Category: English

Thirty minutes before the private jet was scheduled to land, the air suddenly grew turbulent. The red wine in Damian’s hand sloshed, and the deep crimson liquid spilled down the side of the glass onto his custom-tailored trousers. His fiancée, Tiffany, gasped, recoiling with a look of distaste. She pointed at me, snapping, “Are you completely incompetent? Can’t even hold a glass steady? Hurry up and clean it for Damian!” I immediately knelt on the thick leather carpet, a warm towel in hand. My head bowed, my trembling fingers reached towards the legs of the man I’d once spent countless nights with. A soft, contemptuous chuckle came from above me. The next second, his icy fingers pinched my chin, forcing me to look up. “Crystal, you used to be so high and mighty. Now, for money, you’ve certainly mastered the art of kneeling.” I lowered my gaze, avoiding his scrutinizing stare. “Damian, I’ll cover the cleaning fee for your trousers, of course.” “Cleaning fee?” He slowly unbuckled his belt. “Since it’s my private jet, my rules go.” He leaned in close to my ear, his voice low, a demonic whisper. “You weren’t cleaning pants when you were in this position before.” 0

Crystal POV The hand holding the towel froze in mid-air. The air in the cabin seemed to solidify. Tiffany watched from the side, a hint of displeasure in her eyes. She probably hadn’t heard Damian’s whisper, likely just assuming he was scolding a clumsy flight attendant. I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning emotions within me. In the past three years, the most important thing I’d learned was to endure. “Mr. Damian, you’re joking.” I lowered my head, continuing my task, dabbing away the wine stain on his trousers with the towel. Through the expensive fabric, I could feel the tension in his thigh muscles. I guessed it was a physiological reaction of extreme aversion or extreme restraint. “Tiffany is right, I’m clumsy.” As I wiped, I glanced out of the corner of my eye at the newly opened bottle of red wine. Romanee-Conti. He used to only open it for me on anniversaries. Now, he was splashing it around like water. Damian didn’t speak again, just watched me coldly. His gaze was like that of someone looking at a dog begging for scraps. Seeing his silence, Tiffany seemed to think he was still angry. To appease him, she turned and snapped at me again. “Clean it properly! These trousers are custom-made. If you damage them, you couldn’t pay for them even if you sold yourself!” I dutifully replied, “Yes, Tiffany.” Of course, I knew I couldn’t afford them. All my possessions combined now probably couldn’t buy one toilet seat on this plane. After wiping away the last bit of wine stain, I prepared to stand up. Damian suddenly extended a foot, stepping on the hem of my skirt, which was on the carpet. My movement to rise halted, and I almost lost my balance and fell onto him. I clumsily steadied myself, still kneeling. “Damian?” I looked up, puzzled. He leaned back in his seat, his long fingers idly tapping the armrest. “If it’s an apology, is just cleaning it enough?” He pointed to the bottle, still half-full. “This wine isn’t breathing enough; I don’t like the taste.” “Since Crystal is a professional, why don’t you help me ‘wake’ the wine again?” Tiffany looked confused. “Damian, wasn’t this wine just ready?” Damian ignored her, his eyes locked on me. “With your mouth.” 0

Crystal POV I froze in place. “To ‘wake’ the wine with your mouth” – it was humiliating slang in this line of work, or perhaps a game for lovers. When we were together, he’d played that game at home. But now, we were thousands of feet in the air, in front of his fiancée. He wanted to strip away my last shred of dignity and stomp on it. “What? Not willing?” Damian raised an eyebrow. “I hear you’re really desperate for money now? That you’ll do anything for cash?” “If you ‘wake’ this bottle of wine properly, the tip for this trip will be doubled.” Doubled. Those two words pierced my ears like needles. I thought of my brother, still lying in the hospital, and that bill, like a death warrant. Pride means nothing when you’re fighting for survival. I slowly reached out and grasped the cold bottle of wine. “Alright, Damian.” I pulled out the cork, tilted my head back, and took a mouthful of wine. The liquid warmed in my mouth, its bitter taste spreading. I leaned over, approaching the empty stemmed glass, and slowly poured the wine from my mouth into it. The red liquid formed a thin stream, falling into the bottom of the glass. Tiffany let out a short gasp, seemingly startled by the sensual yet humiliating scene. “Oh my god, how disgusting.” She covered her mouth, a look of repulsion on her face. I ignored her, taking a second, then a third mouthful. Each sip felt like swallowing broken glass. Damian just watched, his expression shifting from playful mockery to deep intensity, finally settling into a cold, dead stillness. It wasn’t until half the bottle was in the glass, and I felt a little tipsy, my cheeks flushed. “Enough.” He suddenly spoke, his voice chillingly flat. I stopped, a drop of red wine still clinging to the corner of my mouth. He suddenly stood up, sweeping the wine-filled glass away. With a crash, the crystal glass shattered against the cabin wall, breaking into pieces. Red wine splashed everywhere, just like the bloodshot eyes I’d seen in the rain-soaked night when I’d left him. “Get out.” He pointed to the galley outside the cockpit, his tone violent. I clumsily wiped my mouth, lowered my head, and stumbled out. The moment I closed the cabin door, I heard him tell Tiffany inside, “Don’t let me see such filthy things again.” 0

Crystal POV Hiding in the narrow galley, I leaned against the cold metal cabinet door, gasping for breath. My hands were still trembling. My stomach was churning; the after-effects of half a bottle of red wine were kicking in. I dug my nails into my palms, using the pain to keep myself sober. Crystal, you can’t cry. If you cry, you lose. When you walked away with fifty million, you should have known this day would come. That fifty million? I didn’t spend a single cent on myself. It all went into that bottomless pit. But I couldn’t say anything. If I did, Damian, that lunatic, would tear his whole family apart. Back then, he was on the precipice of securing control of his family’s empire; any wrong move would shatter him. So, I had to be the bad guy. I had to be the vain, mercenary, and treacherous woman. Just then, the intercom in the galley rang. I jumped, hesitated, but picked it up. “Crystal, Damian wants you back in.” It was Tiffany’s voice, tinged with schadenfreude. “He said you haven’t finished your ‘special services’.” I closed my eyes, then opened them, and hung up. I straightened my disheveled uniform and forced a standard professional smile into the mirror. Whether he wanted to hit me or curse me, I had to take it. As long as he paid. 0

Crystal POV Pushing open the cabin door, Tiffany was no longer in her seat. The entire passenger cabin held only Damian. He had unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, revealing his sculpted collarbone, and held an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Seeing me enter, he tilted his chin, signaling me to approach. “Where’s Tiffany?” I asked instinctively. “She went to sleep.” He impatiently tossed the cigarette onto the table. “Come here, take off my shoes.” I walked over and knelt at his feet. This seemed to be my standard posture when facing him. I reached out to untie his leather shoes. His feet were large. In winter, I used to love tucking my cold feet into his embrace for warmth. Now, my hand had barely touched his ankle when he kicked it away. The force wasn’t great, but the humiliation was extreme. “Why are your hands so rough?” He frowned, his gaze falling on my hands, covered in small cuts. Those were from recently washing dishes for a part-time job. “You never used to do menial tasks, did you?” “What, did that billionaire go bankrupt? Can’t even afford a housekeeper, making you do the work yourself?” The “billionaire” he referred to was a sugar daddy I’d made up. To make him give up on me, I’d told him I was with a billionaire ten times richer than him. I lowered my head, continued untying his shoelaces, my voice steady. “People have to live, Damian.” “Live?” He scoffed, then suddenly bent down and grabbed my wrist, pulling me up. His excessively handsome face was close to mine, his breath fanning my face. “Crystal, when you took that fifty million, didn’t you say you were going to live a good life?” “Is this the ‘good life’ you chose? Being a flight attendant, serving drinks, kneeling to clean pants?” His eyes held a deep, ingrained hatred. “Yes.” I met his gaze, smiling carelessly. “The money ran out, so I had to come out and earn more.” “If Damian feels sorry for me, why not write me another check?” At that, the fury in Damian’s eyes exploded. He violently flung my hand away, with such force that I slammed against the cabin wall. “Dream on.” He pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it directly in my face. Green bills fluttered down, hitting me, then scattering across the carpet. “That’s your tip from before.” “Pick it up.” He pointed to the money on the floor, his eyes dark and menacing. “Pick up every single bill.” “When you’re done, go to that room and clean yourself up.” “Tonight, I’m going to ‘inspect the goods’.” 0

Crystal POV I squatted on the floor and began picking up the money. One bill, two bills, three bills… My movements were slow, but deliberate. Each bill I smoothed out, folded neatly, and placed in my inner pocket. This money would buy my brother two more days in the ICU. Damian stood nearby, looking down at me. I guessed he wanted to see me break down, see me crying and begging, or perhaps throw the money back in his face, like I used to. Unfortunately, the Crystal of today had only knees, no spine. After picking up the last bill, I stood up and bowed to him. “Thank you for the reward, Damian.” With that, I turned and walked towards the room he indicated – the only luxurious suite on this plane. Closing the door, I leaned against the doorframe, and my body finally began to tremble uncontrollably. “Inspect the goods.” Was he trying to humiliate me, or did he genuinely want… I dared not think deeper. The phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated. It was a text message from the hospital. “Crystal, your brother’s account balance is less than two thousand. Please renew the payment as soon as possible, or some life-sustaining equipment will be disconnected.” Two thousand. Not even enough for one day’s expenses. I clutched the phone, my knuckles white. That small tip was just a drop in the ocean. I had to get more. If one night with him could buy my brother’s life-saving money, then so be it. After all, this body used to be his too. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Hot water poured over me, but it couldn’t wash away the bone-deep chill. After showering, I emerged wrapped in a bathrobe. Damian hadn’t come in yet. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking out at the clouds. It was pitch black, nothing to see, just like my future. I don’t know how much time passed, but the doorknob turned. Damian walked in. He had taken off his suit jacket, wearing only a black shirt, collar open, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He held a glass of wine, carrying the faint scent of tobacco. He hadn’t turned on the main lights, leaving only a dim bedside lamp. The light and shadow cast on his face made his features appear even more defined and sharp. “Cleaned up?” He walked to the bed, placed the wine glass on the nightstand. His gaze swept over me. That look wasn’t like someone looking at a woman; it was like someone looking at an item for sale, waiting for its price. I nodded, then actively untied the sash of my bathrobe. If I was selling, I had to embrace the role. The bathrobe slipped, revealing a silk slip dress underneath. Damian’s pupils contracted sharply. I guessed he remembered; this slip dress, he had given it to me three years ago. I’d kept it, and today, on a whim, I’d worn it underneath. “This dress…” He reached out, his fingertips touching my collarbone, so cold it made me shiver. “Still wearing it?” “Because it’s cheap and durable.” I lied. “Is that so?” He scoffed, his palm sliding down my waistline, finally stopping at my lower back, pulling me abruptly closer. I was forced to press against him. “Crystal, is that billionaire tired of this body of yours yet?” “I heard rich men like to play kinky games; he didn’t break you, did he?” His words were crass and piercing. I bit my lip, forcing a seductive smile, and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Damian wants to try, doesn’t he?” “As long as the money is right, I’ll do any position.” The words had barely left my lips when I felt his muscles tense. The next second, as if he’d touched something foul, he violently pushed me away. I fell onto the bed, a little dazed. “Disgusting.” He spat the word through clenched teeth. “You think you’re worthy of my touch?” He turned, picked up the wad of money I’d just collected, and flung it onto the bed. “Take your money and go sleep on the couch.” “Don’t soil my bed.” 0

Crystal POV I hugged the blanket, curled up on the couch in the outer room. The inner room door was tightly shut. That night, I slept restlessly. My dreams were filled with old memories of Damian and me. Back then, he was still a rebellious rich kid. To pursue me, he’d once arranged 999 roses beneath my apartment, getting chased by security guards. Later, when his family faced trouble, his father became critically ill, and there was internal strife within the family for control. He was pushed to the brink, almost facing prison. That evidence of money laundering? I had forged it myself, and I had personally handed it to Marcus, his sworn enemy. Everyone thought I had betrayed him. Only I knew that if that evidence wasn’t handed over, the true black ledger would be exposed. Damian would not only lose everything but also face massive debts and prison time. And Marcus had promised me that if I did this, he would spare Damian’s life and give me money to save my brother. I had no choice. I had to be the bad guy. I had to be the greedy, treacherous woman. When the plane landed, it was early morning in London.Misty, cold, and damp. I packed my things, ready to disembark and leave. This trip was over. It was time for me to get out. Just as I reached the cabin door, the pilot stopped me. “Crystal, please wait.” The pilot looked serious, handing me a document. “What’s this?” I had a bad feeling. “This is your new contract,” the pilot explained. “The management company for this aircraft was acquired by Damian’s company yesterday. Damian specifically requested you as his personal flight attendant and butler.” I glanced at the contract. Term: Lifelong. Penalty for breach: Ten million. It was practically an indentured servitude contract. “I won’t sign it.” I pushed the contract back. “I’m resigning.” “You can resign.” Damian’s cold voice came from behind me. He descended the air stairs, coat on, followed by the ever-present Tiffany. “You can resign, but first, pay the ten million breach penalty.” He walked up to me, looking down. “Can’t afford it?Then behave yourself.” “From today, you are Damian’s dog.” “Bite whoever I tell you to, and when I tell you to kneel, you don’t stand.” Tiffany chuckled, covering her mouth. “Damian, you’re too mean! How can you say that about Crystal? She’s your old flame, after all.” “You think you’re worthy of mentioning the word ‘flame’?” Damian shot her a cold glance, scaring Tiffany into immediate silence. He turned back to me, his eyes glinting with a perverse playfulness. “Get in the car, Crystal.” I didn’t know where he was taking me, but the look in his eyes triggered a primal fear in me.

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The night of my father’s funeral, I was kidnapped. They forced me to film an eight-hour sex video. The next day, that video spread through the entire town. My fiancé Ryan immediately canceled our wedding. The girls’ academy also terminated my teaching position. When I was drowning in despair, my fiancé’s uncle, Marcus, proposed to me. I grabbed onto that single ray of light in the darkness. Until six months after the wedding, one night I overheard Marcus talking with his friend: “Marcus, it was you who hired those men to kidnap Claire six months ago, wasn’t it? For Lily’s sake, don’t you think you went too far?” “I had no choice. Only by destroying Claire’s reputation could Lily get Ryan and secure the teaching job at the academy. I can’t protect Lily for her entire life, so I could only clear the obstacles in her path.” “You have no idea how the men in this town look at Claire now. They want to assault her right on the spot.” “Don’t worry about it!” Marcus said. His friend gasped in shock: “Marcus, have you lost your mind?! Have you even watched that video?! Claire was tortured by three men for eight hours straight. She was covered in blood!” “Enough! Don’t you think I know how much Claire is suffering? But that’s all in the past now. These are just rumors and gossip.” A chill seeped from my ears into every crack of my bones. I pressed my hand tightly over my mouth and stumbled away from the scene. The moment I stepped out of the hotel entrance, someone grabbed my waist. A group of drunk men leered at me with disgusting smiles: “Isn’t this the slut from the video? She looks so proper and uptight usually, who knew she was such a whore in private?!” One of the drunks even started tearing at my clothes right there in public. “Name your price!” I fought desperately to break free, but how could I resist a group of men? Soon, my outer shirt was ripped apart. The crowd erupted in waves of lewd laughter again. The terror from six months ago swept over me once more. Just when I thought the nightmare was about to repeat itself, Marcus’s familiar voice suddenly came from behind me. “You bastards! How dare you touch my woman?! Do you have a death wish?!” As soon as he finished speaking, a group of bodyguards surged forward from behind Marcus. They beat those drunks until they were wailing on the ground. I trembled and shrank into the corner, watching this man who had once again saved me from hell. But aside from fear, there was no warmth left in my heart. Marcus saw me huddled in the corner. He came over and draped his coat over my shoulders, his eyes full of heartache. “I’m sorry, Claire. I shouldn’t have let you come pick me up so late. This is my fault. Trust me, time will heal everything. People will gradually forget about that video. I’ll stay by your side every step of the way…” On the way back, Marcus held my hand and wouldn’t let go. After a long while, perhaps thinking I had fallen asleep, Vincent, who was driving, let out a long sigh. “Marcus, you need to find someone else to do these things in the future. I really can’t bring myself to do it anymore. If you had come out two minutes later, her clothes would have been stripped off in public!” Vincent’s words struck me like a thunderbolt. So those drunks at the hotel entrance were also planted there by Marcus in advance. Marcus gently moved me aside, then grabbed Vincent by the throat and growled in a hoarse voice, “Shut your mouth! If you let Claire find out, your wife and kids will die!” Vincent frantically apologized. Marcus gently pulled me back into his arms, planted a soft kiss on my forehead, and murmured to himself: “Claire, just bear with it a little longer. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of our lives…” But this inhuman torture— I really couldn’t endure it anymore. That night when we got home, after watching Marcus fall asleep, I secretly went to the study and wrote a letter to my aunt, who taught at the drama academy.

Early the next morning, as soon as I woke up, I heard Marcus instructing Vincent: “Today is the opening ceremony at the girls’ academy. After Claire wakes up, do whatever it takes to get her to go.” “But she doesn’t like crowds, and there will be so many people at the opening ceremony—” “It’s not your place to tell me what to do!” Marcus snapped. A few minutes later, the bedroom door was pushed open from outside. A pair of familiar hands ruffled my hair. “Claire, today is the opening ceremony at the girls’ academy. Our family foundation sponsored many students, so I need to attend. You rest well at home.” I forced a smile and agreed. Not long after Marcus left, Vincent looked at me eating breakfast and stammered, “Mrs. Marcus, my son said when you substitute taught at their school, lots of kids really liked you. Today is the opening ceremony. The children would definitely love to see you…” “I’ll go, Vincent. Let’s get ready and leave.” When I arrived at the venue and saw Lily’s provocative gaze, I knew why Marcus had insisted I come. When it came time for the new teacher representative to speak, Lily took the microphone and looked at me like a dagger. “Today, my speech topic is self-respect and dignity. Now I’ll play a educational video for everyone…” As soon as Lily finished speaking, my piercing scream echoed across the entire campus. On the giant screen that Marcus had just donated to the girls’ academy—three stories high— the video of my assault was now playing. Three long whips struck my naked body in turns. The messy, blood-stained bed made it clear to anyone what had happened. That piercing pain swept over me again. Before I could recover, a slap landed on my left cheek. A student’s mother next to me pointed at my nose and cursed: “How dare a woman like you show your face at a girls’ academy?! Look at how slutty you are in that video! Absolutely disgusting!” Then my hair was grabbed forcefully. I was dragged from my chair to the ground. Angry curses rang out above my head. “Your dad gave his life to secure this job for you, and you threw it away because you’re a slut! Your mom was so shocked she died clutching your dad’s ashes. How do you still have the face to live in this world! You should have died with them!” “A whore who sleeps with everyone! You’re the shame of our town! You should be tortured to death by men!” I collapsed on the ground, letting countless fists and feet rain down on me. “Claire, I’m so sorry. I don’t know how this happened. That video must have been swapped…” Lily stumbled toward me, helping block people’s attacks while apologizing non-stop. But beneath her guilt-ridden eyes was clearly the triumph of a plan well-executed. The Lily family was a wealthy household known throughout town. With such status, plus being a teacher at the academy, naturally no one dared provoke her. After they stopped, Marcus came running over in a panic from behind. Seeing me, he immediately embraced me. “Claire, why did you come? Didn’t I tell you to stay home and wait for me?” Marcus was such a good actor. If I hadn’t heard those words with my own ears, I would have fallen for his tenderness again and again.

Everything I experienced at the school made me break down again. My eyes were empty, unconsciously rejecting anyone’s touch. Marcus looked at me with heartache written all over his face. Eventually I was injected with a sedative and taken away in an ambulance. When I woke up again, it was completely dark outside. The pungent smell of disinfectant made me realize I was still in the hospital. My whole body was bound with restraints. In a daze, I heard Marcus’s familiar voice outside the hospital room. “Lily, seeing Claire like this, are you satisfied now?” “I am. Ryan dated her for eight years. If I didn’t use extreme measures, I was afraid they’d rekindle their old flame. It’s just hard on you, having to spend your life with such a woman. Every time I think about it, my heart aches for you. In this life, because of my family situation, I can’t marry you…” Through the foggy glass door of the hospital room, I saw Marcus pull Lily into his arms. His hoarse voice carried the bitterness of unrequited love: “No… Lily, you don’t owe me anything… I’m doing all this willingly for you. Now that you’re carrying my baby, that’s already the greatest blessing for me. Besides, Claire treats me well. You don’t need to feel guilty…” The man and woman outside the room kissed passionately. Mixed with their desire was the man’s low, choked voice. He really loved her so much. They even had a child together. Old wounds tore at my heart, sending waves of piercing pain. Large tears fell from my eyes. So from beginning to end, I was the one who was unnecessary… I forced myself not to listen to the intimate sounds from outside the door, but those sounds wrapped around me like a curse, driving me mad. I buried my head in the blanket, my teeth biting the corner so hard they left traces of blood. I lost track of how much time passed. The hospital room door was slowly pushed open from outside. A wave of perfume hit my nostrils. Before I could react, a pair of slender hands pinched my chin. “Claire, don’t be nervous. It’s me, Lily…” Hearing the woman’s name, I struggled desperately in the darkness, trying to break free. She laughed softly and helped untie the restraints binding my body. “Claire, who seemed so proud and unyielding, turns out to be such a pathetic waste after all. Of the two men in the Marcus family, with just a flick of my finger, either one would abandon you and run to me. Especially Marcus—he’s truly sacrificed so much for me…” “Such an upright man, yet to give me the teaching position at the academy, to fulfill my marriage, he personally drove his mentor to death, and personally sent his mentor’s daughter into other men’s arms. Tell me, what kind of love is that?” “When your dad died, he stupidly begged Marcus to take good care of you. And your pathetic mom probably still thought Marcus was your family’s savior! So foolish! Your dad’s ashes were scattered by Marcus’s own hands!” Lily’s words struck me like lightning. I had always thought my father committed suicide because he couldn’t cope. I never imagined it was Marcus who drove him to death. My father was Marcus’s mentor, who gave everything to teach him all his life’s knowledge. How could he bring himself to do it… I used all my strength to spring up from the hospital bed, gripping Lily’s throat tightly. But before I could apply pressure, the hospital room door was violently pushed open from outside. Seeing it was Marcus, Lily immediately ran to him crying. “Marcus, I just felt sorry for Claire and wanted to help untie her restraints so she could move around. But she insisted I stole everything from her and tried to strangle me like a madwoman!” Before I could explain, Marcus came forward and slapped me across the face. “Claire! Everyone around you has been good enough to you! What the hell are you making a fuss about?! You failed to grasp everything yourself—why blame Lily?! Crazy woman!” After saying this, he ignored me collapsed on the floor and left with Lily in his arms. The moment the hospital room door closed, Lily turned back and smiled at me with contempt. She was right to mock me—I was worthless. But they seemed to forget one thing: Even a cornered rabbit will bite…

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In the building’s WhatsApp group, Marcus Stone, the property manager, suddenly posted several messages: 【”Beauty Chic Rent-Free Offer”】 【All single female residents in this building are eligible for full rent waiver with this voucher.】 【Terms: Must perform all household duties for male residents, including but not limited to hand-washing undergarments.】 【Must keep bedroom doors unlocked overnight to facilitate “emotional connections” with male residents.】 【In the event of unintended pregnancy, all male residents will crowdfund baby formula and assist with childcare.】 The messages were followed by repulsive comments from male tenants: 【Marcus is such a legend—this’ll help the ladies save up for those designer purses.】 【Girls these days are too lazy to do chores anyway—this’ll be good exercise for ’em.】 An agreement treating women like communal property and posted openly in the group chat? I screenshotted everything and immediately called 91 I never expected that right after the police left, Marcus’s goons would kick in my door. “Think you’re better than everyone else? Ruining the building’s vibe, huh?” My belongings were scattered everywhere. My undergarments were kicked all the way down the hallway. “Since you refuse to cooperate, you’re the new janitor! Get your ass to the storage closet. Every toilet in this building is your responsibility to scrub!” After I’d dutifully cleaned the toilets for weeks, the property manager came crawling back, begging me to move back into a proper unit. 1. “Claire Bennett, I’m offering you a second chance.” He blew smoke rings in my face. “The storage closet doesn’t have windows, but at least it’s private. I’ll waive your rent if you keep the bathrooms spotless daily.” The male tenants nearby snickered and catcalled. “Marcus is such a stand-up guy, still letting her crash here.” “Women like her who don’t know when to keep their mouths shut deserve to be homeless.” The speaker was Derek Walsh from apartment 302. His leering gaze always made my skin crawl. I crouched down and picked up my belongings one by one. My hand brushed against the shattered perfume bottle. Blood started oozing from the cut. I didn’t make a sound. I didn’t shed a tear. Showing vulnerability now would only egg them on more. “What’s the matter? Got something to say?” Seeing me stay silent, Marcus kicked over my storage bin. My underwear spilled across the floor. Derek picked up a lace bra, held it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. “Fancy brand too. Smells just like a little slut.” “Give that back to me!” I lunged forward to grab it back. Derek tossed the bra to the guy behind him. They tossed my intimate clothes around like a game, cracking crude jokes the whole time. “Want it back? Beg for it.” Marcus blocked my way. “Marcus, this is an illegal eviction.” I locked eyes with him. “I have a signed lease agreement. It’s legally binding. I still have six months left on it.” “Agreement?” Marcus pulled my lease out of his pocket and ripped it to pieces. “In this building, I make the rules.” “Either you move into that storage closet, or get the hell out with your garbage right now.” “But let me warn you—no security deposit refund. And I’ll make sure every landlord in this neighborhood knows you’re a destructive tenant who trashed the unit.” I work as an auditor. This is crunch time for my current project. I can’t afford to hunt for a new place right now—it would derail my work completely. If I leave now, both my professional reputation and career could be ruined. “Fine. I’ll take the storage closet.” Marcus looked surprised that I caved so easily. “Should’ve just cooperated from the start.” “Everyone clear out. Let our new cleaning lady tidy this mess properly.” They left snickering, leaving total chaos in their wake. I gathered my trampled clothes and walked toward the storage closet at the end of the hallway. The door had no lock—just a rusted latch. Inside were stacks of discarded cardboard boxes. The air smelled like mildew and rot. This was going to be my “home.” I pulled out my phone and stared at a familiar profile picture. Ryan Cooper. We went to college together. He lives in this building too. Earlier, he’d stood at the back of the crowd, saying absolutely nothing. I texted him: 【Why didn’t you say anything?】 After a long while, he finally responded: 【Claire, you overreacted. Marcus was just messing around. You had to call the cops and make everything awkward for everyone.】 I didn’t bother replying. I turned off my phone and tried to sleep.

The storage closet had no windows. I couldn’t tell if it was day or night. I woke up to someone pounding on the door. “What time do you call this? Still sleeping? The bathroom stinks so bad nobody can use it!” It was Marcus’s voice. I checked my phone. It was only 6 AM. I forced the door open. Marcus kicked a filthy bucket toward my feet. “Go clean it! If you mess up our morning routine, you’ll regret it.” I picked up the bucket and headed to the shared bathroom on the second floor. Before I even stepped inside, the pungent smell of urine hit me. The toilet seat was covered in yellow stains. Cigarette butts and used tissues littered the floor. There was dried white residue on the sink. These assholes did this on purpose. Before, everyone at least tried to keep things somewhat clean. Now they were dumping all their filth here just to humiliate me. I put on rubber gloves and grabbed the toilet brush. “Well, look who it is—our fancy auditor.” Derek walked in wearing nothing but his boxers. He stood at the urinal, completely unashamed, and unzipped right in front of me. The sound of him peeing echoed, accompanied by his intentional whistling. I turned my back to him and scrubbed the inside of the toilet bowl vigorously. “Claire, why do you have to make this so hard?” Derek finished, zipped up, and walked over. He leaned against the doorframe, checking me out from behind. “Just sign that ‘Beauty Rent-Free Agreement.’ You won’t have to do this crap work, and you’ll get free rent too.” “We might be a little rough around the edges, but we’ve all got skills. We’d definitely make you feel good.” I tightened my grip on the toilet brush. “Get out.” “Bitch, quit acting like you’re pure.” Derek sneered and spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the sink I’d just cleaned. “I’m waiting for the day you get on your knees and beg me.” He strutted out. I turned on the faucet and washed his spit down the drain. After cleaning three bathrooms, my back was killing me. Back in the storage closet, I was about to change clothes when the door pushed open again. It was Ryan Cooper this time. He was wearing a suit, looking like some corporate hotshot. Too bad looks are deceiving. Deep down, he was just another asshole. “Claire, I brought you breakfast.” He handed me a couple pieces of dry toast. “I don’t want it.” “Don’t be like that.” Ryan set the toast on a cardboard box. “I know you feel wronged, but if you’re going to live here, you need to go along with them.” “Marcus is actually a decent guy. He just cares about his reputation. You calling the cops yesterday embarrassed him.” The man I once had a crush on could actually say something like this. “That was sexual harassment! It was degrading!” I kept my voice down. “What sexual harassment? It was just a joke.” Ryan scowled. “I saw that post in the group too. It was just a joke to lighten things up.” “Besides, that rent-free thing? If you don’t want to sign it, don’t sign it. Who’s forcing you?” “Now look what you did. Everyone treats you like the enemy. I’m embarrassed by association.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You’re embarrassed? What do you have to be embarrassed about?” “I’m the one who told you about this place. Now you’ve created this mess, and Marcus is giving me grief because of it.” Ryan self-righteously pointed the finger at me. “Claire, you’re so selfish. You never think about how your actions affect others.” “If you really want to fix this, buy a couple bottles of wine tonight and apologize to Marcus.” Looking at Ryan’s hypocritical face made me realize how blind I’d been. This was the “nice guy.” This was supposed to be “looking out for me.” When push came to shove, he had the backbone of a wet noodle. “Take your toast and get out.” Ryan’s expression soured. “Claire, don’t be ungrateful! I came here to help you as a friend.” “If you want to play janitor so badly, don’t come crying to me later!” He grabbed the toast, threw it on the floor, and stormed off. I checked my phone. My supervisor had messaged me in the work group: 【Claire Bennett, where’s today’s report? Do you still want this job?】 I took a deep breath and replied: 【Sending it now.】

That evening when I got back to the apartment, the vibe was even more hostile. In the first-floor lobby, several guys were sitting around drinking. When they saw me walk in, the noise died down. Marcus held up a bottle, his face flushed. He was clearly drunk. Next to him sat a woman in skimpy clothes, draped in his arms. “Marcus, is this the chick who talked back to you?” “She’s not even that hot. Not like me.” “That’s right, nobody’s as hot and compliant as you.” Marcus squeezed the woman’s butt, making her giggle. “Babe, tell her the perks of signing the agreement.” The woman smugly tilted her chin and dangled her room key. “My rent’s completely free, and Marcus even bought me a new designer bag.” “We’re all adults here. It’s a win-win. Why act so prissy?” So someone actually signed that disgusting agreement. This woman was Marcus’s “poster girl.” “You hear that, Claire?” Derek spoke up from the side. “Jasmine here knows how to play ball.” “It’s not too late to change your mind. Just come over, chug this bottle, let us kiss you a little, and we’ll waive your rent too.” He pointed at the whiskey bottle on the table, eyeing me with ill intent. I ignored them and headed for the storage closet. “Hold it right there!” Marcus slammed the bottle on the table. “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” I stopped and turned to face him. “I’m only here to clean, not to drink with you guys.” “Still got that attitude, huh?” Marcus stood up unsteadily and staggered toward me. “Cleaning? Perfect timing. The toilet’s clogged. Go fix it.” “Now?” “Duh! Right now!” Marcus pushed me. “Don’t even think about sleeping until it’s fixed!” I clenched my jaw and headed to the bathroom. The second I opened the door, I nearly gagged. The toilet was stuffed with toilet paper, and sewage had overflowed everywhere. This wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. They’d crammed entire rolls of toilet paper in there and dumped leftover food. “Look at her face!” Derek and Ryan were laughing outside the door. They stood in the hallway, holding up their phones to record me. “Claire, do a good job. If this video goes viral, you’ll be famous.” Ryan said maliciously. “I already got the title: ‘High-Class Career Woman Unclogs Toilets at Night – What a contrast!’” I picked up the plunger and got to work. Sewage splashed onto my pants, but I was beyond caring. No matter how I fought back, they just saw it as entertainment. They got off on trampling my dignity. If that’s how they want to play it, they asked for what’s coming next. Half an hour later, the toilet was finally unclogged. I stood up straight and looked at my sorry reflection in the mirror. The laughter outside continued. There were even sounds of… things I can’t describe. That woman Jasmine and Marcus had gone into a room and left the door wide open on purpose. The noises were loud enough for the whole hallway to hear. This was their way of showing me what happens when you follow the “agreement.” I splashed water on my face, which helped clear my head. Back in the storage closet, I noticed the door latch had been messed with. It was just a simple latch, but it was definitely out of place. My heart dropped. I immediately checked my things. Someone had stepped on my blanket—there were clear footprints on it. Cigarette butts were floating in my water cup. My laptop, which I’d left under my pillow, was gone. It had the audit report I needed to submit soon, plus lots of important client data. “Where’s my laptop?” I rushed to the lobby and shouted at Derek, who was drinking. “What laptop? Didn’t see it.” Derek spread his hands, looking like a total jerk. “Quit playing dumb! It was there when I left!” “You didn’t keep an eye on your stuff. How is that our problem?” Marcus stuck his head out of the bedroom, his clothes all messed up. “Maybe you’re broke and sold it yourself to pay rent.” “Yeah, trying to frame us?” Ryan chimed in. Suddenly, I heard running water from the laundry sink in the backyard. I ran over and found my laptop submerged in the laundry sink. There was even a rock weighing it down. It was all over. My report. My data. My career. Completely ruined by these assholes. “Oops, my bad.” Derek stood behind me. “I was doing laundry earlier. Didn’t notice there was a laptop in there. Just tossed it in, I guess.” “But don’t sweat it. You’re a janitor now anyway. Why do you need a laptop?” “Maybe you should beg Marcus to buy you a new one.” I stood there, staring at the laptop in the water. My anger hit a boiling point, then suddenly turned ice cold. I wanted to scream, to fight, to destroy something. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t take them all on alone. You want me to be a janitor? Fine. I’ll be the best damn janitor this place has ever seen. I turned and gave Derek a cold smile. “It’s cool.” “Out with the old, in with the new, right?” Derek looked confused. He clearly expected me to lose it. “Are you nuts?” I ignored him and headed back to the bathroom. This time, I didn’t pick up the toilet brush. My eyes landed on the sink counter, on that row of colorful toothbrushes. I knew exactly whose each one was. I grabbed Marcus’s blue toothbrush and walked over to the toilet I’d just unclogged, still stained with filth.

The next day was Saturday—their so-called “party day.” Marcus announced they were throwing a cocktail party tonight to celebrate the building’s “new policy initiative.” All tenants had to attend. And of course, I was the server. First thing in the morning, they put me to work. They’d bought tons of burger patties, sausages, and cocktail ingredients for me to prep. “Claire, get these glasses spotless. If there’s even a smudge, you’ll be licking them clean.” Derek dumped nearly a hundred glasses in front of me. “Got it.” After last night, they thought I’d finally broken. That false sense of victory made them drop their guard around me. I knelt by the sink, washing glass after glass. Ryan walked past and stopped. “Claire, that’s better.” He sighed dramatically. “Women shouldn’t try to be so tough. See how much nicer things are now? Everyone’s getting along.” “If you play your cards right tonight, I’ll talk to Marcus about moving you back to your real room.” I looked up at him. “Thanks, Ryan.” He nodded approvingly and reached to pat my head. I ducked and picked up another glass. “Ryan, I don’t need your help. Go enjoy the party.” Ryan awkwardly pulled his hand back and forced a smile. “Alright then. Such a hard worker.” That evening, the party got underway. On the rooftop, the air reeked of smoke. Guys were shirtless, yelling and hooting. Jasmine and the other girls who’d signed the agreement wore skimpy outfits, moving between the men, pouring drinks and feeding them snacks. I brought up a tray of mixed drinks. Marcus grabbed my wrist. “C’mon Claire, dance for us.” “I don’t know how.” I pulled my hand free and set down the tray. “Don’t know how? Then what are you good for?” Marcus reeked of booze, his eyes glassy. “Oh right, you’re good for scrubbing toilets.” The whole rooftop erupted in laughter. “To reward our star cleaner, here’s a cocktail just for you.” Derek picked up a strong-looking cocktail and forced it toward my mouth. The straight whiskey burned my throat. “Drink up!” he yelled in my ear. I had to take a sip. The bitter taste hit my tongue hard. “Taste good?” Derek slapped my cheek. “It’s good.” I swallowed, fighting back the nausea. “Atta girl.” Derek seemed satisfied and turned to grab another bottle. Then Marcus suddenly shouted, “Hold up!” Everyone turned to look at him. He stumbled onto the table, holding up his bottle. “Tonight’s been great.” “To celebrate the success of our beauty rent-free program, I’ve got a special reward for Claire.” He pointed at me with an evil grin. “Starting today, Claire isn’t just cleaning. She’s also doing our laundry—including underwear!” “Hand wash only! I’ll check every morning!” “If they’re not spotless, or if even one goes missing, you’ll pay a $500 fine!” The crowd went wild again. Ryan joined in: “Claire, this is a privilege. Not everyone gets this chance.” I stood in the middle of the crowd, being watched and humiliated. Their twisted faces looked even more grotesque in the firelight. Was I angry? Absolutely. “Sure.” I lifted my head. “I’ll make sure they’re extra clean.” Marcus didn’t catch the sarcasm in my voice. He just thought I’d finally accepted my fate. “Now you’re getting it!” He hopped off the table and went to make out with Jasmine in the corner. The party lasted until the early hours. They got completely wasted. Some passed out on the floor. Others stumbled back to their rooms to keep partying. And I got stuck cleaning up the mess. I picked up the bottles one by one and bagged the trash. Finally, I made my way to the second-floor bathroom. Their dirty laundry was piled up there. Underwear formed a small mountain, reeking horribly. I looked at the pile and smiled coldly, taking photos with my phone. I put on gloves and picked up Marcus’s underwear. But I didn’t head for the sink. I walked over to the toilet that countless people had just vomited in. I threw the underwear in and used the brush that had scrubbed who knows how many layers of filth to stir it around. Once. Twice. Watching the underwear swirl around in the yellow sewage, soaking up all that filth. The tightness in my chest eased a little. But this wasn’t enough. Not even close. My eyes went back to the sink. They’d drunk so many cocktails and eaten so much food tonight. Their teeth must be full of gunk. Tomorrow morning, they’d brush extra carefully. I grabbed Marcus’s toothbrush and scrubbed it hard against that sewage-soaked underwear. The bristles worked their way into the fabric, picking up invisible bacteria and viruses. Then I stuck the toothbrush deep into the toilet bowl and scraped it against the thick layer of grime. When I was done, I put the toothbrush back where I found it. Then Derek’s. Ryan’s… Every single one got the same special “treatment.” Moonlight streamed through the window, hitting those colorful toothbrushes. They looked so clean. So innocent. Who would ever guess they were covered in their owners’ own filth? “Enjoy.”

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Two years ago, my close friend Marcus’s restaurant was on the verge of bankruptcy. I put my neck on the line and gave him the entire corporate catering contract for my company. A million dollars in annual food service fees. I thought he’d be grateful. Until someone sent me a recording. Marcus’s wife Vanessa said: “He has no idea how much she’s skimming off the top in kickbacks. Acting like such a saint.” I listened to it and laughed. But I didn’t confront him. Instead, I gave the contract directly to his competitor. Two years ago, Marcus’s restaurant was hemorrhaging money. He couldn’t make payroll for months and was about to shut down. He came to me with red-rimmed eyes. A man pushing thirty, crying in front of me. “Nora, please help me. This restaurant is my father’s life’s work. I can’t let it die like this.” We grew up together. I couldn’t watch his restaurant go under. During that period, I fought against everyone’s resistance at the company. I literally pounded my fist on the conference table in front of several senior board members. I put my position as Operations Director and my personal reputation on the line, guaranteeing his restaurant could provide the highest quality food service. In the end, I secured the exclusive catering contract for the company cafeteria. A steady million dollars a year in revenue. Enough to bring him back from the dead. The day we signed the contract, Marcus grabbed my hand. He cried even harder than before. He said: “Nora, I’ll remember this favor for the rest of my life.” “From now on, my life belongs to you.” Vanessa, standing beside him, completely changed from her usual cold distance. She was all bows and smiles, her face plastered with flattery. She poured me water, massaged my shoulders, calling me “hon” with every other breath, closer than an actual sister. “Hon, you’re our family’s savior. We’ll do anything for you from now on.” The more sincere those remembered smiles were, the more vicious the voices in that recording sounded. Two years. Just two years. The friendship I’d protected with everything I had was nothing more than a transaction they could brag about and trash-talk in their eyes. What I thought was a lifeline had become their story about my “greedy kickbacks.” A wave of physical nausea rolled up from my stomach. I didn’t do what they probably imagined—call them in a rage to demand answers, to argue my case. There was no point. Arguing with backstabbers who’d never appreciate you would only dirty my mouth. I saved that recording along with the email, carefully filing it away in an encrypted folder. Then I closed my email like nothing had happened. I opened the company’s supplier database and typed in: Flavors Haven. Marcus’s competitor’s restaurant. I calmly finished my work, then left the office.

The next day was Saturday. I didn’t have to go into the office. But my internal clock still woke me up at seven sharp. Outside the window, the sky was gray and overcast, like it might rain. I didn’t stay in bed. I got up, washed up, and made myself a simple breakfast. My phone buzzed. A small company group chat was lighting up. A few colleagues from different departments I was on decent terms with were chatting. “Oh my God, did you guys eat yesterday afternoon’s food? I almost threw up that steak.” “I seriously think their kitchen knocked over the salt shaker. It was so salty it tasted bitter.” “It’s been two months now, right? The cafeteria food keeps getting worse. Either too salty or too greasy, and there were bugs in the vegetables.” “Shh, keep it down. After all, they’re Nora’s relatives. We shouldn’t say too much.” “What relatives? I heard they’re friends. Really close ones.” “Still, they should at least be worth what we’re paying, right? The quality—even fast food takeout is better than this.” That one phrase, “Nora’s relatives,” was like a tiny thorn stabbing into my eye. I put down my sandwich. Instantly lost my appetite. Because of Marcus, my professionalism had already been discounted in my colleagues’ eyes. I’d become the person who played favorites, who sacrificed employee benefits to take care of her “connections.” I opened Ins and scrolled down out of habit. Vanessa’s profile picture popped up in the latest posts. A carefully edited selfie with a brand-new red sports car steering wheel in the background. The logo in the center of the wheel gleamed. On her hand was a just-purchased luxury brand bag, latest collection. The caption read: “My husband works so hard. All our effort deserves the best rewards!” Every word dripped with undisguised pride and showing off. I clicked on the image and zoomed in. Blinding. I laughed coldly. So this “effort” meant talking behind my back, painting me as a greedy bloodsucker? Meant cutting corners on employee meal standards over and over, skimming costs to fund your luxury lifestyle? Under the post, Marcus’s comment was pinned at the top. A heart emoji followed by: “As long as you’re happy, babe.” So loving. So harmonious. My finger unconsciously scrolled up, flipping through their Ins from the past two years. From cautious at first to completely shameless later. New car today, new house tomorrow, European vacation the day after. Vanessa’s Ins was basically a nouveau riche flexing documentary. And me? I looked down at my phone that I’d been using for nearly three years. The screen edges already had some scratches. These past two years, to help balance their restaurant’s books, to get them back on track as quickly as possible, I’d even proactively suggested shortening their payment terms from quarterly to monthly. That meant how much extra communication and reporting I had to do. How many times I had to go back and forth with the finance department. Had they forgotten all that? No. They hadn’t forgotten. They just thought it was all perfectly natural. That it was what I should do. The suppressed fire in my chest finally found an outlet and blazed up. I wasn’t running a charity. My kindness and loyalty weren’t cheap goods they could squander and trample on however they wanted. I exited Ins and found a number in my contacts I’d barely ever called. The name read: Rachel. I dialed her number. “Hello?” A crisp, capable woman’s voice came through. “Hi, this is Nora.” My voice was so calm it didn’t ripple at all. “I’d like to meet with you to discuss our company cafeteria catering contract. Do you have time tomorrow?”

Rachel and I met at a café in the city center. She arrived before me. When I walked in, she was sitting by the window with a laptop in front of her, fingers flying across the keyboard. She wore a well-fitted beige suit, hair pulled back in a neat bun. Her whole presence radiated professionalism and competence. Seeing me, she immediately closed her laptop, stood up, and extended her hand. “Nora, pleasure to finally meet you.” Her hand was warm and firm, her gaze open and bright. “Rachel, likewise.” We sat across from each other. No unnecessary small talk. Rachel pulled out a thick stack of documents from her briefcase and pushed them toward me. “Nora, this is the preliminary catering proposal and quote we’ve prepared specifically for your company.” I picked it up and flipped through. The proposal was incredibly detailed. From nutritionally balanced menu combinations to a full week of non-repeating daily menus. Even customized meals for special occasions—everything was thoroughly considered. Every ingredient’s source and inspection report was attached. Most importantly, her quote—while guaranteeing higher quality—was actually ten percent cheaper than Marcus’s restaurant. I looked up at her. Rachel met my gaze squarely. “Nora, I won’t hide this from you. Vanessa and I have history.” She wasn’t lying, just calmly stating facts. “My previous head chef got poached by her with triple the salary. He also took several of our signature recipe formulas with him.” “After that, she spread rumors everywhere that our ingredients weren’t fresh and our hygiene didn’t meet standards.” I listened quietly without interrupting. I’d heard whispers about these restaurant industry feuds, but hearing it from someone directly involved hit differently. Rachel’s face showed no resentment, only a businessperson’s cool composure and honesty. “So if your company is willing to give me this opportunity—” She paused, her tone absolutely certain, “I’m willing to cut another two percent from this base, and personally, I’ll sign an unlimited joint liability food safety guarantee with the company.” “I need this contract. Not just for profit, but to prove my restaurant is better than theirs.” In her eyes flickered an unyielding, vibrant ambition. This contrasted so sharply with Marcus’s pathetic weakness and Vanessa’s petty vanity. I appreciated her. A reliable adult, a trustworthy business partner—this was exactly what that should look like. “Rachel.” I closed the proposal, leaned forward slightly, and looked into her eyes. “Your professionalism and honesty have impressed me.” “No need for the additional discount. Let’s go with this quote.” “I only have one requirement. From day one of our partnership, I want my colleagues eating the best work meals in the entire city.” Rachel’s eyes lit up instantly. She nodded emphatically: “Nora, you have my word. I stake my reputation on it.” We drafted a letter of intent on the spot. As we shook hands goodbye, Rachel said: “Nora, thank you.” I smiled. “You should thank your own professionalism.” Back at the empty office, I sat at my desk and opened my computer. First, I drafted a formal report on terminating the catering service partnership with Marcus’s restaurant. The report contained zero personal emotion. Just facts. I attached screenshots from the past three months from the company’s internal forum and anonymous feedback channels—all the complaints about poor cafeteria food quality and questionable hygiene, along with negative satisfaction statistics. Employee satisfaction had dropped from ninety percent two years ago to barely thirty percent now. Shocking. Next, I drafted a second report proposing an open bidding process to bring in a new cafeteria vendor. In the proposal, I created a clear comparison chart between Rachel’s proposal and pricing versus Marcus’s restaurant’s current service and costs. Which was superior was obvious at a glance. All documents ready. I saved them on my desktop, naming the folder “Final Solution.” Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened. I stared at the cold text on my computer screen, feeling completely calm inside. Everything was in place. Tomorrow would be a very interesting day. Monday morning, nine o’clock. The company’s internal bulletin board and every employee’s inbox simultaneously received a notice from the Operations Department. “Announcement Regarding Change of Cafeteria Catering Service Provider.” Black and white text, official wording—but like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake. The entire company exploded. Break rooms and office areas instantly flooded with cheers. One colleague even posted on Ins: “Best thing that happened today—finally don’t have to eat slop anymore!” Ten-thirty AM. Marcus’s restaurant delivery truck rolled up to the company building as usual. Then got stopped by security. “Sorry, starting today our company’s switching catering providers. Your truck can’t enter the garage anymore.” The driver was Marcus’s cousin. He was completely stunned. He immediately called Marcus. When Marcus got the call, he probably thought it was a mistake too. He hung up and started frantically calling me.

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The night before my wedding, I found out my mafia boss fiancé had a child outside of our relationship. He was sorting through the invitations, his voice calm, almost detached: “It was a mistake from my youth. The child is born, I have to take responsibility. She had nowhere else to go, so she’s staying at the estate with Leo.” My entire body stiffened, a cold dread seizing me. It took me a long time to find my voice: “So, these three years we’ve been together… what was all that?” “I wronged you. Whether we get married or not, that’s your call.” My hand instinctively pressed against my lower abdomen. There, a secret was hidden, one I had planned to tell him today. My chest ached with a dull, suffocating pain. “So, for three years, every holiday when you said you had urgent business to handle—” “I was seeing them.” He cut in, his tone flat. “Anya is good with the boy, and Leo is well-behaved.” Three years. He could have told me sooner, but he kept it a secret. A subtle cramp twisted in my lower abdomen. I instinctively covered the spot. Dante’s eyes dropped to my hand, and his brow furrowed. “You look unwell.” He stepped forward, reaching for my forehead. I recoiled abruptly, my spine hitting the cold tile wall. “Don’t touch me.” Just then, his phone rang. From the other end came a woman’s muffled sobs, laced with a faint accent: “Dante, Leo has a fever. Can you please come see him?” Dante rubbed his temples. “Alright, I’ll send a doctor over.” Hanging up, he looked at me: “The boy’s quite fragile.” I laughed, tears streaming down my face: “Take me to them.” He was silent for a long moment. His phone vibrated again. This time, it was my dad, Richard. “Chloe, I’ve sent out all the wedding invitations! Everyone’s saying Dante is powerful, and that you have good taste!” I choked back my sobs: “Dad, I’m busy. I have to hang up!” After I hung up, Dante said: “The invitations are out, the hotel’s booked. I’ve given you the grand wedding you wanted.” I looked up at him: “Are you trying to threaten me with this?” “I said, you can choose whether or not to go through with it! You just need to think clearly.” I choked on my words, then let out a mocking, hollow laugh. “Get out.” Dante paused. “Chloe…” “I said, GET OUT!” I grabbed a glass nearby and hurled it at him! He didn’t dodge. “You’re too emotional right now. I’ll come back when you’ve calmed down.” The door softly clicked shut. I slid down the wall, collapsing to the floor. My phone vibrated. It was Uncle Mike. I took a deep breath before answering: “Uncle Mike?” Uncle Mike sighed: “Chloe, your dad has late-stage cancer. He doesn’t have much time left. He kept it from you, hoping to see you get married, to build a family.” My phone slipped from my grasp, falling to the floor as silent tears ran down my face. After a long time contemplating, I called Dante. “Tomorrow’s wedding? It’s on as scheduled!”

Before the wedding, I insisted on seeing the woman and her child. Dante agreed. The car drove towards a heavily guarded mansion in the city’s outskirts. My heart sank with every passing mile. The estate looked incredibly expensive. Then, I saw the mistress. She was stunning. “This is Chloe King.” Dante’s introduction was curt. The woman greeted me: “Hello, Ms. King, I’m Anya!” I looked behind her. A thirteen-year-old boy stood in the shadows, his features eerily similar to Dante’s, watching me with cold, disdainful eyes. Dante waved him over: “Leo, come here.” The boy slowly walked closer, calling out without expression: “Dad.” Dante instructed the maid: “Bring Mrs. King’s slippers.” The maid brought the slippers, but it was Dante who knelt and helped Anya put them on. I froze. He just called her Mrs. King! Less than three minutes into the meeting, I stood up and said: “I need to go.” Anya walked me to the door: “I heard your father sent out invitations everywhere. How ridiculous. You’re just a mistress, and your family has the nerve to brag.” Without hesitation, I slapped her. Her face quickly swelled and reddened: “You hit me?!” I stepped closer, glaring at her, “Dare to mention my father one more time, and I’ll tear your mouth off.” Dante rushed over at the sound. Seeing Anya’s swollen face, his brow furrowed: “Chloe, you promised not to cause trouble for her.” I met his gaze, “Ask her what she just said.” Anya’s voice was thin and trembling, laced with tears: “Dante!” But young Leo suddenly looked up, glaring at me and shouting: “How dare you hit my mom?!” I looked coldly at the mother and son, not willing to indulge them, and stated directly: “Dante, she just called my father a pimp, saying he sold me off to you as a mistress!” Dante took a deep breath. “Even if she said something inappropriate, you shouldn’t have resorted to violence. When did you become so utterly unreasonable?” Unreasonable? I watched as he subtly shielded Anya and Leo behind him, and my anger turned to a dull ache of despair. I lifted my head, forcing back the tears. I used to crave a grand wedding so much. Now, I just wanted it to be over. On the wedding day, the sun shone brightly. Everything went smoothly until the moment before we were to exchange rings. The banquet hall doors burst open, and Anya rushed in. “Dante… Leo’s gone missing!” Before she finished speaking, she collapsed to the floor. My heart instantly clenched. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father’s strained smile. I forcefully suppressed all the surging emotions within me. I saw Dante instinctively about to rush off the stage. I grabbed his hand tightly, pleading pathetically: “Dante, the ceremony is just twenty minutes from being finished. Please, can you just play along with me? My dad is watching us.” I tried to force a smile, one that looked uglier than any cry. Dante’s brow was tightly furrowed, and he challenged me: “Anya has collapsed, and Leo is missing. You still want me to stay here and finish this twenty-minute charade with you? Is your ‘ceremony’ more important than a human life?” The next second, I was violently thrown off by him, my mind in a daze, knocking over the champagne tower behind me. And he, to the shock of all the guests, strode quickly towards the unconscious Anya. “Dante!” I screamed with all my might to stop him, “If you leave now, I’m breaking up with you for good!” The entire hall fell silent. But he just turned his head, throwing back a cold, harsh remark: “You look so… unfamiliar to me right now.” Then he gestured for his men to help Anya up, and left without looking back. The wedding host stood awkwardly on the stage. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold floor. The sharp pain in my lower abdomen intensified. Until my pristine white gown was stained red…

Shortly after the car started, Anya slowly regained consciousness in Dante’s arms. She leaned weakly on his shoulder, murmuring things like “I didn’t mean to, I was just so scared when I couldn’t find Leo.” Dante absentmindedly hummed in response. Suddenly, Chloe’s final look at him flashed before his eyes. A strange pang hit his heart, but it was quickly replaced by impatience. Women were such a hassle. They made a huge fuss over every little thing. Was his personal safety so trivial in her eyes? His phone suddenly vibrated. He answered, his tone impatient: “Speak.” On the other end, his trusted subordinate Jax’s voice was unusually panicked: “Mr. King, something big happened with Ms. King…” Dante rubbed his throbbing temples. “What happened?” “I don’t know, but they say Chloe was covered in blood!” Dante just froze for a moment, then let out a scoff, “She’s really playing the victim, isn’t she?” “Just yesterday you were saying she’s too proud, that she’d never tolerate Anya and Leo’s presence, right?” His voice was firm and derisive. “She just wants to blow things up, force me to make a public statement, and completely ditch Anya. Isn’t that always how women try to manipulate things?” “But this time it just feels… off! Did Chloe have a miscarriage? They say her father collapsed right there! The whole place was chaos!” The stress of the past few days and the current confusion pushed Dante’s irritation to its peak. “Alright, Jax.” Dante cut him off. “You know how much I’ve wanted a child with her all these years. She never got pregnant.” Jax tried to say something else, but Dante’s voice came again: “I’ve just spoiled her too much, that’s why she thinks she can manipulate me like this.” “But…” “Enough. I know what I’m doing. I’ll hang up now; I’ll deal with this when I’m done here.” Dante hung up without further discussion, tossing his phone aside. He told the driver to drive carefully, then adjusted his posture slightly to make Anya more comfortable in his arms. His fingertips brushed away the sweat-dampened strands of hair from her forehead. See. Anya was so simple, so obedient, needing his complete protection and control. And Chloe… His eyes darkened. When did she become so cunning, resorting to such methods to compete? He felt a pang of disappointment. He’d thought they were soulmates. He chose to be honest before the wedding because he believed their bond was strong enough. But she needed to know there were some lines she couldn’t cross. Upon arriving at the mansion, after much coaxing, Leo locked himself in his room, and Anya took a sedative and fell asleep. Dante sat in his study, an unexplainable frustration simmering within him. At this moment, he clearly realized that his carefully planned wedding had been ruined. It could have gone so smoothly… Anya timidly knocked on the study door: “Dante, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to. I didn’t know the wedding was today, and Leo was just having a tantrum and hid. I just panicked and wanted to see you, I never thought it would turn out like this.” “Did I… cause you and Ms. King trouble again?” Looking at her fragile, helpless demeanor, Dante’s irritation finally dissipated. He sighed, his tone softening slightly: “It’s fine now. Just keep a closer eye on Leo from now on, don’t let him run off. You should rest too.” As he turned to handle some business, his encrypted phone rang. It was one of his men at the hospital. The man’s voice was urgent as he relayed a few sentences. Dante’s face instantly changed. His steps halted for a second, then he clenched his fist violently. Something truly terrible had happened at the wedding. Chloe had been rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding, and her father had died on the spot…

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There was this guy at the office who lived for spreading rumors about female coworkers. When one woman wore a bodycon dress, he’d joke she was “definitely into kinky stuff after hours.” When another got promoted with a raise, he’d claim she “slept her way to the top” with the boss. When he saw me leaving work in a Bentley, jealousy ate him alive. He started telling people I had three sugar daddies. He even followed me and cut me off in traffic. “Driving so fast, you got a sugar daddy waiting?” I just snarled back: “You’re wasting my time, and you’ll regret this!” Turns out, I was speeding because there was a pregnant woman in labor in my backseat. And that woman? His wife. On the way to the hospital, some guy in a Volkswagen cut me off three times on purpose. I was in a rush, so I let it go. But my patience only egged him on. BANG. He forced me to a complete stop. When I rolled down my window and got a good look at his face, I realized it was Dylan Pierce—that guy from work who loved labeling everyone. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth as he swaggered out of his car, looking all smug and mocking. “Driving so fast, you got a sugar daddy to service?” A luxury car getting cut off downtown quickly drew a crowd. “This is wild. Some dude in a beat-up VW picking a fight with a Bentley? He must have a death wish.” I’d had enough. I pushed open my door and stepped out. “Dylan, there’s an emergency. Move out of my way before you regret it.” But he didn’t care. He glanced at the Bentley logo and sneered. “Emergency?” He raised his voice, making sure everyone around could hear. “Your emergency’s meeting your sugar daddy, right? Can’t wait to service your client—hope you can keep up with his demands.” “Makes sense. How else would a regular employee afford a Bentley unless she’s selling herself?” His words lit up the crowd. “See? Told you. No office worker drives a Bentley. She’s definitely a sugar baby.” “Gross. Stay back—might catch something.” The crowd’s admiring looks at the luxury car turned to daggers aimed at me. I let out a bitter laugh. What, rich families don’t have daughters? But right then, the pregnant woman in the backseat—Pearl Anderson—was clutching her heavily pregnant belly, face ashen with pain. If I didn’t get her to the hospital soon, someone could die! Seeing me stay quiet, Dylan got bolder. He stepped closer, spittle flying as he talked. “Cat got your tongue? Feeling guilty?” “Hey princess, why not share your secrets for landing a Bentley?” “I’m sure everyone here would love to know.” The crowd snickered and nodded along. Their judgmental stares burned into me. I felt suffocated. I clenched my fists, jaw tight enough to crack. “Whether my money’s clean or not is none of your business.” “Your wife is in the car, she is in labor. If something happens because of your games, you’ll regret it forever.” Dylan laughed like I’d told the funniest joke ever. “Please, my wife’s due date isn’t for weeks! You think I’ll fall for that?” “Iris, you’re so desperate to meet your sugar daddy you’re using my wife as leverage?” Then a twisted idea crossed his face. “Fine. If you, Iris Bennett, publicly admit you’re a prostitute, I’ll move.” He turned to the crowd again. “Listen up! This woman’s nothing but a gold-digging whore!” “Remember her face! If you’re dating, steer clear—she’ll drain your bank account!” The crowd erupted in laughter. People pulled out phones to record me. I trembled with rage, chest heaving. “Dylan, you say I’m selling myself, do you got any proof?” “If not, that’s slander. I’ll call the cops right now and sue you for defamation.”

He froze for a second, then lost it completely. “Iris, don’t push me!” “I’m doing you a favor! Trying to help you see sense! If you escalate this, you’ll be the one humiliated!” I stayed calm, face steady. “I’ve got nothing to hide. Why would I be ashamed?” “But you are spreading lies about me? I’ll make sure you pay for this.” Dylan’s face turned purple with rage. “Fine! If you want to humiliate yourself, be my guest!” He fumbled for his phone, held it up high, and yelled. “Everyone, look! Here’s the proof!” The crowd leaned in. People nearby craned their necks, then gasped. “There it is. Let’s see her explain this!” On his screen was a video of a woman linking arms with some middle-aged guy, walking into a fancy hotel… And the woman’s build and hair looked exactly like mine. According to this video, Dylan was telling the truth. I was the liar. “That’s definitely her! Case closed!” “Wow, she looks so innocent—but she’s a total gold digger!” “No question—she’s definitely a sugar baby!” Dylan smugly put his phone away and smirked at me. “Cat got your tongue? Weren’t you tough a minute ago?” “You wanted proof? Is this video enough?” “Admit you’re a escort, get on your knees and apologize, and I’ll let you go. Deal?” My mind raced, looking for holes in his story. He thought a deepfake video would take me down? He really underestimated me—he had no idea I was set to inherit a company. But I didn’t call him out right away. Instead, I put on a devastated expression, eyes watering as I grabbed Dylan’s hand. “I was wrong earlier. Thank you.” Everyone—including Dylan—looked shocked. “Thank me for what?” I kept going. “Thank you for showing me I was violated without even knowing it.” “Please send me that video. I need to report that creep immediately!” He froze, yanking his hand back and scowling. “Iris, what are you talking about?” “You obviously did this willingly. Stop playing the victim!” I ignored him and started sobbing in front of everyone. My cries were loud and desperate. “If that monster hadn’t drugged me, this never would’ve happened!” “If no one believes me, I’ll end my life to prove I’m innocent!” I made a dramatic move like I was going to hurt myself. The crowd, clearly moved, rushed to stop me. Then I wiped my tears and spoke firmly. “I’m calling the cops. And the media!” Dylan’s face went white. “Are you crazy? You can’t go public with this! Do you want everyone to know? You’ll embarrass the whole company!” I stared him down. “Why shouldn’t I call the police? You’re the one who just accused me of being drugged and assaulted, remember?” “I just want the police to get me justice. Is that so wrong?” Dylan’s face turned purple. He kicked his car in rage. “Iris, I’m warning you—you’re not calling the cops today!” “As a company employee, I won’t let you ruin our reputation!” I let out a bitter laugh. Now he suddenly cares about company reputation? I had no intention of actually calling the police. I just needed to scare him. After all, the pregnant woman in the car couldn’t wait much longer. I needed to wrap this up fast. Ignoring Dylan’s yelling, I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Mr. Harrison, I need you to come down. I have a video that needs authentication.” Within ten minutes, a black sedan pulled up. A middle-aged man in a suit carrying professional equipment got out. This was Mr. Harrison—one of the top AI forensics experts in the field. After hearing the situation, he connected his equipment to Dylan’s phone. Within minutes, he had his answer. “This video was created using AI face-swapping and motion synthesis technology.” The crowd exploded. This time, their anger was directed at Dylan.

“He faked the video to slander her! What a scumbag! That’s messed up!” “I knew something was fishy. No way a nice girl would do that. He totally set her up!” “He must be jealous she drives a Bentley, so he tried to ruin her reputation! What a creep!” Dylan turned white as a sheet. He stammered, unable to get words out. I walked up to him, voice dripping with disdain. “So I wasn’t drugged after all. Just slandered with a deepfake video.” “Dylan, you really can’t stand seeing others succeed? You can’t get promoted, so you assume every successful woman slept her way up? See someone with a nice car and you turn green with envy?” “Your small-mindedness is sad and laughable.” The crowd started pointing and whispering about Dylan. Dylan’s eyes turned dark with hatred as he glared at me. “Iris!” “You just wait!” Remembering the pregnant woman in the car, I didn’t waste another second. “Dylan, your Volkswagen can’t outrun my Bentley, can it?” “If you want your wife to be okay, move out of my way!” He scoffed. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to say my wife’s name.” I ignored him and got back in the car. The engine roared to life as I started it. In the rearview mirror, I saw Dylan frozen, eyes blazing with anger. My heart skipped a beat. I worried he might do something desperate. I was about to tell Pearl to hold on. But before I could speak, I heard screeching brakes and a crash behind me. BANG! A massive jolt hit the back of the car, sending it lurching forward. My forehead nearly hit the steering wheel. From the back seat, Pearl cried out, clutching her stomach tighter. I looked back. Dylan’s car was smashed into my Bentley’s rear bumper. His bumper was totaled. He was slumped over his steering wheel, eyes bloodshot, glaring at me like a rabid animal. “Iris! How dare you show off your fancy car! How dare you flaunt your money!” “I’ll teach you a lesson for crossing me!” Another crash. He rammed me again. The car shot forward half a meter. My forehead slammed into the steering wheel. Everything went black. From the back seat came Pearl’s scream of agony. “Ahh! My belly, my baby…” “It hurts so bad…” Ignoring my throbbing head, I spun around. Pearl was curled up in the back seat. Her white dress was soaked in blood. “The baby… my baby… please be okay…” Cold sweat broke out across my forehead. I fumbled for my phone to call 911. Then someone started kicking my car door. Dylan stormed out of his car, face contorted with rage. “Iris! You can’t even drive?!” “Typical woman driver!” “You caused this crash! You’re paying for my car!” “Or I’ll make sure you get fired!” I laughed in disbelief. “Dylan, you’ve got some nerve twisting this around.” He kept ranting, demanding I get out of the car. But the situation was critical. I just needed the ambulance to hurry. Pearl’s breathing was getting weaker. The blood stain on the seat kept spreading. Looking at Dylan’s smug face, I ground my teeth. “Dylan, shut up. Someone in this car is dying.” “Dying? What’s that to me?” Dylan sneered and kicked the door again. “Quit making excuses! You’re just avoiding the bill!” “You drive a Bentley and act so high and mighty? Pay up!” “Or you’ll be sorry!” He kept rambling, spewing the same insults. I bit my lip and tried one last time, as calmly as possible. “Dylan, the person in this car is your wife!” “She’s in critical condition because of you!” “Dylan, you bastard! You’ll regret this!” That made him even angrier. “You bitch, how dare you drag my wife into this? You want to die?” “Fine! I’ll grant your wish!” He grabbed the door handle, trying to yank it open. But the second he saw who was in the back seat, his face went ghostly white… He froze like he’d been struck by lightning, lips trembling. “Honey? Why… why are you here?” “How did you end up in this car?”

His eyes turned red. He frantically tugged at the door handle, fumbling for what felt like forever. Finally, I hit the unlock button and he stumbled inside. Pearl’s dress was completely soaked in blood now. Her eyes were half-open, barely breathing as she looked at him. “Dylan… our baby…” “Is he… leaving us?” “No, no, he’s not!” Dylan reached for Pearl but hesitated, afraid to hurt her. His hand hovered, shaking. He looked up at me, voice cracking. “Iris, why the hell didn’t you tell me sooner?! Hurry, get her to the hospital!” I almost laughed. “Dylan, I did warn you. You just didn’t listen.” “And your car’s totaled because you crashed it. How am I supposed to drive now?” Watching him panic, I felt nothing but bitter irony. I said flatly, “I already called an ambulance. It’s on the way.” Before long, the ambulance arrived. As paramedics lifted Pearl onto the stretcher, Dylan tried to follow, but I blocked him. “Dylan, let’s be clear. You faked that video to slander me and deliberately crashed into my car. This isn’t over.” Dylan pushed me aside and climbed into the ambulance, calling Pearl’s name frantically. I followed them to the hospital. Outside the ER, Dylan crouched in the hallway, clutching his hair, voice trembling with fear. “How did this happen?” “Pearl’s due date was still three months away. How…?” He looked nothing like the arrogant man who’d rammed my car—just pathetic. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. “Your wife went into premature labor…” “Dylan, if it weren’t for your paranoia and spite, Pearl wouldn’t be here. I could’ve gotten her to the hospital safely!” “You did this to her!” That set him off. He pointed a finger at my face and started cursing. “No! It wasn’t me!” “It’s you! You evil woman! You did this on purpose!” After what felt like hours, the ER doors finally opened. A doctor stepped out, and Dylan rushed over. “How’s my wife? What happened?” The doctor pulled off his mask and shook his head. “I’m sorry. We did everything we could. The patient had severe hemorrhaging from the impact. We couldn’t save the baby. She’s stable now, but she needs rest.” “Gone?” “That’s impossible!” “You’re all lying to me!” Dylan’s eyes turned bloodshot. He suddenly turned to me, all rationality gone. “This is your fault! All of it! If it weren’t for you, my wife wouldn’t have lost our baby!” “You were driving her! Why didn’t you protect her?!” He lunged at me like a wild animal and slapped me hard across the face. The sharp *crack* echoed through the quiet hallway. My cheek burned. My head snapped sideways, and I tasted blood in my mouth. But I didn’t let him get away with it. I mustered all my strength and slapped him back. “If you hadn’t deliberately crashed into my car, would Pearl have lost the baby?” “And now you’re hitting me instead of taking responsibility? You make me sick!” Dylan flew into a rage and tried to hit me again, but a nurse nearby held him back. He struggled and shouted, “No! This is your fault! You bitch!” Just then, police officers arrived. “Sir, calm down!” An officer put a hand on Dylan’s shoulder, speaking firmly. “You created a fake video to defame someone, deliberately damaged property, and now you’ve assaulted someone. You’ve broken multiple laws. If you don’t calm down, you’ll face serious charges.” Dylan looked at the officer’s serious face and finally deflated. He collapsed to the floor, covering his face as he sobbed. “Why me? This isn’t fair!” Even now, he refused to take responsibility. “Is Iris Bennett here?” “The patient wants to see you.”

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My dad scheduled a physical for me. When the nurse was drawing my blood, I heard her ask, “Is this for a bone marrow match sample?” I froze. That wasn’t listed on my physical exam form at all. And why would I need a match anyway? The lab slip in the nurse’s hand accidentally fluttered to the floor. As I bent to pick it up, a few lines of text jumped out at me: Patient: Chloe Davis. Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Guardian Signature: Robert Anderson. Robert Anderson was my father, but who the hell was Chloe Davis? I called my dad right away: “Dad, why does my physical need a bone marrow match?” His voice wavered, sounding a little flustered. “Must be a hospital mix-up, right? But it’s just another test—can’t hurt to do one more.” I smiled and said okay. After hanging up, I went straight to the patient room listed on the lab slip. Walking into the room, I saw a girl lying in bed. Her face was pale, her body frail. Her eyes and eyebrows looked almost exactly like my dad’s. My heart dropped. I clenched my hands and walked over, asking, “Are you Chloe Davis?” She looked up at me, startled. Before she could speak, a woman’s voice came from behind her. I turned. It was her mom. She looked to be in her early thirties—pretty young—simply dressed, with a gentle, motherly vibe. She seemed flustered, her face pale, her hands shaking a little. “You must be one of Chloe’s classmates, right?” Her voice was urgent and shaking. She rushed forward and grabbed my arm. “She needs to rest. Could you step out for a minute? I need to talk to you.” I didn’t refuse and followed her out of the room. In the hallway, she visibly relaxed, then hesitated before speaking. “You’re…” I held up my medical form, cutting straight to the point. “Why is my father’s name on your daughter’s guardian signature line?” “Ma’am, what’s your relationship with my dad?” The hospital hallway was busy with people, and some who knew her walked by. She hadn’t expected me to confront her directly. Her expression got even tenser, but she forced a smile and greeted her acquaintances. Then, with a strained smile, she tried to explain to me: “That signature… my daughter is sick, and a generous charity is providing funding. The person in charge happened to be there when I was filling out paperwork, so they just signed casually.” Her words were gentle, meant to calm my suspicions. But her eyes, fixed on me, held a hint of malice and a greedy glint. I met her gaze, staring right back. She looked a little guilty, instinctively running a hand through her hair. I noticed the diamond ring on her hand. It looked familiar—a designer piece. It was from my mom’s favorite designer. This designer, who rarely releases new pieces, had recently launched a new collection that got a lot of industry attention. It happened to coincide with my parents’ wedding anniversary. I’d even secretly suggested to my dad that he should try to get this diamond ring as an anniversary gift for my mom. He agreed, telling me to keep it a secret, saying he had a surprise planned for Mom. But on the anniversary, what he gave her was a generic, mass-produced design you could find anywhere. Even the stones were cubic zirconia. My dad explained that he’d been at a cross-country meeting with a time difference, mixed up the date, and couldn’t get the limited edition. He said he’d use a regular designer piece for now and later contact the designer for a custom piece for Mom. Turns out, he hadn’t “missed out”—he’d given it to this other woman. And fobbed my mom off with a lousy substitute. I gritted my teeth, holding back a surge of anger. Staring at Summer’s awkward expression, my smile didn’t reach my eyes. “Ma’am, your ring is beautiful, isn’t it? A limited edition designer piece?” “My mom waited forever but couldn’t get one.” She probably hadn’t expected a kid like me to recognize it. She froze up instantly, her face turning ugly. She quickly pulled her hair forward, trying to cover a necklace, and stammered out a defense: “What designer piece…? I don’t know anything about that. My daughter just bought this for me—it’s nothing expensive.” “I need to go take care of my daughter now, so I should get back.” “Oh, and please don’t mention today to anyone, so we don’t cause any misunderstandings at home.” With that, she turned in a panic and hurried back into the room. Watching her flee like that, I scoffed to myself. Spineless coward. Without another look, I turned and left the hospital. Sitting in the car, I immediately called Mr. Davison, my grandfather’s assistant: “Could you help me look into any unusual activity my dad’s been up to lately, especially his travel plans and financial transactions?” “Be quick, but be careful not to tip him off.” “Any evidence you find, save it right away.”

When I got home, my mom, Eleanor, was in the kitchen making soup. When my dad was younger, he was busy with work, had an irregular diet, and developed serious stomach problems—he even had two stomach surgeries. My mom felt bad for him. A woman who’d never even boiled an egg started cooking just for him. She made slow-cooked soups, healing porridges, and medicinal dishes… She carefully nursed his stomach back to almost full health—about 80%. For as long as I could remember, that had been going on for nearly ten years. In two days, it would be Mom and Dad’s 20th wedding anniversary. Yet this was when I found out my dad was cheating. Watching her busy in the kitchen, my anger turned to deep sadness, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. She was in her forties but kept her figure well, with firm skin that made her look closer to thirty. Only her hands told a different story—slightly enlarged knuckles, thin calluses on her palms, and a few faint white scars on the backs of her hands. She used to love getting manicures, but later, she found it got in the way of cooking, so she quit altogether. I walked into the kitchen and gently hugged her from behind. She jumped, then smiled and teased me: “You’re home? You’re almost in high school, acting like a little kid.” “Come on, get out of here. It’s smoky, and I’m busy.” When I didn’t move, she sensed something was wrong. She turned around and immediately saw my tear-streaked face, her expression instantly tensing up. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Didn’t you go for your physical? Didn’t Dad go with you? Let me ask him…” She started to reach for her phone. I grabbed her wrist, shaking my head hard. “Don’t call him!” Mom froze, looking at me anxiously, waiting for me to explain. I squeezed my eyes shut, my throat tight. “Dad… he’s cheating.” “Her name is Summer Davis. She used to be his secretary.” I moved stiffly, my fingers shaking a little as I pulled my tablet out of my bag. The screen lit up, showing the information Mr. Davison, my grandfather’s assistant, had helped me dig up. The screen light made Mom’s face look pale. I swiped through the pages, showing her everything one by one. “She and Dad started seeing each other not long after she joined the company. That was… right when you got pregnant with me.” “Less than six months later, she left the company because she was pregnant. Dad bought her a luxury penthouse in a high-end building near our house, and it’s in her name.” “While you were swollen and struggling to sleep in your third trimester, he was making her special prenatal meals over there; while you were fighting for your life during a difficult labor in the hospital, he was massaging her, walking with her to ease her pain.” “While you were recovering from your C-section in the hospital, he was at that woman’s prenatal appointments, even telling her to walk more so she wouldn’t have to go through a C-section later.” “Mom, that other daughter is only six months younger than me. He cheated on you *while you were pregnant*.” I cried as I spoke, tears splashing onto the tablet screen, leaving small wet streaks. Mom stared blankly at the words and photos, her eyes slowly reddening with tears. “How could this be…?” “Twenty years… dating, marriage, twenty years. How could he…?” I hugged her tightly, took a deep breath, and kept going. “Mom, remember when I was little, the house fire?” She nodded, her voice getting even hoarser. “Of course I remember. I was on a business trip then. Your dad was juggling work while taking care of you, and when he turned around, you’d set the curtains on fire… He risked his life to save you. He was terrified afterward, watching over you in the hospital, saying if anything happened to you, he wouldn’t want to live either.” “After you got out of the ICU, he was so anxious. He followed you everywhere, often waking up in the middle of the night to check on you. He kept telling me it was all his fault… Back then, I thought he really loved you and cared about our family.” As she spoke, there was a bitter edge to her words. I kept scrolling, pausing my finger on a section of the investigation report. “What if I told you that fire wasn’t an accident at all?” “He thought I was asleep and was rushing to see them—Summer and Chloe. He threw an unextinguished cigarette butt into the trash can.” “The window was open, the wind blew the curtain in, and it caught fire. He locked me in the room… I couldn’t save myself.” “He didn’t save me either. A neighbor noticed the fire and called the police. Firefighters broke down the door, carried me out, and took me to the hospital. He… only showed up much later.” “I was only a few years old then, and I was drifting in and out of consciousness, so I couldn’t remember exactly what happened.” “Did you think he stayed by my side that whole time because he loved me? He was scared I might suddenly remember and tell you the truth… scared you’d get mad and he’d lose access to Grandpa Harrison’s resources and connections.” My eyes stung, burning with a mix of injustice and fury. All the happiness I thought I’d had was actually a carefully constructed lie. The built-up unfairness hit its breaking point, turning into pure anger. I hated him for lying to Mom, and even more for giving me this fake love all these years like it was some kind of charity. What were we to him, really? But looking at Mom’s face, only heartache was left. She was the one who’d been hurt the most. I wanted to say more, but my phone suddenly rang. It was the hospital. “Hello, is this Hazel Anderson? Some of your physical exam results need retesting. Please have a parent bring you back to the hospital for a detailed examination as soon as possible.” I paused, trying to keep my voice steady. “Okay, I understand.” As soon as I hung up, both my mom’s and my phones vibrated almost at the same time. The message to me said: [The hospital called, said you need a recheck. Dad will take you the day after tomorrow.] The message to Mom said: [Honey, that French designer you like is having a private collection exhibit next week. A friend gave me two invitation-only tickets. It’s the day after tomorrow afternoon. You should go, clear your head.] The day after tomorrow was exactly when I was supposed to have my recheck at the hospital. He’d deliberately sent Mom away, planning to take me alone… Mom and I exchanged a look. Neither of us said anything. I really wanted to see his face when his elaborate scheme fell apart.

On the day of the recheck, my dad and I went to the hospital together. While waiting at a red light, he picked up his phone and sent a voice message to my mom. “Honey, have you gotten to the art exhibition center? Is parking easy there?” He was checking up on her. Soon, Mom replied with a message. “Just got here, waiting in line to get in. Parking was a bit far, had to walk a ways.” She also attached a photo. A selfie of her and a friend at the exhibition center. My dad tapped to enlarge it, then kept driving. “I heard the ‘Morning Mist’ piece is on display this time. Have you seen it? I remember you really liked that painter.” A few minutes later, Mom sent a photo from inside the exhibition hall. “Saw it, it’s even more amazing than in the catalog. It’s pretty crowded, talk later.” My dad seemed to let out a relieved sigh. He turned to me with a perfect smile. “Your mom finally gets to relax a little.” Hypocrite. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. At the hospital, he played the part of the good father perfectly. Follow-up appointments, tests, checking in… He even kindly covered my eyes when they drew my blood. If I hadn’t found out about his affair and that he had another daughter… I probably would’ve leaned into that tenderness, snuggled in his arms and whined like a kid, just like before. The whole process went quickly. After getting the blood draw receipt, he checked his watch and spoke casually. “Hazel, wait here for a minute, don’t go anywhere. Dad’s going to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” “Okay,” I whispered, looking down. He was heading toward the hematology ward. After a little while, I stood up and quietly followed him. The ward door was slightly open. I stood outside, peeking through the gap. My dad was sitting beside Chloe’s bed, feeding her medicine. The girl leaned against him, looking completely dependent, her voice tearful. “Daddy, I’m scared…” “Am I going to die? I don’t want to leave you and Mom…” My dad gently wiped her tears, his voice incredibly soft. “Silly girl, don’t talk like that.” “Daddy got you the best doctors in the country and the best medicine. See, Daddy’s always here with you, right? You’re so brave, you’re going to get better.” Summer also leaned over, gently brushing her daughter’s cheek. “Don’t be scared, Mommy and Daddy are here. Your dad has put off so much work for you, coming to the hospital every day, talking to all these experts and professors… Remember when you had that midnight fever last month? Daddy was at a conference overseas, but he got on the next flight home and stayed up with you for two whole nights. With Daddy here, you don’t have to fear anything.” The three of them looked like the perfect little family. Meanwhile, I stood outside the door feeling like a fool. I remembered when I was eight, I had pneumonia so bad my fever hit 104 degrees, coughing so hard I thought my lungs would split. Mom rushed me to the ER, her hands shaking she was so scared. She called him over and over, but all he sent was a text: “With important clients, can’t leave. Thanks for handling it.” That whole night, Mom sat with me alone in the emergency room until morning, watching the IV drip. Later I found out Chloe had been throwing a fit that night, didn’t want him to leave. His “important clients” were just Summer and her. I dug my nails into my palms so hard they almost broke, but I didn’t feel a thing. Suddenly an arm wrapped around my shoulders. It was Mom. She gave me a little nod, like she was saying “I’ve got you.” Just then, the doctor came out smiling: “Don’t worry, you two. Chloe’s numbers have fluctuated a bit lately, but they’re manageable overall. With parents as dedicated as you supporting her, the child’s positive attitude is crucial for treatment. Our team has gone over the bone marrow transplant plan thoroughly—we just need the donor ready, and we can move forward with surgery.” “I’d do anything to save Chloe,” my dad said, looking at her with a determined voice. Anything to save Chloe. What about me? Me, being treated like a walking donor. Didn’t my wishes, my health, matter at all? A dull, heavy ache spread through my chest. My dad turned to the doctor, his voice steady. “I’ve got the donor all set up. We can get all the paperwork done today.” “Please do whatever you can to schedule the surgery as soon as possible.” A senior doctor next to him nodded in agreement. “Robert Anderson, always so efficient—and so dedicated to his daughter.” “Don’t worry, we have the OR ready. Once the donor completes pre-op checks, we can start. A father as connected and involved as you—this child is truly lucky.” The head nurse joined in: “Yes, Robert Anderson’s here practically every day—we all notice. It’s rare to find a successful man who’s also so family-focused and responsible.” Another doctor added: “I heard Robert Anderson not only works tirelessly for his daughter but also started a personal assistance fund to help other families facing similar struggles. That kind of generosity really earns our respect.” The hospital room filled with praise and admiration. He was being hailed as the perfect father and a generous man. Their voices trailed off, and someone even started clapping. The mood was upbeat and positive. Mom squeezed my hand, then pushed open the door, her voice sharp as ice: “Robert Anderson, that ‘recheck’ you mentioned… was it just a trick to turn my daughter into a donor for your love child?”

The room went dead silent. All the congratulatory smiles froze on their faces. Doctors, nurses, and the specialist all gaped at our sudden entrance, then at my dad and Summer, whose faces had gone white as sheets. My dad jumped up like he’d been burned, knocking over a water glass. “El-Eleanor? Hazel? What are you doing here…?” “Wondering why we’re not at the art exhibit?” Mom let go of my hand and stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the girl in the bed who looked just like my dad, finally landing on his face. “If I hadn’t come, how else would I get to see my husband being so loving with his ‘important client’s’ daughter?” “Mrs. Anderson, please let me explain—this…” Summer tried to step forward but froze under Mom’s icy stare. “Explain what?” My voice shook—not from fear, but from anger so intense it felt cold. “Explain why you’re wearing what was supposed to be my mom’s anniversary gift? Explain why my dad is listed as your charity’s representative and your daughter’s legal guardian?” “Robert Anderson,” Mom didn’t even glance at Summer and Chloe, fixing her eyes on my dad, each word sharp as ice. “While I was swollen and exhausted during pregnancy, you were cooking for her. When I was fighting for my life during childbirth, you were out walking with her. When Hazel’s room caught fire as a kid, you didn’t even try to save her – you were rushing to see them, flicking a cigarette butt that nearly killed her! You only stuck around later because you were scared she’d remember, scared of losing my family’s money!” “Twenty years… Robert Anderson, twenty years married to you, just to get your carefully planned betrayal. And today, you tricked my daughter into being a donor for your love child?” Mom’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word cut through the silent hospital room, setting off a murmur of shock. The doctors and nurses who’d just been praising my dad now wore stunned expressions, whispering and exchanging looks. Oh my God, is that his wife? That sick girl is his mistress’s kid? Only six months younger than his real daughter? He cheated while his wife was pregnant! They were just calling him a great dad and philanthropist, but he’s using his wife’s family money to support his mistress! No wonder he was so pushy about the donor – he was plotting against his own daughter… My dad’s face turned red then white, veins bulging in his forehead. He tried to sound calm. “What are you talking about?! Let’s discuss this at home! This is a hospital, the child is sick – don’t cause a scene here!” “Making a scene?” Mom scoffed like she’d heard something ridiculous. She held up her phone, showing screenshots of evidence Mr. Davison had sent. “Robert Anderson, should I show these ‘angels in white’ your property deeds, bank transfers, and vacation photos with them? Let them see how this ‘generous’ Mr. Robert has been living off my family’s money while treating us like garbage!” “You!” My dad snapped, lunging to grab her phone. “What, gonna get violent?” Mom stood her ground. “With all these witnesses? Where was your shame when you were doing those disgusting things?!” Chloe, who’d been quiet, suddenly screamed: “Who are you people? Why are you yelling at my daddy! Daddy’s mine! He’s not yours!” She tried to struggle out of bed. Summer quickly hugged her, tears streaming, begging Mom: “Mrs. Anderson, it was all my fault. Please don’t involve the child—she’s so sick, she can’t handle this… Robert was just confused, trying to save his daughter. Hazel is Chloe’s biological sister after all. If they match, saving her sister’s life is the right thing to do…” I finally let out a bitter laugh. “Sister? My mom only had me. Saving her would be a choice, not an obligation. You tricked me into blood tests without consent—that’s illegal! And Dad, you said ‘anything to save Chloe.’ So if it means taking my bone marrow and hurting me, that’s still ‘worth it’?” My dad looked away, his lips trembling. He couldn’t speak. “Good. Real good.” Mom nodded, the last warmth leaving her eyes. She ignored my dad’s pathetic excuses, pulling out her phone and dialing a number on speaker. “Dad, you heard all that, right?” The door opened again. My grandfather, Mr. Harrison, walked in with his cane, accompanied by Mr. Davison. He wore a sharp tailored suit, his face grim, eyes like steel. They swept over my dad’s crumpled figure, then fixed on Summer and Chloe with cold scrutiny. “Robert Anderson,” Mr. Harrison’s voice carried the quiet authority of a lifetime in charge, silencing the room. “Effective immediately, you’re terminated from all company positions. Any assets funded or guaranteed by the Harrison family will be frozen and liquidated.” “Dad! Mr. Harrison!” My dad panicked, trying to rush forward but blocked by Mr. Davison. “You can’t do this! I built this company…” “Built it with what?” Mr. Harrison cut him off sharply. “Without Harrison capital, connections, and my daughter managing your life all these years, your little shop would’ve failed. Lawyers are already investigating your embezzlement to fund your mistress. For Hazel’s sake, I’ll offer this: walk away with nothing, or face criminal charges.” Summer shrieked: “How dare you! Those are Robert’s earnings!” Mr. Harrison didn’t spare her a glance, addressing my dad directly: “Your choice: sign the divorce papers, surrender what’s not yours, or we’ll see you in court. And we can add child endangerment charges for trying to coerce Hazel into medical procedures without consent.” My dad went pale as a ghost, staggering back into the hospital bed. Mr. Harrison turned, his expression softening as he looked at Mom and me. “Eleanor, Hazel, let’s go home.” As we headed for the door, Chloe suddenly grabbed a water cup from her nightstand and threw it at me. “You’re the bad guys! You ruined my daddy! You ruined everything!” Mom pulled me behind her just as the cup shattered against the wall. Mom paused, turning back to Summer and Chloe. “Remember this: We didn’t ruin anything. Your mother and my husband built their life on lies and betrayal—it was always going to fall apart.” Stepping into the hallway, the sunlight was almost blinding. Hysterical crying and shouting echoed behind us. Mom squeezed my hand tightly—her palm was cold but trembling. I squeezed back, trying to share some warmth.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “348483”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

After my best friend, Ashley, got hooked on gambling, she suddenly got super excited and said she wanted to take me to a high-stakes casino city. “I just won big, I’m treating you to a luxury hotel stay!” But once the plane landed, she dragged me straight into a private room deep inside a casino. “Look, I actually lost fifty million dollars, and if I can’t pay it back, they’re going to sell me to human traffickers.” “But the casino owner is looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark, and if I can help him find her, all my debts will be wiped clean!” “I saw you had one on your stomach when you showered! I’m so sorry, Maya, but I really don’t want to die!” I was pinned to the sofa by four burly men when my eyes landed on a child’s drawing hanging on the wall. It was a doodle I’d made for my dad before I was kidnapped. He cherished it, saying he’d keep it forever. Turns out, this casino owner… was my long-lost father! By the time I realized something was terribly wrong and tried to leave, it was already too late. “Maya, fifty million dollars, I just can’t pay it back! I brought you here to help me clear my debt!” I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat tightening with fear, I even forgot how to breathe. “Ashley, you sold me out?” “We’ve known each other for over ten years, you’re my best friend, and you sold me for fifty million?!” My accusation made her stumble back, shaking her head. “Don’t look at me like that… This casino owner is insanely wealthy, and the only thing he really likes is women with a crescent moon birthmark. For a woman like that, he’d wipe away any amount of gambling debt…” “He has this unusual preference, and you happen to have that birthmark. So, me bringing you here… it’s for your own good, really. What if he picks you? You’d be his mistress, loaded for life!” The image of a creepy old man flashed through my mind. I shivered, pushing her away and trying to leave. “If you want to be his mistress, go ahead. I’m going home!” But before I could even touch the doorknob, a heavy blow landed on the back of my head. “Maya, you forced my hand!” My head reeled, stars burst behind my eyes, and I stumbled a few steps before collapsing to the floor. She leaned over, snatching the pink bead from my pocket. “Don’t think I don’t know. You came with me not for a vacation, but to find your biological parents.” “Now that you’re here, if you help me with this debt, I’ll help you find your parents. But if you dare to run… you can forget about a family reunion for the rest of your life.” The pain in the back of my head was excruciating. I struggled to move my lips, my heart sinking into despair. I was kidnapped when I was five. The traffickers, afraid of exposure, immediately changed my clothes, shaved my head, and threw away everything I had. Only this bead, carved with my childhood nickname, Lark, had been hidden under my tongue. For sixteen years, I’d forgotten the way home. My memories from before I was five had faded a lot. This bead was the only thing I had left that connected me to my parents. Now the bead was gone, and with it, all hope. “Smart move.” Ashley had just finished speaking when the private room door opened. Several fierce-looking men walked in. “Ashley, right? Heard you brought something to clear your debt?” Ashley quickly pointed at me and nodded. “Gage, isn’t the boss looking for a woman with a crescent moon birthmark? This is my best friend, Maya, and she has one on her stomach!” “You see, I brought her here, so my fifty million…” The man in charge didn’t even lift an eyelid. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “What’s the rush? Let’s verify the goods first.” His subordinates immediately pounced, dragging me and pressing me onto the sofa. In a flash, they stripped off my jacket. One man reached for my T-shirt, and I kicked his shin with all my might. “Get off me! Don’t touch me!” “You bitch, you dare to kick me?” The man spat, then raised his hand and slapped my face twice. Stars burst behind my eyes, and before I could speak, a terrifying gunshot echoed through the room. The man screamed, clutching his leg as he fell backward, a bullet wound blooming on his shin. Gage stood there, gun in hand, his face expressionless. “You lay hands on her before I’m done verifying? You got a death wish?” “Get him out of here. Don’t stain the boss’s carpet.” The others, still shaken, mumbled in agreement and quickly dragged the man away. I was no longer restrained, but I was stiff with terror, afraid to move a muscle. They had guns. If I struggled again, I’d be next to get shot. In the corner, Ashley was terrified too, but a flicker of determination hardened her eyes. “Gage, she really does have a crescent moon birthmark on her stomach, the exact kind the boss wants!” Gage shot her a cold glance, and she instantly trembled, lowering her head. “You guys, go on. Make it quick, don’t waste my time.” Four more men lunged at me. I struggled backward, shrinking into the sofa, when suddenly I saw a familiar crayon drawing on the wall. It depicted a family of three flying a kite, and on the head of the little girl with pigtails in the middle, was a name I could never forget, even in death. “Lark.” I’d drawn that just before I was kidnapped. My mom adored it, and my dad had smiled, saying he’d keep it forever. It’s Dad! All these years, he’d been looking for me too! Overwhelmed with emotion, I pushed myself up on the sofa. “Is your boss’s last name…?” “So many questions. Ten to one, she’s just trying something sneaky.” Gage impatiently cut me off, aiming his gun at my forehead. “You, shut up.” “You guys, take her clothes off. Verify the goods.”

A cold dread washed over me instantly. He’d shot his own man, let alone me! Ashley trembled, whispering, trying to persuade me. “Maya, just cooperate. Once they’re done verifying, I can leave. If you keep this up, I’ll end up dead too…” Even now, she was only thinking of herself! I looked at the drawing again, deciding to play it cool for now. If Dad came after the verification, we could reunite, and all these problems would be solved. Gritting my teeth, I endured the humiliation, letting them pull up my T-shirt. Below my navel, the crescent moon birthmark was clearly visible. “Gage, this one looks real!” Gage immediately strode over. A flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw the birthmark, and he murmured softly. “It really is exactly like the one the boss drew…” Ashley knew things were settled, and she simpered, trying to please him. “Gage, now that the goods have been verified, about my fifty million…” Gage stared at my birthmark, waving his right hand. “Cleared. Now get lost.” “Okay, okay, I’m going right now!” Ashley nodded vigorously, turning to run. But my bead was still with her! I quickly jumped off the sofa, reaching out to grab her clothes. “Ashley, you can’t leave…” “Don’t let her run!” Gage barked, and the nearest subordinate kicked me in the stomach. I couldn’t dodge in time and fell backward, my head hitting the corner of a table. Gage exploded in anger. “You looking for trouble? How many times have I said not to touch her before confirmation!” The spot where Ashley had hit me still throbbed, and now something was oozing out. I leaned against the table, raising a hand to touch it. My hand came away covered in blood. My vision slowly blurred. I felt my consciousness slipping away, my limbs starting to disobey me. Can’t faint… I haven’t seen Dad yet… “Damn it, Gage, she’s bleeding!” Someone shouted, pointing at me in a panic. Gage’s brows furrowed. “You two, go find a doctor. You two, go find the boss. Tell him this birthmark looks very similar and have him come take a look.” “The rest of you, be careful. If she really is the woman the boss wants, if you upset her now, and she complains to the boss later, we’ll all be in deep trouble!” Several subordinates scattered, running into Ashley who was standing by the door. She looked stunned. After a while, she asked, trembling. “Gage… doesn’t the boss just want a mistress? Is a mistress that important?” Gage’s harsh gaze swept over her. “Of course. Otherwise, why would the boss be so generous? Anyone who brings her in gets their debt cleared?” “But not just anyone can clear their debt this way.” “Before, people brought women with crescent moon birthmarks, but they didn’t know exactly where the boss wanted the birthmark to be. They just tattooed one on randomly and brought them over.” “And they were all… dealt with by the boss.” Ashley shivered, hearing Gage’s final words. “You’re lucky, though. This woman’s crescent moon is exactly where the boss wants it, not an inch off.” “Just wait. If she really is the woman the boss wants, not only will your fifty million be waived, but your best friend will also treat you to the high life, and you’ll enjoy every luxury together.” Ashley’s eyes darted around, her expression changing. I had a bad feeling, and with my remaining consciousness, I opened my mouth. “I, I am…” “Gage, I’m sorry!” Ashley suddenly lunged at me, her sharp nails digging into my thigh. “Her birthmark is fake!” “I can’t lie to the boss. I’ll pay back the fifty million, I’m not clearing my debt this way!”

Gage immediately roared in anger. “Ashley, you’ve got a death wish!” “No! She forced me to come here!” The gun was aimed at her, and she dropped to her knees with a thud. “She found out where the birthmark should be from somewhere, went to a tattoo parlor, and forced me to bring her here.” “She said she wanted to hook up with the boss and live a life of luxury!” “It’s true, she threatened me! If I didn’t bring her, she’d kill my parents!” Ashley pleaded incessantly, tears streaming down her face. I gasped for air beside her, shaking my head vigorously. “I didn’t… I am…” “Maya, stop lying! You can fool him for a while, but not forever. If the boss finds out your birthmark is fake, you’ll die an even worse death!” Gage looked down at me, his sharp eyes scrutinizing my exposed crescent moon birthmark, as if trying to discern which of us was telling the truth. But he didn’t seem to know that my father was looking for his daughter, not a mistress. If he had looked at my face more closely, he might have noticed the resemblance between Dad and me… Suddenly, shouts came from outside. “Gage, those guys are causing trouble in the main hall again!” Gage grabbed his gun and headed out. “You guys, guard the door. Don’t let either of them leave. I’ll be right back.” The private room door closed, leaving only Ashley and me. Ashley lowered her voice. “I can’t believe the casino owner’s obsession is so intense. If the birthmark matches, you get to be the boss’s lady!” I struggled to stay conscious, but my body kept sliding down. The blood from the back of my head was increasing, and I probably couldn’t last much longer. “What… what do you want…?” A wild look flashed across her face, her chest heaving as she spoke. “I was wrong. I thought he just wanted a mistress to sleep with… No, I can’t let you become the boss’s lady.” “Otherwise, you’d never let me off the hook… just like I won’t let you off!” I gasped, shaking my head. “We’re best friends. If you let me go, I’ll let bygones be bygones.” “Impossible. You must hate my guts!” “Really… Think about it, without me, how will you pay back that fifty million? They’ll sell you to human traffickers, and that’s worse than death!” Ashley froze for a moment, then looked down, her eyes darting around rapidly. Seeing a glimmer of hope, I continued. “Let me go, I swear I won’t say anything. I’ll make sure you live the high life, and that fifty million… I’ll pay it for you.” Her expression finally shifted. She licked her dry lips. I secretly sighed in relief. But before I could exhale completely, she suddenly clenched her fist. “No, you’re so stubborn, you never gave up searching for your biological parents for over ten years. How could you let me off the hook?” “I can figure out another way for the fifty million, but you can’t be left alive!” With that, she found a small knife, and its tip plunged directly into my crescent moon birthmark! “Ah—” I shrieked in agony, only for her to clap a hand over my mouth. She traced a line along the crescent moon, then pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid, forcing it down my throat. A bitter taste seared my throat, and I immediately felt something was terribly wrong. “Don’t be scared. This anesthetic takes effect in twenty minutes. After that, you’ll pass out. No matter what happens, you won’t feel a thing.” She tossed the empty bottle and knife under the table, whispering frantically in my ear. “I’m sorry, Maya. If only one of us can survive, it has to be me!”

The anesthetic spread through my body. I felt all my strength drain away, and I slid to the floor, feeling as if I could pass out any second. Just then, Gage returned. Seeing the scene, his brows furrowed as he looked at Ashley. “What happened?” Ashley, tears streaming down her face, pointed at me. “Gage, she was afraid of the pain when she got the tattoo, and she ran off before the last part was colored in.” “Now the wound has reopened… she’s in too much pain, saying she’s dizzy…” Gage’s eyes dropped, and he saw a thin line, indeed bleeding, at the top of my crescent moon. “It really is fake…” “Go tell the boss not to waste his time coming over. This one’s fake too.” A shadow fell over me, and a cold touch pressed against my stomach. “You almost got me killed with your trick.” “You like crescent moons, don’t you? Then I’ll cut this piece of skin off and sew it onto your face!” What… The knife tip pierced deeper into the wound. My dying consciousness was jolted, and I struggled, trying to scream. “No—I’m the person the boss is looking for!” “He’s not looking for a mistress, he’s looking for his daughter! I’m his daughter!” A moment of dead silence fell over the private room. Gage gave a cold laugh. “No wonder you dared to get a tattoo and send yourself to your death, you’ve got guts. You’d say anything.” “Our boss doesn’t even have a wife. How dare you impersonate his daughter?” The knife tip deepened by another inch, and the anesthetic took full effect. I couldn’t feel the pain, but I couldn’t speak either. Through the haze, someone nearby reminded Gage. “Gage, this is the boss’s favorite carpet…” The knife was immediately pulled out. Gage stood up. “Take her away. Get someone to clean the carpet.” “Gage, should we just sell her to human traffickers?” My heart tightened. I watched him wipe the knife with a handkerchief, his eyes venomous. “Take her to the VIP section. Let the guests have their fun with her, then sell her when they’re tired.” “What about that woman…?” Ashley immediately fell to her knees, wringing her hands and begging. “Gage, just give me five more days! I promise I’ll pay back the fifty million. If I don’t, you can do whatever you want with me!” Gage frowned in thought for a moment, then held up three fingers. “Three days.” “Okay, three days it is! I’ll go raise the money right now!” I was lifted up, tried to struggle, but had no strength. I could only watch Ashley rush out of the room like a madwoman, without a single glance back. Two minutes later, I was thrown into the noisy VIP section. Countless men and women gathered around. Someone shouted. “Hey, isn’t that the crescent moon birthmark Mr. Thorne likes so much?” Everyone laughed. “Another one trying to gamble with Mr. Thorne.” “Normal, if you actually win that bet, you become the owner’s wife, living the ultimate high life.” “Too bad, this young girl lost her bet. Looks like she’ll have to find another country to live in.” Some pulled at my T-shirt, some grabbed my ankles, others, disgusted by my blood-soaked state, walked away, pinching their noses. I was like a discarded rag, unable to move or struggle. I could only stare up at the gilded ceiling, a deep sense of injustice churning inside me. I was just one step away from reuniting with Dad… Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent. A steady set of footsteps approached. “Boss, Gage said this one definitely isn’t it, so he told us to just toss her here.” “Hmm, you handle it.” It was Dad’s voice, just as I remembered! The footsteps turned, moving in the opposite direction. I panicked. I didn’t know where the strength came from, but I croaked out a desperate cry. “I’m Lark!” The footsteps abruptly stopped. That gaze, intense and piercing, turned directly towards me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “348484”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

After I became pregnant, the truth about my marriage finally became clear. My husband Andrew’s so-called “childhood friend” Quinn could freely enter our bedroom, spend my money, and live in the house I had paid for. Meanwhile, I, the legal wife who had covered the mortgage and supported the household, was treated like an outsider, mocked, and had my contributions publicly itemized at our housewarming party. When I refused to keep footing the bill, they called me cheap. When I tried to uphold my boundaries, they called me vicious. Then came that stormy night, when he, faced with a life-or-death decision, unequivocally placed me and our unborn child last. In that moment, I finally understood. This wasn’t favoritism. This was calculated abandonment. If they wanted me gone, this time I would make the first move. 1 Emily POV There was never any boundary between my husband Andrew and his childhood friend Quinn. Our friends and family didn’t see it as odd. They praised their “unbreakable bond.” As the lady of the house, I’d watch Quinn walk into our bedroom without knocking. When she admired the matching mugs I’d bought, Andrew gave her the one that said “His” without a second thought. He even let her nap in our bed. “We’re all family,” he’d say. “What’s the big deal?” The moment I showed any discomfort, Quinn would pout and sigh. “Andrew and I have always been like this. I can’t just change overnight.” A cold laugh rose in my throat. Screw your childhood bond. On the day of our new housewarming party, I was in the kitchen, heavily pregnant, preparing dinner. Andrew and Quinn were side-by-side on the sofa, playing video games, just waiting for the meal. Other guests chatted in the living room, wine glasses in hand. Not one offered to help me, a pregnant woman. At dinner, Andrew completely disregarded table manners, immediately forking the tenderest piece of roast beef from his plate to Quinn’s. “I know you like the tender cuts. This one’s for you.” Quinn complained her sauce was too spicy, and without a second thought, she used her own fork to reach into Andrew’s plate and take a side dish. “Andrew, yours looks better. I want this.” Odessa, my mother-in-law, beamed, her face creasing with delight. “That’s right! Quinn grew up in our house, she doesn’t mind!” My hand, holding the knife and fork, hovered in mid-air, feeling utterly out of place. I paid the down payment for this house, I handled the mortgage, and I bought all the party ingredients and drinks. Yet, at this dining table, I felt like a stranger forced to share a meal. After dinner, a friend suggested we play Truth or Dare. The mood was loose and boozy. I sat in the corner with my glass of warm water, watching. Andrew lost. His friends nudged him toward the dare, grinning. “If there were no legal consequences, who would you most want to give this house to?” A few of his childhood buddies immediately shouted, “That’s a given! For Quinn, as a wedding gift!” Andrew chuckled, trying to play it off. “Quinn’s like my little sister. What’s mine is hers.” Quinn chimed in, “Exactly! Emily makes so much money, she can just buy another one, right?” Everyone raised their glasses and cheered, as if they had already decided the ownership of my property. Andrew’s friends even started idly playing with the cash on the table, half-jokingly asking for a share. I walked to the liquor cabinet, grabbed a bottle of Andrew’s prized aged whiskey, and smashed it fiercely onto the marble floor of the living room. Glass shattered, the scent of whiskey filled the air, and the entire room fell silent. “So eager to divide up my house? Fine. The police can come, they can make it official.” I pulled out my phone and dialed 91

“Hello, police? There’s an illegal gambling gathering here, with large sums of money involved.” Andrew rushed over to snatch my phone, his face pale. “Emily, are you crazy? It’s just a friendly card game, why call the cops? Do you want to ruin my career?” 2 Emily POV I looked at Andrew as he shielded Quinn and the money behind him, tears in my voice. “You’re in finance, Andrew. How will you explain this to your company? That you’re using your wife’s salary to fund your neighbor, while your wife is just the fool who pays for everything?” He kept Quinn behind him and lowered his voice to a sharp hiss. “You’re out of line. Quinn was just joking. Why do you have to be so stingy?” “If protecting my own money makes me cheap, then yes, I won’t pay another cent.” Andrew grabbed my arm, accusing me of humiliating him in front of his childhood friends. “Everyone’s here for our new housewarming party!” “Don’t be so obsessed with money.” Hearing that, I turned and slapped him hard across the face. Quinn immediately rushed forward, clutching Andrew’s arm tightly, her eyes welling up with tears. “Andrew, it’s all my fault for being poor and not having a good education. I just made Emily angry.” She sobbed, saying her family was unfortunate since she was little, and Odessa’s family gave her warmth. Andrew just looked out for her like a brother. “Andrew, quickly apologize to Emily. She’s a rich lady, it’s normal for her to look down on people from our background. Don’t let me ruin your relationship.” Her words made all the guests present look at me with hostility and contempt. The guest room door burst open, and Odessa stormed out, pushing me aside to stand in front of the crying Quinn. She pointed a finger at my face. “You dare hit him? You dare hit my son? How can you be so heartless? Quinn is such a good kid, what’s wrong with using your fork? Is someone going to die?” “Odessa, this is about boundaries. This is my home.” “What’s this ‘your home, my home’ nonsense? You married Andrew, you’re part of my family now! So what if you have money? If you look down on us, just say so!” Andrew stood behind the two women, silently condoning his mother’s attack on me. I watched Odessa tenderly wipe Quinn’s tears, while my husband checked his face for a slap mark. I remembered when we got married, I didn’t ask for any valuable gifts, and even paid for Odessa’s medical expenses. She held my hand and said she’d treat me like her own daughter. Turns out, being treated like a daughter meant being an ATM with no right to complain. Andrew stood there, clutching his face, frozen by his wounded ego. Quinn leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Andrew, your credit card payments next month still depend on Emily.” Andrew’s face changed. He looked at me stiffly. “Fine, my attitude was bad, alright? Stop making a scene.” I shook off his hand, slammed the door, and walked out. The elevator still hadn’t arrived. I leaned against the cold wall as a wave of dizziness washed over me, a symptom of the high blood pressure brought on by my pregnancy. Andrew caught up to me. “Just because you’re an executive, you think you’re better than my friends who aren’t as successful. You’re such a snob.” “Can’t you learn from Quinn? She might not have money, but she’s great at socializing! You always have that sour look on your face, like everyone owes you something!” “If I really wanted to support her, why would I wait until today? Our bond is pure familial affection. You’re just thinking dirty!” As he lectured me, I noticed the new watch on his wrist. It was my birthday gift to him last month, bought with my bonus. Now, on the watch face, there was a greasy fingerprint. It was left there when Quinn grabbed his wrist, pouting and clinging to him earlier. “Yes, my thoughts are dirty! Only you two are the most noble!” “The renovation funds? You used them to pay off Quinn’s payday loans. The prenatal check-up money I saved? You used it to buy her gifts.” “Just now, you let Quinn humiliate me, and then you accused me of being cheap.” “From this moment on, Andrew, I’m canceling all your credit cards.” 3 Emily POV I drove out of the complex and parked by the river. My phone vibrated continuously on the passenger seat. It was a text message from the bank about a deduction. Just during that whole drama, Andrew had charged another club private room fee. I was gone, but my money was still paying their bills. The latest transaction was five hundred dollars. The memo read “Just for fun.” I remembered how I cherished my three-year-old foundation empty bottle, refusing to throw it away, to save money for imported baby formula. Andrew didn’t have that kind of spending power. This money was spent on Quinn and his crew of freeloaders. This wasn’t a marriage; it was charity, it was being drained dry. I quickly opened my bank app and froze all his credit cards. No doubt, the house must be in an uproar right now. Sure enough, through the home security camera, I saw- Andrew, his back to the empty doorway, promising Quinn on his phone, “Don’t cry, baby. I’ve ordered your favorite gourmet pizza. I’ll be right back to be with you.” He skillfully opened the payment page, ready to use my credit card. “Everyone didn’t have enough fun tonight, so I’m paying for the pizza too!” “Insufficient balance. Payment declined.” Quinn’s sweet voice urged, “Andrew, why isn’t it ready yet? I’m hungry.” His friends laughed mockingly. “Andrew, did Emily cut off your money supply? It’s clear who wears the pants in your house.” To save face, Andrew immediately opened a high-interest loan app, took out a loan, and gritted his teeth, mentally putting the debt on my tab. When I returned to the complex, before even going upstairs, I heard faint commotion from above. I touched my lower abdomen and sent a message to my lawyer, Brandon. He was my high school classmate, specializing in family law. Brandon’s voice message quickly came back: “Emily, based on the financial statements you provided, if you don’t do a property division promptly, every debt he incurs could be classified as marital joint debt. You’d not only be supporting him but also his ‘dear sister.’ This divorce needs to be strategic.” Back home, as soon as I opened the door, it was a mess. The air was thick with the smell of smoke, alcohol, and greasy pizza. Andrew and Quinn were head-to-head, curled up on the sofa playing games, as if they were the true masters of the house. I calmly walked back to the guest room and closed the door. 4 Emily POV Early Saturday morning, I woke up with a sharp abdominal pain and shook Andrew awake. “Take me to the ER.” He saw my pale face, poured a cup of hot tea. “The company has an urgent meeting with a big client. I can’t go with you.” I weakly clutched his sleeve. “The client is pressing. Just call an Uber yourself.” A hurried honk sounded from downstairs. It was my car. My hand was still gripping him. Andrew’s face suddenly changed. He pushed me away. “Are you done or not? It’s just pregnancy! Don’t be so dramatic! Don’t mess with my important business!” He left in such a hurry that he kicked over the cup of hot tea. The scalding tea splashed onto the top of my foot, leaving a red mark, but he didn’t even look back. The door slammed shut with a loud bang. I collapsed onto the bench in the entryway, unexpectedly noticing Andrew’s forgotten iPad, its screen still lit. On the screen was a group chat interface called “Family Group.” As if possessed, I swiped the screen. Odessa’s voice message popped up: “That useless woman is so difficult to deal with. Quinn is so much more considerate.” I scrolled down further. Quinn: “Andrew, I saw a new LV bag, it’d go perfectly with your car. I want it~” Andrew replied with a transfer screenshot, the amount was eight thousand dollars. “Go wild, if it’s not enough, just ask me. Just don’t let that crazy woman know.” Further down were chat records between Andrew and his childhood friend. “After Emily gives birth, we’ll transfer her house to my mom’s name, then we can have Quinn move in.” It felt as if all the blood had been drained from my body. They were scheming to take my property. There was also a photo in the chat history, a candid shot of my insurance policy. Andrew asked in the group: “Mom, talk to your psychic and figure out, if this woman has an accident during childbirth, am I the beneficiary of this policy?” Mrs. Odessa replied: “As long as you’re not divorced, you’re the primary beneficiary.” Beneficiary. I remembered when I bought life insurance, Andrew’s concerned face: “Honey, let’s get a high-value one. If anything happens, I can still take care of this family for you.” Turns out, that wasn’t to guard against risk; it was to anticipate risk. I accurately exported all chat records and transfer records to my cloud drive. Then I used my phone to photograph my swollen foot and the empty room, sending them to my lawyer, Brandon. “Evidence. This is one piece of evidence that he abandoned a pregnant woman.” 5 Emily POV I slowly and with difficulty walked to the balcony, looking downstairs. The SUV I treasured was parked at the apartment entrance, the passenger window halfway down. Quinn sat there; that was my exclusive seat. “Andrew, what took you so long? I’m practically melting.” Andrew’s face was plastered with smiles, showing none of the irritation he’d had with me. “My mistake, I was just held up by that unpleasant woman back home.” He opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat. He didn’t rush to drive off but leaned over, naturally pulling Quinn’s seatbelt for her. They were so close their noses almost touched. Quinn took the opportunity to caress Andrew’s face, her voice sweet and coquettish. “You really do love me the most.” Andrew playfully tapped her nose. “Silly girl, if I don’t dote on you, who will?” The engine roared, and the car sped away. I stood in the shadows, watching the pair of red taillights disappear from view. In that scene just now, a pink Hello Kitty charm hung on the rearview mirror. I had wanted to throw it away before, thinking it didn’t match the car’s interior style, but Andrew stopped me, saying it was a lucky charm, for warding off evil. Turns out, it was Quinn’s mark. The entire car, from the scent of the air freshener to the placement of the charms, had long been claimed by that woman. I wasn’t just the housekeeper in this home, I was the driver of this car, and even a pawn in their flirtatious games. After checking myself and confirming there was nothing serious, I called Brandon. “Help me check Andrew’s recent itinerary. Where are they going?” Brandon replied quickly. “Found it. He just posted his location on Instagram, saying he’s taking his ‘sister’ to a mountain retreat for some fresh air. Are you going too?” The mountain terrain was complex, with poor signal. If something were to happen there, for both him and myself, it would be the perfect cover. “Yes,” I told Brandon. “Some debts can only be settled in the right place.” Hanging up the phone, I dialed Andrew’s number again. The phone rang for a long time before he answered, car music blaring in the background. “I’m coming too,” I said into the receiver. “The doctor said I also need fresh air.” Andrew’s voice was full of impatience. “Why would you go to the mountains while pregnant? Don’t make things difficult!” “You haven’t paid the maintenance for that SUV, have you? And all your camping gear for this trip, I heard you wanted top-of-the-line? I just got my bonus, perfect timing to pay for it.” Silence stretched for two seconds on the other end of the line. Then Quinn’s voice chimed in. “Andrew, if Emily wants to come, let her. We could use someone to cook anyway.” Andrew’s tone immediately changed. “Fine. Just call an Uber and meet us there.” 6 Emily POV At the high-end outdoor equipment store, Andrew was holding up an imported two-person tent, priced over a thousand dollars, sizing it up. Quinn stood beside him, holding her phone to find the perfect angle for a selfie, then looked down to edit her Instagram post. Seconds later, I scrolled past her update. The picture was of her and Andrew’s backs, with the caption: “Spontaneous trip, so glad to have a boy who spoils me #AdventureTime.” I stood at the checkout counter, watching Andrew pile up all the items. “Emily, hurry up, it’s two thousand dollars total.” Andrew gestured, taking it for granted. I glanced at the pile of items: besides the tent, there was a full set of camping cookware and two top-tier sleeping bags. “Don’t we already have a tent at home?” I asked. “And why buy a two-person one? How will three of us fit?” Quinn leaned over, looping her arm through Andrew’s. “Emily, the old one is so tacky, it won’t look good in pictures. Plus, this one is windproof and waterproof, it’s for everyone’s good, right? As for sleeping, well, the tighter we cuddle, the warmer we’ll be.” Andrew grew impatient, glancing at the people waiting in line behind them. “Don’t dawdle. There are people waiting. Didn’t you just get your bonus? Don’t be so stingy.” Before paying, I deliberately raised my voice to the cashier. “Could you please issue the receipt in my personal name? And make a note: purchased with pre-marital personal funds.” The cashier paused for a moment, then nodded and processed it. Andrew’s face darkened. He felt I was being too clear about the separation in front of outsiders, making him lose face. But he looked at the pile of new gear and held back from reacting. By the time we arrived at the mountain campsite, the sky was overcast. It was a semi-developed camping spot, and vehicles could only be parked halfway up the mountain. As the only pregnant woman, I was assigned to carry two five-liter water jugs and a box of groceries. Andrew, meanwhile, was busy helping Quinn adjust her live stream stand, searching for the best lighting. I carried the water jugs, a dull ache spreading through my lower back. Suddenly, Quinn’s shriek came from over there: “Ow! I cut my finger!” Andrew immediately dropped the tent peg he was holding and rushed over to grab her hand and inspect it. I looked too. She merely had a tiny hangnail on the edge of her finger. Yet Andrew’s face was anxious. He cupped her hand, gently blowing on it. “How could you be so careless? Does it hurt?” I remembered earlier, when I strained my back carrying the water jugs and gasped for breath, Andrew only glanced back once and said, “You’re so delicate. More exercise is good for labor.” A person’s subconscious reactions don’t lie. In his subconscious ranking, Quinn was a fragile piece of porcelain to be protected, while I was a sturdy earthenware pot built for abuse. I put down the water jugs and emotionlessly began to build a campfire. Once the fire was lit, Quinn sat on a folding chair and directed, “Emily, I want my steak medium-rare, with lots of black pepper. No green onions, please.” I threw the tongs onto the grill pan. “I’m pregnant. I can’t stand the smell of cooking fumes. If you want to eat, grill it yourself.” Andrew frowned, his tone growing stern. “Quinn trusts your cooking! How can you act like this as my wife? Don’t be a spoilsport, everyone’s hungry.” I picked up the tongs again and flipped the meat, mentally adding a labor fee for this meal to my future divorce claims. Once the steak was cooked, Quinn immediately snatched it. She took a bite but spat it directly onto the ground. “Ugh, it’s too tough. I can’t even chew it. Emily, are you doing this on purpose?” A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. The mountain air grew humid and sticky. Dark clouds rapidly gathered in the distance. Andrew and Quinn were still laughing and playing, completely oblivious to the approaching downpour. Ten minutes later, the rain poured down in sheets. Water instantly drenched the ground. The three of us scrambled into the sole two-person tent. Rain pounded on the tent fabric, creating a deafening roar. The once spacious area felt terribly cramped with three people squeezed inside. Quinn claimed she was afraid of thunder and insisted on squeezing between Andrew and me. Another explosive clap of thunder. Quinn shrieked and burrowed into Andrew’s arms, kicking her legs wildly. Her heel landed heavily on my swollen belly. I let out a muffled groan and reached out to push her foot away. Andrew, however, turned on me. “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see she’s terrified? You’re tough. Let her have it.” He took off his windbreaker, wrapped it around Quinn, and patted her back as if soothing a child. “Don’t be scared. I’m right here.” He picked up a thermos and poured hot water for Quinn to drink. My own water bottle lay empty, half-submerged in the muddy corner of the tent. I clutched my aching stomach and watched them hold each other. In that moment, my heart died completely.

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I’m the real daughter of the Harrison family. At my wedding, I was about to exchange rings with my fiancé Zachary. That’s when Clara—the wife of Zachary’s late brother—burst through the doors, her clothes in complete disarray. “Zachary, help me! Melody’s uncle Shane assaulted me!” “He mocked me for being the adopted daughter and said that since he raised the real daughter of the Harrison family, he’s their benefactor—so I should sleep with him… I can’t live like this anymore!” The guests erupted in chaos. They cursed Shane as a perverted asshole and blamed me for bringing a monster into our family. Zachary immediately took off his suit jacket and draped it over Clara’s shoulders, his face full of concern. Then he turned to me, his eyes cold as ice. “Melody, bring Shane out here!” “He needs to face punishment and cut off his own dick, or this wedding is over!” Looking at the murderous expressions on my parents’ faces and Zachary’s parents, I almost laughed. Because Shane didn’t even have that thing.

My mom rushed onto the stage and slapped me so hard my head snapped to the side. “How dare you smile?!” She was shaking with rage, her fingernails nearly poking into my eyes. “We never should have brought you back from the countryside, you ungrateful wretch!” “Clara is sweet and considerate. And you? The person you brought into our lives is a rapist!” My cheek burned with pain. I licked the metallic taste of blood from the corner of my mouth, my eyes ice-cold. “Mom, have the police arrived? Has a medical examiner verified anything? You’re just going to believe everything Clara says?” “How dare you!” My dad kicked over a nearby flower arrangement. “Would Clara joke about her own innocence? The evidence is clear and you still talk back!” He roared: “Security! Drag that Shane out here! Then in front of everyone in this city, castrate him! Make him apologize to Clara!” Clara’s clothes were torn, her neck covered in intimate red marks. She collapsed into Zachary’s arms, lifting her tear-stained face, her voice weak: “Dad, Mom… don’t blame Melody… Maybe Shane just couldn’t control himself… I don’t blame him, I just blame my terrible fate for taking Melody’s place…” Zachary’s eyes turned bloodshot as he held Clara tighter, as if trying to absorb her into his embrace. “That asshole dared to touch you? I’ll make sure he never uses that thing again!” Zachary turned to me, his eyes filled with disgust. “Melody, you heard her. Even now, Clara is begging for mercy for your Shane!” “A vicious woman like you doesn’t deserve to enter the Barrett family!” “You have three minutes. Bring that asshole here. If you let him escape, I’ll send you to prison to atone for what happened to Clara!” The guests below were all cursing me. “So what if she’s the real daughter? Her heart is pure evil.” “Exactly. Enabling a relative to rape a woman—this is a disgrace to high society.” “Mr. Barrett is doing the right thing. Monsters like that should be beaten to death!” I calmly pulled out my phone and stared coldly at Clara. “Clara, are you certain Shane assaulted you?” “It was him! I’ll never let him go, even if it kills me.” Clara glared at me through her tears. “Fine!” I turned to Zachary. “Zachary, you just said you’d castrate Shane, right?” Zachary spoke through gritted teeth: “Yes! I’ll make sure he loses all sexual function!” “Good.” I dialed the number and put it on speaker. “I’ll give you what you want.” The call connected. The massive roar of a motorcycle engine exploded through the speaker system. I spoke into the phone, my voice calm. “Shane, come to the wedding venue. Someone says they’re going to castrate you.”

A light, mocking laugh came from the other end. “Alright. Tell them to sharpen the knife.” Shane hung up. Zachary froze, then exploded in rage, smashing a glass. “She hung up? Melody, you put it on speaker to warn her, didn’t you?” “Zachary… I’m scared…” Clara trembled in Zachary’s arms. “That rapist took naked photos of me… If they get out…” “Clara, don’t be afraid!” Zachary’s eyes turned blood-red as he roared at the security guards: “Lock down the entire city! Find that asshole! Right here—I’m going to personally cut off that filthy thing!” Watching the man I was supposed to marry go insane while holding another woman, my heart grew colder and colder. Ever since Zachary’s older brother died in a car accident three months ago. Zachary had transformed from the devoted boyfriend who kept vigil for me on that snowy night into Clara’s on-call servant. “You ungrateful brat! What are you standing there for? Apologize to your sister now!” My dad, furious beyond reason, kicked me hard in the back. I lost my balance and fell to my knees on the floor. My knees slammed against the hard surface, instantly swelling and turning red. “As long as Clara forgives you, I’ll only send that rapist to prison and won’t kick you out of the Harrison family!” “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?” I endured the excruciating pain and lifted my head, staring hard at these so-called “family members.” Six months ago when they brought me home, they called me the apple of their eye. But the moment Clara shed a tear, I became an ungrateful dog. “Still talking back!” My dad lost it completely and raised his hand to hit me again. “You’re worthless to the core! Since you won’t admit your fault, even if the Barrett family wants you dead today, the Harrison family won’t intervene!” “Dad, please don’t hit her…” Clara sobbed breathlessly, but triumph gleamed in her eyes. “It’s all my fault for having this face… Melody grew up in the countryside, so it’s not surprising she brought back bad people…” “Clara, you’re kind, but those who do evil must die.” Zachary looked up at the dozen live-streaming cameras at the wedding, his face twisted with rage as he announced: “Barrett Group is offering one million dollars for one of Shane’s hands!” “Harrison Corporation adds another million!” My dad immediately followed. The entire venue erupted. Camera flashes went crazy. I endured the severe pain and forced myself to stand up, snatching the microphone from the host’s hand. “Since you all think Shane did this, Zachary, Dad, Mom—dare you bet your entire fortunes with me?” My voice was hoarse but carried to every corner: “If Shane really assaulted Clara, I’ll not only personally arrest Shane but also give up my inheritance rights to the Harrison family and turn myself in to the police immediately!” My parents’ expressions changed slightly, showing hesitation. But I didn’t back down an inch, pressing forward step by step: “But if Shane is innocent, I want all of Barrett Group’s shares and all of the Harrison family assets.” “And you all must apologize to Shane in a live broadcast!” “As for Zachary—if you lose, your dick gets cut off!” “You’re insane!” My dad roared. “Is it worth betting on a rapist?” “Don’t you dare?” I shoved the microphone toward the live-streaming cameras, a mocking smile on my lips. “If the evidence is so clear, what are you afraid of? Or is this whole thing a fraud orchestrated by Clara?” “I’ll take that bet!” Clara suddenly threw off her outer garment, exposing her body covered in kiss marks and bruises, and screamed. “Dad, Mom, Zachary, agree to it! Being assaulted by Shane is a fact. My innocence can’t be destroyed like this!” “I want to watch Melody lose everything and see that rapist go to hell!” “Fine. Bring paper and pen. Let the whole internet witness this.” Zachary slammed his hand on the table. “Melody, today I’ll make you lose so badly you’ll have to accept it! When that asshole gets here, I’ll personally castrate him, then make you kneel at Clara’s feet like a dog!” A few minutes later. A “life-or-death betting agreement” was slapped down on the red carpet as cameras frantically took photos. They had just signed their names when the banquet hall doors were kicked open with a loud bang.

Shane walked in. She took off her helmet, revealing purple-pink wolf-cut hair that exploded wildly under the lights, black diamond earrings reflecting cold light. The cursing in the venue stopped as if someone had grabbed everyone by the throat. Shane ignored the surrounding gazes and walked straight to me, casually scanning the crowd. “Which dog was just barking about chopping me up for dog food?” When Clara saw Shane, her pupils constricted sharply and her face turned deathly pale. Her trembling finger pointed at Shane: “Zachary, that’s the one who assaulted me!” “He tore my clothes apart and pinned me down… said that since I’m the adopted daughter, I deserved to be raped…” The guests below instantly exploded! “He’s so arrogant! A rapist actually dares to show up like this!” “This kind of scum should be shot on the spot!” Shane glanced at Zachary, then looked down at me, a flash of heartache in her eyes: “Melody, this is your blind fiancé?” Zachary erupted in rage, pointing at Shane’s nose and roaring: “Shane, you asshole!” “Security, beat him! Now!” A dozen bodyguards with clubs approached menacingly. “Wait.” I stepped forward, standing in front of Shane, my eyes ice-cold. “Zachary, even judges give criminals a chance to speak.” “You’re so eager to convict Shane—are you trying to hide something?” “You…” Zachary was speechless with anger. Just then, Clara suddenly pushed him away and rushed toward the second-floor railing like a madwoman. “Since you’re all deceived by his appearance… I might as well die!” “Clara!” Without giving anyone time to react. Clara climbed over the railing and jumped. The entire venue screamed. Clara crashed heavily to the ground, her left leg twisted at a grotesque angle, blood instantly staining the floor. The venue fell into dead silence. The next second, screaming exploded! “The victim was driven to suicide!” “Beat this asshole to death!” Zachary rushed down the stairs like a madman and scooped up the blood-covered Clara. “Clara! Clara, don’t scare me!” Everyone followed to the first floor. Clara’s face was deathly pale, her lips purple, but she still stared hard at Shane. “Now… do you believe me? Shane did assault me!” Clara’s voice was weak, trembling with every word. “Shane, I want you to pay with your life!!” Zachary’s eyes turned blood-red as he roared at Shane. My mom rushed over and slapped me across the face again. “You brat! Why wasn’t it you who got assaulted!” My dad followed, raising his foot to kick my stomach. “Clara risked her life and you still dare to argue! Today I’ll teach you a proper lesson!” Shane wrapped an arm around my waist and quickly dodged backward. My dad lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud. So my dad lay on the ground, shaking with rage. Guests frantically took photos. The live stream was filled with curses. “The real daughter is truly vicious!” “The adopted daughter used her life to prove she wasn’t lying, and the real daughter still argues!” Clara was shaking all over in pain, but she still secretly flashed me a triumphant smile. In that instant, I suddenly understood. She deliberately used one leg to completely establish her identity as the “victim.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “347731”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn