Smiling, I said, “Misunderstanding, total misunderstanding.” “Sister, I’m your future sister-in-law~” “I was just about to kiss you, why would I hit you?” “I would never do something so barbaric.” I quickly signaled the two lackeys holding Summer to let her go and get lost. Summer looked at me, completely flabbergasted. She couldn’t believe her ears. “What are you talking about?” I looked at her with sincere eyes. “I like your brother. I only blocked you here to see him.” “Let go of my sister!” Caleb rushed up, shoving me away forcefully. I took the opportunity to stumble, falling straight into his arms. My hands wrapped around the boy’s lean, muscular waist. Caleb was caught off guard by my sudden embrace. He scolded coldly, “Let go!” I held on for dear life, pressing my whole body against him. I looked up with a sweet smile. “If I let her go, I can’t let you go.” Under my burning gaze, Caleb’s ears turned red. He looked away uncomfortably and pushed me away with force. He pushed too hard, and I landed on my butt on the concrete. He checked on his sister, asking with concern, “Are you okay?” Summer was still dazed. Clearly, she hadn’t processed my sudden confession. “No, I’m fine.” “She… this must be a misunderstanding.” I pretended to be injured, clutching my leg and wailing. I squeezed out two crocodile tears and looked at Caleb pitifully. “It hurts.” I tried to stand up, then fell back down. Caleb’s face was cold. He hesitated for a moment, then crouched in front of me, offering his back. “Get on. I’ll carry you to the nurse’s office.” I climbed onto his back, wrapping my arms around his neck. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, secretly inhaling his scent. A smile of pure satisfaction spread across my face. Summer, watching my little act with her jaw on the floor, looked like her brain was short-circuiting. I grinned and put a finger to my lips, signaling her to keep quiet. Nineteen-year-old Caleb was cold and reserved. Top student, good temper, a perfect gentleman. But I knew that beneath that calm exterior lay a hidden madness and obsession. Caleb silently carried me towards the nurse’s office. Summer watched us, wanting to say something but stopping herself. He frowned, clearly conflicted. I stared at Caleb’s profile, recalling the memories flooding my brain. My heart felt sour yet nostalgic. I couldn’t help but press my lips behind his ear, gently kissing his skin. The person carrying me went rigid. He abruptly let go, dropping me. Flustered and angry, he shouted, “What are you doing?!” I instinctively stood up, forgetting my lie about the leg pain. Caleb stared at my perfectly functional legs, his face darkening. His voice was icy. “Is lying fun for you?” “Or is playing people just a game?” Crap. He’s genuinely angry. I walked up to Caleb, trying to appease him. “I was wrong, don’t be mad.” Then, under Caleb’s shocked gaze, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. He pushed me away violently. His handsome face was flushed red. His voice trembled with anger. “Are you crazy?!” I sat on the ground, looking wronged. “I was apologizing to you.” “Who taught you to apologize like that?!” My future Caleb, of course! 2 I was reborn. In my past life, because my fiancé fell for Summer, I became consumed by jealousy. I bullied her relentlessly, trying everything to destroy their relationship. When I found out my fiancé broke off our engagement, my jealousy burned away my reason. I planned to drug his drink. I wanted to cook the rice so he’d have to take responsibility. But by a twist of fate, the person who drank the drugged wine was Caleb. In the dim room, the usually cold man turned into a savage beast. Ignoring my curses and pleas, he ravaged me. I tried to run away crying, but he dragged me back again and again. Finally, I fell unconscious. Even in my sleep, I found no peace. In my dream, I was on a small boat, drifting in endless darkness, rocking with the waves until dawn. When I woke up, I didn’t dare make a sound. I could only grit my teeth and swallow the humiliation. Later, I found an opportunity to capture Caleb and lock him in my villa’s basement. To beat him and vent my anger. In the basement, Caleb’s hands were chained. His body was covered in whip marks. “You dog! Who allowed you to look at me like that!” Caleb had a spine of steel. No matter how I beat or scolded him, he maintained that indifferent face. His eyes were as black as the abyss, unsettling. He smirked, “I’m a dog, but you were still ridden by me.” I trembled with rage. I slapped Caleb hard across the face. He puffed out his cheek, looking calm. My hand was red and stinging. I hurt myself hitting him. Furious, I drugged him and left him in the basement. Watching Caleb suffer on the monitor was the only thing that made me feel better. The boy’s black hair was soaked with sweat. His eyes were bloodshot, crazy like a trapped beast. The chains clanked as he pulled at them. Finally, he suddenly looked up, staring straight at me through the camera. That look terrified me. My heart skipped a beat. Then Caleb went still. I watched for a while, feeling uneasy. I didn’t want to kill him, just teach him a lesson. I rushed to the basement to check on him. He was unresponsive, burning up with fever, completely passed out. Afraid he might die, I quickly unlocked his chains. Suddenly, Caleb, who was feigning unconsciousness, grabbed me. The beast revealed his fangs and claws, pinning me down and devouring me. I cried and apologized, shaking with fear, fainting in the suffocation and chaos. Caleb used me up and ran away. Not long after, I fell from being a billionaire heiress to a penniless nobody. My father died suddenly, and his illegitimate son appeared out of nowhere with a will, inheriting everything. I was kicked out of the Sterling family with a paternity test stating I wasn’t my father’s child. Years later, Caleb transformed from a poor boy into a business tycoon. He found me selling trinkets on the street. Like I had imprisoned him, he locked me in his estate as a canary. From struggling at first to completely giving up later, I accepted it. He was handsome, rich, and good in bed. I treated it as a free ride. Not a loss. He kept me for over a decade until he died in a shipwreck. When the lawyer read his will, I was shocked to find he left me an inheritance large enough to live lavishly for the rest of my life. The villa we lived in was also under my name. Six months after Caleb died, I missed him so much I couldn’t sleep. For over ten years, his imprisonment seemed like revenge, but he treated me well. Aside from not letting me leave, he gave me the best of everything. I was the only one by his side. Because of me, he fought with his sister and barely spoke to her. I still lived in that villa, often staying in his study reading, because that was where he used to be. There, I accidentally found a familiar diamond hair clip. Freshman year of college, I went to a bar district looking for someone and got dragged into an alley by a drunk. A boy saved me. To thank him, I casually gave him this hair clip. I didn’t know that boy was Caleb. It was dark, and I was too scared to notice his face. I threw the gift and ran. Caleb had kept this clip in an exquisite white box. Once, I saw it and asked, “What’s that? You’re staring at it so intensely.” He looked at me, his tone flat. “A gift from someone I like.” I mocked him, “Unrequited love, huh?” He looked at me deeply and said nothing. So, the person he liked was me. This repressed man, such a tough mouth. I developed severe insomnia. Only by hugging Caleb’s clothes and smelling his scent could I sleep. I belatedly realized my own heart. I loved Caleb. I didn’t cry when I heard of his death. I didn’t cry at his funeral. But in the deep nights without him, I cried countless times. If I could do it all over again, I wanted to date him properly. 3 Caleb, flustered and angry after being tricked and kissed, turned to leave. I tragically discovered that this time, I really had twisted my ankle. “Caleb!” “My foot really hurts!” “It’s true this time, look, it’s swollen.” Summer looked and confirmed, “Brother, her ankle is swollen.” Caleb stopped walking away. He came back, looked at my ankle, and without a word, piggybacked me. He warned, “Touch me again, and I’ll throw you into the lake.” I nodded obediently. … After that, my attitude towards Summer did a 180. “Sister” this, “sister” that. “Blair Sterling, I don’t know you well, stop calling me that!” I forcibly dragged Summer shopping. Clothes, bags, makeup, skincare, jewelry—I bought a pile. When parting, I stuffed all the bags into her hands. Smiling, I said, “Just a little meeting gift from your sister-in-law.” “Help me chase your brother, and I’ll take care of you for life.” Summer was conflicted. She tried to return the items. Painfully, she said, “I won’t betray my brother!” I pulled out VIP tickets to her idol’s concert. Her eyes lit up, and her last bit of hesitation vanished. “You are my real sister-in-law!” Having bribed Summer, I got all of Caleb’s part-time job addresses. Whenever I was free, I went to find him. Impatiently, he asked, “What do you want?” “I’m chasing you, isn’t it obvious?” Caleb looked at me coldly. “You see this? I’m poor and busy. I don’t have time for your love games.” Caleb worked at a bar on weekend nights. When he saw me, his face instantly darkened. He grabbed my hand and dragged me out. Sternly, he said, “Go back!” Of course, I didn’t go back. “Agree to be my boyfriend, and I’ll listen to you.” He silently suppressed his anger. Leaving a “Suit yourself,” he ignored me. But I knew he was secretly watching me, even asking colleagues to keep an eye on me. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, Caleb was gone. Just as I was looking for him, the bar lights dimmed. The music stopped. Then the crowd screamed. Pink and purple lights lit up the center stage. Five boys in black pants and white shirts, eyes covered with black silk scarves, sat facing chair backs. Straddling the chairs, they moved their bodies slowly to the sexy music. I recognized Caleb, second from the left, immediately. I was shocked. The aloof and proud Caleb was dancing seductively for money. My eyes were glued only to him. Watching his hand glide up his long neck, gently rubbing. Then slowly sliding down. Finally, casually unbuttoning the top two buttons of his white shirt. Revealing exquisite, pale collarbones. This stimulating scene made me blush and my heart race. As the music peaked, the lead dancer ripped open all his buttons. His lean, muscular waist was fully exposed. The audience screamed deafeningly. I was just glad the four backup dancers didn’t need to strip. Otherwise, I might have rushed onto the stage to dress Caleb. I never knew he could dance. Or that he was this financially desperate at this time. After the dance, there was a game. Those chosen by the spotlight could feed the lead dancer a lollipop mouth-to-mouth. Five people were chosen. I was the last lucky one. From being chosen to walking to the stage, I felt Caleb’s gaze following me. Just as the lead dancer bent down to feed me the lollipop, Caleb suddenly appeared next to him. He pulled me over. One hand cupped the back of my head, feeding the lollipop he was holding in his mouth to mine. I instinctively opened my mouth. The sweet and sour candy spread in my mouth. Through the lace on his eyes, our gazes met amidst the screaming crowd. My heartbeat was like thunder. I was dizzy with sweetness.

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On the eve of our wedding, Chloe Vance fell from a building and died. Everyone was convinced that I, the devoted fiancé, would follow her in death out of grief. But I didn’t shed a single tear. Three years later, I met her again. Not only had she come back from the dead, but she also had amnesia. “You’re my former fiancé? Haven’t seen you in years, how did you get so shabby? For old times’ sake, I can spare you one day a week to serve me.” I didn’t even spare her a glance. Chloe didn’t know that on the night she fell, I received a video recording. She also didn’t know that during the three years she pretended to have amnesia and traveled the world with Liam Black, I had gotten married. And the person I married was her biological sister. Chapter 1 In the private VIP room, the crowd hadn’t noticed me standing at the door yet. Someone suddenly brought it up. “Chloe, it’s been three years. What do you plan to do about Julian Sterling?” Chloe brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, indifferent. “It’s been three years, no rush. Let’s talk about it after I marry Liam.” The crowd laughed and chimed in. “If you ask me, that Julian Sterling is such a simp. Seeing Chloe again after three years, he’ll probably be shocked stupid!” “I heard he’s been living in squalor these past three years. Without Chloe, his life is indeed crap.” The room was filled with an air of merriment, the mockery in everyone’s voices undisguised. Just as I was about to leave, someone spotted me and shouted: “Julian Sterling!?” I was exposed to everyone’s gaze. The person who was making the most noise just now scratched his head awkwardly, trying to smooth things over. “Julian, Chloe is still alive. We didn’t tell you because she lost her memory and we were afraid of agitating you.” I glanced at them with disgust. Before I could speak, Chloe looked me up and down. “So you’re my fiancé? Why do you look so shabby? They say your living standards plummeted without me these past three years?” Chloe was still as arrogant and spoiled as ever. But I no longer had the tolerance I once did. Now, facing her, I felt only endless annoyance. Seeing my silence, Chloe wasn’t angry. She leaned lazily into Liam’s embrace, her index finger circling on his chest. Liam smiled and held Chloe’s mischievous hand, casting a provocative glance at me. “Julian, haven’t seen you in three years. How did you end up like this? No wonder Chloe forgot you. Who could remember you like this?” I frowned tightly, hands instinctively clenching into fists, disgusted by their debauchery. Chloe mistook my reaction for pain at their display of affection and looked smug. “Alright, don’t be so jealous. If you want to continue being with me, you have to adapt to this relationship. Don’t worry, I’ll save one day a week for you.” As soon as she finished, the people around immediately surrounded me, jeering with schadenfreude and belittlement. “Oh Julian, look, Chloe still has feelings for you. Even with amnesia, she keeps you in her heart, saving a day a week for you!” “As long as you serve Chloe and Liam well, won’t your life be better than before? Look at your shabby state. Had enough of the poor life? You have to seize this opportunity!” Liam leaned back on the sofa, legs resting on the coffee table, holding Chloe in his arms. He clicked his tongue. “No choice, Julian. You’ll have to suffer a bit for now. After all, the person Chloe loves most now is me.” Chloe chuckled at this. She admired her fresh manicure and glanced at me indifferently. “What’s there to feel aggrieved about? He loves me to death. He should be secretly happy to have even one day.” Hearing this, my heart clenched painfully. Chloe was so strange now I dared not recognize her. Years ago, she loved me so much. Once, when I had a high fever of 104 degrees that wouldn’t break for days, she dropped all her work to guard me day and night. She even personally climbed Mount Wuling, taking 9,999 steps, kowtowing every step, to pray for a safety amulet for me. Back then, looking at her swollen, bleeding forehead and bloody knees, I was too heartbroken to speak, calling her silly. But she held my face lovingly with both hands. “As long as you are safe and healthy, it’s worth it even if it costs my life.” Everything from the past was vivid in my mind, but reality had long changed. Turns out a person can change so much. Chapter 2 I suppressed the surging emotions, met Chloe’s moist eyes, showed the wedding ring on my hand, and tried to keep my tone calm. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.” “Also, I’m already married.” The room fell silent instantly. Everyone looked at each other, exchanging glances, before bursting into laughter. Chloe raised an eyebrow faintly, glancing indifferently at the ring on my hand. “Married? Married which old auntie?” “Look at your shabby state. Did you buy that ring at a dollar store? What, thought this would stimulate my memory of you?” With that, she stood up quickly and yanked the ring off my ring finger. I had been exhausted from working on a project these past few days and couldn’t dodge in time. Liam stepped forward to examine the wedding ring carefully, then suddenly laughed out loud. “Chloe, why does this ring look so much like the ‘Heart of Eternity’ wedding rings your sister bid for in France three years ago?” “Don’t tell me Julian says he married your sister, Aria Vance?” Liam looked at me sideways, playing with the wedding ring in his hand. The private room became even livelier. This was too absurd for them. After all, Aria Vance was the primary heir of the Vance family now. Ruthless and decisive, she was the Ice Queen no one dared to offend in the business world. Yet such a person suddenly flash-married a mysterious man three years ago and loved him to the bone. For three years, no matter how the media dug, they couldn’t find a trace of information about her husband and daughter. “Julian, you’re not trying to say you’re that mysterious man no one could dig up for three years, are you?” Liam tossed the ring high and caught it, the diamonds flashing dazzlingly under the lights. “Oh, I have to say, the craftsmanship of this fake is really good. Which factory did you find to imitate it?” Their successive mockery made me impatient. “Don’t touch my ring, it’s real…” Before I could finish, Chloe slapped my face to the side. My cheek burned with pain instantly. “Julian Sterling, have you lost your mind? You dare spread rumors about my sister! Who doesn’t know she loves my brother-in-law to death? Even I haven’t seen his true face, and you dare to impersonate him. Who gave you the guts?!” I licked my dry lips, slowly turned my head, and met Chloe’s gaze. Perhaps my look was too terrifying; Chloe shrank back. Seeing this, Liam immediately jumped in. He shielded Chloe behind him and pointed at my nose, cursing: “Julian, how can you be so ungrateful? Chloe already promised to accompany you one day a week. It’s fine if you don’t cherish it, but now you dare to impersonate her brother-in-law. Who in the capital circle doesn’t know Chloe’s sister’s weak spot is her mysterious husband? Are you doing this to make her sister angry at Chloe? How vicious is your heart!” Hearing this, I felt a sense of daze. Once, Liam couldn’t tolerate me anywhere and had to suppress me in everything. He even smeared me in front of Chloe every day to break us up. But back then, Chloe didn’t believe him at all and even punished Liam severely for his malicious slander. But now, the person who used to defend me the most stood with Liam. She held Liam’s hand and slammed a stack of cash onto my face. “Enough, stop pretending. For old times’ sake, I won’t pursue this. Look at your shabby state; this money is enough for you to live it up for a month.” The sharp corner cut my face, oozing beads of blood. I ignored it, just looked up and stared dead at Chloe. A trace of guilt and panic inexplicably flashed across her face. Seeing this, I chuckled and bent down. The guilt and panic on Chloe’s face faded, replaced by mockery again. “Thought you had some backbone…” The next second, her words halted. Under Chloe’s dull gaze, I found the ring among the pile of red bills. Chloe paused, blocking me before I left the room. “Why are you still pretending even now? Any bill on the floor is enough to buy dozens of your broken rings!” Her expression was complex, with a hint of anger upon closer look. Ignoring her mood swings, I slapped her hand away fiercely. Chloe’s hand froze in mid-air, her teeth grinding audibly. “Fine, you’ve grown bold. Poverty really gives you a temper. My wedding with Liam is in three days. My sister is returning to the country that day too, and she’ll bring my mysterious brother-in-law. If you have the guts, come to the wedding!” Chapter 3 Hearing the word “wedding,” Liam’s eyes lit up, and he quickly added: “Maybe he’s afraid of being exposed and won’t dare to come.” I didn’t want to entangle with them anymore. I turned and strode away, leaving one sentence behind. “I’ll be there in three days. I hope you’ll still be this confident then.” Walking out of the club quickly, breathing fresh air, the nausea in my stomach finally subsided a lot. I took out my phone and watched the video I received three years ago again. In the video, the woman nestled in Liam’s arms, smiling lazily and wantonly. “Julian Sterling is too boring. Although I love him, he can’t give me the feeling I want.” “This fake death, I’ll go back when I’ve had enough fun. He’s good for settling down. But with this stunt, knowing his personality, he might want to die for love. You guys have to watch him.” The day I got the death certificate, I did think about ending it all. It was her friends who kept stopping me from doing anything foolish. Thinking back now, their distorted crying sounds were clearly them trying hard to hold back laughter. I put away my phone and looked at the dim streetlights. Whether Chloe is dead or alive, in my heart, there has been no place for her since three years ago. Three days later, I arrived at the wedding venue as promised. When Chloe saw me step into the venue, her tense expression suddenly relaxed. I withdrew my gaze and prepared to sit down unhurriedly, but someone tripped me hard, and I fell onto the nine-tier cake beside me. The decorations and cream crashed down. My tailored black suit was covered in cream, and I looked wretched. The wine glass also fell to the ground, the splashing glass shards scratching my face, blood oozing from my forehead. The venue was instantly in an uproar, everyone’s eyes glued to me. Cream blurred my vision. I struggled to get up, but before I could stand steady, I was pushed down heavily again. Liam’s angry roar came from above. “Julian, what do you mean? We kindly invited you to the wedding, you didn’t even give a gift, fine, but you deliberately sabotaged our wedding. Can’t stand to see us happy, can you?!” Many people came to this wedding, mostly hearing that Aria Vance would attend with her mysterious husband, rushing to curry favor with her sister. “What kind of people exist nowadays? Daring to bully Aria Vance’s sister, making a scene at her wedding. Let’s see how he ends up!” “Hey, look at the ring on that man’s hand. Why does it look so much like the ‘Heart of Eternity’ Aria Vance bid heavily for three years ago? How bold is this person!” “Who doesn’t know Aria loves her husband to the bone? Daring to be an imposter in such a setting, he must be tired of living!” Chloe also heard these words. Her chest heaved violently with anger, her beautiful eyes seeming to spit fire. “Julian, you jinx! I must have been blind to like you back then. You even wear this fake broken ring. Do you want my sister to deal with you personally when she arrives?!” With that, she lifted her skirt and ran towards me, then stomped on the ring finger of my left hand, grinding hard. Severe pain shot from the base of my finger. Ten fingers connected to the heart; I felt like thousands of sharp blades were piercing my heart. Seeing I wanted to struggle, Liam immediately shouted for everyone to hold me down. For a moment, I couldn’t move. Cream covered my vision. I wanted to struggle but couldn’t, finally roaring: “Aria Vance is my wife!” Chloe laughed upon hearing this, as if hearing a fantasy. Her foot pressed down harder, the heel tip about to break my ring finger. “Still thinking of being an imposter even now. Wait till my sister comes, see how you explain! She loves my brother-in-law so much, just wait to die!” Seeing Chloe was relentless, I felt despair in my heart. I tried my best to break free but was pinned down firmly by the crowd. I gritted my teeth inwardly. When the time comes, I won’t let any of these people off! Chloe applied force again, the sound of breaking bone clearly audible. I groaned in pain, but suddenly my body felt light. The crowd ignored me, hurriedly getting up to tidy their appearance, looking forward with burning eyes. The waiters opened the hall doors, and Aria Vance walked in with a daughter, surrounded like the moon by stars.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “388944”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel