Category: English

My fiancée fell for the mute man who saved her life. She wanted to break off our engagement. I, in my foolish good nature, warned her: “The Sterling family will never accept him. You should really think this through.” Feeling utterly humiliated, the mute man took poison and ended his life. Ten years later, the first thing Seraphina did after seizing full control of the corporation was to utterly dismantle the Bennett family and orchestrate my demise. “This is what you all owed Leo.” I opened my eyes again, back to my twenty-third birthday party. Mr. Sterling asked me about my greatest wish. “Since Seraphina and Leo are so deeply in love,” I said, “Please, let’s unite this couple.” I died on a bitterly cold winter night. I thought I could hold on until spring warmed up, but Seraphina couldn’t wait. No anesthetic. The surgical blade slowly, meticulously cut into my chest. Blood erupted, gushing forth like a torrent. She still wasn’t satisfied. She raised her arm, plunging the icy, sharp blade into my heart. The agonizing pain stole my breath. I struggled to gasp out: “Why?” I simply couldn’t understand. We’d grown up together since childhood; our families had always been close. For years, my father had catered to Sterling Corp, helping her climb to power. Even after she took control, we never once tried to take advantage. Yet, she manipulated the stock market, fabricated scandals, and drove my family, the Bennetts, to ruin. “Why, Seraphina?” I desperately clutched at her collar. Seraphina glared at my eyes with such venom, it was chilling. She was the killer, yet her face twisted with an accusation so sharp, it was as if I had betrayed her. “This is what you all owed Leo.” She leaned closer, her voice colder and sharper than the winter wind outside the window. Leo? The memory was too distant. It took me a moment to recall the name. And that delicate, pale face. I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. Ten years. So Seraphina had never forgotten him. And she blamed his death on me, on the entire Bennett family. “Seraphina, you’re just a— ” You utter fool! The last two words died in my throat as Seraphina pulled out the surgical blade. Crimson blood spurted out, blurring my vision. It hurt so much.

“Julian, another headache?” No bitter cold cellar. No biting wind. The room was warm, filled with the clinking of glasses and hushed chatter. Outside, neon lights shimmered, and cars streamed by. I stood on the balcony of the luxurious hotel, looking down at the sleepless city. This was my twenty-third birthday party. I,Julian Bennett, was reborn. Not only alive and well, but five years younger. This year, Bennett Industries had just completed a major multinational acquisition and successfully gone public. This year, I hadn’t yet become Seraphina Sterling’s husband. “Why wouldn’t he have a headache?” A sharp whisper came from behind me. “Seraphina has been releasing statements in major media outlets for three consecutive days, announcing her intention to dissolve the engagement with the Bennett family.” I stopped Ben, my assistant, who was about to retort. The situation was far more complicated than just breaking an engagement. This year, Seraphina had been on a corporate outreach trip in a remote area when her car went off a cliff. She was rescued by a local guy. The young man, delicate and frail, had accidentally ingested some poisonous herbs while trying to save her, rendering him mute. Seraphina, deeply moved, brought him back to her family estate. Counting today, she had publicly declared her intentions in the media for three consecutive days. She swore she would marry no one but him. She wanted him to be the future spouse of Sterling Corporation’s CEO. “Julian, don’t listen to those rumors. You and Seraphina have been together since childhood, all these years of… affection.” I gently shook my head, declining Ben’s comfort. I knew exactly what he was going to say. Three days ago, I woke up at the Bennett estate. Three days were enough for me to piece together my past and present lives. “Julian.” Ben suddenly brightened, whispering, “Seraphina’s here.”

I turned. Seraphina, dressed in a sharp suit, strode purposefully through the crowd, surrounded by admirers. The murmuring instantly died down. Seraphina and I grew up together. Our engagement had been arranged long ago by our elders to cement our business alliance. When we were kids, if anyone spoke ill of me, she was the first to defend me. If she made a mistake and got scolded at home, I was the first to plead her case. Until today, no one would have doubted that I was Seraphina’s one true love. The future son-in-law of the Sterling family. But today, at my twenty-third birthday party, she brought another man. Leo wore an expensive suit, his figure tall and slender, yet he looked like he was trapped in an ill-fitting shell. He followed Seraphina closely, seeking her protection. Seraphina stood on her tiptoes, whispering something in his ear, her eyes filled with doting affection. Leo looked at me, his expression instantly changing to one of panicked unease. He walked towards me. With a sickening thud— He dropped straight to his knees.

Even the stubbornness in his eyes was identical. In my previous life, I was so utterly duped by his pathetic, helpless act that I genuinely gave him and Seraphina advice. As the heir to the Bennett Corporation, I wasn’t desperate to marry Seraphina. Even if his appearance made me uneasy, I wouldn’t lose my composure. When Seraphina wanted to break the engagement, I didn’t argue. Instead, out of years of shared history, I offered a few sincere pointers: “Mr. Leo is new to Avelon City and has lost his voice. Even though he saved you,” “I doubt Mr. Sterling would agree to him becoming the Sterling family’s son-in-law, even if you swayed every board member. It would only bring him trouble.” “Seraphina, why not take a step back? Let him join the company as an intern first. The rest can follow your wishes later, can’t it?” Those few words, intended to clear the immediate hurdle for him, instead brought a mountain of trouble down on me.

Slap! Slap! Slap! In my previous life, the moment I saw Leo kneel, I rushed forward to help him up. This time, I merely watched, cold-eyed, as he mercilessly slapped himself several times. One after another, sharp and resounding. Ben tugged at my sleeve. With so many guests present, many had already pulled out their phones, ready to capture the scene. Ben wanted to intervene. I gently placed my hand on his. What’s the rush? “Leo!” Seraphina’s expression was already darkening. In just a few seconds, Leo’s cheeks were swollen and red. Coupled with his repressed tears, he looked utterly pathetic. He glanced back at Seraphina, then at me, and continued his self-punishment. I calmly took a sip of my drink. Suddenly, I really wanted to know, just how far could his act go?

Yes. Leo was acting. His muteness was an act, his pitiful and frail image was an act, and even his “suicide by poison” in my previous life was an act. Outside a secluded private club’s VIP room, I had personally overheard his hushed voice. He was sobbing, pleading with a doctor: “Doctor, I’m just a poor, helpless soul. If I don’t stage a calculated theatrical display of suffering, how could I ever get through the Sterling family’s door?” “Please, give me a drug that will temporarily induce a coma-like state!” “Doctor, I truly love Seraphina. Given my background, becoming her lover is already punching above my weight.” “But Seraphina has already promised to marry me. I need to orchestrate a bit more drama to ensure she always feels indebted to me.” “Please, help me!” “If I can just fake my death once, Seraphina will remember she owes me forever!” What a brilliant scheme. He fooled Seraphina. He fooled me. He fooled all the powerful elite and celebrities in Avelon City. I once asked Seraphina why she was so captivated by Leo. “I was born the Sterling family heir; everyone always tried to please me, to flatter me.” “They respected me, admired me, but only because of my status as the Sterling family’s heir.” “Even you, Julian, if I weren’t the Sterling heir, would you still love me?” Her words had stumped me then. If she hadn’t been the Sterling family heir, there wouldn’t have been an engagement between us, we wouldn’t have grown up together, so how could there be love or not love? “Only Leo, when he didn’t even know my identity, was willing to sacrifice his life for me.” “How could I not be moved by such pure love?” I was almost convinced by her. As an heir to a prominent family, I had always been thoughtful and strategic. I had to consider my parents, my family. I truly wouldn’t easily sacrifice my life for one person. We both overlooked another possibility. Even if Seraphina was unconscious from the car accident, her custom-tailored suit and Patek Philippe watch alone would have screamed her affluent status. Whether she was a rich girl, a business elite, or a corporate heir. Leo had made up his mind from the very beginning. He was going to climb that high branch of high society.

“Enough!” Seraphina suddenly barked, her voice sharp. Silence instantly fell over the room. Leo trembled, then carefully looked up, his eyes wide with a pitiful gaze directed at me. His meaning was crystal clear. He had sabotaged my engagement, made me the city’s laughingstock, and he felt immensely guilty. If I didn’t speak up, he would absolutely not stop. Fine. Let’s see. I casually raised an eyebrow, sipping my champagne. Leo gritted his teeth, about to bow down and slap himself again. Seraphina suddenly strode forward. Smash! She slapped the champagne glass out of my hand. “Julian, you’re going too far!”

“Julian, do you have no decency left?!” Seraphina stared at me, her eyes blazing with fury. She turned, helping Leo up, tenderly caressing his swollen cheek: “Julian, apologize.” “Apologize to him right now, in front of everyone, and we’ll consider this matter closed. I won’t hold it against you.” I almost burst out laughing. I was too naive back then. After discovering Leo’s scheme, I immediately sent Seraphina a message, detailing everything I had seen and heard. I warned her to keep a close eye on Leo. The next day, Leo was “dead by poison.” But it wasn’t a fake death. He was truly dead. The media was abuzz, claiming he had committed suicide due to the overwhelming public pressure. Seraphina replied with a voice message: “Thanks to Julian’s reminder, anyone who wrongs me will be severely punished.” After that, the matter was closed. For years, I believed that after he confronted her, she forced him to take real poison. After all, she was always someone who was clear about her grievances and always sought revenge. It wasn’t until my dying moments that I learned the truth. The “anyone who wrongs me” she referred to, was me. Julian, do you understand?” “Leo did nothing wrong. It was my decision to marry him.” “It was I, Seraphina, who wanted to break off our engagement with you.” I looked at Seraphina, a mocking curl forming on my lips. I must have been blind. To have always thought she was a clear-headed business elite. “Ben, are the heads of the four most powerful families all on the top floor?” I turned to my assistant. Ben nodded dumbly. I straightened my suit and walked towards the elevator. Seraphina followed closely: “What are you doing?” “Mr. Sterling and the others are here privately today; they haven’t announced their presence.” Of course, I knew that. A birthday party for a rising business star like me wouldn’t be enough to gather the heads of the four most powerful families.

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I bought an apartment four years ago, never even moved in or furnished it. Two years later, I suddenly got a collection notice for overdue utility bills. Completely baffled, I went back to check it out. And found strangers living there! After work, my phone buzzed with a utility bill collection notice. I stared at the unfamiliar apartment number on my screen; it took a while for my brain to catch up, but then I remembered – oh, right, I actually owned an apartment with that number. It was an apartment I’d bought years ago, saving up for the down payment and taking out a loan after I started my career. But then I’d made a last-minute decision to study abroad, so the apartment had been sitting empty ever since it was renovated. A flicker of doubt sparked in my mind. Logically, no one should be living there. So where were these utility bills coming from? A knot of confusion tightening in my gut, I headed for the complex, following the route etched in my memory. … Standing before the apartment door, I frowned. The developers had originally installed a drab, industrial-looking door, but this one was brand new, sleek, and black. I double-checked the number, just to be sure. “808. Yeah, this is it…” The starkly different black door, combined with the faint scent of perfume wafting from beneath it, sent a chill of dread through me. Without hesitation, I called a locksmith! The locksmith arrived quickly, his gaze sweeping over me, sizing me up. “This your place?” I quickly pulled my apartment deed and ID from my bag, handing them over. “Of course. Here are the papers, check them out.” The locksmith took the documents, studied me carefully, but still seemed hesitant. Desperate to get inside, I quickly said: “I’m in a hurry. I can pay extra. How about a hundred bucks?” He finally handed the papers back, crouched down, opened his toolbox, and muttered under his breath: “That’s weird. Wasn’t a young lady living here last time?” “What was that?” I didn’t quite catch it. Just as I was about to ask again, a shrill voice cut through the air behind me: “What are you doing?! What in the world are you doing?!” My shoulder was roughly shoved. A stylishly dressed young woman stormed over to the locksmith, pointing a finger at his nose and unleashing a torrent of abuse: “Oh, you actually dared to break in, right in broad daylight! You’re trying to rob my home!” As she spoke, she reached out, trying to grab the locksmith’s tools! The locksmith, caught off guard, pointed at me: “I’m not a thief! This has nothing to do with me! She’s the one who asked me to open the lock!” The girl’s face whipped around. Her eyes raked over me, then snagged on the watch on my wrist, a greedy glint flashing in them! She stomped towards me, muttering curses under her breath: “You psycho! Trying to break into my place in broad daylight? I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” With that, she lunged at me! I frowned, instinctively stepping back a couple of paces. The girl missed, her eyes darted around, and the next second, she plopped herself onto the ground! “Oh, help me! In broad daylight, a big man is not only trying to break into my home but also bullying a poor, defenseless girl like me…” Her voice was like a siren, and within moments, neighbors were peeking out of their doors, drawn by the commotion. I’d never encountered such audacity in my life. I felt an urge to retreat. Seeing the crowd gather, the girl wailed even louder, reaching out and grabbing onto my pant leg: “You’re not going anywhere! You just pushed me to the ground, and now I can’t move! You have to take responsibility!” What?! I hadn’t even touched her! “Ma’am, you need to be careful with your accusations! I haven’t laid a hand on you! The locksmith can back me up!” My pleading gaze landed on the locksmith, but he just averted his eyes, not daring to look at me or say a word! A flicker of triumph crossed the girl’s face. She tightened her grip on my pant leg. “See? Anyone with a conscience wouldn’t testify for you. You better just pay up, honestly!” Her eyes were fixated on my watch, greed practically screaming from them. Her motive was crystal clear! Realizing no help was coming, I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and let out a cynical chuckle. “So, how exactly do you want me to compensate you?” The girl’s eyes lit up. She pointed directly at my wrist. “I can’t even stand up! A hospital visit will cost at least ten to twenty thousand! But I’m a really kind person, so how about you just give me that watch on your wrist as compensation, and we’ll call it even!” I nodded. “Alright. But before I do, can you answer two questions for me?” Her eyes practically gleamed at the mention of money. She nodded without a second thought. “What do you want to ask?” I gestured towards the black security door, a faint smile playing on my lips, and asked: “Is this your home?” “Duh! Of course, it’s my home!” the girl blurted out without thinking. I continued: “Oh, really? Then why is the apartment I bought suddenly your home?” Her face froze. She stammered out: “You… what do you mean? I don’t understand!” “Exactly what it sounds like. Why are you living in my apartment?” A flash of guilt darted through her eyes. She jutted out her chin, snapping back: “What do you mean, your apartment? This is clearly my boyfriend’s apartment! I live here! What proof do you have that it’s yours?!” “Of course I have proof!”

Slowly, deliberately, I pulled the apartment deed from my bag, opened it to the first page, and pointed to the owner’s line. My name was clearly written there! Behind me, the neighbors’ murmurs suddenly grew louder: “It can’t really not be her place, right?” “That girl comes and goes every day, I thought she was the owner…” “She looks so young, but the apartment isn’t hers?” … Hearing the whispers, the young woman’s face flushed with rage. She lunged at me, trying to snatch the deed! I quickly raised my hand, holding the deed high, and looked at her with a wry smile. “Couldn’t stand up, remember? Is this some kind of miracle recovery?” The girl realized she was indeed standing. She shoved me hard, snarling: “I’ve lived here for ages, so it’s my apartment! Who even are you, just showing up out of nowhere?!” I almost laughed, it was so absurd. “So, according to you, nobody needs to buy an apartment anymore? Everyone just moves into someone else’s place, and poof, it’s theirs?!” “The apartment I live in is mine!” Amidst the shouting, a young man in a security guard uniform rushed over. The girl’s eyes lit up. She immediately burst into a dramatic wail: “Ben, you’re finally here! This guy came to break into my place and said my apartment is his! Tell him off!” Ben, the security guard, immediately shielded her, his eyes bulging as he glared at me: “How did you even get in here? Do you know where you are? How dare you harass an owner here?!” I thrust the apartment deed at him, declaring loudly: “Look closely! Who’s the real owner here? I am the owner of this apartment!” Ben’s face instantly froze when he saw the deed. Noticing the other residents giving him strange looks, he lunged to snatch the deed from my hand! Having learned my lesson moments before, there was no way I was just going to hand it over. I quickly dodged back. “Hey! What are you doing? I’m holding it right here for you to see!” Ben fumed, enraged: “Who knows if your deed is real or fake?! You think you can just show up with a forged document and try to steal an apartment?! Get out of here, now!!” He moved to push me, but the girl behind him seized the opportunity, quickly pulled out a key, and unlocked the apartment door! The moment the door opened, a nauseating mix of perfume and old takeout odors hit me. Through the crack in the partially opened door, I saw unfamiliar furniture and women’s belongings everywhere. “Ah!” I feigned a startled gasp! Before I could react, the girl had already slipped inside, slamming the door shut! Just as I was about to rush over and knock, Ben, towering like a wall, blocked my path, brandishing a riot stick. “Still here? Believe me, I’ll force you out!” Perhaps feeling a pang of guilt for his earlier silence, the locksmith, still standing nearby, kindly warned me: “Don’t bother knocking. That girl, Tiffany, is Liam’s girlfriend. And this security guard, Ben, is her brother. We’re all scared to get involved with them; there’s no reasoning with her!” He said, then hurried off with his toolbox! Staring at the hulking figure of Ben, I had no choice but to swallow my anger and leave for now!

As soon as I left the complex, I rushed straight to the police station. To my astonishment, Tiffany and her brother Ben were apparently already ‘well-known’ regulars there. The officer who greeted me looked utterly helpless. “This is tricky for us. The security guard is her brother, and he insists it’s his sister’s apartment. We can’t just forcibly remove her…” His words were diplomatic, but I easily read between the lines. Essentially, the siblings were notorious for causing trouble, and the police couldn’t do much. The officer offered a sympathetic suggestion: “At most, we can mediate. For this civil dispute, you can choose to sue, and the court can issue an eviction order…” A court-ordered eviction? How long would that even take?! The thought of the disgusting mess I’d glimpsed in my apartment made my stomach churn. Tiffany was practically turning my place into her private territory! I took a deep breath, a sudden idea flashing through my mind. I turned back to the officer. “Officer, it’s not illegal for me to enter my own apartment and clean out my belongings, right?” The officer cleared his throat. “If there’s no rental agreement, then no, it’s not illegal. Just make sure no one gets hurt.” Well, isn’t that just perfect! Armed with that clear answer, a surge of clarity and determination coursed through me. I strode out of the police station. Just outside the station, I spotted Tiffany down the street, on her phone, with Ben standing beside her, holding her shopping bags. I paused, then quickly moved closer, hiding behind a storefront sign. Their conversation drifted to my ears. “Ben, that guy showed up. They’re not actually going to take the apartment back, are they?” “Don’t worry. Next time, I won’t even let him set foot in the complex!” Well, well, well. No wonder Ben’s attitude was so strange. They were clearly in cahoots, ripping people off from the inside! Their conversation continued: “He has the deed! What if he calls the police later?!” Ben thumped his chest, boasting: “No problem. Next time, I’ll find an opportunity to just snatch the deed and tear it up. Then he won’t have any proof!” A muscle in my cheek twitched. These two clueless idiots were almost making me laugh out of sheer exasperation! Did these legal illiterates really think tearing up a deed would make it disappear?! Gazing at my phone screen, which displayed “Video Recording Ended,” a chilling smirk spread across my face.

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On my 24th birthday, my father asked which of the Sterling brothers I’d choose. But I shook my head, refusing both. Last time around, I spent forty million dollars to buy Liam the land parcel he’d always wanted, intending it as my wedding proposal. Yet, he publicly ripped up the contract, trampling the papers underfoot, and spat: “I promised your father I’d marry you, but don’t expect me to love you!” Under the mocking gazes of everyone present, I turned away, humiliated, and shoved the engagement ring onto his brother Noah’s hand. The wedding went ahead as planned. But no one knew that for three years of marriage, he never once touched me. He also seized my assets and gifted them to that wretched woman I’d sponsored. Reborn, facing the same question, I told my father: “I remember the Vance heir is quite handsome. Why not him?” My father gasped, a sharp intake of breath. “Julian Vance? He was framed by his illegitimate half-brother and has been in a vegetative state for ages. You want to choose him?”

“That illegitimate half-brother is ruthless. I can’t possibly trust you with him. Julian has been paralyzed for three years; only his eyeballs can move. He’s not suitable either. Why are you suddenly so set on the Vances?” “Your mother has been seriously ill and unconscious. If she wakes up and sees I haven’t taken good care of you, how will I explain it to her?” I nodded, my tone casual. “A low-class illegitimate son? Of course, I wouldn’t choose him.” “I was talking about Julian, the one in the vegetative state.” “He’s been paralyzed for three years, and his half-brother still hasn’t successfully taken over. Do you really think he’s completely useless?” My father sighed deeply. “What I think doesn’t matter; it’s what outsiders think. The Sterling brothers… Didn’t you say you wouldn’t marry anyone but Liam before? And Noah, your relationship with him isn’t bad either. Either of them would be better than stepping into the Vance family’s mess!” But I shook my head firmly. “It has to be Julian. No one else is an option.” “Someone who’s been to hell and back like him? If I lend him a hand, his gratitude alone would solidify the Hayes family’s standing for decades to come.” My father’s eyes widened as if he didn’t recognize his own daughter. “Are you saying… Julian’s illness can be cured?” I didn’t respond, but my silence was an answer. Before my father left, I spoke softly: “Since the Sterlings are useless to us, we can stop our collaborations with them. We’ve lost enough money over the years; cutting our losses now is the best strategy.” Actually, there was more I didn’t say. It wasn’t just that I no longer loved Liam Sterling. I actually hated him. In my past life, I pursued him relentlessly for ten years. When I heard the news of the Sterling family’s downfall, my first instinct was to beg my father to intervene. Considering Liam’s pride, I asked my father to structure it as a collaborative project. Over ten years, the Sterling family profited from us by at least a billion dollars. It’s fair to say that the later Sterling Corporation was sustained by me. Everyone in our city’s elite circles knew me as Liam’s doormat. I thought my efforts would eventually move Liam. And he did promise my father he would marry me. After marriage, he was to manage the Hayes family affairs. But when I proposed, he brutally crushed my self-respect for another woman. Unwilling to back down, I turned and chose Noah. I thought I could at least save some face. Who knew Noah was even worse than his brother, if that was even possible? For three years after the wedding, he never once stepped into my room. Until my mother suddenly fell gravely ill and passed away. At her funeral, he presented me with divorce papers. I had people investigate and secretly overheard their scheme. My mother’s treatment plan had been personally altered by Noah. All to get back at Seraphina. Even though I had done nothing wrong. He used cunning tactics to force me out, penniless, stripping the Hayes family of all its assets. Then he turned around and gave everything to Seraphina to make her happy. It was then I realized that both men I had loved harbored feelings for the same woman. How could I endure such humiliation again? As I stood up to leave, I unexpectedly ran into Liam just outside the door. The moment he saw me, his eyes instantly hardened. “You’ve been talking about the wedding with Mr. Hayes again?” “I’ve already agreed. Are you that desperate? Can’t you wait a single day?”

Today was my birthday, yet he offered no blessings, only accusations the moment he saw me. Noah followed close behind him upstairs, his expression equally displeased. “I just tried to say hello to Mr. Hayes, and he completely ignored me. Have you been talking trash about my brother again?” “You, Aria, living in your ivory tower, don’t understand how hard we work. Liam never said he wouldn’t marry you, so what’s all this fuss about? You just cause trouble every single day!” Liam finally remembered it was my birthday. “Company meeting, lost track of time. Sorry for being late.” Noah scoffed. “Liam, you say you’re busy with work, and Aria will instantly offer you a blank check.” He mimicked my past self perfectly, dramatically handing an imaginary check to Liam. “Just wanting you to spend time with me! How much is your project making? I’ll double it, okay?” Then, his face turned cold. “Aria, we have our own work to do! Money isn’t everything!” Recalling my past doormat behavior, I took a deep breath. “If you’re so unhappy with me, you didn’t have to come today. There’s no need to make yourselves miserable, and I’m not so dense as to not notice.” Noah clutched his chest, his expression exaggerated. “Oh, please, Aria! If we dared not celebrate your birthday today, Mr. Hayes would cut off our funds tomorrow! What are we, chopped liver? Do we look like we have that kind of guts?” Liam, not wanting to completely burn bridges, softened his tone. “Aria, I know you like me, and I’m willing to marry you. I just hope you won’t use the Sterling family to threaten me anymore.” “Noah is my only brother. I’m begging you.” “Liam… don’t say that…” Liam’s smile was bitter. “Do you have any other choice?” “It’s fine. I’m your brother; sacrificing for the family is my duty.” Listening to his self-sacrificing words, one might think my family was some kind of monstrous threat. It was laughable how ten years of my devotion earned me this look of suffering indignation. A bitter ache filled my heart. I didn’t want to argue anymore and headed straight downstairs. As I reached the grand hall, Seraphina approached, clutching a jar of handmade paper stars, carefully offering it to me. “Aria, this is a gift I made myself. It’s not expensive, but it’s from my heart. Happy Birthday.” My gaze fell on her. The designer outfit she wore, worth thousands, had been bought with my secondary credit card. I’d supported her for two years, and for my birthday, she gives me this worthless trinket, all while secretly trying to steal my fiancé. My face instantly darkened. “No thanks. I sponsored you for two years; you can find your own job after graduating. You don’t need to stay with the Hayes family anymore. Or perhaps—” Before I could finish, Seraphina’s eyes reddened, and she clutched her clothes meekly. “Aria, have I done something wrong? I apologize. Please don’t be angry…” The Sterling brothers immediately rushed forward, shielding her behind them, glaring at me. “What do you want now? Seraphina only came to celebrate your birthday today!” Since meeting Seraphina, they’d said the same thing countless times. Two years ago, I took them to a community center to volunteer. Liam spotted Seraphina in the crowd. Having experienced his family’s bankruptcy, he saw her as a kindred spirit and immediately felt sympathy. He couldn’t afford to sponsor Seraphina, so he subtly probed me. “Aria, don’t you think that girl reminds you of me back then?” “She’s an orphan, but her determined expression is just like mine.” “She’s just not as lucky as I was to find someone to help her.” Liam was in a low mood then, and it was rare for him to talk to me so much. To cheer him up, I immediately decided to bring Seraphina home and cover all her university expenses. Soon after, she hand-folded a thousand paper cranes, saying it was to repay my kindness. I was touched and displayed them in a glass cabinet. My housekeeper, thinking the items were worthless, was about to throw them into the trash. I stopped her just in time, but Liam snatched them away. “What are you doing? Seraphina gave you these! Are you going to throw them away? How can you be so ungrateful?” “Are worthless things just trash in your eyes? Are Noah and I also the same?” Seraphina witnessed everything back then. I waited for her to explain for me. Instead, she meekly said, eyes brimming with tears: “It’s okay. Aria uses all designer brands; my small gift is indeed too cheap.” I was about to question her when she suddenly knelt, sobbing uncontrollably. “Aria, I’m already so grateful you helped me with my tuition. Please, don’t argue because of me.” The more she explained, the more Liam disliked me. “Just because your family is rich, you can act so high and mighty?” “You sponsored Seraphina, but she’s your equal, not your servant!” I immediately lost my temper. I pulled Seraphina up, wanting her to clarify things. But somehow, the jar of paper cranes in my hand suddenly dropped and shattered. I didn’t see, and stepped right on a piece of glass. The thin sole of my shoe was pierced, and blood gushed from my foot. Seraphina instantly stood up, as if suffering immense humiliation, and shouted at me, her neck stiff: “Even if you’re rich, you can’t just trample on my feelings like this! I’m a person too!” Then she ran out crying. Liam’s face was darker than I had ever seen it. “Are you satisfied now that you’ve caused such a scene?” “Aria, you truly disgust me!” Noah stood beside me, his eyes also filled with disappointment. “What else do you have besides your dirty money?” “Compared to Seraphina, you’re not even worth a single strand of her hair!”

Now, I stared at Seraphina’s all-too-familiar, wronged expression, my voice suddenly turning cold. “What did I say? Did I tell her to pay back the money and get out of the Hayes family? Or did I force her to kneel and apologize to me?” Liam snapped back without thinking: “You didn’t say anything, but isn’t that exactly what you were planning to do?” “Haven’t you bullied Seraphina enough these past two years? Don’t think I don’t know!” Before I could respond, Seraphina started crying again, pulling at Liam’s wrist. “Liam, please don’t argue because of me. I’m really okay. I’m just an outsider. I’m already so happy to be able to go to school and live in such a big house.” “Aria, I’m willing to kneel and apologize to you. As long as you’re happy, please don’t make things difficult for Liam!” In front of everyone, she knelt, her face filled with humiliation. She quickly knocked her head three times, her forehead bleeding. Liam couldn’t bear to watch and pulled her up. “Enough!” “You don’t need to bow to her. You haven’t done anything wrong. She’s the one who looks down on us!” “In her eyes, all three of us are the same—dogs kept by the Hayes family, living only to amuse her!” “Did I tell her to kneel? Are you deaf?” Just as the words left my mouth, I spotted a familiar ring on Seraphina’s hand as she wiped her forehead. I lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. “What’s this?” “Why is my ring with you?” That ring was something I had started preparing a year ago. I had spent a whole month painstakingly drawing the design myself. All to give to Liam on our wedding day. The ring was supposed to arrive last month but had been delayed. And now it was on Seraphina’s hand! Liam pulled her behind him, stating righteously: “I gave it to her.” “You have so many jewels and accessories; you won’t miss this one.” “Seraphina just graduated college and needs to present herself well for job hunting, so I gave it to her. If you have any grievances, direct them at me!” Noah maintained his usual playful demeanor, his words dripping with sarcasm. “It’s just a ring, isn’t it? Tell us, how much? I’ll pay you ten times the price.” His condescending attitude almost made me believe he earned that money himself. Using my Hayes family money to pay me back? What audacity! I took a deep breath, about to speak. The guests around us were already whispering. “I always heard the Hayes heiress was bossy. Today, I see it’s true.” “The Sterling family was saved by the Hayes family after bankruptcy. I thought they’d found a benefactor, but it turns out they’re just Aria’s dogs.” “How pathetic! If I were to marry such a woman, I’d rather jump off a building!” My nails dug sharply into my palms, and I squeezed out a sentence from my throat: “Do you think your money wasn’t given by the Hayes family?” “You’re very comfortable taking advantage, aren’t you?” Noah instantly bristled. He was about to retort when Liam held him back. “Fine, then no money. I’ll pay with myself. Is that enough?” “Is this the result you wanted?” Seraphina yanked off the ring, knelt, and offered it to me with both hands, her voice trembling with tears. “Aria, please don’t make things difficult for Liam. It’s all my fault. I don’t want the ring; I don’t want anything.” “If I had known this ring was so precious and would cost Liam his entire life to repay, I never would have accepted it. I’m giving it back to you!” Liam tried to help her up, but Seraphina stubbornly pushed his hand away. “Liam, please don’t worry about me. This is between Aria and me. I can’t drag you into this!” Feeling utterly sarcastic, I pointed to the clothes she was wearing. “Your clothes are mine too. Why don’t you return those as well?” “This bag, this dress, these earrings, and…” Before I could finish, Seraphina stood up and began forcefully tearing at her clothes. “Fine, I’ll give them to you! I don’t want any of it!” “Liam, please don’t worry about me. Your happiness is more important than mine!” The dress was torn into rags and thrown onto the floor. Seraphina ran out, almost naked.

Liam could no longer contain himself and roared: “Are you satisfied now?!” “I told you I’d marry you!” “Do you really have to push Seraphina to her death to be content?! How can you be so malicious?!” My face hardened. “You say you’ll marry me. Did I say I want to marry you?” “If you don’t marry me, who else would you marry? Everyone in this city’s elite circles knows you’ve been dreaming of marrying me!” His angry eyes burned me, leaving me speechless, bitterness slowly engulfing my chest. Liam took a deep breath, seemingly finally resigned. “Let’s just leave it at this. I’m truly exhausted.” With that, he and Noah swiftly left the hall. Watching their retreating figures, I murmured softly: “No more drama. Never again.” In this life, I will have nothing more to do with you. Liam and Noah left for three days, with no word. I had the housekeeper pack up their belongings and Seraphina’s from their rooms and mail them to the Sterling family’s old estate. My father informed me that the Vance family had been contacted. The wedding was set for four days later. The haste was because Mrs. Vance was eager to use the Hayes family’s influence to get rid of the illegitimate half-brother. Hearing the date, I paused for a moment. It coincided with the date of my original planned wedding. Perhaps it was fate. That night, I was at home trying on my wedding dress. The Sterling brothers, who hadn’t been seen in days, suddenly burst in. Liam slapped me across the face. I was stunned. “Where have you hidden Seraphina?!” “I already agreed to marry you, and you’re still making trouble for her!” Noah was even more furious. “Aria Hayes, if marrying my brother isn’t enough, I’ll marry you too! As long as you don’t mind the scandal of having two husbands! Seraphina is just a young girl; she has no family, no background. Why do you have to keep hounding her?!” But I hadn’t even seen Seraphina! I clutched my stinging cheek, coldly staring at them. “You said it yourselves; Seraphina is just an ordinary person. Is she even worth my targeting?” “She doesn’t even qualify.” “As for you two, what right do you have to break into my house and lay hands on me?” Noah immediately flared up. “You finally said what you truly think! In your heart, none of us are worthy, are we? It’s our blessing from three lifetimes to even be in your presence to polish Aria’s shoes, isn’t it?!” Liam’s face was chilling. “If not you, then who?” “Besides us, Seraphina only knows you!” “You’d better pray she’s okay, otherwise…” “Otherwise what?” Before he could finish, his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it, and the coldness in his eyes immediately dissipated, replaced by the joy of rediscovery. “Thank goodness Seraphina is okay!” Noah immediately rushed out of the house. Liam turned to look at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions. “I said I would marry you, but you’ve repeatedly caused trouble for Seraphina. I can’t trust you.” “So?” “So after the marriage, all of the Hayes family’s companies will be taken over by me. If you want me to maintain this superficial marriage, you’d better not mess with Seraphina!” With that, he turned and left, without a backward glance. I laughed sardonically. I had pampered him so much all these years; it truly made him forget who helped the Sterling family get to where they were today. He wants to demand charity while standing tall? No way! I immediately called my father. “Has the collaboration with the Sterling family been terminated yet?” “It must be completely handled before the wedding.” The wedding day arrived in a flash. The Sterling brothers never reappeared during that time. However, Seraphina’s Ins feed was constantly updating. She was in a hospital room, a constant stream of luxury goods being delivered to her. Chanel today, Hermes tomorrow, one boastful caption after another. I watched, sneering. This was the “white lotus” they claimed didn’t care about money or power. I was rather looking forward to Seraphina’s reaction once the Sterling family collapsed. I turned off my phone, preparing to listen for the officiant’s cue to enter. Suddenly, the doors to the chapel burst open. Liam appeared, gasping for breath. “Aria! I’m here! Don’t terminate the partnership!”

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I was born a human lie detector. No lie could get past me. When I was eight, the director of the orphanage gave us a tearful speech from the stage. “Funds are tight! From now on, we can only afford meat once every three months.” I pointed a finger straight at him. “Bullshit. You bought your girlfriend a brand-new Lexus last week with the donation money. You think we’re stupid?” The director was soon jailed for embezzlement. Years later, my biological parents took me home. The fake heiress, Chloe, rushed up with tears in her eyes. “Rose! Oh, darling, I’m so happy you’re finally home! This is just wonderful!” I just looked at her and said, my voice flat. “Are you? Your pupils just dilated. Your heart rate spiked to at least 150. And your right pinky is twitching. You’re lying.” Chloe’s face cycled rapidly, from white to crimson, then from crimson to an angry purple. “Rose… how could you say that about me?” She looked utterly wronged. “I truly meant it when I said I welcome you home.” Mom immediately stepped forward, putting an arm around Chloe’s shoulders, then shot me a displeased look. “Rose, why are you being so nasty? Chloe means well, you’re just too sensitive!” Dad also scowled, lecturing me. “It was the nurse’s mistake back then, Chloe had nothing to do with it.” “She’s been gentle and dutiful all these years, a truly good daughter to the Sterling family.” “You’re our biological child, she’s the one we raised.” “You’re both important to us. Just because you’re back doesn’t mean we’ll kick her out.” “I hope you can be more understanding, more magnanimous.” I scoffed, looking at this middle-aged couple who were my biological parents, yet felt like complete strangers. “Of course Chloe isn’t happy I’m back. That’s human nature. And I’m here to deal with reality, not fairy tales.” “People don’t offer favors for no reason, unless they have ulterior motives!” “Don’t try to pull this fake act in front of me, it’s disgusting!” Mom and Dad’s faces turned absolutely hideous, their eyes betraying a carefully hidden disgust. They clearly thought I, their biological daughter, was rude, wild, and utterly uncultured, like some hoodlum from the streets. Mr. Davies, the butler, walked up, asking respectfully. “Rose, your room is ready. The bedding is all brand new, ensuring your utmost comfort.” I didn’t move, staring at him for two seconds, then strode into the bedroom. Then I emerged, holding a hidden listening device and a pinhole camera. “Comfortable? Now, explain who put you up to this?” Mr. Davies collapsed, terrified, glancing at Chloe. “Miss Chloe, please say something! You told me to…” “You’re lying!” Chloe shrieked, cutting Mr. Davies off. “Mom! Dad! He’s slandering me!” “How could I do such a thing when Rose just got back?” Mom immediately hugged and comforted her, her face filled with concern. Dad frowned at me. “Rose, maybe Mr. Davies was worried about your safety and wanted to protect you?” “He’s served the Sterling family for 20 years, he’s put in his time and effort.” “It’s a minor issue, let’s not blow it out of proportion.” “Minor issue?” My anger turned into a cold laugh. “Invading my privacy is a minor issue?” “Either fire him, or call the police, you choose!” Mom and Dad didn’t want their family drama spilling out, so they had no choice but to tell Mr. Davies to pack his bags and leave. From then on, everyone in the Sterling household was terrified into silence around me; no one dared to defy me behind my back again. But my parents’ expressions toward me became even more impatient and distant. “You’re all thinking I’m a troublesome curse, an absolute nightmare to deal with, aren’t you?” I smiled, completely unfazed. “This is just how I am. Deal with it!”

That evening, Damon Thorne, my fiancé by birth arrangement, came over. The Sterling family and the Thorne family were old acquaintances. But while the Sterlings were still flourishing, the Thornes had fallen on hard times. Fortunately, my parents weren’t completely snobbish; they hadn’t broken off the engagement, even letting Damon serve as an independent director in the company. He was refined and handsome, with an impeccably gentle smile. “Rose, welcome home. When are we getting married?” “I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman!” I crossed my arms, my gaze dissecting him like a specimen. “Your delivery was as flat as a text-to-speech bot. You smoothed your cuffs twice before offering a hand, a classic attempt to over-polish your facade and hide the cracks underneath.” “Damon, in those few sentences, the only thing that wasn’t a lie was the punctuation.” There was no point in circling the truth with someone like him. “There’s no need for people without an emotional foundation to force things. A forced relationship will never be sweet, and there’s no happiness in compulsion.” I glanced at Chloe, who was openly eavesdropping. “You’re more familiar with Chloe. I won’t take what’s already yours; let her fulfill this engagement with you!” Chloe’s face instantly lit up with surprise, and she looked at Damon with anticipation. Damon’s expression shifted for a moment, but then he looked at me even more deeply, his tone resolute. “Rose, you misunderstand! Everything I just said to you was from the bottom of my heart!” “I’ve only ever felt fraternal affection for Chloe, never romantic love!” “You’re the one I fell in love with at first sight! We were betrothed at birth, it’s destiny!” He became more and more agitated as he spoke, even trying to grab my hand. “To be honest, even before you came back, I often dreamed of a girl.” “Her features were exactly like yours! This must be fate’s arrangement…” I dodged his creepy hand, grabbing a cup of hot tea and splashing it on his face without hesitation. “Shut up! Your cheesy lines made me want to puke my guts out!” “Don’t try your lame pick-up lines for gullible women on me. I’m not falling for it!” Damon was drenched and disheveled, no longer daring to sweet-talk. Chloe stared at me, her eyes practically spitting fire with jealousy and resentment. But even with my attitude, Damon still insisted on marrying me. This man was too persistent; there was definitely something shady going on behind the scenes. Good thing I had a backup plan. Why did I only fire Mr. Davies and not call the police? It wasn’t because I was soft-hearted, but because I wanted to use him. Even though he was gone, he still had a few loyal people in the Sterling house. So, I had Mr. Davies send someone to secretly install pinhole cameras and listening devices in Chloe’s room. It was time to turn the tables. Sure enough, that night, a sneaking Damon slipped into Chloe’s room. They fell into bed together without hesitation, the mattress groaning violently. After their illicit rendezvous, the two schemers began to plot. “Damon, don’t you love me anymore? Why are you so set on marrying that monster?” “Of course I love you.” Damon chuckled. “But Rose Sterling is the rightful heir to the Sterling family. I have to marry her first to get a firm grip on the Sterling assets!” “Once I get my hands on everything, I’ll dump her instantly! Then all of the Sterling family’s wealth, and you, will be mine!” “Chloe, you wouldn’t miss her, would you? And after Rose, I’ll take care of your adoptive parents too!” “Eliminate them completely, leave no loose ends!” Chloe snuggled into his arms, her voice laced with venom and greed. “Of course not!” “I hate those old fools!” “All of this should have been mine! Who is Rose to come back and steal it?” “Those two old farts shouldn’t have recognized her! I hate everyone in the Sterling family!” I listened to their plan, a cold smirk playing on my lips. Playing mind games with a lie detector? I’d play along until the very end!

That weekend, Mom and Dad, to announce the true heiress’s return to the outside world, took Chloe and me to an extremely lavish high-end charity gala. As soon as we entered the ballroom, Chloe was like a fish returned to water. She linked arms with Mom, smiling sweetly, addressing the socialites with such sweet, syrupy tones. She charmed a group of wealthy ladies, making them beam with delight, praising her as sensible and well-mannered. I stood alone in a corner, coldly observing the hypocritical world of fame and fortune. A flabby, balding businessman, Mr. Henderson, stood at the microphone, ranting passionately about how many charity schools he’d funded and how deeply he cared for impoverished children. I walked over with my glass of wine, speaking softly the moment he finished his speech. “Mr. Henderson, when you said the children’s smiles were your greatest motivation, your pupils instantly constricted. That’s a sign of disgust and avoidance.” “It proves you don’t actually like children.” “And your factory workers, didn’t one of them jump from a building yesterday because they were demanding unpaid wages?” “Using the blood, sweat, and tears of your workers to seek cheap praise? You truly are a hypocrite!” Mr. Henderson’s smile instantly froze, and cold sweat broke out on his brow. A socialite, Mrs. Albright, adorned in jewels, was giggling as she boasted to her companions about how much her husband loved her, buying her such a huge diamond. As I passed her, I spoke softly. “Mrs. Albright, when you mentioned your husband, your voice involuntarily rose an octave, and your body stiffened like a board.” “You’re scared. Does that mean your methods for becoming his wife after being his mistress weren’t so honorable? Wasn’t his ex-wife still resting in a mental institution?” Mrs. Albright’s face instantly turned ashen, and the wine glass in her hand almost slipped. I looked at the room full of well-dressed but scheming individuals, and my disgust reached its peak. I picked up a microphone, making sure my voice would carry clearly across the entire hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, a moment please.” “Look around you. The bosses who squeeze every drop from their workers. The cheaters playing house with three different people. The deadbeats clinging to stolen wealth. The socialites who built their status on being someone’s dirty secret…” With each word, another face in the crowd drained of color. “And you wear your millions on your bodies to stand here and call this charity.” “Honestly, do you really want to do good?” “It’s all a sham! You’re using charity as a front to launder money, evade taxes, and seek cheap praise! Aren’t you all disgusting?” The entire hall fell silent, as if the air itself had frozen. Dad was the first to rush over, his face livid as he roared. “Rose Sterling! Shut your mouth! Are you trying to offend everyone and ruin the Sterling family?” Chloe also ran over, feigning concern as she softly advised. “Rose, please stop talking! These are the unspoken rules of high society, everyone understands. You’re making it so hard for Mom and Dad…” I shook her hand off, my voice carrying even further through the microphone. “Rules? What kind of bullshit rules?” “Fake rules will never trump honest principles!” “And you people, you call yourselves high society?” “I’d call it low society! A cesspool of depravity, rotten to the core!” Mom and Dad’s faces flushed, and they stormed off. I ignored them. The moment I put down the microphone, I noticed a quiet man sitting in the far corner of the ballroom. He was wearing a black suit, his demeanor cool and detached, completely out of place amidst the surrounding extravagance.

He was looking at me, his eyes showing no astonishment or disdain, but rather admiration and praise. He even subtly raised his glass to me, forming a word with his lips. I understood what he said. “Well done!” After returning from the charity gala, Mom, Dad, and my relationship was at an all-time low. But I wasn’t idle; I proposed joining the family company to familiarize myself with the business. Dad exploded when he heard this. “What are you going to do at the company? Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?” “With your personality, you’ll only offend all our clients and shareholders! The Sterling legacy cannot be ruined by you!” I didn’t back down. “I have inheritance rights. The company will eventually be mine, so it’s only right that I go check it out!” “If you firmly refuse to let me go, then I’ll see you in court!” “Someone doesn’t have to die for us to fight over inheritance!” Dad’s face turned ashen with anger, but he knew I meant what I said, so he eventually conceded. “Fine! I’ll take you! But I’m warning you, don’t interfere with anything!” I followed him into the top-floor conference room of Sterling Group. The Business Director was presenting an important collaboration proposal. He spoke glowingly, painting a beautiful picture of future profits. I listened for less than five minutes before raising my hand to interrupt. “Stop!” Everyone looked at me. I stared at the bewildered director. “You just said the client feedback was excellent, but your speech rate was twenty percent faster than average, and you subconsciously touched your nose. Classic signs of lying.” I picked up the project proposal in front of him, quickly flipped to a page, and pointed to a data point. “The projected market growth rate is three times higher than the industry’s authoritative reports. Are you living in a dream, or do you think we’re fools?” The Business Director’s face instantly turned deathly pale. He stammered, unable to utter a single coherent word. Dad was skeptical, but he immediately halted the project and ordered a thorough investigation. It turned out to be a cleverly packaged trash project! The Business Director had taken a huge kickback from the other party. If I hadn’t exposed it on the spot, the company would have lost at least fifty million! Dad looked at the investigation report, seeing me with a completely new light for the first time. A few days later, the scandals from the charity gala were jointly exposed by several authoritative media outlets. Several “philanthropists” involved in money laundering and illicit profit transfers were arrested and utterly disgraced. The Sterling family, however, because of my “impolite” outburst at the banquet, was ironically portrayed by public opinion as a beacon of “integrity in a corrupt world.” Our reputation skyrocketed, and the company’s stock hit several consecutive daily limits! Mom and Dad looked at the financial reports and the positive online reviews, finally revealing genuine smiles. Their eyes now held appreciation and recognition for me. They officially appointed me as the company’s Executive President. Chloe hid in her room, smashing all her treasured limited-edition dolls. I took advantage of Mom and Dad’s good mood and formally stated. “Damon Thorne is twisted, and I absolutely refuse to marry him.” When the news reached Damon’s ears, he panicked. He and Chloe conspired to sabotage a major, heavily invested flagship real estate project of the Sterling family. They planned to fabricate evidence of my management errors and embezzlement, intending to completely crush me and ensure I would never recover! By observing the subtle expressions and verbal slips of several key project personnel, I preemptively sensed something was amiss. I remained calm, secretly gathering evidence of their foul play. A few days later, it was Chloe’s and my shared birthday. The Sterling family threw a grand banquet. I had originally planned to publicly announce the termination of my engagement with Damon during the cake-cutting. But Damon beat me to it. At the peak of the banquet’s atmosphere, under the watchful eyes of all the guests. He walked up to me, knelt on one knee, and pulled out a huge diamond ring. “Rose! I know I’m not worthy yet, but I’ll spend my whole life proving I can be!” “Marry me! I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world!” The spotlight pinned me. Applause and cheers exploded. My parents watched, all smiles. My eyes found Damon, then flicked to Chloe beside him. Her smile was nailed on, her eyes pure poison. A cold laugh escaped me. “Damon, didn’t you just sleep with Chloe last night?” “You crawl from her sheets, pull up your pants, and get down on one knee? Even a stray dog has more dignity.” “A piece of trash like you dares to ask for my hand? Dream on.” “Get out!” BOOM! The entire ballroom seemed to have been hit by a bombshell!

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My mom, Eleanor, showed up still in her cleaner’s uniform after a front-line rotation. My boyfriend, Derek, took one look and lost it. “Anya, You told me your mom was a high-powered executive. So what’s with the janitor getup?” I was about to explain, but Mom grabbed my hand. “There is dignity in all honest work, Derek.” Derek rolled his eyes and dumped me. The next day, he gave my promotion to the new intern, Chloe. When I cornered him in his office, he sneered. “Fairness? I dated you because I thought your family had connections. Now I find out your mom mops floors? You think you still belong here?” “I’ll report you for this.”I warned. He tossed the intern’s resume onto my desk. “Report me? Her father is the Chairman. I suggest you quit.” I froze. My mom founded this company. A new Chairman. A sister I never knew. How? Seeing me frozen, Derek mistook it for fear. His tone softened to a mockery of sympathy. “Anya, you need to accept your station. Some are born with silver spoons. Others, like you, in the mud. If you want to blame someone, blame the family you were born into.” He leaned forward. “I’m willing to let your…outburst slide. But you owe me a lesson.” A hotel key card slid across the desk between us. “I have a dinner with Mr. Harrison tonight. You will attend. And you will personally ensure he gets back to his room.” My blood ran cold. Everyone knew Mr. Harrison’s reputation as a lecherous creep who treated business dinners as a prelude. Taking him to his hotel wasn’t a courtesy. It was a delivery. Derek was making me part of the deal. I scoffed, snatching the key card. His smile started to form, then I slapped him across the face with it. Smack! Surprise flashed in his eyes, then burned into pure rage. “Anya, you dare refuse my generosity?” I crossed my arms, my voice glacial. “Who’s truly shameless here?” “Derek, asking me to ‘escort’ Harrison? We both know what that means. Don’t make me say the ugly part out loud.” He was about to speak when the office door swung open. Chloe, dressed in a frilly Lolita outfit, skipped in, one hand clutching a bag of greasy fries, the other a bubble tea. As her team lead, I’d told her repeatedly that costumes weren’t work attire. Derek had always overruled me. Now I understood. He wasn’t just humoring her. He was currying favor with who he thought was the CEO’s darling daughter. “Derek, I got us the most amazing-” Chloe’s cooing cut off as she spotted me. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Anya, you bitch, what are you doing in Derek’s office?” “Tell me, are you secretly trying to seduce my boyfriend behind my back?”

Her voice was piercing, and busy colleagues craned their necks to look, whispering amongst themselves. This was the twentieth time today I’d been gawked at like a monkey in a zoo. Ever since she and Derek suddenly declared themselves a couple this morning, Chloe had been like a radar, constantly tracking me. When I felt cold and changed into a red jacket, she shrieked in anger: “Anya, have you no shame? You know Derek loves red, so you wear red? You’re trying to get his attention, aren’t you? How pathetic can you be?!” I just called her “nuts” and kept working. When I got up to use the restroom, she suddenly blocked my way. “I won’t let you go! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You only went because Derek just went to the restroom!” “I’m telling you, he said he’ll never get back with you, he loves me! Going there won’t change a thing!” I really had to go, so I pushed her aside, but she still followed me, chattering incessantly. “My man already warned you off, and you still went to the restroom to hook up with him? Do you know what home-wreckers like you would face in the old days? Public shaming, humiliation!” I locked the door and took a quick pee, but her mouth still didn’t stop. “Just give up, Anya. A man as amazing as Derek will only ever be mine. Your mom’s a cleaner, you’re trash, you…” I couldn’t stand her craziness anymore and decided to text my mom, asking when my junior-level internship would end so I could be transferred. She appeared out of nowhere, snatched my phone, and read my message aloud. Seeing that I’d saved my mom’s contact as “CEO,” she clutched her stomach and burst into mocking laughter. “Your cleaning lady mom, and you saved her as ‘CEO’ in your phone? That’s hilarious!” “Anya, remember this: you and your mom are trash. You belong in a dumpster, wasting space, wasting air. You should just die, die soon…” I slapped her across the face. My team members also spoke up for me. “Chloe, your mouth is spewing pure sewage! Did you forget to eat, or is your breath always this foul?” “Yeah, it’s like a garlic bomb went off, so gross…” Seeing everyone on my side, she reluctantly returned my phone. After two hours of blessed quiet, her “affliction” apparently returned. I didn’t want to stoop to her level; she seemed like someone with serious mental issues. But her incessant badgering was too much. I held up three fingers and swore to the heavens. “Chloe, relax, nobody’s trying to steal that loser from you. No, let me be clearer: I wouldn’t take him even if he came with a bow on top.” “But if you slander me again, I’m calling the police.” I thought she’d back off, but instead, she snarled and threw her bubble tea at me. The sticky, sweet drink splattered all over me. The culprit, however, screamed like the victim. “Anya, you bitch, who are you trying to fool?” “You say you don’t want to hook up with Derek, then tell me, where did that hotel key card on the table come from?”

At her words, colleagues outside the office widened their eyes. A chorus of whispers erupted. “No way! iIs Anya really that desperate? Trying to keep him with her body?” “Playing the victim after causing the scene. No wonder Chloe snapped.” “I heard he dumped her because her mom’s a cleaner. Chloe’s the CEO’s daughter! Anya’s just swinging from the corporate ladder to the… other kind.” A few voices rose in my defense, but they were swallowed by the tide of speculation. If I didn’t clear this up today, my reputation would be ruined. But before I defended myself, I had to get revenge for that bubble tea! I grabbed a cup from the table and splashed it over Chloe. She looked like a drowned rat, her makeup smeared and running, like some kind of ghost. Derek, who had been watching the whole spectacle, played the knight in shining armor, grabbing her and glaring at me to defend her. “Anya, that’s enough! You’re harassing a colleague, disrupting the office, and insubordinate.” “Apologize to Chloe, or clear your desk!” Seeing him abuse his petty power like this, I was filled with regret. Two months ago, the Director of Sales position had opened up. It was a bloodbath. Derek hadn’t even made the GM’s shortlist. I was the one who vouched for him. It took a week of pleading with my mother just to get Derek in the door. The condition was simple: his team’s performance had to double within three months of his promotion, or he was out. I agreed without hesitation. With my client portfolio and connections, hitting his target would be easy. Just yesterday, I’d closed a fifty-million-dollar deal with a personal contact. I was about to hand him that victory and then he saw my mother in her cleaner’s uniform. His whole demeanor shifted. He dumped me on the spot. The next day, he stole my promotion and handed it to Chloe, the intern I couldn’t stand. So much for the deal. Let him pack his bags and get out. He’s earned his failure. A faint, humorless laugh escaped me. I met his gaze. “Is that your final decision?” Derek’s ego couldn’t tolerate being questioned. His temper ignited. “You heard me. Apologize or get out.” Since the day I joined, I’d been desperate to prove I was more than just the founder’s daughter. Dating him only doubled the pressure. I’d poured everything into propping him up. The truth was, I was exhausted. And suddenly, profoundly done. “Fine. Tell HR to prepare my paperwork.” Ignoring him, I walked out of the office. Back at my desk, my friend Grace gave me a thumbs-up. “Whoa, girl, you’re fearless! That was so satisfying to watch.” But soon, her face clouded with worry. “It was satisfying, but with the economy being so tough, jobs are hard to find. Aren’t you being too impulsive? Will you regret this later?” I smiled meaningfully. “Don’t worry, I’m not the one who’ll be regretting anything.” After changing into clean clothes in the restroom, I bumped into Chloe. She smirked with schadenfreude. “Serves you right for being so prideful and ticking off Derek. HR is already in the office, you know. Even if you regret it now, you can’t stay.” I couldn’t be bothered to engage her, but she followed me. “Hey, actually, staying might not be impossible. If you begged me on your knees, maybe I’d be nice enough to ask my CEO dad to let you stay. How does that sound?” I had no respect for this clown, but her repeatedly impersonating me crossed a line. Now she’d see what I was truly capable of. I stepped closer, staring her down. “Chloe, are you really the CEO’s daughter?”

Her pupils dilated, a flicker of panic in her eyes before she quickly regained her composure. “Of course! If I’m not the CEO’s daughter, then are you?” She jingled a set of car keys. “See this? It’s a Porsche 911 key. My dad just gave it to me for my birthday!” I initially thought it was a fake, but then I saw the “XY” engraving on the key and my eyes widened. Wasn’t this the 25th birthday gift Mom gave me last month? She said it was custom-made, one of a kind in the world. I’d sent it to the dealership for repairs a few days ago. How did it end up in her hands? I grabbed her arm, my gaze icy, ready to kill. “Tell me, who gave you this key?!” “If you don’t tell me the truth, I’m calling the police right now!” Chloe, stung by my piercing stare, grew even more flustered and couldn’t meet my eyes. Just then, a crowd of people came into the restroom. She pushed me, snatched the car keys back, and ran off. Watching her retreating back, I immediately called Mr. Davies, our butler. The phone connected, and several jarring music notes blared. I instinctively frowned and moved the phone away from my ear. When I put it back, the music had been replaced by Mr. Davies’s hurried breathing. “Miss Anya, I’m just helping the gardener tidy up the grounds. What can I do for you?” Something felt off, but I couldn’t quite place it. “Is the car I sent for repairs ready? I need to use it.” He paused, stammering, “It’s… it’s fixed. When would you like to use it? I’ll bring it over.” I told him a time and hung up. But it still felt wrong. My mom likes quiet; there would be no music at the villa. And Mr. Davies was always so composed; this was the first time he’d ever stammered. After thinking it over, I texted a friend at the dealership to ask about my car. He sounded surprised: “Your car was repaired three days ago! Your butler picked it up.” “Though, he did have a young girl with him at the time.” I clicked on the surveillance footage he sent me. Seeing the familiar Lolita outfit, I confirmed it was Chloe. So, what exactly was the relationship between Mr. Davies and Chloe? I instructed Assistant Miller, my mom’s special assistant, to investigate, then absentmindedly returned to my desk. Just as I sat down, a document was slammed onto my table. I looked up, meeting Ms. Jenkins’s disdainful gaze. “Sign it quickly, and get out.” I opened the contract and laughed in disbelief at the clauses. “I confirm that during my employment, I disclosed company core secrets and engaged in irregular project operations, and voluntarily waive all unpaid wages, year-end bonuses, and non-compete compensation.” “I agree that I will not join any competitor in the same industry within three years of my departure. If I violate this, I will pay the company 5 million dollars in liquidated damages.” “I voluntarily assume all economic losses caused to the company by my irregular conduct, totaling 800,000 dollars, to be settled in full on the day of my departure.” … Even an idiot could tell Derek had HR deliberately screw me over. Did he think I had no connections and would just swallow this bitter pill? Why should I? These sycophantic, spineless leeches really needed to be dealt with. I opened the contract, taking photos of each page and sending them to my mom. “Mom, your daughter is about to be fired. Look at these ridiculous, one-sided clauses from HR. Don’t you think the company needs a serious overhaul?” No sooner had I sent the message than my desk was violently slammed. Derek glared at me impatiently. “Anya, stop stalling. It’s useless. Just sign the contract and get out!” I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, calm and composed. “Are you sure you want me to sign? I’m afraid you’ll regret it later, you know?” Derek scoffed, his tone even more contemptuous. “Regret?” “If I ever regret this, I swear to God, I’ll go on live and eat shit!” I was intrigued. I pulled out my phone, started recording, and prompted him to say it again. He took my actions as a challenge, shrugging indifferently and repeating himself. Finally, he didn’t forget to humiliate me. “I’ll just wait and see if you come begging me first, or if I’ll regret it first!” It would definitely be him regretting it first. A message from my mom lit up my phone just then. She was taking me out tomorrow for a formal introduction and a “branch office reorganization.” In other words, Derek was going to be eating his words on live television tomorrow. And I meant that almost literally. With that pleasant thought, I signed the termination papers with a flourish. The moment the contract was in his hands, Derek’s bravado returned. He beckoned over a few colleagues who’d never liked me. “Watch her like a hawk while she packs. If she so much as touches a company pen, call security.” They nodded, forming a loose circle around me like vultures. I didn’t have much to take, just a few family photos. As I reached for the last one, a hand shot out and snatched it from my grasp. It was Mr. Peterson, the GM. He was staring at the photo, his face pale. “How do you have photos with the Chairwoman? Who are you to her?”

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My mother was dying, and only a costly surgery could save her. So I broke myself for three months to fund it. I clawed my way to top sales rep and seized the million-dollar bonus. But half an hour before her surgery, my bonus account read zero. I immediately called my boss-my boyfriend, Jake. He answered, voice lazy. “Chloe really wanted a vacation, so I took the money and chartered a private jet to Ibiza.” My body froze, then I screamed, my voice laced with panic. “That’s my bonus! My mom needs that money to save her life!” A beat of silence. Then Jake’s voice turned to ice. “It’s just a million bucks. Save your drama.You missed a day last month, so I’m writing it off as Chloe’s trip bonus.” I begged him to return the money. He just hung up on me. Watching the nurses cover my mom with a cold white sheet, I dug out the scam call I’d received that morning and dialed it back. “Ms. Maya, I’m so sorry for your loss.” The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice heavy. My hands trembled, watching in disbelief as the nurse wheeled my mom out. The doctor spoke with regret. “I’m so sorry. We did everything we could. Ten minutes…just ten more minutes might have made all the difference.” I was holding my mother’s cold hand when my phone, silenced for hours, vibrated. Jake’s voice, bright and clear, spilled into the sterile silence of the room. “Chloe, meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you.” In the background, fireworks exploded in a distant celebration. I slumped to the floor. Losing my dearest loved one. Facing the deepest betrayal from the one I loved. The twin blows twisted in my chest like a thousand knives. The pain was unbearable. I don’t know how long I sat there before my phone rang again. Fumbling to stand, I accidentally answered. “This is the Food and Drug Administration. We have confirmed the presence of a prohibited contaminant in your product line. As a first-time violation, you may avoid immediate seizure by posting a fifty-million-dollar bond. Failure to comply will result in the closure of all associated facilities.” I glanced at the number and instantly recognized it as a scam call. I was about to hang up when the image of my mother on the operating table flashed before me. Because of Jake. Because of stolen money. I paused, wiped my face with a trembling hand, and made my voice sound carefully concerned. “Are you sure you have the right company? I’ll send you our product information and company details in a bit. Please double-check. If there’s really an issue, contact our company owner directly.” The person on the other end hummed in acknowledgment. “Alright, send over the company info as soon as possible so we can verify it.” There was so little credible information in their words; it was hard to believe them based on just a few sentences. But with detailed product information, it would sound much more convincing. I hung up, found the company’s product detail file on my phone, and sent it to them without hesitation. Afterward, I walked toward the morgue. I found my mom and sat beside her. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I was blind, I trusted the wrong person, and it cost you your life. I swear, I will make them pay.” Over the next three days, I handled my mom’s funeral. During this time, I received a message from Jake, asking me to contact the factory and our partners to verify if there were any product issues.

I hesitated for a few seconds before messaging Jake back. “The Food Safety Administration inspected a batch of products a few days ago. A few items failed, but we haven’t received instructions on how to handle it yet.” I was actually telling the truth. The Food Safety Administration had conducted a spot check a few days prior, but it was just minor packaging defects that had caused some food spoilage. A few minutes later, I saw Jake post a photo in the WhatsApp work group. It was quickly deleted. But I’d already seen it: Jake, kissing Chloe’s face. Immediately after, Jake sent a voice message. I tapped it, and it was Chloe’s voice. “Oops, I accidentally slipped! Jake’s so tired today, he’s already asleep. I’m just helping him handle some work.” I instantly realized Chloe was deliberately trying to provoke me. In the past, I might have torn my heart out, demanding to know why Jake betrayed me. But now, remembering my mom’s agonizing death on the operating table because of the delayed surgery, I wished I could rip Jake to shreds. She tagged Sarah, our accountant, asking her to transfer fifty million dollars to an account. A faint smile touched my lips. It looked like Jake had taken the bait. If only he’d asked me a few more questions or called the factory, he wouldn’t have believed it so easily. Over the next few days, I didn’t hear from Jake again. As soon as I arrived at my desk, Sarah rushed toward me. “Maya, can you reach Jake? A few days ago, Chloe told me to transfer fifty million dollars to an account, supposedly for the Food Safety Administration. But I have a bad feeling about this account, and it’s overseas. I wanted to ask Jake for clarification, but I haven’t been able to reach him.” I narrowed my eyes slightly and called Jake. An impatient voice sounded from behind me. “Maya, are you calling me all day just to ruin my mood?” I turned around to see Jake walking through the door, Chloe clinging to his arm, her eyes glinting with triumph as she looked at me. “Jake, don’t be so harsh, you might make Maya cry.” Jake looked at Chloe with doting affection. “Chloe, Maya was so mean to you before, yet you’re still looking out for her. If only she had an ounce of your kindness.” The other colleagues in the office looked at me strangely. Jake was my boyfriend, yet he was publicly putting me down for Chloe’s sake, essentially slapping me in the face. I suppressed the anger bubbling inside me and looked at Jake. “Chloe told Sarah to transfer fifty million to an account. Do you know about this?” Jake nodded. “Yes, I know.” I spoke, intentionally injecting a tone of reprimand. “That account is overseas, and it’s a high-risk account. It’s most likely a scammer. What was she thinking, telling our accountant to send money to a fraudster?” Chloe’s eyes immediately welled up, and she began to cry, sounding terribly wronged. “Maya, is this about Jake? Get over it. That account was an FSA bond-fifty million, fully refundable. They threatened to shut us down. I just secured a hundred-million-dollar project. Was I supposed to let it all go to waste?” Hearing this, Jake’s eyes turned cold, and he angrily rebuked me. “Maya, Chloe secured a hundred-million-dollar deal for the company, that’s why I took her on that trip. Can you stop being so petty and jealous, constantly targeting Chloe?”

Jake seemed determined to humiliate me. He turned to Sarah. “Just do what Chloe says. If there’s any problem, I’ll take full responsibility.” With that, he took Chloe’s hand and walked past me, leaving the office. Behind Jake, where he couldn’t see, the corner of my mouth turned up slightly. You said it yourself, Jake. I turned back to Sarah, smiling helplessly. “Jake said it himself. Just do what he says and transfer the money. Don’t want to hold up company progress, right?” Sarah still looked hesitant. “Maya, but that account is so suspicious! And how could the Food Safety Administration have an overseas account?” I shrugged and sighed. “You heard me try to persuade him just now. I can’t do anything more. If you don’t do it, Chloe will probably think we’re deliberately ganging up on her. And Jake listens to Chloe completely now.” Sarah was silent for a couple of seconds. “Fine. I’m just an employee. The boss has spoken, so what can I do?” Back at my desk, I looked at the photo of my mom, then at Jake’s office, my hands clenching into fists. Just then, someone tapped my shoulder. “Maya, are you still mad at Jake? It’s all my fault. I just really wanted to go to Ibiza, and Jake felt sorry for me, so he took me.” I didn’t want to see Chloe right now, so I started to get up to leave. But as soon as I stood, Chloe suddenly stumbled backward and fell. I frowned. I hadn’t even touched her. The next second, Jake rushed over and shoved me hard. My waist slammed into the desk, making me gasp in pain. Jake quickly helped Chloe up, pulling her into his arms, and looked at her with concern. “Chloe, are you okay?” Chloe’s eyes were red, her expression utterly pathetic. “Jake, Maya’s still angry because you used her bonus to take me on vacation. It’s all my fault, I was too impulsive, I shouldn’t have gone.” Jake shot me a warning look. “Let’s be clear, Maya. You missed three days last month. Your bonus was forfeited. Chloe, on the other hand, just landed a nine-figure deal. Rewarding performance is my job.” I was shaking with rage. I slapped Jake across the face. “Jake, for an entire year, I haven’t taken a single day off! The reason I took three days off last month was because I drank so much to secure your deal that I got stomach bleeding and was in the ER for a day and a night!” I then turned to Chloe. “That deal? I was the one who negotiated it! You just took advantage of me being in the hospital to sign it yourself. I didn’t even bother to call you out on it. How dare you have the nerve to try and steal my bonus?” Other colleagues looked over, whispering and pointing at Jake and Chloe. Jake, his pride wounded by my outburst, exploded in anger. “Maya, you’re already lazy, skipping work, and now you’re making up excuses? It’s obvious you stood the client up. If Chloe hadn’t stepped in to sign that deal, it would have collapsed entirely. Could you have shouldered the losses for the company? Instead of thanking her, you have the audacity to twist the truth. How did I ever end up with such an unreasonable girlfriend?” Jake’s twisted words made my chest ache. I truly hated myself for being so blind, for ever falling for such a despicable bastard like Jake. “Jake, we’re over.” Then I picked up the resignation letter I had already prepared from my desk and threw it in Jake’s face. “I quit. And I demand you return my bonus, or I’ll see you in court.”

Jake’s eyes widened, staring at me in disbelief. “Maya, you’ll regret this! Who else would ever want you besides me?” Chloe looked at me, a defiant smirk on her face. “Maya, don’t be so impulsive! Jake’s company is about to go public. So many women would kill to be with him!” I looked at Chloe. “In that case, I’ll give him to you. You two can be together, for all I care.” With that, I picked up the things I’d already packed and turned to leave. As I reached the door, I heard Jake kick a desk and angrily curse. “Maya, when you regret this and come crawling back to me, crying, I won’t want you then!” After arriving home, I lay down on my bed for a short rest. My phone rang beside me. “Hello, is this Ms. Maya?” I hummed in affirmation. “This is the Food Safety Administration calling. Congratulations, you’ve passed the final interview and can begin your appointment within the month.” Hearing this, I suddenly remembered. My mom had always wanted me to pursue a stable job. When she was gravely ill, I’d just casually applied to the Food Safety Administration, never expecting to pass the interview. Now, I was jobless after quitting. I looked at my mom’s framed photo. “Mom, thank you. You helped me again.” I arranged to start work in three days. Over the next three days, after handing over my work at Jake’s company, I went to work at the Food Safety Administration. A month into my job, we received a report of food poisoning. I looked at the files. Coincidentally, it was the chocolate produced by Jake’s company. I accompanied my superior, Mr. Harrison, to Jake’s factory. We collected ten samples for testing. An hour later, the results were in: the product contained excessive amounts of flavor enhancers, posing significant harm to human health. And, coincidentally, one of the victims of the poisoning was Mr. Harrison’s daughter. Upon learning this, he immediately ordered Jake’s company to be shut down for a full investigation and fined thirty million dollars. Mr. Harrison then instructed me to lead the team to seal Jake’s company. I arrived at Jake’s company entrance just as he and Chloe were getting out of a car, arm-in-arm. Seeing me, Jake wore a condescending, triumphant smirk. “Maya, I knew you’d regret it and come begging! But our company is full now. If you want to come back, you’ll have to be a cleaner, and I’ll pay you a thousand dollars a month.” I rolled my eyes at Jake. Then I pulled out the official notice and plastered it on his company door. “Your company’s products have violated food safety regulations. Your company is now being shut down for a full inspection of all products and fined thirty million dollars.” Jake heard my words, unfazed, and scoffed mockingly. “Maya, did you go crazy after breaking up with me?” I pulled out the ID badge from around my neck. My colleagues behind me also stepped forward. “Please cooperate with our work.” Only then did Jake realize this wasn’t a joke. He looked at Chloe. “You must be mistaken! We just paid the Food Safety Administration a fifty-million-dollar deposit a month ago!” Another one of my colleagues spoke up, sounding exasperated. “The Food Safety Administration never charges anything called a ‘deposit’.” Jake’s face went pale. “That’s impossible! We transferred fifty million!” Chloe’s hands shook as she redialed the number. A pre-recorded, robotic message filled the air: “The number you have dialed is not in service.” Panic rising, Jake shoved the transfer receipt at my colleague. “This is your official account! I wired the money here!” My colleague took one glance. “Sir, this is not our account. It’s registered overseas. This is a classic wire fraud scheme.” Jake froze, stunned.

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I was born with a heart condition. Doctors said I wouldn’t live past eighteen. When I was ten, my parents brought home a blind child, telling me she was my twin sister, Iris. My family doted on me relentlessly, yet they were always distant and cold towards Iris. Everyone whispered that Iris was here to give me her heart. I tried desperately to be good to this sister who looked exactly like me, hoping to soothe the guilt gnawing at my conscience. Finally, my eighteenth birthday arrived. I lay on the operating table. But what they took wasn’t my heart. It was my corneas. I died. Iris gained sight. The moment the heart rate monitor shrieked, I thought my life was over. My mind flashed through countless memories, finally settling on the first time I pulled open the door and saw Iris. The day Iris arrived, I was sipping my imported medication, curled up on the huge cashmere sofa in the living room. The door opened, letting in a whiff of dusty countryside air. She stood at the entrance. Dark and thin, like a wild weed. Her clothes were old, and she clutched a worn cloth bag in her hand. Her eyes were a hazy gray, like mine, yet completely different. “This is your sister, Iris.” Mom said, her voice flat, not reaching out to her. Iris said nothing, her head bowed. I quickly realized Mom didn’t seem to like this sister. Looking at this child, who was practically my mirror image, a strange tightness gripped my chest. From that day on, I gave her everything I had. New dresses, imported chocolates, my favorite plush bunny. She got the small, north-facing room, while I had the larger one. Everyone in the family clustered around me, laughing and talking. At dinner, they always made sure the best portions were on my plate. When it came to Iris, Mom would just say, “She can serve herself.” Her tone was so flat, so indifferent. I knew they loved me. It was because of my heart condition. Not living past eighteen was my biggest secret. When I was ten, my parents brought Iris home, claiming she was my twin sister, and she couldn’t see. They told me Iris was a gift from above. Everyone quietly informed me that Iris existed so I could live. I believed them. So I tried my hardest to be good to Iris. I wanted to make amends, to compensate for everything with all I had. Maria, our housekeeper, once muttered behind their backs, “Miss Aubrey is the darling, Miss Iris is just a nobody.” I heard her, and I gave Iris things even more often. One time, I held her hand, guiding her slowly through the house. “The curtains, they’re velvet.” “The vase, it’s glass, cool to the touch.” I led her to touch the piano. A jarring note startled her, making her flinch, but then curiosity quickly drew her hand back to explore. That afternoon, we sat on the carpet in my room. The sunlight was beautiful. For some reason, I suddenly took her hand and gently placed it over my left chest. “Iris, feel this,” I smiled, “That’s a heartbeat.” Her small hand was a little cool, resting there quietly. After a moment, she took my hand and placed it on her own chest. Thump. Thump. It beat steadily and strongly. Completely unlike my own fragile heart. I froze. We shared the same blood, the same face, even our heartbeats echoed a similar rhythm. But my heart was dying. And she, who was so vibrantly alive, couldn’t see a thing. I squeezed her hand, a sudden ache gripping my heart. That phrase, which had haunted me for years—”Iris is here so I can live”— Felt like a thorn, piercing me with agonizing pain. In that moment, my heart wavered. Was all this “goodness” I showered on her truly saving her, or was I… killing her?

My memories grew hazy, blurring into a chaotic darkness where I thought I heard voices. “It’s done.” A calm male voice, tinged with post-surgery fatigue. “Very smooth.” Another voice responded. They were the doctors. So… the surgery was a success! I was alive! Iris’s heart was beating in my chest. This realization brought tears to my eyes. But the next second, a crushing wave of guilt washed over me. It was Iris… the one who always quietly followed me, the one with a healthy heart, who had given hers to me. What about her? Was she alright? I used every ounce of my consciousness to try and open my eyes, to take one last look at Iris, who must be on the operating table beside me. But my eyelids felt like they were soldered shut, heavy and unmoving. Only endless darkness, and the increasingly clear voices in my ears. “Finally, a weight off our shoulders.” Mom’s voice carried through the operating room door. “Yeah,” Dad responded, pausing for a moment before saying, “Eight years, finally paid off.” My heart gave a soft tremor. Eight years… was it for me to live? They must have suffered so much too. Now they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. I struggled to get up, focusing my will against the darkness before my eyes. Light flooded in, and I instinctively turned my head, looking at the other operating table beside me. Iris lay quietly on it, her eyes bandaged, but her chest rose and fell gently with her breathing. She… she was alive! Thank goodness, we both made it. This realization brought me a bewildered sense of relief. The doctors must have found another suitable heart donor at the last minute. Fate, after all, was finally kind to us. “Iris…” I mumbled, stumbling off the bed and toward Iris, wanting to apologize to her. I reached out, but my fingertips passed right through her hand resting on the bed’s edge, without any resistance. No warmth, no substance. I looked down at my hands, now faintly transparent, and finally understood my current state. Turning back, on the operating table I had just risen from, a white sheet already covered it, outlining a human form. I walked over and gently lifted it. The “me” beneath had pure white bandages over her eyes, looking as if she were just peacefully sleeping. So, I… I didn’t survive the surgery after all? I looked at my transparent hands, then at Iris’s bandaged eyes. No, it couldn’t be. Mom and Dad loved me so much, how could they… But that phrase, “eight years, finally paid off,” now echoed with a jarring harshness. The operating room door opened. Medical staff entered, skillfully moving Iris’s gurney out. I silently followed alongside. My parents waited outside the door. They immediately rushed forward. Mom gently stroked Iris’s hair. Dad quietly asked the doctor, “Will she… be able to see soon?” “The surgery was a complete success. She’ll regain her sight after recovery.” They wore smiles of relief I had never seen before, as if losing a daughter was something to celebrate. Mom and Dad walked slowly with the gurney down the hospital corridor. They never once looked back. I stood alone in the empty hallway, watching their backs disappear into the light at the far end. Despite a pang of loss, I was happy for them. Iris’s eyes were finally healed. On such a joyous day, seeing my corpse would be bad luck. They could finally start a new life. No longer worried about me, this ailing child, no longer counting down the days with bated breath. A moment later, an orderly came in and turned the gurney carrying my body in another direction. “So young, what a pity.” “I heard her corneas were donated to her sister.” The gurney wheels rolled smoothly, echoing down the cold corridor, heading toward the morgue. So that was it. I hadn’t received a heart; I had given my eyes. My death, in exchange for Iris’s sight.

When I drifted into the hospital room, Mom was carefully moistening Iris’s lips with a cotton swab. Dad stood by the bed, his gaze fixed on Iris’s bandaged eyes— That intense focus, I had experienced it, or so I thought, and yet, it felt alien now. He was rarely home back then. Even when he was, he mostly stayed in his study. For me, he almost always gave me whatever I asked for. No matter what it was, if I mentioned it, it would appear by my bedside the next day. I once thought he was naturally serious, that men simply didn’t know how to express love. Because his gaze towards me always held a veil of impenetrable distance. Now, that barrier had suddenly vanished. A few days later, the bandages were removed. Iris opened her eyes and softly called out, “Dad.” Just that one word, and my father’s eyes welled up. He pulled her into a tight hug, his shoulders trembling slightly. I had called him “Dad” countless times, always met with a controlled smile. It wasn’t that he couldn’t get emotional; he just never got emotional for me. Back home, there was no memorial, no photo. The family picture on the mantelpiece was gone, along with the teapot and slippers I’d given them. Everything. All traces of me were wiped clean, with a chilling speed that sent shivers through my translucent form. Perhaps it was for the best. They wouldn’t have to grieve over my things. People had to move on, right? “Welcome home.” Dad held Iris’s hand, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. He led her through every corner, as if she were the true owner of this house. Finally, they stopped at my old room. It was empty, the walls stark white—freshly painted. “This will be your art studio,” Mom said, her voice filled with anticipation. “You mentioned wanting to learn painting before.” Iris nodded gently. I remembered when Iris had mentioned wanting to paint, Mom had dismissed her, saying, “There’s no spare room.” So swift, so definite. It wasn’t that she lied. She was just waiting— Waiting for me to leave, waiting for Iris to see again. But how could a blind person be so keen on painting? The question flickered, then I quickly pushed it down. Iris could see now; it was perfectly normal for her to want to paint. Watching Mom gently stroke Iris’s hair, an incredibly blurry fragment flashed through my mind. It was like when I was very young, Mom had touched my head like that, humming a song. Dad brought a picture book and sat beside Iris. “Look, these are Monet’s Water Lilies. Aren’t the colors beautiful?” His fingers gently traced the pages, his eyes soft. I suddenly recalled the art book he gave me for my birthday last year; it had been placed on the highest shelf, still in its wrapping. “Aubrey, your health isn’t good. Don’t strain yourself with such taxing things,” he’d said then. Thinking about it now, he was right. My fragile body shouldn’t have wished for too much. Iris looked up, then suddenly asked, “Would Aubrey have liked these paintings?” The air instantly froze. Mom and Dad’s smiles stiffened. “Don’t mention her.” Mom’s voice was barely a whisper, yet it struck my heart like a tiny hammer. “Your sister, she…” Dad hesitated, finally just patting Iris’s head. “The most important thing now is for your eyes to recover well.” My heart ached slightly, but then I quickly let it go. They were just afraid of upsetting Iris by bringing me up. After all, the surgery had just finished; emotional fluctuations weren’t good for recovery. I watched the three of them sitting in the sunlight, looking so happy and content. This was good. Iris could see, and Mom and Dad no longer had to worry about me. My sacrifice was worth it. Still, for some reason, my chest ached. Even though my heart was no longer beating.

I still lingered in the house where I had lived for eighteen years, while my former family had moved on to a new life. Sounds came from the living room. I drifted over and saw Dad taping an eye chart to the wall. “Come on, Iris, let’s see which line you can read,” he said, his voice filled with expectation and encouragement. Mom stood nearby, wringing her hands nervously. Iris stepped forward and clearly read out the smallest line of symbols. “That’s wonderful!” Mom hugged her tightly, her voice choked with emotion. “It’s all right as long as you can see, it’s all right…” Dad also let out a sigh of relief, gently patting Iris’s back. I stood there, stunned. I remembered last year after my school physical, I’d held up my 20/15 vision report, happily showing it to Dad. He’d just given it a dismissive glance and said, “Take care of your eyes, don’t stare at your phone so much.” At the time, I thought he just wasn’t good at praise. But facing a fully recovered Iris, he was like a completely different person. After dinner, Mom brought out a brand-new photo album. “Iris, let’s organize the old photos and put new ones in later.” Mom’s voice carried a lightness, a sense of starting anew. I floated closer to look. In that thick family album, every photo of me had been removed. Those empty spaces were like silent, gaping holes, mocking my eighteen years of life. Dad was organizing the bookshelves nearby. He stacked all my textbooks, leisure reading, even my award-winning essays, preparing to sell them as scrap paper. Without a moment of hesitation. My awards were still taped to the study wall. He reached out, tore them down, crumpled them into a ball, and tossed them into the cardboard box at his feet. His movements were practiced, as if he were simply cleaning out a dusty old relic. Besides the awards, there was also my first painting from kindergarten. In that drawing, I had used childish strokes to draw our family of three. At the time, Dad had praised my drawing and even bought a frame for it. Now, it was casually tossed into the scrap paper box. Every trace proving my existence was ruthlessly cleared away. Except for the perpetually locked drawer in the study, which remained untouched. I stood right beside Dad, watching him. He didn’t notice me at all. An old photo album I’d never seen before fell from the highest shelf. Dad walked over, picked up the album expressionlessly, and tossed it into the scrap paper box without even looking. “Just some useless old photos,” he said blandly, as if explaining, or perhaps talking to himself. Mom went to prepare Iris’s bedtime milk. She opened the highest cupboard and took out that familiar white medicine bottle— The “imported heart medication” I had taken for eight years. “Does she still need to take this medication?” Dad asked, walking in. “The doctor said to continue for a while to consolidate,” Mom replied. She skillfully poured out two pills, crushed them, and mixed them into the milk. “It’s good for eye recovery.” I froze. Good for eye recovery? As Mom left with the milk, a curled label peeled off the bottle and fluttered to the floor. I instinctively floated closer, reading the original medicine name beneath the faded cover— Corneal Repair Agent. So, for eight years, the medication I took diligently every day wasn’t keeping me alive at all.

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I brought my three-month-old son and husband home for Christmas. But my ten-year-old niece, Claudia, and her friend threw my son from an upstairs window. I frantically scooped him up, my mind screaming for the hospital, but it was too late. He died right there. Because Claudia was so young, she faced no punishment. The judge ordered Claudia’s family to pay eight hundred thousand, but Claudia twisted it, claiming I was trying to ruin their lives. I didn’t want compensation; I just wanted my baby back! I sobbed until my chest felt ripped open, demanding justice. My husband, Owen, and his mother, Mrs. Miller, just lashed out at me: “ Claudia is just a child! Are you really going to destroy her life just because *your* son is gone?” My quest for revenge was futile, and eventually, a heart attack claimed me that winter. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on Christmas Day. I immediately called my parents and had them take Kalan away. But this time, Claudia still killed a baby! Whose baby was it?

The moment I’d sent Kalan off with my parents and stepped into Mrs. Miller’s yard, a deafening crash echoed in my ears. “BANG!” A tightly swaddled baby hit the tiled floor. Blood slowly stained the blanket red. I stared, frozen, then lifted my gaze. Upstairs, Claudia gave me a defiant look before she vanished. Owen and Mrs. Miller rushed out at the sound. Mrs. Miller screamed, her legs buckling beneath her. Owen staggered over, trembling, and glanced at the infant. “Cassie, the baby… the baby isn’t breathing.” I couldn’t even bring myself to look. I sprinted upstairs. Claudia had locked herself in a room. I kicked the door hard. “ Claudia! Open this door! Who did you throw down?!” There was no answer from inside, but I could hear her and her friend giggling. “ Claudia, what if they call the cops? My mom won’t hit me, will she?” “Nah, we didn’t mean to, right? Besides, the police don’t arrest minors.” Those fearless words pierced my ears like thorns. I couldn’t stop trembling. I slammed my entire weight against the wooden door. “Get out here! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! This is murder!” Owen, who had just arrived, quickly grabbed me. His eyes were bloodshot. “Cassie, calm down. Don’t scare them.” My eyes, filled with pure hatred, locked onto him. It was just like the last life. Our son was dead, and he was still worried about scaring Claudia. Mrs. Miller wiped away tears. “ Claudia went too far this time, but you don’t have to be so unforgiving.” “The baby was only three months old. He’s gone, so he’s gone. You two can just try for another.” I froze, utterly stunned. It took a moment for their words to register. They thought it was my son who had died. But I had just given my son to my parents. Whose tiny body was lying downstairs?

Owen came up and hugged me, swearing: “Cassie, I promise I’ll get justice for our son, but Claudia is still young and doesn’t understand…” Before he could finish, I shoved him away. “What do you mean? If she’s so clueless, why doesn’t she jump herself?” With that, I grabbed a chair and slammed it violently against the door. The wooden door rattled and groaned, shaking the entire house. “ Claudia, get out here, or I’ll smash this door down!” How dare she kill someone and get away with it? Even if it wasn’t my child who died today, I would still fight for justice for him! Seeing how hard I was hitting it, Claudia yelled from inside: “Stop smashing! If you keep going, I’ll jump!” I was panting from the effort. I turned, rushed to the kitchen, and grabbed a knife, hacking it into the door. The blade bit deep into the wood, stuck fast. “Jump then! If you don’t, I’m coming in there and I’ll kill you myself!” Claudia couldn’t stand the pressure. She opened the door, a look of impatience on her face. “Who did you throw down?” She tilted her head, swaying casually. “Your son, who else?” I slapped her across the face. *Smack!* Her head snapped to the side. Claudia’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She clutched her cheek, disbelief warring on her face. “How dare you hit me? My own mom doesn’t even hit me, you bitch—” I slapped her again. “It’s because your mom *doesn’t* hit you that you turned into an animal!” Then, I grabbed her collar, snarling through gritted teeth. “I’m asking you one more time. Who did you throw down?” Claudia quieted down, still clutching her face. “It was your son, but I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to see what would happen if he fell.” “I didn’t think he’d actually die.” —

I peered into the room. The window was open, letting in a chilling blast of cold air. Claudia’s friend was cowering by the bed, too scared to say a word. They were old enough for elementary school. How could they not know the danger? Owen tried to reason with me. “ Claudia has already apologized, Cassie. You’ve let out your anger. Let’s just bury the baby.” The absurdity of it all struck me. A human life was gone, and an apology was all it took? Mrs. Miller rushed over and tightly hugged Claudia, tenderly stroking her face, murmuring: “You hit her so hard, her face is all red.” Her face was only red from my slap, but that baby had lost his entire life! I roughly pushed Mrs. Miller away, then grabbed Claudia’s hair and dragged her toward the window. “You didn’t know what would happen if he fell, right? Why don’t you try it yourself?” Claudia screamed, terrified, struggling against me. “No! I don’t want to! I’ll die if I fall! You’ll go to jail if I die! To jail!” So she knew about jail, yet she still did it. For two lifetimes, I couldn’t comprehend how a child’s mind could be so wicked! A sharp pain shot up my arm as Owen forcefully pulled me away. The momentum sent me crashing headfirst into the wall. A streak of crimson liquid ran down the plaster. Owen shielded Claudia, his face etched with disgust. “Are you ever going to stop? Our son is dead. Why are you picking a fight with a child? Why didn’t you watch him better?” Both Owen and Mrs. Miller stood in front of Claudia, watching me defensively. In my last life, I finally understood. They were the true family, bound by blood. My three-month-old son and I meant nothing. I clutched my forehead, my hand shaking as I pulled out my phone to call the police. But Owen kicked my phone, sending it flying. “This is a family matter! What are you calling the police for?!” “ Claudia isn’t eighteen yet. It’s useless to call the police anyway.” I pushed myself up against the wall, looking at him with utter disappointment. “Your son is dead. And you don’t care?” Seeing the blood on my forehead, a flicker of remorse crossed Owen’s eyes. “Cassie, we can always have more children.” “But I… I only have one niece.”

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When billionaire Brett Thorne found me, I was literally rolling up my sleeves, about to sell my blood to save my mother. “A hundred million dollars. Have my child, and there’ll be a bonus on top.” He said. Staring at the colossal sum on the agreement, I signed without a moment’s hesitation. A year later, I successfully gave birth to triplets. Gazing at my two adorable baby boys and one girl, tears welled in my eyes as I clutched my bag, ready to leave. Brett grabbed my arm, pulling me back into his embrace. “Chloe, are you really that heartless? You got the money, and now you just want to run?” His reddened eyes confused me. Hadn’t I done everything exactly as the agreement stipulated? But before I could even answer, His childhood sweetheart, Valentina, stormed in, radiating fury. “Sign it. I’ll get your mother the best medical team.” Brett Thorne, the most powerful man in the city, held no warmth in his icy expression as he pushed a document toward me. My body trembled as I read the bold words: *Surrogacy Agreement*. I was twenty-two, single, and had never even held a guy’s hand. But I had no choice. My mother was still in the ICU. I picked up the pen and signed the agreement, gritting my teeth. It’s just one child, right? I’ll just grit my teeth and do it. Seeing my signature, Brett’s cool voice broke the silence. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep this absolutely confidential. After the birth, if you wish to continue your studies, I can send you abroad.” “However, from then on, this child will have nothing to do with you. You mustn’t try to get involved, because I already have someone I love.” He seemed worried about something, emphasizing that last part. I opened my mouth, wanting to ask why, if he had a beloved, he wasn’t having a baby with her. Looking at his deep eyes, his noble and detached expression… well, the world of the super-rich was truly beyond my comprehension. They probably ordered everything on the menu, while I was lucky to afford a single entree. My job was just to take the money and do what was asked. Even though my heart ached a little as I accepted the check, I was still incredibly happy. My mother was saved. No sooner had we settled the details than the doctor informed me that my mother had been transferred to the best monitoring unit, with specialists from New York consulting on her case. I couldn’t help but glance at Brett with gratitude. No wonder he was the city’s richest man; his efficiency was unmatched. My mother’s surgery went smoothly. Brett arranged for two nurses to care for her, and naturally, I returned to his estate with him. That evening, after dinner, I showered and, feeling incredibly nervous, sat on the edge of the bed. My hands were gripping the silk sheets so tightly, they almost shredded into tassels. It wasn’t until Mrs. Davis, the housekeeper, brought in a special health tonic that I learned Brett had gone to see Valentina, his childhood sweetheart. I cautiously asked Mrs. Davis and found out that Brett and Valentina had grown up together. Brett doted on her immensely; she was the “loved one” he’d mentioned. But Valentina, spoiled rotten, had no desire to marry or have children. She had publicly declared her decision to be child-free, as children would interfere with her enjoying life. Brett’s father had a health scare and wanted to see a grandchild soon, but Valentina absolutely refused to marry or have a baby at this time. So, Brett started looking for other options, eventually finding that my genes were the cleanest, and my physical constitution was excellent. I collapsed onto the bed, utterly deflated. I’d actually thought my extraordinary looks had attracted the CEO. Turns out, my reproductive system was just ‘high quality.’ Brett left me alone in the mansion for a week, not appearing once. Meanwhile, Mrs. Davis meticulously prepared a variety of nourishing meals for me every day. Finally, on the eighth evening, I’d showered and was happily lounging in bed, watching a show, when Brett suddenly pushed the door open. “Today is your ovulation period. We can proceed.” Brett entered, immediately taking off his jacket and loosening his tie, while I stared at him in surprise. I’d been enjoying these past few quiet days so much that I’d completely forgotten our arrangement. Brett walked over and gently gripped my chin. I nervously swallowed. That night, there wasn’t a single word exchanged. All I knew was that Brett had incredible stamina, keeping me entangled with him for five intense rounds. By the last time, I was furious. I bit down hard on his shoulder. It was the first time I heard him gasp, uttering a soft reprimand, “Are you a dog? Biting people like that.”

The next day, I woke up, and the sun was already pouring into the room. I clutched my aching lower back as I shuffled to the dining table, eating the toast Mrs. Davis had brought. In my mind, I cursed Brett a thousand times. Did having a baby have to be this torturous? Wasn’t one time enough? He must have felt like he got shortchanged and wanted to make up for it. Just as I was aggressively poking a piece of bread, imagining it was Brett, a shrill voice cut through the front door. “So you’re the little slut who climbed into Brett’s bed?” Before I could even stand up to see her face, she was already in front of me, delivering a sharp slap across my face. “Slut! Don’t play innocent. You just deliberately waited at the hospital, pretending to be pitiful to get Brett’s attention.” I froze, dumbfounded. When did I ever wait at a hospital to seduce Brett? Could I even *seduce* someone like him? I started to get angry. Yesterday, I was exhausted and sore, and this morning, I was greeted with a slap across the face. This was too much. I was a twenty-first-century college student, not their slave. Okay, I admit I felt a little like a slave. Thinking that, I actually teared up from sheer frustration. “Valentina, I don’t know what I did to upset you, but what gives you the right to just barge in and hit me?” Valentina arrogantly tilted her head, her hand raised again. “What gives me the right? The right that Brett is *my* man, and you’re just some shameless hussy?” But the slap didn’t land. Instead, I heard Brett’s urgent voice. “Valentina, stop it!” Brett burst in, grabbed my arm, and pulled me back. “Didn’t we agree? Why are you here, laying hands on her?” Valentina roared back, “Are you actually falling for her? Why did you stay here all night yesterday?” Brett’s gaze darkened, falling on my swollen face. He finally lowered his voice. “I was just too tired yesterday, and I fell asleep.” He then pulled Valentina into his arms. “There, there. It won’t happen again. You know how I feel about you, don’t you? You also know Grandpa’s pushing for a child.” Seeing Brett soften his voice to appease her, Valentina finally smiled, satisfied. “Then I want shrimp, and you have to peel them for me.” Brett nodded, tapping her forehead. “Fine, I’ll peel them. But no more hitting anyone.” “And you’re not allowed to stay here overnight anymore!” The two of them walked out the door, talking. As she stepped through the doorway, Valentina glanced back at me with a mocking, disdainful look, her smile full of arrogant scorn. A sudden pang of sadness hit me, and I couldn’t help but touch my burning cheek. Once upon a time, I was my mother’s precious darling. She’d save both drumsticks for me when she made chicken stew, braid my hair beautifully, and tell me I was the prettiest little princess. That night, Brett didn’t come home. Instead, he sent a pile of gifts: from designer dresses to diamond necklaces and watches. I didn’t feel excited. I just quietly put them away in the closet. I shouldn’t have been upset, but I couldn’t help feeling sad. Sigh. I’d only had two good days, and now I was being melodramatic. It was just a slap and a few insults; it wasn’t a big deal. Thinking that, I touched the damp corner of my eye and asked Mrs. Davis to make me some more chicken soup, which I gobbled down two big bowls of.

Brett returned three days later. He just stared longingly as I drank my chicken soup, not saying a word. I quickly stood up to ladle him a bowl, awkwardly saying, “I made it. If you’re not picky, give it a try.” Brett immediately sat down, took a spoonful, and tasted it. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled softly. “Not bad at all. It smells delicious.” Mrs. Davis chimed in at just the right moment. “Mr. Thorne, Chloe isn’t just good at soup. Her fish is excellent, and her steaks are even better than mine.” As she spoke, she brought out the fish I had just prepared. Brett, intrigued, picked up a piece of fish with his fork. His eyes narrowed again, and he took several more bites. “Amazing. Better than any five-star restaurant. The meat is tender and full of natural flavor.” I couldn’t help but feel a little proud. “I marinated this fish in aromatics for thirty minutes, making sure to gently scrape off any surface slime. Then I pan-fried it on medium heat for five minutes, added a dash of soy sauce and caramel color, and let it simmer for half a minute before adding water and boiling it rapidly for ten minutes to reduce the sauce.” Perhaps to humor me, Brett actually finished two bowls of rice and two bowls of chicken soup with the fish. That night, after showering, I tucked myself into bed, assuming he’d just digest for a bit and then leave. But moments later, he walked in, wrapped only in a towel. I immediately tensed up, looking at Brett and stammering, “Brett, it’s only been three days. It’s too soon to tell. We need a few more days.” As I spoke, I pulled the blanket tighter and scooted back. Brett didn’t say anything. He just walked to the bed, sat down, gently gripped my chin, and softly stroked my cheek. “Does it still hurt?” “Valentina has been spoiled rotten. Don’t hold it against her.” He then reached out and pulled me into his arms. Feeling the warmth of his chest, my tears suddenly flowed, uncontrollable. Agreeing to be a surrogate for money had already left me tossing and turning every night. And then to be slapped and called a slut, utterly powerless to refute it. These were all facts. Feeling my tears, Brett sighed above my head, then his lips, warm and tender, pressed against mine. He nibbled, little by little, slowly exploring my mouth. Brett gently kissed me again and again, until the breath was completely drawn from my lungs, leaving me gasping for air. This time, Brett once again physically demonstrated his impressive stamina. In my anger, I refused to give in easily, but ultimately, I was defeated and sank into a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes again, it was already bright outside. I turned my head and my eyes widened. “You haven’t gone to the office yet?” Before Brett could answer, Valentina’s furious shout echoed from downstairs. “Brett Thorne, you bastard!” Then came a crash, likely a piece of porcelain breaking in the living room. My beautiful flowers, which I’d just bought yesterday afternoon, were probably ruined. I quickly dressed and got out of bed, like a mistress caught in the act, urging Brett. Before we could even get downstairs, Valentina stormed up. She rushed over, grabbed my hair, threw me to the floor, and then kicked me. This time, I heard Brett’s furious roar. “Valentina, what are you doing?!” Brett said, pulling Valentina away and shielding me behind him. Valentina was enraged. “Brett Thorne, you’re yelling at me for this cheap slut?!” Brett’s face darkened. “Valentina, can you stop being so unreasonable? She’s just having a child for us, and *you agreed to it*.” Valentina threw herself into Brett’s arms, flailing wildly. “Do you really need a child so badly?!” “Brett Thorne, you’re nothing but a stud! You just want to sleep with women! Tell me, are you tired of me? Looking for someone gentler?” As she spoke, she tried to kick me again, over Brett’s shoulder. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You cheap sluts who sleep for money always use every seductive trick in the book to lure men like Brett! Have you no shame?!” Seeing her words grow uglier and uglier, Brett pushed her away, roaring, “Valentina, that’s enough! Do you have any class at all?!” Valentina yelped as she fell to the floor, then glared at Brett with a twisted expression. “Brett Thorne, you bastard! You actually hit me for this slut!” “I’m breaking up with you!” With that, she grabbed a high heel and hurled it at Brett, then burst into tears and ran downstairs.

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My daughter, Lily, has a severe peanut allergy. But my brother-in-law, Jax, secretly tricked her into eating peanuts. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I hailed the first car I saw and told the driver, “Hospital, now!” In my previous life, when Lily had an allergic reaction, I frantically called my wife, Serena. Serena had been incredibly reluctant. She was at Jax’s graduation ceremony and only came back after I practically begged. But I never imagined that Jax would encounter assailants on his way home that very night and die on the spot. Serena handled Jax’s funeral with unsettling calm. She just told me he’d had bad luck. The following year, on the anniversary of Jax’s death, Serena poisoned my food. As I lay dying, I heard her venomous voice: “You bastard! You poisoned our daughter just to stop me from going to Jax’s graduation!” “You deserve to die. Go atone for your sins to him!” Lily and I died with our eyes wide open, consumed by injustice. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Lily had her allergic reaction.

I scooped Lily into my arms. This was an emergency; I couldn’t afford to waste a single thought. I rushed her downstairs. Lily’s reaction came on fast. Rashes spread across her body, and she went into shock within minutes. It was the same in my last life. I was completely out of my mind with panic. I immediately called Serena. Serena initially refused to come. She insisted Lily couldn’t possibly have an allergy; it was just a common cold. I begged and pleaded, and she finally, reluctantly, came back. But it was that very decision that led both Lily and me to our demise. This time, I wasn’t going to beg Serena for help. Instead, I flagged down a car on the street. Halfway there, we saw an Audi parked in the emergency lane. Other drivers, hearing there was a patient in our car, gave way, but the Audi remained stubbornly in place. Our driver honked furiously, but the Audi didn’t budge. The driver cursed, “Damn it! This jerk is doing it on purpose!” Sweat poured down my face. Looking at Lily, her face ghostly pale, my heart ached beyond words. All I could do was try some basic first aid on Lily. Just then, my phone rang. It was Serena. “Oh, so you like playing games, huh? Not going to call me this time? Fine, then you can just rot in that car!” I froze. The Audi blocking the emergency lane… it was Serena’s doing. I roared into the phone, “Serena, are you insane?! This is your own daughter! She’s dying! What kind of monster are you?” A cold laugh echoed from the other end. “Hmph, don’t play the victim. You think I don’t know your little schemes? You just want to ruin Jax’s graduation, don’t you? I’m sick of you, Leo!” Jax’s voice then chimed in. “Leo, can’t you just let me have my graduation? I promise, after this, I’ll give Serena back to you.” “You monster!” My whole body trembled with rage. “We’re stuck in the emergency lane because of the car you called! If you have even an ounce of humanity left, move that car, now!” “Don’t give me that crap. You won’t get your way today. I just want you to taste what it’s like to be messed with.” With that, Serena hung up. I stared at the unconscious Lily, my anxiety mounting with every second. The driver anxiously said, “Was that your wife? You need to make her move that car!” I wiped away my tears and called Serena again. But this time, Jax answered. “Leo, Serena’s busy. Just tell me what you need.” “Let her answer the phone.” “Can’t do that. Serena’s very busy.” I screamed, “Tell her to get that Audi moved!” Jax chuckled softly on the other end. “Even more impossible. Serena said if you got out, you’d just come ruin my graduation. You can just stay in the car for a while.” With that, Jax hung up. The driver was already frantic. He was trying to ram the Audi to clear a path. But the Audi was fighting back, reversing hard against us. The driver cursed, “That son of a bitch!” Left with no choice, the driver called the police again, but they were taking forever. My panic reached a fever pitch. “No, this can’t wait! Lily’s condition is critical. If we don’t get her help now, it’ll be too late!” Last time, Lily had made it to the hospital. Was this second chance going to be even worse? I had no other option. I got out of the car, trying to communicate with the Audi driver. I rushed over and knocked on the Audi’s window. The window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar face. It was Brianna, Serena’s best friend.

“Brianna, please move the car! Lily is in danger right now!” Brianna grinned, shaking her head. I anxiously reached out to pull her, but she suddenly rolled the window back up. My hand was caught, and a scream of pain ripped from my throat. Brianna, with a malicious smirk, said, “What are you doing? Trying to stage an accident?” By now, other drivers were watching the spectacle. Some started speaking up for me. “There’s a patient in the car behind you! Move it!” “Seriously, you’re putting someone’s life at risk!” Brianna suddenly flung open her car door. I lost my balance, stumbled, and fell. She savored the sight of my humiliation, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. “Everyone, it’s not that I don’t want to move, but this man’s daughter is perfectly fine.” “His daughter just has a common cold. He’s making such a big fuss just to compete with his brother-in-law, using little girl as an excuse.” Brianna’s words hung in the air, and the gazes directed at me were filled with disdain. I couldn’t bother to explain. I tried to pull her, to make her see for herself. She pushed me away with surprising force. “Gross! Don’t touch me. I don’t know why Serena ever married a jealous man like you, jealous even of her own brother!” “No! Lily really is having an allergic reaction! If you don’t believe me, go look!” I couldn’t even get up. I just lay there on the ground, pleading with her. Then, my driver came over. “Ma’am, please move your car! That child looks really unwell, her face is as white as a sheet!” Brianna first frowned, then smiled knowingly. “Wow, I really underestimated you. You even hired someone to act with you.” I looked at Brianna’s unyielding, maliciously speculative face, filled with a mixture of desperate urgency and furious anger. “Brianna, this is a matter of life and death! How can you be so cold-blooded? This is a living, breathing child! Aren’t you afraid of karma?” Most people, after hearing Brianna, still looked at me and the driver with suspicion. Some even started agreeing with Brianna, accusing me of wasting public resources. “People nowadays, making up drama with their daughters over trivial conflicts. Truly disgusting.” “Exactly, it’s outrageous.” Faced with these baseless accusations, my heart was burning with anxiety, yet I was utterly unable to defend myself. Lily was in critical condition in the car. Every second of delay could mean her life. And yet, here I was, trapped in this ridiculous argument with Brianna. The driver anxiously told Brianna, “Ma’am, you’ve really misunderstood. The child looks very serious. Any more delay could be life-threatening.” Perhaps the driver’s expression was too serious, because Brianna started to waver. She quickly called Serena. “What’s going on? Are you sure it’s not an allergy?” “Of course not! I saw Lily coughing this morning when I left. If she had an allergy, how could I leave her?” To convince Brianna, Serena didn’t hesitate to lie. Brianna nodded, satisfied, and hung up. When she turned back to me and the driver, her contempt deepened. “Hmph, you two are quite the double act, very convincing. But I see right through you. You just want to trick me into moving the car. No way!” My emotions completely snapped. I desperately grabbed at Brianna, wanting her to see Lily’s horrifying state with her own eyes. “Go see! See how bad my daughter is!” Brianna stood perfectly still. Just as we were at an impasse, a police car suddenly sped up, sirens wailing. The traffic cops had finally arrived at the scene.

After assessing the situation, the officer sternly told Brianna, “Ma’am, please move your vehicle immediately.” Brianna still tried to argue, pointing at me and the driver. “Officer, these two are ganging up to trick me! They’re saying the child has an allergy, but it’s just a common cold. They’re wasting medical resources!” The officer frowned, then looked at me. My face was streaked with tears. I desperately pleaded, “Officer, please, believe us! My daughter is almost gone. Any later, and it will be too late!” The officer realized the gravity of the situation and ignored Brianna’s nonsense. He decisively directed other officers to forcibly tow the Audi out of the emergency lane. Brianna was also taken away by the police for obstructing traffic. Our car was finally able to move, speeding like a whirlwind towards the hospital. But when we arrived, I received devastating news. The hospital’s allergy emergency equipment was undergoing comprehensive maintenance and was temporarily out of service. This sudden news hit me like a bolt of lightning, plunging me once again into the depths of despair. This hadn’t happened in my previous life. It was Serena. It had to be her. She was one of the investors in this hospital. “How can this be? What about my daughter? She can’t wait!” I gripped the doctor’s arm, my voice cracking with tears. The doctor anxiously said, “I… I don’t know what to do.” I felt like I’d been instantly dragged into the deepest pit of hell. The doctor was also very worried. “We can try some existing basic medications to start initial anti-allergy treatment and alleviate the symptoms, but this is only a temporary measure. The situation is still very critical.” I looked at Lily, unconscious and breathing faintly on the hospital bed. My heart was ablaze with fear, and I could only nod in agreement. The doctors quickly sprang into action, treating Lily with intense focus. During this, I immediately called the relevant department to file a complaint. To make them take it seriously, I lied, saying the hospital was deliberately withholding allergy emergency equipment because I had offended them. The department took it seriously and promised to investigate quickly and give me a response. Receiving that reply, I finally let out a shaky breath. Time ticked by, second by agonizing second, each one feeling like an entire year. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Serena. “How does it feel? Pretty good to be toyed with, huh?” “Why are you doing this? You know Lily has an allergy!” Serena’s low laugh, like a demon’s whisper, came from the other end. “So what? She’s a bastard child. Don’t think I don’t know, she’s not even my kid.” I froze. Lily was conceived through IVF, using Serena’s and my own cells. She was doubting that? No wonder she had been so cruel to Lily and me in my previous life. I anxiously said, “She really is your daughter! Please, you have to save her!” “Shut up, you poisonous husband! Jax already secretly got a paternity test for me. Lily and I have no blood relation whatsoever!” Jax. It was Jax again. Did he really hate Lily and me that much? I clutched my phone, my heart a twisted knot of anger and despair. “Serena, you just believe your brother like that?” “I only believe evidence. Could a paternity test be fake? You and your bastard Lily can just rot!” With that, she hung up. I slumped to the ground, overcome with grief. Just then, the doctor hurried out of the emergency room. The doctor’s face was grim. “The child’s condition is very critical. If we don’t get allergy emergency equipment soon, it’s possible…” The doctor didn’t finish, but I understood his unspoken words. Just as I was about to sink into utter despair, my phone abruptly rang again.

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