Category: English

Ryan had me co-sign for a couple hundred thousand dollars in high-interest loans. Furious, I snapped a picture of his back and posted it to an exclusive online group chat: “Tall, ripped, amazing in bed. Due to unforeseen financial troubles, I’m heartbroken to let him go. Sugar mommy wanted! Must provide a good home.” I was just kidding around, but the group chat instantly exploded. A ‘Ms. Victoria’ immediately jumped in: “I want him. Tonight for the… ‘test drive’!” I thought she was playing along, so I laughed it off and agreed. Five minutes later, a hundred grand deposit landed in my account. I practically shot off the bed. This jerk is actually this hot a commodity? I was ecstatic. I immediately turned into a total brown-noser, kissing up to the sugar mommy in the chat: “You’re amazing, Ms. Victoria! Don’t worry, he’ll serve you well and meet all your demands!” The chat was flooded with lamenting messages: “Ugh, too slow! Next time something this good comes up, you HAVE to tell me first!” “Seriously, if the quality’s there, everything else is negotiable!” “As if you guys could afford him! The full price is three hundred grand! Sugar mommy, want to check me out instead?” I sighed, looking at the flood of messages. Ryan and I were practically engaged. If it weren’t for that trashy guy, using me as collateral for all those loans, I wouldn’t be pulling this stunt. Instead of living the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, buried under mountains of debt with him, he might as well go live it up with a sugar mommy. I’d be free and clear. Even if Ryan was a terrible person, his ‘equipment’ was pretty top-notch. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for his pretty face back then. I was happily planning if I should hit up the Maldives or splurge on a designer bag once I got the rest of the payment when Ms. Victoria suddenly sent me a private message with an address: “Tonight at 11 PM, bring the ‘goods’ to this address. In-person inspection.” I clicked on the location – it was the outdoor parking lot of the upscale shopping center next door. Checking the time, I had half an hour. I quickly replied: “No problem, I’ll be there right on time!” With that sorted, I took a deep breath and walked out of the bedroom. Ryan was slumped on the couch, brows furrowed, staring at his phone with this heavy, troubled look. I walked over, wrapped my arms around his, and whined softly: “Sweetheart, you haven’t taken me to the movies in ages. I just booked tickets for a midnight showing, super intense! Shall we head out now?” Ryan stiffened when he saw the ticket info on my phone screen, and his face instantly went chalk white. “It’s so late. We won’t be back until after midnight. It’s not safe. Let’s go another time.” I was a bit taken aback. When we first started dating, we’d often sneak out for midnight movies. He was always the most eager one. Why was he so weird tonight? He was pale as a ghost, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and he kept darting glances at my phone. My heart sank. Had he seen a few messages pop up in the group chat? My brain raced, trying to figure out how to cover my tracks. Just then, Ryan suddenly pulled me into a tight hug, his voice choked: “Honey, I messed up big time. Can you please help me?”

I stared at him, utterly confused. With reddened eyes, he went on: “My business partner scammed me out of half a million dollars. If I don’t pay it back this week, my credit will be totally shot, and I’ll be blacklisted by every bank.” “Could you ask your dad to help me out, please? Just get me through this, and I promise I’ll work hard and be even better to you!” I leaned into his embrace, a cold dread washing over me. It was two hundred thousand dollars in gambling debt, but now it was half a million coming out of his mouth. What a genius scam. That extra three hundred grand? He’s definitely trying to pocket the difference! Any lingering guilt I had instantly evaporated. To avoid tipping him off, I managed to squeeze out a few fake tears, pretending to be shocked: “Half a million? How could this happen?” “Honey, don’t be scared. I’ll go back to my dad’s tomorrow to borrow the money. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together!” Ryan visibly relaxed at my words, hugging me tightly: “Honey, you’re the best. So, shall we go to the movie now?” I was about to agree when I noticed a nasty-looking rash on his arm: “What happened to you?” He scratched it uncomfortably and chuckled: “It’s nothing, just an allergy. A little medicine will fix it.” But I couldn’t help frowning. So many red spots. What if Ms. Victoria gets turned off by that? Thinking this, I immediately clutched my stomach, frowning: “Honey, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. Maybe I ate something bad today. Let’s save the movie for another time.” By the time I’d coaxed Ryan into the bathroom, it was past the time I’d agreed to meet Ms. Victoria. I quickly checked my phone. Sure enough, Ms. Victoria was blowing up the chat: “Where are you? Are you trying to mess with me? Standing me up, are you?” Followed by a string of angry emojis. My blood ran cold. I quickly apologized: “I’m so sorry! Something urgent came up, I really didn’t mean to!” But Ms. Victoria wouldn’t let it go. I gritted my teeth and pulled out my trump card, sending her a private pic of his abs I’d saved: “Sis, calm down. Good things are worth waiting for. Miss out on this, and you’ll regret it!” The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds before she replied: “I’ll give you one last chance. Set a time before tomorrow night, or face the consequences!” I let out a long breath of relief: “You got it!” Just then, Ryan came out of the bathroom. He was wrapped in a bathrobe, his abs just peeking out. I looked at him, suddenly felt a little frisky, and reached out to grab his towel, wanting one last intimate moment. But he flinched back like I’d burned him, his eyes darting around: “Honey, I’m a bit tired, I want to go to bed early…” With that, he practically bolted under the covers. I was filled with questions. Was Ryan hiding something from me?

Once his breathing evened out and I was sure he was asleep, I quietly grabbed his phone and expertly unlocked it. When I saw his chat history with his relatives back home, I froze. He actually owed a quarter-million dollars. Two hundred thousand was lost to a scamming business partner. The remaining fifty thousand was for his grandfather’s emergency surgery and recovery treatments. The most recent photo in his gallery showed his grandpa in the ICU, hooked up to a million tubes. He’d even told his family not to let me know, so I wouldn’t worry. Had I misunderstood Ryan? My best friend, Chloe, who works at the bank, was the one who first told me he owed a couple hundred grand in gambling debt. Could Chloe have been wrong? My mind was a total mess, and a wave of guilt and uncertainty washed over me. No way. Before I handed him over, I had to figure out what was really going on with this debt. The next morning, I pretended to pack, saying I was going back to my parents’ place to ask for money. Ryan gently held my hand, touched: “Honey, thank you for doing this. I’ll be waiting for your good news!” I forced a smile, feeling conflicted as I left. I didn’t go to my dad’s; instead, I found a coffee shop to sit in. I wanted to call Chloe and get some answers. The moment she picked up, Chloe immediately started yelling into the phone: “Skylar! I was just about to call you! Guess who I saw? Your Ryan!” My heart tightened: “What happened?” Chloe continued: “That scumbag! He’s cheating on you! Right in the coffee shop below his office, all over his little secretary! It was sickening! I even got it on video!” The next second, a clear video popped up on my phone. In the video, Ryan and his young, pretty secretary, Tiffany, were sitting close together in a booth. He was holding a jewelry box, carefully slipping a massive diamond ring onto Tiffany’s finger. Tiffany gave a coy smile: “Ryan, babe, are you really gonna dump your old lady?” Ryan smirked, raising an eyebrow: “Of course. She’s already gone back to her parents to beg for money! Once I get my hands on it, I’m dumping her immediately!” “Then we’ll take the cash and go wherever we want, whenever we want!” Tiffany frowned slightly: “What about the half-million debt and your grandpa’s ‘illness’?” Ryan dotingly stroked her hair: “Silly girl, it’s all fake. If I don’t make the act convincing, how else will she happily empty her bank account for me?” I clutched my phone, my whole body trembling. So, this was the truth? The enormous debt was fake. His grandpa’s illness was fake. Ryan had gone to such great lengths just to drain me dry. Any lingering guilt or doubt I had instantly evaporated, replaced by a searing rage and bitter mockery. I took a deep breath and immediately opened Ms. Victoria’s chat: “Ms. Victoria, tonight at 8 PM, Marriott Hotel underground parking B-level. ‘Goods’ ready for inspection!” Next, I called Ryan, putting on a cheerful act: “Honey, good news! My dad agreed to help!” “He said he wants us all to have dinner tonight, give you the card, and celebrate our third anniversary. It’s at the Marriott Hotel’s Chinese restaurant, 8 PM sharp. Don’t be late!” Ryan was overjoyed: “Really? That’s amazing, sweetheart! I’ll be there on time! Love you!” I hung up, a cold smile playing on my lips. Since you betrayed me first, don’t blame me for finding you a new home!

At 7:30 PM, I arrived at the hotel parking lot early. The agreed time was approaching, but there was no sign of Ryan. I called him: “Ryan, where are you? Mom and Dad are waiting!” Ryan’s voice sounded anxious: “Honey, something urgent just came up here, I really can’t leave!” “Please tell your parents I’ll be a little late, but I promise I’ll be there!” I hung up, feeling suspicious. Logically, to get this money, Ryan should be more anxious than me. Why would he suddenly have an emergency? Then I remembered the couple’s tracking app Ryan and I had synced when we first started dating. I opened the app, and on the map, the little glowing dot representing Ryan was at the Hilton Hotel. I refreshed it several times, but it didn’t change. Almost simultaneously, Chloe’s message came through again: “Skylar, that scumbag Ryan is openly celebrating Tiffany’s birthday at the hotel! He even booked the top-floor suite, it’s outrageous!” She immediately sent a picture. It was Tiffany’s Ins story: “My old hag of a girlfriend just HAD to show off our ‘love,’ but guess who he came running to with one phone call?” Below was another picture. In the photo: roses, flowers, a fancy cake, and Ryan kissing Tiffany’s back. My heart sank completely. So this was his “emergency.” I sneered and sent a message to Ms. Victoria: “Ms. Victoria, change of location: Hilton underground parking A-level. There might be a slight delay, but he’ll be there!” After sending it, I immediately drove to the Hilton parking lot and quickly found Ryan’s BMW. With time running out, I quickly called Ryan, deliberately putting a sob in my voice: “Ryan, I left a really important USB drive in your car, in the passenger side glove compartment. I need it urgently, can you find a delivery service to bring it to me?” Ryan sounded a bit annoyed, but he still replied: “Okay, I know, just wait for it!” After hanging up, I immediately hid in the shadows, nervously watching the elevator. But twenty minutes passed, and neither Ryan nor Ms. Victoria appeared. I was burning with anxiety and called Ryan again, but this time, no one answered. Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from a corner of the parking lot. It wasn’t Ryan, but several burly men covered in tattoos. The leader had a menacing face and a thick gold chain, about the size of my pinky, hung around his neck. The leader walked closer, eyeing me up and down with a hostile gaze: “You’re Sky?” Sky was my nickname in the group. I thought they were Ms. Victoria’s muscle, so I quickly nodded: “That’s me, boss! Just a moment, please…” But before I could finish, the man grinned, cutting me off: “No need to wait!” I froze: “Huh? What do you mean?” The man waved his hand, and two burly henchmen immediately stepped forward, grabbing my arms: “Because we’re here for you!” I was completely bewildered, struggling and shouting: “What are you doing? You’ve got the wrong person! Let me go!” The leader pulled out his phone, opened an app, and shoved it in front of my face. It was a group chat. The chat history stopped at a message: “Sweet and sassy, fair-skinned and fun-loving. Looking for a new ‘partner’!” The message was followed by my swimsuit picture from my trip to Hawaii. The man grinned, leaning closer: “Someone put up half a million dollars for you. We just do what we’re paid to do!” As he spoke, his hand reached out. I was icy cold, as if struck by lightning. Who listed me? Could it be Ryan? But Chloe took this picture; he’d never even seen it! Suddenly, it all clicked, a cold wave of understanding washing over me.

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“She’s selling herself.” My adoptive sister, Seraphina Hayes, publicly ripped open my clothes, revealing my body covered in hickeys. “I saw her with my own eyes, on her knees, serving men in a nightclub.” My adoptive brother, Julian Sterling, choked me, roaring, “You disgraceful slut!” Three days later, he personally escorted me into a correctional center. The moment the iron gate slammed shut, he pinched my chin and said, “Remember, even if you’re completely ruined, I’ll make you clean again.” A year later, Julian came to pick me up. With red-rimmed eyes, he opened his arms wide: “Cassie, come home with me.” I smiled and told him: “I’ve been doing great in there, I’ve learned so many rules!” Oh yes, especially the rules of “serving” men… Julian nodded with satisfaction, intending to pull me into his embrace. I took a step back. He immediately frowned: “Cassie, why are you avoiding me? Were you mistreated in there?” He forcefully pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. “It’s okay now, it’s all over. I will take you home right away.” His scent felt foreign and disgusted me. Then, he stroked my back to comfort me, but through the thin uniform, his hand brushed against a scar. His hand suddenly froze on my back, his voice filled with shock and uncertainty. “What is this?” My body stiffened at his touch. I recalled the image of several female instructors pressing me onto the cold concrete floor, savagely whipping my back with a spiked cane. Their curses still echoed in my ears, “That’s what you get for being disobedient. That’s what you get for talking back. That’s what you get for refusing to sing the repentance song.” The raw, bloody pain seemed to seep out from the depths of that scar once more. I pulled myself out of that dark memory, and in his arms, I suddenly let out a soft laugh. “Julian, this is a ‘medal’ the instructors left me. Pretty, isn’t it?” Julian’s body completely stiffened. I could feel the muscles in the back of his neck instantly tense. “Besides, the instructors’ bodies were much better than yours. Their abs were hard, not soft like yours, Julian.” “Do you have any idea what you’re saying?” He pushed me away abruptly, his eyes bloodshot, grabbing my shoulders and roaring. Faced with his roar, my shoulders involuntarily tensed. That was the conditioned reflex left from every time the bell rang before an electroshock at the correctional center. But after just a second, I immediately lifted my head and gave him a bright, yet eerie smile. That smile choked back all his ready anger, leaving only shock and disbelief in his eyes. He tried to use his old commanding tone to suppress me, to regain control. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?” I blinked innocently, the smile fading from my face, my tone returning to its former obedience and meekness. “Wait for me, I’ll go pack my things first.” Finally, I carried a few worn-out clothes and got into the car with Julian. In the car, he began to warn me again: “When we get home, you need to be obedient, okay?” “Okay.” I agreed with my mouth, but in my heart, I thought, Axel always said, true rules are always made by oneself.

Back at the mansion, my adoptive sister, Seraphina, greeted me with feigned delight. She ran up to me intimately, linking her arm through mine, her eyes full of apparent concern. “Cassie, you’re finally back. I missed you so much.” Her act was flawless, as if she wasn’t the one who had cried to Julian about me “earning money by escorting men and ruining the family’s reputation.” She pulled out a gift box from behind her back and opened it in front of me. Inside was a black slip dress with barely any fabric and a bottle of champagne. She smiled, her voice sweet yet malicious: “Cassie, from now on, if you want to wear or drink something, just tell Julian directly. Please, don’t go to places like that to degrade yourself again.” Even more sickeningly, as she spoke, she actually reached out to unbutton the gray uniform I was wearing. She said with disgust, “Hurry and take off this filthy outfit, it looks dirty. Cassie, let me help you change into this new dress.” Her sharp nails deliberately grazed a shallow scar on my collarbone. Underneath that uniform, my body was covered in scars, some deep, some shallow. Just as Seraphina’s hand was about to touch the second button. I clamped down on her wrist, using a self-defense technique I’d learned in there, twisting it outwards. “Ah—.” Seraphina let out a piercing cry of pain, her face pale. She stared at me in shock, her eyes filled with the horror of “how dare you,” utterly unable to believe that the pushover she used to bully would possess such startling strength and reaction. I stepped back, flung her hand away, and created distance between us. It was then that Julian spoke, his voice carrying clear displeasure and favoritism. “Seraphina was only trying to help you, Cassie. Be good, go change your clothes now.” He paused, his gaze falling on my uniform, and added a sentence. “Don’t bring your dirt from outside into our home.” Those words, “your dirt,” pierced my heart. My mind immediately replayed the scene at the correctional center, where several female instructors held my head down, forcing me to scrub toilets full of filth and vomit with a toothbrush. They hosed down my body while laughing wildly. “Clean up. Wash all that depraved filth out of your bones.” That revealing slip dress, Julian’s cold words, instantly triggered my most humiliating memories. Flashes of being tied tightly to a chair because I refused to admit to those baseless “mistakes” crossed my mind. Icy electrodes clamped onto my temples, powerful currents coursing through my body, the agonizing pain making me almost bite through my molars, convulsing uncontrollably. And Julian’s assistant would appear at the visitation window every month. He would ask me the same question, expressionless: “Miss Sterling, have you admitted your wrongs? As soon as you do, Mr. Sterling will take you out immediately.” Just as I was punished with three days without food, my stomach cramping from hunger, cowering in a corner, almost fainting. A man in an instructor’s uniform, during his patrol, found a blind spot in the surveillance and tossed me a piece of bread from his pocket. His voice was cold, yet it was the only decent words I heard in that hell. “Eat it, don’t let anyone see.” “Cassie, why aren’t you happy? Don’t you like the dress I gave you?” Seeing my prolonged silence, Seraphina rubbed her reddened wrist and provocatively waved the dress at me, trying to irritate me. I didn’t break down or yell in anger as she expected. I simply, slowly, picked up that expensive bottle of champagne from beside the gift box she had offered. I forced a smile at her hypocritical face, then slowly raised it.

I didn’t splash the champagne on Seraphina. I bypassed her and walked over to Julian. Under Seraphina and Julian’s stunned gazes, I poured the champagne over his head. “Oh, Miss Cassie, what are you doing?” Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, seeing this, was startled and rushed forward to stop me, her voice full of anxiety. “Cassie, don’t do this, talk it out with your brother…” Before she could finish, Julian, in a fit of rage, pushed her away. “Get out. You have no business speaking here,” he roared at Mrs. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling to the ground. I stepped forward and steadied her firmly. “She watched us grow up. How dare you push her?” In my eyes, there was only coldness and detachment. The champagne dripped down his cheeks, wetting his shirt, making him look utterly disheveled. But I smiled and asked him, “Julian, do you like this smell too?” “It smells exactly like that rotten stench of ‘doing it for my own good’ you had a year ago when you sent me away.” Julian exploded in rage, grabbing my wrist. “Cassie. Are you out of your damn mind? Apologize to Seraphina now.” Seraphina also seized the opportunity, screaming and pouncing on me, raising her hand, ready to slap me. “Cassie, you lunatic! How dare you treat Julian like this?” I easily sidestepped her slap, grabbing her wrist in return. The force I used was so great that she cried out in pain. This was what Axel taught me. He said, when faced with any form of attack, your first reaction should be to subdue the opponent, not to cry and beg for mercy. Julian stared at me in shock, seemingly unable to believe I had such fighting skills. I flung Seraphina away, making her grimace in pain, then turned to him with a cold smirk. “Apologize? The first rule I learned in there was: anyone who makes my life hell, I’ll drag their name through the mud.” “Julian, isn’t that what you care about most?” After saying that, I didn’t spare them another glance and turned to walk toward the mansion’s front door. Julian came to his senses, roaring as he chased after me, grabbing my arm at the door. He furiously suppressed his anger. “Cassie, do you think you can survive walking out that door?” “I swear, with just one word, I can make sure you won’t even find a dishwashing job across the entire city.” His threat struck me as utterly laughable. My mind flashed back to the correctional center, fighting tooth and nail with two women much larger than me for half a piece of moldy bread, ending up with a bloodied head. A dishwashing job? That would be paradise to me. I forcefully shook off his hand, turned around, and facing his face distorted by rage, I deliberately ran my tongue suggestively over my chapped lips. “Family? Julian, the instructors also said that family doesn’t push you into hell with their own hands.” I winked at him, my smile both sweet and malicious. “He even said he’d be my family.” 4. The next morning, Julian surprisingly lowered his guard. He placed the latest model of a smartphone and a black card in front of me. His tone was still stiff, but carried a clumsy attempt to appease me: “Yesterday, I was too impulsive. Take these. Don’t ever let me lose track of you again.” He tried to use material possessions to erase the deep, bone-deep chasm he had carved with his own hands. Seeing me smile and obediently take the phone and black card, his expression relaxed slightly. He thought everything was water under the bridge. However, before the curve of his lips could fully form. The first thing I did after turning on the phone, right in front of him, was to type “Ironclad Boxing Club, West End” into the search bar. As the search results popped up, I silently memorized the address. Seraphina, in her pajamas, rushed downstairs crying, her hair disheveled, looking utterly pitiful. She threw herself beside Julian, pointing at me, her voice choked and full of grievance. “Julian. Cassie… she not only ruined the new dress I gave her with scissors, but she also stole the Patek Philippe watch I had in my drawer, the one I planned to give you for your birthday.” Julian’s recently softened face turned ashen again. Without a word, he stormed into my room. He frantically searched through my things, throwing all the clothes from the wardrobe onto the floor, making the bed a complete mess. When he found the watch under my pillow, he trembled with rage. He had seen that watch at an auction a few months ago and only casually mentioned he liked it. He looked at me with utter disappointment, the last warmth in his eyes completely extinguished. “Cassie, I thought you would at least change. I thought you were just misguided.” His voice was filled with anger. “Are you inherently so twisted? Do you enjoy being a thief?” “Enjoy stealing things from your own home?” I laughed. At that moment, the thread of kinship in my heart snapped completely. “Yes.” I looked at his face, flushed with anger, and nodded, still smiling. “Not only do I enjoy stealing things, but I also enjoy stealing people.” I watched his stunned expression, then pulled out an old burner phone from my pocket. I calmly pressed the play button. “Julian, want to see the evidence?” From the phone, Seraphina’s smug and malicious voice clearly played. It was late one night. She thought I was asleep and secretly called her friend to brag. “…Yeah, that idiot really got sent in… Julian doesn’t believe her at all, he only believes me…” “…I just want to ruin her reputation so she can never recover. Stealing things is nothing, next time I’ll put a man in her bed and record it. Let’s see how she can even face living in this world after that…” The recording finished. Seraphina’s face turned deathly pale, and she trembled all over. She pounced, hugging Julian’s legs, and began to frantically defend herself. “Julian. No, it’s not true. She forced me. Cassie forced me to say that.” She pointed at me, screaming hysterically: “She somehow got photos of your business gatherings, and she threatened me with those photos. She said if I didn’t record that message as she demanded, she would send all your photos to the media and ruin your reputation and the entire Sterling Group. Julian. I was just trying to protect you!” Hearing Seraphina’s convoluted explanation, Julian actually wavered. He looked at me, seemingly still hoping I could give him an explanation. I met his pathetic gaze, but my mind clearly flashed back to that afternoon a year ago. He sat in the chair, his cold, resolute profile as he personally signed his name on that “Consent Form for Behavioral Correction.” I smiled mockingly. That smile completely shattered the last trace of his unrealistic fantasy. Julian looked at the watch in his hand, then at Seraphina kneeling on the floor, and finally at me. His worldview, at that moment, utterly collapsed. I knelt on the marble floor before him. I bowed my head deeply to him. “Julian, the electroshocks, physical abuse, starvation, and humiliation of this past year – consider them my repayment for all the years the Sterling family raised me.” “From today on, our sibling bond is broken. From now on, we are strangers, dead to each other, with no further connection.” With that, I stood up from the floor and walked out the door without looking back.

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My father hired Ivy League twins to be assistants for me and my sister, Blair. The younger twin, Leo, was everything. He was brilliant and a star athlete. He fell for the perfect Blair on sight. And me? I was 220-pound Riley Sterling. I got Alex, the older twin, the one who had lost an arm in an accident. Alex, to his credit, was always kind. He never made me feel ashamed of my body. In the end, Blair got the family empire. I thought I got love. But I was wrong. When the building collapsed, Alex ran past me. He used his one arm to shield Blair. “I’m sorry, Riley. I have to save Blair.” It turned out Alex had always loved Blair. I was buried beneath the rubble. Then I opened my eyes. I was back. Back to the day it all began. I stood frozen, trapped in the familiar scene. Then Blair’s voice echoed from my past life. “Let Alex be my assistant. Riley’s so quiet. She needs someone more outgoing like Leo.” But Leo, the Harvard football star, wanted no part of it. He only had eyes for Blair, the cheer captain. She was repeating her lines from our past life, word for word. Back then, I believed she genuinely cared. Now I recognized her manipulation. In my past life, when the building crumbled, both men rushed towards Blair, leaving me buried in the rubble. Blair, pretending to be concerned, declared she wouldn’t leave without me, even as she willingly let them whisk her to safety. Leo had already gotten her to the doorway, but she feigned fainting. This prompted Alex to recklessly push himself out of his wheelchair, throwing caution to the wind. And just like that, I was crushed beneath the debris, dead. After that, Blair not only solidified her position as heir, but also had two handsome, capable men managing the company for her. This time, I didn’t refuse Blair. “Fine, then I choose Leo!” With that, I looped my arm through his before anyone could object, ignoring the way he stiffened at my touch. Blair’s smile wavered, a flicker of unease in her eyes. “Riley, are you sure?” “Absolutely!” I affirmed. Just then, my stepmom chimed in. “Blair, Alex is far more gentle and considerate. He’d suit you better.” I glanced at Alex, leaning on his cane. A cold smirk played on my lips. My stepmom would use any excuse to favor Blair. “Besides,” my stepmother added, “Blair is the cheer captain. She and Leo simply…match.” Just then, Alex rolled up his sleeve. Light glinted off the polished surface of his mechanical arm as he stared directly at her. “Mrs. Sterling, I’ve actually had the most advanced prosthetic arm installed. I’ve also joined the football team.” My attention had been so fixed on Leo that I’d completely overlooked Alex. Unlike my previous life, he now had a mechanical arm! He wasn’t slender anymore. His chest muscles now strained against his shirt fabric. It hit me then. Alex had been reborn too. In our last life, he never married Blair, so this time, he’d prepared. He got a mechanical arm and sculpted himself into a formidable athlete! I scoffed, a bitter curve to my lips. In my past life, I’d sacrificed everything to boost his self-esteem, refusing parties and spending my youth in his lab, working on research projects. I’d freely given him all my findings. All so he wouldn’t feel inferior to Leo. I even turned down proposals from many incredible men before marrying him. Yet, even after all that, even after he was reborn, he still chose Blair. My stepmom pressed Alex. “Are you truly willing to protect Blair for life?” Alex’s voice was firm. “I am.” A flicker of approval crossed my stepmother’s face. Blair, too, seemed moved by Alex’s quiet determination. Sure, Leo was the kind of athlete every girl dreamed of. But with that new arm, Alex looked undeniably compelling. My stepmom nodded. “Alright, then Leo will be Riley’s assistant.” But Leo quickly jumped in. “No! Riley and I would be a terrible match!”

My stepmom’s face hardened. There was no way she didn’t see through Leo’s intentions. But she remained silent, deep in thought. Leo pleaded with her. “Mrs. Sterling, I’d rather work as a regular employee at a branch office.” My stepmom looked down at him. “Are you really so unwilling to be Riley’s assistant?” “Yes.” Blair pressed him further. “Leo, why are you so disgusted by Riley?” Leo shot her a quick glance, his voice tinged with youthful frustration. “Blair, don’t you know why I’m doing this?!” Blair’s expression softened with feigned concern. “How can I let you go to a branch office?” I quietly watched the twin brothers openly declare their devotion to Blair, then spoke up. “Blair, why don’t you just have both of them as your assistants?” Blair looked at Leo with a hint of greed. From their looks, their physique, to their intelligence, both brothers were undeniably impressive. “This… I don’t know.” My stepmom turned to me. “You know they’re meant to support you two. Are you really not going to choose either?” “No, I’m not choosing.” My stepmom raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be impulsive. You might regret it.” “I won’t regret it.” My answer was so quick and definite that everyone in the room turned to stare at me, especially Alex. From the moment I spoke, his gaze hadn’t left me. His brows were tightly furrowed, as if trying to understand the drastic change in me. My stepmom asked, “Didn’t you say you wanted to travel to Iceland? Don’t you need Alex to help you with translations?” I slowly shook my head. “I’m not going on a trip. I’m going to the gym.” Last time, I believed my parents loved me, and Blair looked out for me. I thought the inheritance rightly belonged to the more capable Blair. So I devoted myself to our home, making Alex the center of my world. This time, I wouldn’t make that mistake. First, I designed a rigorous fitness plan for myself. In my past life, Alex always said I was beautiful to him, no matter my weight. But even after we married, we never truly shared intimacy. I thought he was just naturally reserved, but in reality, he secretly found me repulsive. After setting up my fitness plan, I called Grandpa Sterling. The true controlling shareholder of our family’s corporation was Grandpa. Though elderly, his business acumen far surpassed my parents’. My parents worried Blair and I lacked the ability to manage the company, which was why they selected these excellent assistants for us. In my past life, after Grandpa died, Blair seized control of our family business. Eventually, even my living expenses and Alex’s required Blair’s signature before the butler would release them. But back then, my insecurity made me believe it was only right for her to manage the family business. When I found Grandpa and expressed my desire to learn corporate management, he hugged me, tears in his eyes. “Riley, I always knew you were smart, but who knew… ” “Never mind, let’s forget the past. From now on, you’ll work hard with me.” “Yes, Grandpa.” Grandpa suggested I start as a manager, but I declined. I chose an entry-level position, starting from the ground up. Blair was busy preparing for a university talent show, with those handsome twin brothers constantly hovering around her. Meanwhile, I closed my first project. I was promoted from a regular employee to a team leader. Grandpa was overjoyed, praising me to everyone he met. One evening after work, Blair was waiting for me at the building entrance, blocking my way. “Working for the company behind my back, Riley?”she said, her voice sharp.”You told me you weren’t interested in inheriting the Sterling Group. When did you become so deceitful? But don’t even think about it. Our family would never allow a fat, clumsy woman to become the heir!” I hadn’t expected Blair to resort to body shaming.

I lowered my gaze, not wanting to engage with her. But she sidestepped, blocking my way again. “Riley, someone like you should just stay home and be pampered. Why bother going out and embarrassing our family?” I met her eyes. “Why I’m this heavy, have you forgotten?” She froze, staring at me in shock. When I was little, Grandpa adored me the most. He’d tell anyone who’d listen how smart and level-headed I was, always saying the Sterling Holdings would be mine one day. But one day, Blair claimed she heard a kitten crying in an old, abandoned well near the property line. She begged me to go with her to rescue it. While trying to save the kitten, I fell in. Blair promised to find help, but she never came. My leg was broken in the well, and I screamed for help, covered in crawling insects. It wasn’t until the next day that she finally returned with our parents to pull me out. Blair said she’d gotten lost, which was why she was so late. But the incident gave me severe PTSD. I woke up struggling to breathe every night. The trauma caused a hormone imbalance, and the medication made me gain weight. “I told you,” Blair stammered, her voice trembling, “I was lost that day! That’s why it took me so long to find you! I was scared too! How can you blame me for that?” Watching her grow pale, Alex frowned, his voice softening with concern. “Riley, what happened when we were kids was a long time ago. You can’t hold a grudge forever.” At that moment, Blair tightly grasped his hand, gently telling Alex, “It’s okay. What can I do? I’m Riley’s older sister. I won’t hold it against her.” Then, Blair feigned distress again and turned to me. “If you’re only trying to claim the inheritance because of what happened back then, I’ll just give it to you.” Just then, Dad returned. “What are you all talking about?” Blair, afraid I’d reveal the truth of that day, quickly interjected. “Riley’s still upset about falling into the well back then. Dad, I don’t want our family to have any discord. Why don’t we just let her- ” Before Blair could finish, Dad cut her off. “Riley, are you still blaming Blair, and even playing dirty tricks to seize power?” My face burned with fury. I was about to explain, but Alex jumped in to defend Blair. “It’s true that Riley started the trouble. She’s been holding a grudge about what happened all these years.” I stared at Alex. I’d known him for two lifetimes, he should have known me best. But to protect Blair, he would slander me. I always thought that even if Alex didn’t love me, he’d at least be grateful for everything I’d done for him in my past life. How utterly laughable, I sneered inwardly. Slam! I slapped Alex across the face. My palm stung, bright red. Alex stared at me, stunned. My father also barked. “Riley! How dare you become so unreasonable!” Then, he turned to two bodyguards. “Take her to the basement and lock her up. She’ll stay there until she learns some manners.” I trembled, looking at my father. Since that incident in my childhood, I dreaded enclosed spaces more than anything. But the bodyguards seized my shoulders, dragging me towards the basement. As I passed Blair, I clearly saw a triumphant smirk on her face. Alex, meanwhile, avoided my gaze. That night, Blair came, with Alex in tow. As soon as she entered, she switched off all the lights. My body reacted to the terror faster than my mind could comprehend. That childhood night’s experience had deeply scarred me. My voice trembled uncontrollably. “Turn on the lights.” “Heh, so big, and you’re still scared of the dark, huh?” “You were so tough just now, weren’t you?” I instinctively reached for the bedside lamp, but Alex was faster. He swept it to the floor and kicked it under the bed. Then he snatched my phone. That suffocating feeling instantly enveloped me. I struggled to open my mouth, but no sound came out. I knew I was having another attack. I frantically fumbled in my pocket for my medication. But the next second, Blair snatched the pill bottle away. “Want your meds? I’ll give them to you.” With that, she emptied the contents of the pill bottle onto the floor. I stumbled to the floor, instinctively fumbling around. But Blair stepped on my hand. “You want your medicine? Fine. Give me the project you just secured.” I struggled to breathe, unable to speak, so I just patted the foot she had on my hand. She shone her phone’s flashlight on my face. “You agree?” I nodded. Throughout this, Alex watched me, his brows tightly furrowed. Finally, when I agreed, he he left me with one parting shot. “You shouldn’t compete with her, Riley. These things inherently belong to her.” I never said word. I had built that project from the ground up. Every detail was mine. I wanted to see if Blair could actually handle this “easy win” that she stole from me.

Blair took over my project, and I moved out of the Sterling family mansion into my small apartment. I started actively seeing a therapist. Such things would never happen to me again. I was going to slowly wean myself off the medication and conquer all my fears. Meanwhile, the project Blair had stolen from me imploded a month later. After a vengeful rant about how Blair had ruined her life, project manager Ms. Miller kidnapped her and started a dark web live stream, threatening to kill them both. I scoffed. This was Blair’s own doing. She’d spent all her energy on her appearance, a big star at school, but she knew nothing about business. But I hadn’t expected Alex to show up at my apartment. “That project was yours. You were the main lead. Only you can save her.” Alex directly stated his purpose. Bodyguards, who had been hidden in the shadows, swarmed forward, and I was bundled into a car. My mind raced. Alex, sitting beside me, calmly said, “You were reborn too, weren’t you? Withdraw from the heir competition and go live in Europe. For the sake of our past life as husband and wife, I’ll ensure you a lifetime of wealth.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You owe me so much from our past life. Why should I agree to that?” Alex replied, “If you can rescue Blair today, I’ll be at your complete disposal from now on.” Soon, we arrived at the warehouse. I negotiated with Ms. Miller, promising that the company would compensate her for all her losses, reinstate her to her original position, and resume the project. When Ms. Miller demanded a hostage, Alex didn’t hesitate to push me forward. Before leaving, Alex said, “I swear, I’ll come back for you after I take Blair home safely.” I scoffed inwardly. I no longer trusted him. Yet, his cold resolve still stung. “Alex, does nothing I go through matter to you?” He avoided my gaze. “In this life, I’m not your husband. I’m Blair’s husband.” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He took two steps, then turned back to me. “I’ll definitely come back. If anything happens to you, I’ll just pay with my life.” I didn’t look at him. Ms. Miller locked me in an enclosed room. There were no windows; the only light source was the phone streaming live. She dragged my almost-broken body in front of the camera. “It’s been a day! Why hasn’t the company done anything?!” “Do you think anyone’s watching this live? If I inflict some pain on her, will they work faster?” With that, she faced the camera and started pulling out my fingernails. In the dim room, blood slowly seeped out. My screams went from loud to soft, until I couldn’t make a sound from the pain. Just then, a comment appeared in the live chat: “Hands $10k, legs $30k, other body parts negotiable. You just want money, right? No one’s going to ransom her. Might as well make some cash.” I stared at the screen name of that comment, a cold laugh bubbling in my heart! I sank into despair. In less than three days, I was already a broken mess. On the third day, while Ms. Miller stepped out to buy more tools to torture me, I tried to use the live-streaming phone to call 911, only to find it had no SIM card. I returned to the live stream. Pleading into the screen again and again. “Alex, I know you’re watching. Please, save me.” “For all the times I saved you in our past life, save me just once.” “You said you’d definitely come back.” “Alex… ” My voice grew hoarser. Finally, I saw Alex’s reply in the public chat. Alex: “He won’t kill you now. Blair takes over as CEO tomorrow. Just get through tomorrow, and I’ll come get you.” Takes over tomorrow… “My grandpa? Alex, what have you done to Grandpa?” Alex: “Grandpa’s old. He can retire now.” After that, no matter how much I called out to Alex, he never said another word. Just then, Ms. Miller returned. She kicked me in the head. “Damn it, trying to play smart with me.” A torrent of punches rained down on my body. The chat was filled with cheers, but Alex remained silent. The next second, Ms. Miller ended the live stream. I lay on the ground, thinking of Alex’s attitude. All my emotions morphed into pure hatred. Ms. Miller quickly helped me up. “Are you hurt?” “I’m fine. You played your part perfectly!” I patted Ms. Miller’s shoulder, a smile playing on my lips. All the camera angles had been set up in advance; they wouldn’t see through the deception. I pushed the door open and paused, casting one lingering look back at the building. I wondered if Alex recognized this place. It was the same building that killed me in my past life. Now, it was the stage I had chosen for this grand performance. “Stick to the plan, Ms. Miller,” I instructed calmly. “When this is over, take the first flight to Europe. Do not return.” The moment after I walked away, a deafening roar filled the air. The building collapsed. Alex must have thought I was buried in the rubble, just like last time.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “306752”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn

Last life, he called out the wrong name at our wedding, and his first love tragically jumped from the building during the ceremony. Her suicide note was exposed, branding me as the undeniable homewrecker. I was fired, subjected to relentless online abuse, received death threats, and ultimately died tragically on the streets. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day his first love was threatening to jump. This time, don’t be in such a rush to die. I’ll personally drag you both to hell. “Chloe! What are you spacing out for?! Explain your relationship with Daniel right now!” A sharp, urgent female voice pierced the air. I snapped back to reality, realizing I was standing on a rooftop. Before me was Brittany, in a wedding dress, swaying precariously on the edge in the fierce wind, her eyes brimming with tears. Everyone was staring at me, their faces etched with anxiety and confusion. I suddenly realized I was back at the critical turning point of my life. Any second now, Brittany would leap, using her own death to firmly place the monumental blame squarely on my shoulders. She would falsely accuse me of being the mistress who drove her to her death. “Chloe! What are you doing staying silent at a time like this! Are you deliberately trying to kill Brittany?!” Sarah, the bridesmaid, urged again. “Chloe, please… save Brittany!” Daniel, the groom, pleaded, his voice trembling. I said sharply, “Brittany, Daniel and I have had absolutely nothing to do with each other for a long time.” “I have a boyfriend, and you know him too.” I pointed to the man, “Your brother, Julian!” The four of them looked astonished, but Brittany quickly snapped back, screaming through her tears. “You’re lying! You just got back from abroad, how could you know my brother! You’re just trying to fool me!” “I knew you wouldn’t admit it!” The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, leaning out further! In a flash, I spoke quickly, “Julian. Graduated from Berkeley College of Music, a traveling violinist, loves to fly all over the world. He owns two golden retrievers. He’s two years older than you, but he’s not your biological brother.” “We’ve been together for two years. Believe it or not.” “Really? Julian?” Julian responded calmly, “It’s true. Come down, and I’ll explain everything to you.” After a prolonged standoff. Brittany finally jumped back into Daniel’s arms. I sank to the ground, drenched in a cold sweat. However, it wasn’t over yet. Julian, who had left and then returned, suddenly stood in front of me. Silhouetted against the light, he asked in a deep voice, “Ms. Xu… I mean, Chloe, who are you? How do you know all these private details about me?”

Who am I? I am Chloe, the woman those two dogs drove to a tragic death. In my last life, Brittany’s leap from her own wedding shocked the entire society. News of the pregnant bride’s tragic death rocked society. And in her suicide note, she turned all accusations squarely on me. Overnight, I became the mistress who drove the original wife to her death, hated by everyone. “Hope every homewrecker in the world rots in hell!” Furious netizens ceaselessly cursed me on all my social media accounts. I clarified, I called the police, I filed lawsuits. But to little effect. After all, who can win against a dead person? Later, with the public release of Brittany’s secret Ins account, I spiraled into an irredeemable abyss. Finally, on my way to therapy, a severe depressive episode hit, and I rushed into traffic, dying tragically on the streets. Shaking off the painful memories. I opened Brittany’s secret Ins account. “He was completely out of it tonight… It turns out, she’s back.” “I saw her. Why didn’t she just stay abroad? Why did she have to come back and mess up my peaceful life?” “He called out her name in his sleep. I know he never truly got over her…” “We promised to get married, but he hesitated. She must be meddling.” “The night before my wedding, my fiancé actually messaged another woman, asking if there was still a chance between them… What should I do?? My heart is a mess.” The latest post stopped at, “One last chance for him. I want to be his most beautiful bride…” Heartfelt and dripping with sorrow, every word. Between the lines, she painted herself as a humble, fragile woman, enduring for love. But she never mentioned my clear boundaries or my deliberate efforts to avoid him in front of her. Nor did she mention my firm “No” and blocking him after his “Is there even a tiny chance?” message. With a cynical smirk, I posted my first thought on a newly registered Ins account. “I didn’t want any involvement with them, but she still threatened to die if I didn’t show up on the rooftop. I really don’t want them to disturb me anymore. Can anyone save me?”

Standing in the cubicle, I listened to the whispers outside. “Did you know? That day, Daniel called the bride’s name Chloe during his vows! Brittany freaked out right then and there, grabbing her dress and threatening to jump…” “Oh my god, seriously? That’s so dramatic! I always thought Daniel’s gaze toward Chloe was weird…” “It’s true, I was there. Those two had a thing back in college. Otherwise, why do you think Chloe suddenly came back to the country and joined our company?” “That bride is really unlucky, getting her ‘one that got away’ coming back to interfere right before the wedding…” “You just pray Chloe dares to come to the team-building event! Then we’ll have a real show.” The next second, I pulled up my phone’s chat window and replied to HR. “Available to attend.” To clear my name, the first step is to shut down these gossipmongers! On camping day, a dozen or so people sat around picnicking on the lawn. I was the first to grab a drink, proposing a toast with my soda, “Let’s all toast to the happy couple!” Amidst everyone’s congratulations, Daniel downed his drink in one gulp. Brittany, clinging to Daniel, shot me a hostile glance before taking a tiny sip. I looked directly at Brittany, “Brittany, you misunderstood me at the wedding that day. I’d like to use this opportunity to formally clarify: Daniel and I are completely innocent, and we are, and will only be, colleagues.” “Some might bring up our three-month college romance,” I deliberately glanced at Sarah, “but that ended a long, long time ago.” Perhaps not expecting me to tackle the rumors head-on, my colleagues’ faces were a mix of awkwardness and curiosity. Just then, a voice cut in, “But I’m really curious, Chloe, why did you choose to join our company right after returning to the country?” Sarah paused suggestively, “Wasn’t it because of Daniel?” “Because the general manager is an alumnus from our university. I joined the company at his invitation.” She pressed on, “Then how come it’s such a coincidence that you happen to live right across the hall from Daniel and Brittany?” I stared at this former college classmate, Brittany’s best friend, and the bridesmaid at the wedding. In my last life, she was the one who made Brittany’s Ins account public. I wondered how much of Brittany’s supposed ‘evidence’ of me seducing her husband was fabricated and spread by Sarah? Sarah flinched under my gaze. I said, word for word, “Listen closely. I bought my place shortly after graduation. When I returned this year, I discovered they were living across the hall.” “So, you should ask Daniel and Brittany why they moved in.”

Amidst the quiet, the female lead, Brittany, finally spoke. “Chloe, since you want to clear the air, let’s clear it all.” “This past week, the ‘love porridge’ Daniel brought you–the one you posted on SnapChat – was it tasty?” “I made it.” Under everyone’s surprised glances, she looked at me with a sinister glare, her voice calm. “You wear that niche Guerlain perfume, don’t you? Every day my husband comes home, he smells of it.” She pulled out an earring, “And, you accidentally left an earring in Daniel’s car.” “It’d be a shame for it to be unpaired, so here you go.” The evidence was undeniable. Everyone’s gaze shifted back to me. I smiled, my tone light. “Porridge? I bought it from the 7-Eleven downstairs from the office. I can post the receipt if you need it.” “Perfume? My apologies, I have allergies, so I barely wear any.” “As for the earring… Hmm, it looks familiar, but it’s definitely not my style.” Her face instantly turned pale. Suddenly, I had an ‘aha’ moment, “Ah, I remember. Isn’t this the earring Sarah asked about in the group chat?” “The porridge and perfume… I think I saw them on Sarah’s desk too.” Brittany’s head snapped towards her best friend. Sarah, who had been enjoying the show a second ago, was instantly flustered, “Brittany, don’t believe her nonsense!” “I didn’t drink any porridge, and the earring is mine, but I’ve been looking for it for days!” “Even the perfume, someone just inexplicably left it on my desk, and it smelled nice, so I started using it…” She explained frantically. But she was interrupted by a recording from the bathroom, played loudly from my phone. Watching her reddened face, filled with humiliation, I asked softly, “Sarah, I originally didn’t understand why you were spreading baseless rumors behind my back, but just now, I had a wild guess…” “We were classmates, now we’re colleagues. How come you’ve always been following Daniel so closely?” “Are you the one who actually likes him?” Facing Brittany’s dagger-like gaze, Sarah completely panicked, her words coming out in broken fragments. I secretly chuckled, watching her struggle desperately to prove herself. Last life, you were the executioner who pushed things along. This life, I’ll make you pay first!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “306751”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #校园School

I’m a player trapped in a horror game, and my sole mission is to sleep with the game’s BOSS. The monsters and other players in this game couldn’t touch me, but they never stopped sneering: “Just a slut who climbed her way up using her body.” Then, one day, a new female player arrived. The chat exploded. [OMG! That girl looks EXACTLY like the Boss’s first love!] [Hahaha, finally, we won’t have to watch that slut, Sera, fawning over the BOSS all day long.] [Seriously? I remember Sera’s only skill is releasing hypnotic gas to knock out all players before she ‘does it’ with the BOSS every night, right? Well, good! If she dares to pull that stunt on the new girl, the BOSS will absolutely kill her with his own hands!] I read it all and breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the core rule of this game was: as soon as Boss Valerian found a new lover, I could finally leave this place. I’d been waiting for this day for *three agonizing years*! After a car crash, I accidentally stumbled into a horror game. On my very first day, I was torn to shreds by monsters. But no one, *not even me*, expected Valerian, the coldest, most ruthless BOSS in this game, to pick me up and put me back together. All because he was utterly obsessed with my scent. And just like that, when I woke up again, I became Valerian’s sexual partner. Because of this, all the monsters in the game dared not provoke me; some even feared me. As the supreme BOSS, Valerian could kill not only players but also *monsters*. At first, Valerian just treated me as his private possession, holding me while he slept. Every night, he’d bury his head deep into my neck, breathing in my scent. Later, I can’t remember which day, he came back after killing someone and pinned me to the bed. His blood-stained hands clamped over my mouth, and he took me, *roughly*. The overwhelming stench of blood and the brutal force nearly made me *gag*. To stop smelling that sickening blood, I decided to use my one unique skill: to emit a scent that forced all players and monsters into a deep sleep every night. Finally, Valerian stopped killing before he came back. But because of this skill, everyone cursed me. The players scoffed at me: “She’s just the BOSS’s sex toy, and she thinks she can control us? How pathetic!” Even the monsters were annoyed: “It’s all because of Sera! Now we can’t go out and kill anyone every night. So boring!” But I didn’t care. As long as I’m alive, there’s still hope! The game rules stated: as soon as Valerian found a new companion, I could leave this place and return to real life. But Valerian was incredibly picky. Over these three years, other female players had tried to make a move on him. Only to end up with their throats crushed by his bare hands. Until this day, a new player arrived in the game. The chat exploded. [OMG! This girl looks *exactly* like the BOSS’s first love from when he was alive!]

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard about Valerian’s first love. The last time was three years ago, when I first arrived. According to Valerian’s backstory, he died trying to save his first love. Honestly, I was a little curious. So that night, instead of heading straight to Valerian’s room… …I stayed hidden in the shadows, watching the other players. A few minutes later, these players became excited. “Yes! Camilla! You’re the BOSS’s first love! You can totally win him over and help us clear this game!” The girl, Camilla, paused, a faint smile touching her lips before she quickly frowned. “But I don’t even know who the BOSS is yet. How am I supposed to approach him?” “Just stand there, and the BOSS will naturally come to you.” “But didn’t you say the BOSS already has a girlfriend in this game?” “Girlfriend? Pffft. She’s nothing but a sex toy. Now that *you’re* here, the BOSS will get rid of her in a heartbeat.” “Really?” A blush crept onto Camilla’s cheeks, and her eyes shimmered with a hint of eagerness. Finally, she puffed out her chest a little and declared to all the players, “Okay, if you all think I can do it, I’ll give it a shot. Even if I don’t succeed, I’ll be happy to have done something for everyone.” At the same time, I also heard the whispered chatter of the monsters hiding in the dark. “I heard our BOSS died and became so brutal all because of *this* girl?” “That’s awesome! With her here, maybe the BOSS will finally go easy on us!” “Finally, we won’t have to watch that slut, Sera, strutting around all the time! She should be out of here, right? Once the BOSS gets a new girlfriend, we can finally roam free at night again!” “Listen up, all of you! No one lays a hand on her!” And just like that. On Camilla’s very first day, everyone in the game worshipped her like a goddess.

The clock quickly struck midnight. According to the old routine, at this hour, I would release my scent, enveloping everyone and lulling them into a deep sleep. Then, I would return to the tallest, grandest room in the cathedral, waiting for Valerian to arrive. But tonight, I didn’t. Instead, I followed behind the players. Honestly, tonight’s scene was unprecedentedly strange. The five players, led by Camilla, seemed incredibly green, yet no one dared to harm them along the way. Players could even kill each other to snatch resources in this game. Two or three groups of seasoned players had eyed Camilla’s party, trying to make a move in the shadows, but they were all torn to shreds by monsters lurking nearby. Camilla and her companions watched, wide-eyed, as one burly tough guy after another was ripped to pieces right before them. At first, they were terrified. But later, they realized these monsters only attacked other players. They wouldn’t harm *them*. It was more like… they were *protecting* them. Suddenly, Camilla’s companions became excited again. “Oh my god, Camilla, you’re amazing! With a face like yours, do we even need to worry about clearing this seven-day game? We’ll definitely survive!” “If we run into the BOSS, he might even help us clear it!” Camilla heard this and couldn’t help but smile. But she demurely and reservedly said, “Oh, don’t say that… it might just be a fluke. What if he doesn’t like me…?” Despite her words, a blush crept onto her face. She was clearly quite eager to meet Valerian. Some players in the chat chimed in. [Don’t worry, Camilla, with that face of yours, everyone will fall for you.] [Exactly! When the time comes, make sure you get rid of that seductive woman, Sera. I can’t stand her cheap act.] [I used to wonder about the BOSS’s taste, why he’d like a woman with a hot body and a bold attitude. Seeing Camilla, I’m relieved. His aesthetic is clearly normal. Maybe he just kept *her* around because there weren’t any decent female players in this game.] Hearing their words, I instinctively glanced at my own body. Too curvy. Camilla, on the other hand, was different. Slim, pure, elegant, and even more delicately captivating when she was scared. I couldn’t help but sigh, so Valerian liked *this* type. But I guess it had nothing to do with me anymore. Yet, for some reason, my heart felt strangely empty.

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The perp hijacked the school bus. My husband, a renowned negotiator, sent his intern, Scarlett, to handle it. Soon, Scarlett enraged the perp, and a toddler was shot. Afterward, my husband held Scarlett, who was weeping uncontrollably. “It’s not your fault.” Then, he patted my shoulder. “Leo dying was just bad luck. It has nothing to do with Scarlett. She was brave and smart, which is why there weren’t more casualties.” It took me a moment to realize he thought the child who died was *our* son. My husband, Derek Henderson, rushed to the scene with his intern, Scarlett Davis. “Scarlett, you handle this. This is a rare opportunity for real-world experience.” Scarlett pouted her lips just so, her voice turning syrupy-sweet. “Derek, I’m so nervous. It’s my first negotiation, I’m really not sure what to do…” I couldn’t believe my ears. I surged forward and grabbed Derek’s arm. “Are you insane? There are 22 kids in there! This is Scarlett’s first live negotiation? That’s way too risky!” Derek impatiently shook off my hand. “Briar Hayes, what do *you* know about this? I know Scarlett’s professional capabilities! Don’t make a scene here!” Derek turned to Scarlett, patting her back with a doting expression. “Don’t be scared. Negotiate however you think best. Be bold and try it. I’m here to help you.” A chill ran down my spine as I watched their intimate interaction. Parents, who had rushed to the scene, were already sobbing. The whole area was chaotic. The negotiation call connected. Scarlett took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound sweet. “Hello, sir, I’m Scarlett Davis, the negotiator. Please calm down. What are your demands…” Before she could finish, the perp’s rough shouting roared through the receiver. “Negotiate my ass! Get lost! If you don’t get me a car and money, I’ll start killing people!” Scarlett was stunned by the outburst, her face instantly flushing crimson. In her shame and anger, she lost her composure and shrieked into the phone. “You can just wait to die! Do you know whose kindergarten bus this is? The principal’s son, Leo Hayes, is on that bus too! If you lay a hand on those children, she will never let you off the hook, and the police will take you down!” “Shut up! Scarlett!” Hearing that, I nearly went mad with shock. Because I was the principal of that kindergarten. “How could you say that? That’ll just enrage him!” Scarlett shot me an annoyed look after my outburst. “Principal Hayes, if you don’t understand negotiation tactics, don’t butt in! I’m applying psychological pressure!” She turned, her eyes welling up, and complained to Derek. “Derek, look at her… she’s interfering with my work…”

Derek glared at me, his tone harsh. “Briar Hayes, quiet down. Scarlett is a professional. I trust her judgment! Stop messing things up!” On the other end of the line, the perp was indeed thoroughly enraged, his voice wild. “Leo Hayes? The principal’s son? Fine! Fine! I’ll make an example of him first!” “Who’s Leo Hayes? Get out here, you little punk!” Inside the bus, children’s terrified screams erupted instantly, their tiny figures huddling in fear behind the windows. My heart, along with the other parents’, clenched. Several mothers nearly fainted. But Scarlett, as if to prove herself, continued to provoke the perp through the phone. “Go ahead and try it if you dare! You won’t get away even if you kill someone! You’ll die too! I can’t stand cowards like you who only pick on the weak!” I couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed to her, shouting in a sharp voice. “Scarlett, if you don’t care about other people’s children, what about your own? Owen is on that bus too!” A flicker of surprise crossed Scarlett’s face, quickly turning into a cold sneer. “Briar Hayes, what nonsense are you spewing? My son isn’t even one of your kindergarten kids. He’s at my mom’s house today, how could he possibly be on the bus?” She turned to Derek, whining. “Derek, she just can’t stand me, she’s deliberately trying to mess with my emotions…” Derek’s face darkened completely. He yanked me away. “Briar Hayes, did I not tell you to get lost? If you interfere with the operation again, I’ll have the police remove you by force!” In the instant we were arguing, a small corner of the school bus curtain was violently yanked open. The perp fixed his gaze on a small figure huddled in the corner of a seat. The name embroidered on the child’s backpack was clearly visible. The perp roughly dragged the child over, screaming hysterically out the window. “I found him! The principal’s son, Leo Hayes! All of you, back off! If you keep surrounding me, I’ll kill him right now!”

The perp pressed the child’s back tightly against the bus window, a knife held to the child’s neck. “Retreat! All of you, retreat! Get me a car! Or I’ll stab him to death immediately!” Captain Miller, commanding the scene, looked grim as he quietly ordered into his comms. “All units, sniper in position? Look for an opening. Negotiation team, try to stabilize him, buy us time…” “No!” Derek suddenly cut in. “Captain Miller, give Scarlett another chance. The perp is agitated, but Scarlett has a read on him. Changing negotiators or going in now will only provoke him further. Scarlett, quickly, talk to him, make demands, calm him down!” Scarlett took a deep breath. She picked up the megaphone again, her voice brimming with righteous conviction. “Listen, perp inside! We will never compromise with evil!” “Put down your weapon and release the hostage now! That’s your only way out!” “Threatening the innocent and weak, what kind of strength is that? Go ahead and kill if you dare, but remember, once you kill, the full wrath of the law awaits you—the death penalty!” I and the other parents were stunned, staring at Scarlett in disbelief. “What is she saying?” “Is she insane? How can she not care about the child’s life?” Sure enough, the perp was completely enraged. “Fine! Fine! You’re forcing my hand! You’re all forcing me!” The perp’s desperate roar echoed from inside the bus. Immediately, a large gush of crimson blood splattered across the bus window. “Ah!” Scarlett, who was closest, witnessed the horrific scene firsthand. She let out a piercing scream and collapsed to the ground with a thud. Her phone shattered as it fell, and she began to sob despairingly. The perp’s crazed voice sounded again. “See that?! If you don’t retreat—” “Bang!” Before he could finish, a crisp gunshot rang out. The perp’s voice cut off abruptly. He had a bullet wound in his forehead and fell to the ground. The scene descended into chaos. Police officers carried crying children off the bus, handing them back to their parents. I stood frozen, my gaze fixed on the blood-stained bus window, cold all over. Just then, Derek hurried towards Scarlett, who was slumped on the ground. He pulled Scarlett tightly into his embrace, gently patting her back. “Scarlett, it’s over now, it’s over…” “It’s not your fault. Negotiations are like this; no one can guarantee 100% success. The perp was just too depraved. It’s not your mistake.”

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“Chloe is sweet and innocent, she’d never do something like that. She’s not twisted and malicious like you!” Later, Chloe accidentally electrocuted herself while abusing another cat, becoming a high-level paraplegic. He clutched their wedding photo, looking like he’d aged decades overnight from grief, begging me for forgiveness. I just smiled. “Stop crying, Dean. Chloe’s bedpan is probably overflowing. Time to go play nursemaid.” 0 My cat went missing yesterday. I wasn’t home, but Dean, my boyfriend, insisted on coming over to drop off some fruit. He left without properly closing the door, and my cat, Spud, just wandered out. The security cameras didn’t catch anything, and our search turned up nothing. *Pop! Pop!* Mini fireworks suddenly burst in the dim room. Dean walked in, holding a bouquet, pulled out a ring, and knelt before me. “I was careless yesterday, and Spud went missing. But honestly, they say pets can cause problems when you’re trying to start a family, right?” “Now that Spud’s gone, isn’t it like fate made the decision for us?” “Rowan, let’s get married. Please, marry me. We’ll have a baby, and give all our love to this family.” A crowd of friends, holding cakes and gifts, rushed into my place, cheering and surrounding us, recording videos. And I, tears streaming down my face, looked as if I was deeply moved by this “devoted” man. “Say yes! Say yes!” Someone started the chant. Dean confidently smirked, took my hand, and slowly began to slide the ring on. But I stopped him. The next second, I grabbed the entire cream cake and smashed it right into his face! “Who the hell gave you the right? Go propose to your damn self!” The lively proposal ended in chaos. My friends, sensing the tension, wisely left. Only Chloe remained, standing outside the door, consoling Dean. “Rowan’s just throwing a little tantrum, you need to coax her more, hehe.” “But seriously, no matter how angry she is, all this fuss over *a cat*? She’s so disrespectful to you in public. Did her mom just never teach her any manners?” The old building had poor sound insulation. Chloe’s soft, sweet voice drifted in through the doorframe, fueling my rage. I poured a large glass of water and marched towards the door. Just then, Dean spoke up. “Rowan’s parents passed away years ago, so yeah, she kinda grew up without proper guidance.” “Chloe, I’m giving that cat to you. My parents won’t approve of my wife having a cat. I need to get rid of it before she can marry into my family, so I had to trick her like this.” “If Rowan wants to unleash her fury, she can direct it all at me. I’ll take it. I won’t let her hurt you.” Suddenly, his words caught in his throat. I flung the front door open, glaring menacingly at the two of them. Chloe had her back to the door. Just as she was about to turn, I raised my hand and splashed the entire glass of water in her face. “My parents didn’t raise me well? How about *your* parents? Wash your filthy mouth!” “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. I then backhanded her, throwing the glass directly at Dean’s head, where it shattered. “Are you insane? You gave away my cat, my companion for six years? What, is your family the monarchy? Why would I be desperate to marry into it?!” 2. Dean was stunned, his face flushed crimson with explosive anger. But he was a polished corporate professional after all; he didn’t curse or retaliate. He just instinctively pulled Chloe behind him. “Rowan, calm down. Chloe’s trying to help us!” Chloe was a classmate from college, now working as a psychology assistant lecturer at our alma mater. She was a slender, tall beauty, who spoke in a gentle voice, earning her the reputation of the campus goddess. She was also a charity influencer, specializing in rescuing stray animals, with her accounts constantly sharing posts about cats needing adoption. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with Dean. I just extended my hand, demanding my cat back from Chloe. “Rowan, you’re misunderstanding me.” Chloe calmly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her sweet voice carrying a hint of annoyance. “You really shouldn’t be so hostile towards all women. I love cats and dogs, but I would never accept attention or gifts from someone else’s boyfriend. I refused anything Dean sent, I left it all outside my door.” My mind went blank with a sudden rush of shock. Dean gave a bitter smile, whispering to Chloe. “You’re a woman of such integrity, not accepting it was the right thing to do. I’m sorry to have caused you trouble, Chloe.” But what about my cat? They were being so polite to each other, but where was Spud now? “What’s your address? Give me back my cat!” No sooner had the words left my mouth than all three of our phones buzzed with a trending news alert: **[Show-Quality Purebred Ragdoll Cat, Valued at $25,000, Countdown to Death: Uncovering the Online Cat Abuse Cult]** The moment I clicked the link, tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. I saw Spud, my beautiful Ragdoll, strung up with wire through its spine, hanging like cured meat in a dark room. Every time it tried to curl its body, the abuser would connect a power source, electrocuting it until its body stiffened, screaming in agonizing pain… This was [Killer], a notorious online platform that posts cat abuse videos. You had to pay to even like a video, and this one already had over a hundred thousand likes. Killer promised to upload the “execution” video as soon as the likes surpassed half a million. Countless deranged users flooded the comments, celebrating. In their twisted world, torturing and killing a hundred stray cats was nowhere near as satisfying as abusing a purebred show cat. It was an absolutely thrilling spectacle for them. With each agonizing cry from my cat, the color slowly drained from Dean’s face. Before I could even speak, he instinctively tried to defend Chloe. “…That cat might not even be your Spud. And even if it is, it must have gotten lost and *then* Killer caught it! Chloe is kind and innocent, she could never abuse a cat. She’s not manipulative and twisted like *some* women. Don’t accuse her!” 3. “She’s not like other women? So she’s a man? What the hell are you talking about?” My voice trembled with fury. I restrained the urge to slap Dean and instead reported the theft of property to the police. The police immediately found evidence that Dean had stolen my cat from my house. Last night, Dean had carried the cat to Chloe’s place, left half an hour later, and the cardboard box containing the cat was left outside Chloe’s door. In the early hours of the morning, a dark shadow ran out of the box. Dean vehemently insisted it was all his responsibility, that he was unilaterally trying to please Chloe with a gift, and he didn’t want her implicated. While Chloe ran a charity account and was a well-known “cat goddess” in the pet community, I couldn’t ethically blame her for not taking care of my cat. After the police left, Chloe blinked her soft eyes a few times, then pouted as she lectured me. “Honestly, this has nothing to do with me, right? Someone gave me something, I refused it, and it got lost. That’s not my fault, you know.” “Rowan, you really shouldn’t be so hostile towards every girl you meet. This is all your boyfriend’s fault, isn’t it?” As she finished speaking, the cat abuse video’s likes had already climbed to 150,000. Spud’s life was on countdown. What could I do? I frantically messaged the [Killer] account, and contacted the cat-finding team to review the footage again and again. We staked out the route Spud had disappeared on, hoping to catch Killer. But the chances were tiny. I was despairingly crouched outside Chloe’s house when Dean quietly approached, squatting down to grasp my wildly trembling hand. “This is all my fault. Let it end with me, okay? Please, don’t bother Chloe anymore.” He said softly, “I can’t get twenty-five thousand dollars in cash right now, but I’m selling my car. I’ll compensate you at full value, and I’ll take all the responsibility.” “But if I pay this, we might not have enough for our wedding… I hope you don’t mind these small things. After we get married and have a baby, I’ll help you get more cats.” The harsh sunlight glinted through Dean’s glasses, falling into his calm, dark eyes. I used to love those steady eyes. Back when my parents had just passed away, I drifted through college in a daze, sometimes crying for no reason even while eating. He silently wiped my tears, quietly stayed by my side, accepting all my anxiety and pain, always so steady and reliable. Only today did I understand: he wasn’t without emotion. It was just that his fervent, mad love belonged to another woman he couldn’t have. Every word he spoke was about Chloe. Just how desperately did he want to protect her? I spoke slowly. “You sound so self-pitying, as if I’m deliberately extorting twenty-five thousand dollars from you. And you’re still thinking about marriage and babies right now?” “My parents owned a cattery specializing in show-quality purebreds. They died in a fire, and Spud was the only cat rescued from that blaze.” “It’s the last thing they left me. You stole it, you lost it. Do you know what that means?” The words hung in the air, and for the first time, Dean’s composed, self-controlled face cracked. It was as if all the strength had drained from his body; his gaze, dull and ashen, was fixed blankly ahead. I shoved him hard to the ground, kicking his glasses away. “Keep that money for your parents’ retirement! I don’t want compensation. I want to see you rot in jail! Stealing property worth twenty-five thousand dollars, that’s a serious felony—you’re looking at a minimum of three years!”

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I always thought Ethan hated my guts. That’s why, when thugs dragged me into a dark alley and assaulted me, he was the last person I’d call for help. I ended up in the hospital, my body a map of pain. A doctor looked down, his voice thick with pity. “Any last words for your family?”. “Tell Ethan I’m dying. He’s finally free.” For three years of marriage, Ethan had demanded a divorce ninety-nine times. He once even drugged me and left me in another man’s bed, all just to be rid of me. Now, with me gone, he was finally free. But at my funeral, Ethan’s eyes burned crimson. He beheaded my killers, offering their heads at my coffin. His bloodstained hands trembled, crumpling the hidden cancer diagnosis. Then he swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and lay beside me. “Aubrey, I’m coming with you.” My eyes snapped open. Time had rewound. Ethan stood before me, thrusting the divorce papers at me for the ninety-ninth time. “She’s pregnant. She needs me to do right by her. Don’t be a roadblock. Sign it.” I snatched the papers and tore them to shreds. I grabbed him, pulling him close, my voice breaking. “You’re sick! And you didn’t tell me? You think this is noble? Suffering alone? Waiting to die?”

Ethan looked up at me, startled. A flicker of light shone in his beautiful eyes, then died just as quickly. He lit a cigarette and leaned back lazily on the sofa, a cold smirk playing on his lips. “Aubrey, have you been watching too many cheesy dramas?” He gave a dismissive laugh, deliberately blowing a cloud of smoke in my face. “I’m completely over you. This marriage is broken. Let’s end it cleanly and make room for my new girlfriend.” The thick smoke stung my nostrils, threatening to make me cough. I had to admit, Ethan knew me all too well. He knew how much I hated the smell of smoke. Using it to provoke me while discussing our divorce was a deliberate, calculated move. I pulled out the printed copy of the cancer diagnosis. Tears welling in my eyes, I thrust it toward him. “Then explain this to me.” His gaze slowly fell on the paper. His face was emotionless, giving nothing away. After a long moment, he let out a derisive snort. Then he tore it to pieces. “A fake medical report? Late-stage cancer? Aubrey, if you don’t want a divorce, just say so. There’s no need to put a curse on me.” With a flick of his wrist, he sent the confetti of paper fluttering down around us like snow. Ethan was done. “If you tear up this agreement, I’ll just print another. When you come to your senses, you can sign it yourself.” “My girl is waiting for me for a date. I don’t have time for this.” With a final, languid look, he stood and walked away. I hesitated for only a second before chasing after him. “Ethan, don’t think you can get rid of me.” I called out. “You want a divorce? Well, I’m not signing anything. Let’s see what you do then!” I was being stubborn. Ethan paused, then shot me an icy glare. “Suit yourself.” So I went full-blown clinger. When he went to the office for meetings, I was waiting at the entrance. When he drove off to see his new girlfriend, I hailed a cab. “Driver, can you go faster? don’t lose that car.” The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Sweetheart, that young couple looks real happy together. Why are you following them?” I gritted my teeth. “That man is my husband.” The driver’s expression shifted instantly to one of sympathy. He straightened up and thumped his chest. “Don’t worry, I won’t lose them.” They pulled over in front of a shopping mall. Ethan got out first, then turned and opened the passenger door. A young girl launched herself into his arms. They laughed and chatted, linking arms as they walked into the mall. I bit my lip. Even though I knew it was all an act, a sharp, familiar pain shot through my heart. It was just like the provocations he’d used in our last life to pressure me into signing the divorce. He even brought the girl to our bed, stripped her naked, and held her close, flaunting their intimacy in front of me. It was that time that my heart truly died. I signed the divorce papers, packed my things, and planned to move out and find a new place, only to be dragged into a dark alley by a group of thugs. They abused me, treating me like a rough toy. Excruciating pain shot through me as they tore out a large chunk of my hair. My teeth felt like they’d been knocked out, as they grabbed a brick from the street and smashed it against my head. As my vision blurred, I remembered that purest year. Ethan had held me gently, setting his number as the emergency speed dial on my phone. “Aubrey, if you’re ever in danger, call me immediately. I’ll always be there.” I struggled to find Ethan’s number, but hesitated the moment I was about to dial. I remembered his disgusted look. He was probably flirting with his new girlfriend, not wanting to be disturbed by me. Later, even when I was battered and bruised, hospitalized, and clinging to life, I still didn’t contact Ethan. It became a final goodbye. Now, across the street, Ethan had his arm around the girl’s waist, whispering and chuckling in her ear. His gaze occasionally flickered in my direction. I steeled myself, getting out of the taxi and rushing towards them. Noticing my raw stare, Ethan and the girl paused, turning back to look at me strangely. “Honey, didn’t you say you’d divorce that old hag at home? Why is she chasing us again?” Ethan’s gaze slowly settled on me, his brows furrowed, but he said nothing. He seemed to be waiting for an explanation from me. I shrugged with a smile. “Don’t mind me. You two carry on.”

I remembered Ethan’s new girlfriend, her name was Chloe. She looked pure and sweet, completely unlike me, the “shrew.” Ever since Ethan started frequently mentioning divorce six months ago, he’d spent every night out with Chloe. Seeing me follow them like glue, Chloe seemed uneasy. She kept looking back at me, clinging to Ethan’s arm and whining. “Honey, is your wife crazy?” “Why is she still following us? Is there something wrong with her?” Ethan finally lost his patience, turning to glare coldly at me. “Aubrey, you’re scaring my girl.” He shielded her behind him, as if I might hurt her. But six years ago. He had protected me in the same way, without a second thought. He’d watched the stars with me, traveled to the desert with me, and even when close to dying of thirst, he saved the last sip of water for me. Even though I’d been entangled with my ex-boyfriend, betraying him many times. He still loved me. In my last life, I could never understand. Could such a devoted person suddenly change his heart? So, I went wild with jealousy, focusing all my envious hatred on that young, beautiful girl, Chloe. Jealousy can drive people mad. It blinded me to Ethan’s true intentions. But now that I knew the whole story, I crossed my arms, enjoying Ethan’s expression, and suddenly I laughed. “Ethan, your acting still needs some work. It’s really hard to fool me.” Ethan averted his gaze, saying nothing. He leaned down and kissed Chloe’s lips. The girl’s face immediately flushed. She shyly looked up at him, her eyes full of joy. I, however, stood frozen, my face pale. Ethan looked at me with a calculated stare, then casually put his arm around the girl’s waist. “Still think I’m acting?” He even pulled up hotel reservation details on his phone, shoving it in my face. “See clearly. I’ve really fallen for someone else. My heart has changed.” “Aubrey, stop thinking I’m just playing along with you, or you’ll seem incredibly narcissistic.” Seeing my silence, Ethan smiled faintly and invited me. “We’re checking into a room tonight. If you’re interested, maybe you’d like to watch?” I was so furious my eyes blurred. I turned and ran. After I furiously got into a taxi and disappeared from the street, Ethan finally withdrew his gaze, releasing Chloe with a blank expression. “I’ll have a driver take you back.” Chloe’s rosy face instantly turned white. She bit her lip hard, timidly tugging at Ethan’s sleeve. “But you promised to go shopping with me? And tonight we were going to…” Seeing Ethan’s cold expression, the girl’s voice trailed off. “Ms. Chloe, she’s gone. No need to keep up the act.” “I’ll settle today’s payment with you as planned. Go shopping on your own.” Hidden around the corner, I saw this scene and smirked. Ethan had no idea I was so clever. I pretended to get into a taxi, drove a short distance, then told the driver to turn back. I wanted to see with my own eyes how they’d wrap things up. I’d actually thought they were going to book a room, film a video, or even stream it for me. Turns out Ethan’s tricks were limited. As Ethan turned to leave, his face was a little pale. His hand was pressed to his stomach, making my expression suddenly change. No wonder he looked like he was forcing himself earlier. Was his condition flaring up? Chloe, unaware of any of this, was still caught up in her sadness, turning to walk back into the mall alone. “Chloe.” I called out to her. “It’s you again?” The girl turned back, surprised. “How do you know my name?” I stood tall and confident, handing her the investigation report from the private detective. “I know everything. Ethan is sick, late-stage cancer. He didn’t want to burden me, so he found you to act this out and force me to divorce him.” A look of guilt flashed across Chloe’s face. She stammered, “You’re lying! Ethan and I are real. Otherwise, how could I be pregnant with his baby?” She gently placed her hand on her slightly swollen belly. There was clearly a little life inside. But my smile grew wider. “That baby is your boyfriend’s, isn’t it? It’s not Ethan’s at all.” “Because he has never touched you.” The girl’s face instantly turned ashen. “All this… how did you know?”

In my last life, that girl came to me, crying, saying Ethan was spitting blood and that I should go see him. She said Ethan had always loved me. At the time, I was consumed by the anger and jealousy of betrayal. I thought she was taunting me. My gaze fell on her belly, and my tone was sharp. “If he really loved me, how could he get you pregnant?” “He hates me.” “I’ll agree to divorce him. You two ‘lovebirds’ can just be stuck together forever.” Later, I found out that was one of the worst times Ethan had bled, staining the entire bathtub red. His assistant rushed him to the hospital, tears streaming down his face, saying he wanted to call me. But Ethan weakly raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t… don’t bother her.” “She should forget me and have a new life.” It wasn’t until after my death in the last life that I realized Ethan had never betrayed me. He had hidden his love very, very deeply. Even before his death, by forcing me to divorce him, he was doing everything he could to pave the way for my future. How could I ever let down such a good man? I pulled out a bank card and handed it to Chloe. “If I’m not mistaken, you took this job because you needed money, right?” “Chloe, whatever Ethan paid you, I’ll give you double. Only one condition-” “Next time Ethan calls you, make sure you refuse him.” No one turns down money. Chloe took the bank card, hesitated for a moment, then agreed. As I was leaving, she called out to me. “Aubrey, Ethan really loves you. You’re very lucky.” “I think so too. Even if he only has a few months left, you two should be together, cherishing every precious moment.” I smiled at her, then turned and left. After sorting everything out, I took a taxi home, wanting to talk things through with Ethan. I wasn’t afraid of being a burden to him. I loved him. Even if he only had one day left to live, I wanted to be with him. But I searched every room in the villa and couldn’t find Ethan. I called his assistant, who also said he didn’t know; Ethan had gone out alone without a driver. I was frantic and scared, terrified that something might have happened to him alone outside. I searched everywhere he loved to go, but there was no sign of him. Finally, I went to the place where we first met. Ethan was there, just as I expected. He was leaning alone against an old oak tree by the river, his gaze distant, smoking a cigarette. His eyes were pale, and he occasionally winced in pain, clutching his stomach with his other hand. I knew he was hurting again. “Come on, to the hospital.” I forced back a sob, reaching out to pull him. Ethan was surprised to see me there and froze for a moment. But only for a second, then he coldly scoffed and shook off my hand. “Aubrey, aren’t you annoying?” “I told you, I hate you. Can’t you take a hint and stop constantly showing up around me?” I watched his mouth open and close. I didn’t hear anything he said. I only saw his lips, utterly devoid of color. My emotions overwhelmed me, and I stepped forward to hug him again. “Ethan, didn’t you say it? Through sickness and health, you’d be with me.” “Why, why are you pushing me away?” “You forgot how many times I betrayed you for other men, how you forgave me every time, cleaned up my messes, and continued to love me. Why are you changing your mind now?” “You went through so much trouble to win me over and marry me. Now that I’ve finally fallen in love with you, how dare you push me away?” Since my rebirth, It was the first time I’d lost control, practically screaming and crying all this out. Ethan froze. He stared at me blankly, a hint of panic in his eyes. He even started to reach out, as if to wipe my tears. “Aubrey, I’m sorry. I said some harsh things. Please don’t cry.” I didn’t give him another chance to push me away, seizing the opportunity to throw myself into his arms. “Ethan, believe it or not, if I divorce you, I’ll die.” “No way!” Ethan blurted out, without hesitation. His expression shifted. “Aubrey, don’t say that. Don’t curse yourself like that.” I let out a wet chuckle, wiping my tears and sniffles on his sleeve. But it wasn’t a curse. It was a memory. That was exactly what happened in my past life. Signing those papers was what sent me to my death. “I’m telling you the truth, Ethan.” “The moment the divorce is finalized, I will die.” “Maybe this is fate. Heaven has decided you’re only meant to be a widower, not a divorced man.”

Perhaps because I was so shameless, Ethan stopped mentioning divorce and no longer tried to push me away. He even uncharacteristically took me for ice cream and to watch a movie. We were like any normal couple again. Time felt like it had been rewound six months. During the second half of the movie, I fell asleep leaning on Ethan’s shoulder. In my sleep, I mumbled. “Ethan, please don’t send me away.” He silently watched me, his gaze gentle yet heavy, then leaned down and kissed my forehead. It got dark, and Ethan drove me home, silent the whole way. No matter how I tried to lighten the mood or start a conversation, he’d only respond with a faint “Mhm,” “Oh,” or “Got it.” That night, while Ethan was in the shower, I tiptoed into his bed. We had started sleeping separately six months ago. I’d been disgusted, thinking he was messing around outside and was “dirty.” He never bothered to explain. He’d sleep in the guest room or the study every night. But now, I was in his bed, wearing my nightgown. Ethan, fresh out of the shower, pulled back the covers and saw me. He was visibly stunned. “Aubrey, what’s gotten into you?” Seeing what I was wearing, he paused, took a step back, and looked away. “Get out.” I was a little disheartened. Tonight I’d specifically put on a revealing nightgown, Ethan’s favorite style. During the good times in our relationship, whenever I wore this nightgown. He’d instantly turn into a beast. Now he was like a different person, indifferent, and wouldn’t even look at me. “Ethan, do you really hate me that much?” “No.” “Then why can’t you look me in the eye?” I deliberately clung to him, even actively kissing him, teasing him. Ethan’s breathing grew ragged. He grabbed my hands. “Aubrey, I told you I lost interest in you a long time ago. Why humiliate yourself?” He looked me up and down with disdain. “I’m sick of this body; I don’t want to touch it even once.” I gritted my teeth, furious. This guy could be truly venomous when he wanted to. But I didn’t care. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him hard. He still resisted, until I whispered something in his ear. “Ethan, if we actually divorce, this might be our last time.” “Our last time. Don’t you want to enjoy it properly?” “Who knows, after the divorce, we might be separated by life and death, never getting a chance to meet again.” I remembered my past life, how I died after signing the divorce papers. But Ethan was thinking he had late-stage stomach cancer and only a few days to live. A heavy and sorrowful atmosphere hung between us. Ethan indeed stopped resisting. His hand pressed against the back of my head, and he kissed me deeply. “Alright, then, one last time.” The next morning. My entire body felt like it had been torn apart. Ethan’s strength was so intense; who knew how long he’d been holding back? When I woke up, Ryan wasn’t in bed. I heard movement in the bathroom and walked over. In the pristine sink, there was a puddle of red blood. My body stiffened. “Ethan…” My face was pale. I wanted to go to him, but Ethan quickly turned on the faucet to rinse it away, giving a nonchalant smile. “What are you looking at? Just a nosebleed. You’re going to mock me for that?” My heart ached, but I didn’t expose him. I smiled and replied. “Probably just too much heat. I’ll make you some herbal tea to cool down later.” But there was no “later.” A few days later, Ethan slipped something into my juice and tried to send me to Ryan’s bed. What he didn’t know was that I’d already lived through this twice. I knew what was in that drink. I pretended to sip it, then rushed to the bathroom, shoved my fingers down my throat, and forced myself to vomit it all up. I was fully conscious when Ethan carried me into the hotel room. I clearly heard their conversation. “Ryan, take good care of her from now on.” Ethan’s voice was hoarse, more than I’d ever heard. “If you ever dare to hurt her again, I’ll haunt you even as a ghost.” I stood with my back to them, my body stiff, so heartbroken I could barely breathe. Ryan was my ex-boyfriend. In my last life, Ethan had forced Ryan to sign an agreement, stating that if he ever changed his mind and hurt me, he’d have to pay me ten million. I thought this time he finally understood my true feelings, but he still had this plan in mind. But I’m a person, not an object. Ethan, how dare you hand me over to someone else? Did you even ask me? Even Ryan, who usually argued with him, was too shocked to speak, pulling him back, unable to bear it. “Ethan, are you sure?” “Have you even asked Aubrey if this is what she wants?” “You’ve been married for three years, Aubrey isn’t as fragile as you think. Even if you tell her the truth, she can handle it.” “She’s not a heartless person; she wouldn’t leave you just because you have cancer…” “And more importantly, we’re ancient history. Aubrey loves you now!” Ethan looked down and smiled, his gaze gently resting on my unconscious form. “Of course, I know she loves me.” “But that’s exactly why I can’t let her grieve.” “I can endure any torment, I can walk through hell itself.” “But I can’t bear… to see her cry for me.” But Ethan, if you just looked at me, you’d see that I’m crying right now. Ethan took one last look at me, slipped a strawberry-flavored condom into Ryan’s hand, and turned away without a word. He never returned to the hotel that night. He sat in his car, lost in thought for a long time, then pulled a two-inch photo of me from his suit pocket. His thumb gently traced its surface. He smiled softly. “Aubrey, you used to love Ryan so much. You’ll fall in love with him again.” “Forget about me. Go live a happy life.” It was almost dark when he drove alone to the cross-river bridge and pulled over. No assistant or driver followed him. He only left one last message in his notes, his final letter to the world. “I don’t want to live in pain. For the rime I left, I want to be free.” With that resolve, he walked steadily toward the river. Just then, his phone rang frantically. Ethan silenced it, but it rang again almost immediately. He sighed in frustration, saw Ryan’s name, and answered, his voice tight. “Ryan?” A frantic, panicked voice answered. “Ethan, get over here! It’s Aubrey! She found out what you did, lost it, and then she got jumped by some thugs! They dragged her into an alley!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “306747”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #校园School

A bombshell hit my wedding. The Harrington heiress Seraphina was back and she was dying. Terminally ill, covered in sores, with two weeks to live. My stepbrother Jeff collapsed, sobbing. “Take my place or I’ll kill myself!” I calmly brushed off my formal suit, unmoved. “Seraphina chose me. You begged Dad to switch our names. You stole my wedding. Now she’s dying, the money’s gone, and you have regrets? I’m married, Jeff. You think I’d walk into hell for you? Dream on!” To my utter disbelief, my fiancée, Celeste Blackwood, rushed to embrace Jeff. Then she turned on me, her eyes full of scorn. “The wedding hasn’t started! The papers aren’t signed! None of this counts!” “I can’t bear to watch Jeff suffer. He has to be the groom today. You’re his older brother. You should sacrifice for him!” I stared, struggling to process her words. My father and my stepmother, nodded in frantic agreement. They threw my identification documents at my feet. “Seraphina’s notorious for her wild parties and reckless behavior. She swore to have one last fling as a bride before she dies. Jeff’s too delicate to risk sickness or become a widower. The Harringtons will destroy us if we back out. You will marry into that family.” The people closest to me in this world were shoving me straight into a death trap. I closed my eyes, my heart shattering, and let out a cold, bitter laugh. “Fine. Have it your way.”

The moment I gave my groom’s suit to Jeff, he slid his arm around Celeste. “Celeste,” he asked, his face flushed, “Do I look good?” Celeste’s gaze was full of open admiration. “Perfect,” she said softly. “When I was designing this, I must have been thinking of your measurements. It fits you like it was always yours.” I flinched. So that explained the tight waist. She’d designed the suit herself. I’d thought I’d gained weight. She was always sewing it for him. Seeing my compliance, my stepmother Veronica held back her usual eye-roll. For once, even my father Robert offered a shred of approval, stating I was finally starting to act like an older brother should. I watched the four of them laughing together. I let my voice drip with cold sarcasm. “You didn’t honestly think I’d marry into the Harringtons for free, did you?” The laughter died. “What do you want?” Robert asked, his tone strained. “Ten percent of Sterling Corp.” My father’s face darkened. “You greedy bastard! That’s your brother’s legacy! I thought you were finally being reasonable, and now you’re trying to steal from him? You don’t deserve a cent!” I’d always known his bias, but the words still cut deep. “That company was built by my mother,” I shot back. “If your bastard child gets a share, why shouldn’t I? Or have you forgotten I’m also your son?” Robert’s face turned purple. If he weren’t terrified of delaying the wedding, he would have struck me. He forced the rage down. “Your mother was my wife! Everything she had belonged to the Sterlings, including that company! I decide who gets shares! I’ve fed and clothed you your entire life! You should be on your knees with gratitude!” He had been saying that ever since he brought Veronica and Jeff into our home. I used to wonder why other fathers saw providing for their children as a given, while I was expected to grovel for it. Eventually, I stopped thinking about it. What could you expect from a man who installed his affair partner before his wife’s body was cold? Celeste saw the redness in my eyes. She stepped closer, linking her arm with mine, her voice softening to a venomous purr. “Alex,” she cooed, “are you afraid of being alone after Seraphina dies? Or are you just scared of getting sick with no money?” “Don’t worry. When it’s all over, I’ll take you back. I’ll find you a doctor. It’s not that I’m cruel. Jeff is just so… sensitive. I can’t bear to see him suffer.” A wave of nausea hit me. I ripped my arm from her grasp. Then, mimicking Jeff’s earlier pathetic display, I pressed a knife to my own wrist. “No shares?” I sneered. “Then I’ll end it right here. You’re the ones who said the Harringtons can’t be crossed. Seraphina chose a Sterling. If I’m dead, Jeff can face the consequences himself!” On hearing this, Veronica quickly tugged on Robert’s sleeve. “Honey, we absolutely cannot let Jeff go into that hellhole!” “Seraphina is dying. The Harringtons will pick a new heir. Do you want Jeff to become a widower? To catch her disease? His life would be ruined! If anyone’s going to die from that illness, let it be Alex. He’s expendable. But not our Jeff!” Jeff’s eyes welled up with tears again. Robert immediately snapped for his assistant, who produced the share transfer agreement. He signed it without another word, then turned to reassure a trembling Jeff that he’d compensate him with even more shares later. A cold laugh echoed in my mind. Go ahead. Give him whatever you want. I’ll be taking it all back in the end. My mother’s life’s work would not remain in the hands of these vultures. The officiant urged. “The ceremony is ready to begin. Groom and bride, to your positions.”

Celeste’s eyes shone with triumph as she locked arms with Jeff, leading him away like a prize. My father forced me to stay for the wedding, claiming it was about family respect. A last-minute groom swap was the joke of the season among the city’s elite, and I felt the weight of every mocking, curious stare. As soon as it was over, I tried to slip away. Celeste stopped me. “Alex, I’m sorry about today.” “I know I wouldn’t be where I am without you. The moment Seraphina is gone, I’ll bring you home and make it right. Jeff won’t mind.” Celeste and I were college sweethearts. Back then, she was a broke student. and I was disowned by my family. We were each other’s only support. We dreamed of building our own empire, without the Sterling fortune. For her, I humbled myself, gathering investors for her startup. I studied relentlessly to be her advisor, her shield against a cutthroat world. She had once held my hand and sworn she would give me a home, that I would never be bullied again. But she broke her promise. I had no patience left for her hollow apologies. I turned and walked away. I bumped into Jeff, who was holding a glass of wine. “Alex,” he said timidly, “let me propose a toast. Thank you for stepping aside for Celeste and me… and for taking my place with the Harringtons.” Celeste gently praised him for being considerate, then looked at me. “Alex, Jeff means well-” I cut her off coldly. “Celeste, do I need to remind you that I’m allergic to alcohol?” “And you. You knew his exact size. You knew his body well enough to tailor that suit blindfolded. Tell me, how long have you been sleeping with him? Save your toast. I don’t accept drinks from a bastard and his mistress!” I didn’t bother to lower my voice. The remaining guests turned to stare. Jeff’s face instantly paled. He covered his face, sobbing. “I know you’re angry, Alex. If slandering me as a homewrecker and ruining my reputation makes you happy, then so be it. It’s my fault for not knowing my place.” The moment he finished, Celeste’s face turned glacial. “Alex, just drink the wine. Or I’ll have someone pour it down your throat.” When I met her threat with a cold stare, she let out a scornful laugh, snatched a full bottle of hard liquor, and slammed it on the table between us. “Drop the act. I know about all those nights you spent drinking with your rich cougars. Since when are you suddenly allergic?” “You embarrassed Jeff in public. A glass won’t cut it. You’re not leaving until you finish this entire bottle.” Whispers and sneers spread through the crowd. “How much do you think Alex Sterling charges for his services? Those old women must pay well.” “No wonder Celeste switched grooms. Who would want used goods? He’s perfect for that promiscuous Harrington girl. Jeff, at least, is pure.” My eyes widened in disbelief, my nails digging deep into my palms. Celeste had always prided herself on being above begging for favors. To secure projects and investments, I had no choice but to schmooze, drinking until my stomach bled. Yet, I had always remained pure. Coupled with long hours and irregular meals, my immune system broke down, and I suddenly developed an alcohol allergy. I hadn’t told her, afraid she’d worry. Before I could speak, Celeste lost patience. She turned and ordered her bodyguards, “You have three minutes. Force that bottle down his throat. Jeff is tired and can’t stand here much longer.” My arms were pinned, my mouth forcibly pried open. The fiery, acrid liquid poured down my throat, making me choke and bringing tears to my eyes. Almost visibly, my face and neck erupted in a rash. I clutched my throat, collapsing to my knees, suffocating. Celeste’s face changed drastically. She kicked away the bodyguard who was trying to force more alcohol down my throat. “Get out! Don’t touch him!” “Call 911! If Alex suffers any harm, I’ll end you all!” When the ambulance arrived, Celeste rushed over, trying to get into the vehicle with me. “Alex, I’m so sorry, I thought you were lying to me, I…” Despite the doctor’s repeated objections, I pulled off my oxygen mask. I spat directly into her face, enunciating each word. “Trash. Don’t touch me. You’re disgusting!” Celeste froze. Behind her, Jeff cried out, “Celeste, I twisted my ankle, it hurts so much, hurry and help me up…” She hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran to Jeff. I was taken to the hospital. After treatment, I could finally breathe normally, and the rash gradually faded. The next day, Celeste and Jeff went shopping. Pictures of their interlocked fingers flooded social media, a grand romantic gesture for all to see. No one came to see me. Only my father’s assistant stopped by, on his own accord. Seeing my pale face, Mr. Davis sighed with compassion. “Mr. Alex Sterling, you’ve been through a lot.” “It’s just a pity that beyond secretly visiting you, I can’t stop you from falling into the Harrington family’s hellhole seven days from now.” He was trained by my mother and stayed to help protect the company. After my mother passed, he remained by my father’s side, assisting him, and often looked out for me in private. I curved my lips into a knowing smile. “You’re wrong. That won’t be a hellhole.” “Mr. Davis, interested in a partnership?”

No sooner had I been discharged from the hospital than I heard my father had given Jeff another 15% of Sterling Corp. He even complained that Jeff and Celeste’s new home was too far from their mother’s family, fearing he would miss his son, and insisted on buying Jeff another mansion nearby. He and Veronica spent their days busy decorating Jeff’s new place. The entire social circle mocked me, the son of the first wife, saying I was worth less than the illegitimate child born of the mistress who climbed her way up. I didn’t care. With them gone, I was happy to have some peace. While I was replying to Mr. Davis’s messages, when Jeff suddenly pushed the door open, carrying a bowl of something dark and murky. He placed the bowl on the coffee table, sat beside me, and linked his arm through mine, smiling. “I heard you were in the hospital by yourself for two days, brother?” “It’s all Celeste’s fault. She kept dragging me to lavish auctions for my wedding gifts. I thought it was a waste, but I couldn’t bear to spoil her fun, so I didn’t have time to visit you, brother. Don’t be angry.” I stared at his theatrics with cold eyes. “What do you want, Jeff?” Jeff’s gaze swept over the safe in my room. His face flushed as he smiled. “Celeste also wants us to have a baby so soon after marriage. I heard a Blessed Mother painting can help with fertility, and I wanted to get one for our living room, but I haven’t found one I like.” “I heard your mother was a devout believer and an excellent painter. She once painted a Blessed Mother. I was hoping you’d let me have it, brother…” “I won’t take it for free. I told Celeste that if you stay healthy, she should take care of you on the side. After all, successful women always have men chasing them, so instead of letting some unknown creeps have you, it’s better if brother…” I violently yanked my hand free and grabbed his collar, yanking him closer. “That Blessed Mother painting is the only relic my mother left me! My father, the company, women-I can give all of that up, but that painting, no one touches it!” “Only you and your mother, you despicable opportunists, would eagerly become mistress and illegitimate child. I, Alex Sterling, wouldn’t stoop so low!” When I was six, I fell gravely ill, and nothing seemed to cure me. My mother, desperate, turned to faith. She painted a sacred image, had it blessed, and knelt before it. For three days, without food or water, she prayed without ceasing, begging a higher power to spare her son. n the end, my health returned. But not long after, my mother was taken from me. Her final act was one of courage, a sacrifice that took her from me. That painting embodies my mother’s love for me. No one can take it away! Jeff was thrown to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. “Brother, you misunderstand me. I just wanted to repay you.” Celeste suddenly appeared, pulling Jeff into her embrace. She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face. Her eyes were as cold as ice. “I’m the one who chose the new groom. Jeff was never a homewrecker. He was even worried you might get sick, that the Harrington family wouldn’t care for you as a widower, and no one else would want you. That’s why he begged me to find you a doctor and care for you for the rest of your life.” “You can bear to lay a hand on such a considerate brother, yet you care so much about a painting from a dead person. You’re truly unreasonable!” Celeste pinned me down with one hand and ordered the bodyguards, “Since he won’t hand it over willingly, saw open the safe now and get the painting.” Her words stabbed at my heart like a thousand knives, hurting far more than the slap. Soon, they retrieved the painting and handed it to Jeff. I stared at Celeste, a cold laugh escaping my lips. “So, you’re completely on Jeff’s side now, helping him steal my things, is that right?” Celeste knew my history. Her past sympathy was now replaced by a barely concealed guilt. She released me, her tone softening slightly. “Alex, it hurts me when either of you is sad.” “Anyway, your mother isn’t coming back. It’s just a worthless painting. Just let Jeff have it. If you like, I’ll buy you a hundred more, okay?” I grabbed the glass from the table and smashed it against Celeste’s head without hesitation. “No!” Seeing blood stream from Celeste’s forehead, Jeff screamed and ran over, shoving me hard. “How dare you hit her?! It’s just a painting! We don’t want it anymore, take it back!” The scroll suddenly unfurled in his hands. The next second, the Blessed Mother painting was torn into two halves. One half was in my hand. The other half, Jeff tossed into the nearby fish tank.

“Ah, brother, I… I didn’t mean to…” I ignored him, rushing to the fish tank to retrieve the half of the painting. The colors were already ruined by the water, beyond repair. I couldn’t even protect the last memento my mother left me. My heart felt torn to shreds, tears falling onto the floor. Celeste’s eyes flashed with pity. She gave Jeff a reproving look. “Alex…” Jeff suddenly remembered something and quickly handed me the bowl from the coffee table. “This is a folk remedy I found for you. They say it can prevent all kinds of illnesses. Drink it and you’ll forgive me~” A pungent, fishy odor emanated from the black liquid, and I could vaguely make out the corpses of scorpions and maggots. I snatched the bowl and smashed it against Jeff. “You want me to forgive you? Over my dead body!” It had been sitting out for a while, so the liquid in the bowl was already lukewarm. Yet, Jeff clutched his arm and shrieked, “Ah, it’s so hot…” Veronica burst in. Taking in the scene, she rolled up Jeff’s sleeve, revealing the red patches on his arm. They exchanged a knowing glance before she pulled him into a hug, sobbing. “My poor Jeff! Why trouble yourself over that ungrateful wretch? Has he ever treated you as a brother?” “You’ve been delicate since birth. What if it leaves a scar? Daughter-in-law, are you just going to stand there and watch your husband get bullied?!” Celeste looked at me with immense disappointment. She closed her eyes, then spoke in a deep voice, “Get a basin of boiling water.” At her signal, the bodyguards pinned me to the ground. A basin of scalding water was placed before my eyes, the steam stinging them shut. A sense of foreboding instantly filled my entire being. “Celeste, what are you doing?!” She looked down at me from above. “Alex, you’ve repeatedly betrayed Jeff’s good intentions and hurt him. You have to pay the price.” Vaguely guessing her intent, I struggled desperately. “The liquid in that bowl was already cold! Jeff is just acting with his mother! Can’t you see?!” At my words, Jeff immediately began to wipe away tears. “Brother, it’s bad enough that you bully and target me, but Celeste has been so good to you, how could you bear to lie to her?!” “Are you saying my injury isn’t severe enough? Fine, I’ll scald myself with boiling water again right now, as compensation for your mother’s painting!” He had barely lifted his foot before Celeste pulled him into her arms. “Jeff, you’re just too innocent. That’s why he always slanders and bullies you. I believe you.” Jeff whimpered pitifully. “Actually, since Seraphina is so promiscuous, perhaps ruining your skin with boiling water would be a good thing, brother. Maybe she won’t want to touch you then? At least you wouldn’t get sick.” Celeste actually nodded in agreement at such an absurd suggestion. “Jeff, you’re so clever.” I burst into maniacal laughter, tears streaming down my face. “Celeste, I misjudged you completely. You and Jeff truly are a perfectly vile pair, a match made in hell!” Celeste frowned, her expression grim. “Alex, if you’re angry, you can curse me, but do you really need to target Jeff at every turn? He’s thought about you enough. You can’t be so heartless!” “Jeff is right. Perhaps this is also a way to protect you. Besides, you owe him this!” “Don’t worry, even if you’re covered in scars, I won’t abandon you. The moment Seraphina passes, I’ll come take you away!” As her words fell, the entire basin of scalding water was poured onto my back. The pain was excruciating, tearing through me, yet I couldn’t move. My whole body convulsed and trembled uncontrollably. My father rushed in, his voice anxious. “Stop, all of you! The Harrington family is here! Their heiress is critical. The doctors say she has three days left, tops. She wants a wedding, right now. She’s determined to go out with a bang.” “The Harrington family wants to take him now. They said they’ll hold a small ceremony at home first, so Miss Harrington won’t have any regrets!” When the butler changed my clothes, he was terrified by the shocking blisters covering my back, afraid of bursting them and causing bleeding or infection. My father, upon hearing this, showed no pity, only blame. “It was I who told Jeff to get the Blessed Mother painting from you. I can’t believe how disobedient you are, even slandering Jeff. You’ll never change!” I violently looked at him, hatred practically spewing from my eyes. So, he was the one who told Jeff about the painting! “Don’t look at me like that. Are you regretting it? Do you think being injured will get you out of the wedding?” “Let me be clear,” my father snarled, “the Harringtons have promised Sterling Corp a substantial reward for this. A single project from them is worth a decade of our profits. I’ve fed and housed you all these years. Now, you will repay me. You will marry into that family today!” He ordered the butler to suit me up, injuries be damned. “Dark fabric hides blood.” My back was raw, the pain blinding. When the car moved, the suit was already stained dark. Through the window, I saw Celeste silently form the words. “Alex, just endure it. I’ll come for you.” Three days later, news came that a Harrington had died. Celeste, counting the days, was certain it was Seraphina, the city’s darling heiress. She rushed to the funeral home with Jeff to pay their respects. But when she looked into the coffin, she froze. The body lying there wasn’t a young woman at all. It wasn’t the heiress. It was 102-year-old Grandfather Harrington, with a shock of white hair.

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I was applying a face mask when my son suddenly burst into tears, shoving his dad’s phone right into my face. “Mom, Dad’s chatting with another woman! He called her ‘baby’! Am I… am I going to lose my dad?” I quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom. I snatched the phone, putting it back exactly where it was. “Shh, don’t make a sound. That lady is a good person. The prestigious private school you go to? She arranged all of it. Our house and car? She bought them. Your dad and I even got promotions thanks to her. You absolutely can’t let your dad know we found out, got it?” My son looked up at me, his eyes brimming with tears. “Mom, are you… are you out of your mind?” I led my son to the balcony, wiping his tears dry. “Sweetheart, all you need to do right now is focus on your studies. Your dad and I aren’t getting a divorce, and you’re not losing your dad.” “That lady is truly a wonderful person. She’s not here to break up our family. Everything we have now, it’s all because of her, you understand?” “So, just relax, okay? Focus on your schoolwork.” He was still a bit confused; he was only ten, after all. But seeing how serious I was, he wiped his eyes and stopped crying. “Mom, I get it. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything.” I patted his head. “Good boy. Finish your homework, then go to bed. “Mom has to go to work tomorrow, too.” My son suddenly asked another question: “Mom, you said your and Dad’s promotions were arranged by that lady. Is she really that powerful?” I smiled. “Oh, she’s incredibly powerful. “Because she’s your dad’s boss… and mine.” He looked surprised, then a flicker of worry crossed his face. “Will she… will she bully you?” Now it was my turn to be shocked. “Why would you think that?” He bit his lip. “I just feel like you two should be enemies, and since she’s your boss, she’d definitely bully you.” I chuckled. “Don’t worry, Leo, she won’t. “Now, go do your homework.” He didn’t ask any more questions, turning and running back to his bedroom. I stood alone on the balcony, a gentle breeze blowing, my mind a complete blank. I mean, I never imagined that one day, discovering my husband’s affair would actually lead to so many benefits.

Finding out Daniel was cheating was completely unexpected. We worked at the same company, started at the same time, and had similar abilities, yet his promotions were much faster than mine. At first, I thought it was because I’d gotten pregnant and had a child, which put me behind. But later, I found out that wasn’t it at all. Daniel had slept his way into Eleanor’s bed. It was the annual company gala. Eleanor not only gave Daniel numerous awards but also a whopping $500,000 bonus. Even during the group photo, she made sure Daniel stood center stage. She herself retreated slightly, standing intimately close to him. This didn’t necessarily mean anything, until dinner when Eleanor suddenly came to sit at our table. As drinks flowed freely, she took a sip from Daniel’s glass. After drinking, she handed the glass back to Daniel, who immediately picked it up and drank from the exact spot with her lipstick print. Everyone was enjoying themselves and didn’t notice this small detail. But I did. My whole body was trembling at the time. A few minutes later, Eleanor seemed to get tipsy, and Daniel was the one who helped her up, saying he’d take her home. No one objected, and neither did I, of course. But after they left, I secretly followed them, wanting to find out what was really going on. I thought it would be hard to get answers, but it turned out to be incredibly easy. They assumed no other employees had followed them, so as soon as they exited the hotel banquet hall, Daniel pressed Eleanor against the corridor wall. “Eleanor, you were deliberately trying to provoke me tonight, weren’t you? “Drinking from my glass in front of everyone, and purposely leaving your lipstick mark.” Whether it was because of the alcohol or because of Daniel in front of her, Eleanor’s face was flushed, glowing with excitement. “Yes, you caught me.” Daniel fiercely kissed her cheek. “Aren’t you afraid someone will see? “What if someone tells your husband? That would be trouble. “Especially since Mina was there.” Oh, the Mina he was referring to was me. Eleanor just chuckled softly. “I know. Isn’t that just more thrilling?”

My hands and feet began to tremble, a wave of anger surging from my core. Just as I was about to rush out and confront them, Daniel spoke again. “You little temptress, you’re so daring. But I absolutely love it. Even knowing your husband could kill me if he found out, and knowing this is like a moth to a flame, I’m still completely hooked. “Though, doing this, I feel terrible about Mina and Leo.” Eleanor, however, cupped his face, pouting. “Just make it up to them, you know? If there’s no love, there’s always money. “And I’ve got plenty of that. “You can’t divorce now, and neither can I. We just have to keep them pacified for now. “Tonight’s bonus? I got it for you by handing you a project I negotiated myself. Give it all to Mina. “I’ll transfer another $500,000 to your personal account, and your salary will go up to $15,000 a month. You can give Mina more of that. “Also, your car and house need an upgrade. I felt uncomfortable last time I was at your place. “The VP of the projects department is leaving soon, and I’m considering Mina for the position. It’ll be a good way to compensate her. “I’ve already arranged for your son to attend a prestigious international private school, and I’ve paid all the tuition. You can find an excuse to enroll him when the time comes.” My foot, which had just stepped forward, instantly pulled back. I suppressed the storm raging inside me and continued to listen. Daniel was clearly shocked too. “Eleanor, you’ve done so much for me. I don’t know what to say. “I’m truly overwhelmed.” Eleanor pinched his cheek. “It’s nothing. As long as you stay with me, I’ll take care of your wife and child, too. “Only by keeping your home front secure can we truly be together. “After all, I don’t want a big scandal. If I end up walking away with nothing in a divorce, it won’t be good for any of us. “Mr. Thorne won’t let me off the hook.” Daniel nodded. “Being together is definitely difficult. We just can’t risk being discovered. “Eleanor, when can we finally be together openly? “I hate this sneaking-around feeling.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed, a flash of ruthlessness crossing her face. “Mr. Thorne is paralyzed, but he’s not going to die anytime soon. “Not only that, he’s worried I’ll cheat, so he’s got a few people watching me. “He even sent Chloe, who pretends to be my husband’s sister. She’s not family, but she’s incredibly obedient. “She’s in Mina’s department. “So, tonight, I truly let my guard down. “If any of them had found out, we’d both be finished.”

Daniel’s face showed some helplessness. “It’s a shame we can’t both just quit our jobs; then we could be together.” Eleanor just smiled. “What are you talking about? “Quitting is definitely not an option. Mr. Thorne is still the biggest boss in the company. If I quit, how would I get money from him? “If you quit, how would you earn his money? “Actually, this is pretty good. We work hard to earn his money, and that makes me feel a little better.” Daniel agreed wholeheartedly. “You’re right. In another company, I might not have the position I have now. “Mina certainly wouldn’t be benefiting from my success.” Eleanor chuckled softly. “Well, what can I say? I fell for you. “So, I guess I just have to accept your family, right? “I’ve thought about it – why are you married? If only you were single. “But then I think, if you were single, I might not have even noticed you. “I’ve seen plenty of single, fresh-faced guys, many of whom approached me with an agenda. You, on the other hand, needed me to hint and pursue you to finally get you.” Daniel clearly loved hearing this. He suddenly lifted her chin and kissed her. “I never thought you’d even look at me back then. I actually thought I was misinterpreting your signals.” What followed was a passionate kiss. I quickly retreated, then quietly slipped away. Standing on the hotel balcony, I slowly began to calm my heart, which had almost leaped out of my chest. I never, ever thought Daniel would cheat on me. And I certainly didn’t expect it to happen this way. Thinking about the $500,000, and my son’s international private school, and Eleanor raising Daniel’s salary, and then preparing to promote me… My initial anger morphed into a strange excitement. After all, these were things I wouldn’t even have dared to dream of in my entire life. But now, they were all about to come true, and in such an unexpected way. It left me utterly stunned. For a moment, I felt only exhilaration and happiness about Daniel’s affair, not a shred of sadness. Even if he divorced me later, I would still have plenty of money. But then, Eleanor’s words made me feel a touch of worry. Mr. Thorne was her husband and the ultimate boss. He even had several spies watching Eleanor in the company. One of them, Chloe, was in my department, closest to me. What should I do to avoid her suspicion?

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