Category: English

After signing the multi-billion dollar contract with Robertson Corp., our company held a celebration dinner. When a roast chicken was served, Chloe Belle’s assistant, Ethan Calderon, deliberately cut out the fatty, greasy piece of the roast chicken and put it on my plate: “You’re just a lazy, good-for-nothing freeloader.” “All you do is hide in your office, enjoying the AC and sipping coffee, while we do all the hard work and accomplishments.” “This chicken tail is perfect for you, isn’t it?” “After you’re done, go clean out your office. Miss Belle says she needs that spot for someone more capable.” I turned to Chloe Belle, her eyes offered only silent confirmation. I chuckled, then casually picked up the chicken tail and stuffed it into Ethan Calderon’s mouth. Immediately, I pulled out my phone and made a call: “Get the contract back. I’m canceling our partnership with Belle Corp.” I helped Chloe Belle grow her small company into the large corporation it is today. I worried she might get bullied by competitors when I wasn’t always by her side, so even though Belle Corp. wasn’t quite qualified to partner with Robertson Corp., I agreed to it for her protection. But she didn’t know I was the actual head of Robertson Corp. I planned to tell her on her birthday. Who would have thought that after the contract was signed, every time I tried to order a dish, her assistant, Ethan Calderon, would say it was too expensive. The third time, I looked up at him, annoyed: “Ethan Calderon, what exactly do you mean by that?” The air crackled with unspoken tension. “Are you out of your mind? Can’t you see?” He shook his head and chuckled, meeting my gaze. “Certain people deserve certain things. And the dishes you ordered? You don’t deserve them.” Just then, a waiter brought a roast chicken to the table and said to Ethan Calderon: “Sir, all your dishes have been served.” He picked up a fork and reached for the roast chicken, cut off the chicken tail, and placed it on my plate. “James, you’re just a lazy, good-for-nothing freeloader.” “All you do is hide in your office, enjoying the AC and sipping coffee, while we do all the hard work and accomplishments.” “You think a good-for-nothing like you deserves to eat well?” “Here. Eat up! The chicken tail is plenty greasy; it’s perfect for you.” “Oh, and by the way.” “After you’re done, remember to hurry back and clean out your office. Miss Belle said she needs that spot for someone more capable.” I looked at the chicken tail on my plate, but I didn’t get angry. Everyone watched, tense and fearful, as if a battle was about to erupt between us. I turned to Chloe Belle. She was wearing a tight professional dress today, accentuating her devilish figure. But she was sitting so close to Ethan Calderon, they looked like a couple no matter how you sliced it. Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to breathe. Everyone knew Chloe and I were married, but her excessive intimacy with Ethan Calderon truly humiliated me in public. “Chloe…” “It’s Miss Belle!” “At this company, no one is allowed to pull strings or try to cozy up to me, and that includes you. You must call me Miss Belle.” Her voice was loud, every word reaching everyone’s ears. “Miss Belle!” My voice turned several degrees colder. “Is what Ethan Calderon said true?” She didn’t answer me directly; her gaze was dismissive. Her silent confirmation only fueled Ethan Calderon’s arrogance. He slammed the table and stood up: “Since you know Miss Belle’s stance, why aren’t you hurrying back to clean out your office…” “You’re really annoying!” I picked up the chicken tail with my hand and shoved it directly into his mouth.

I ignored the gasps from the entire room, even Chloe Belle’s cold stare. I picked up a napkin from in front of me, wiped my hand, and smirked. “Is the chicken tail tasty?” I tossed the napkin onto the floor, my anger flaring. “James, you’ve gone too far.” “How dare you publicly force such a dirty thing into Ethan Calderon’s mouth?” “Ugh!” Ethan Calderon bent over, gagging and then ran towards the restroom. But before he ran off, he shot me a fierce glare, as if to say he’d settle the score later. I sat back down, shedding my usual approachable demeanor. My cold gaze stunned Chloe Belle for a few seconds. “How have I gone too far?” “Isn’t this chicken tail the exquisite delicacy Ethan Calderon had delivered? If I eat it, it’s normal, but if Ethan Calderon eats it, it’s a crime? Chloe, you really have double standards!” Ethan Calderon’s retching could still be heard from the restroom, and Chloe Belle was again left speechless by my retort. “James, I’ll deal with you later.” She rushed into the restroom, in a posture of a wife most concerned for her husband, to wipe Ethan Calderon’s mouth, wash his face, and straighten his tie. They were so close, their noses almost touching. Ethan Calderon deliberately stumbled, falling right on top of Chloe Belle. “Miss Belle, are you alright?” “I’m fine, you caught my waist, didn’t you?” “My waist? Oh! I forgot, you were so wild on top of me last night…” He said it loudly, making sure I could hear every word. He didn’t finish the rest of his sentence, letting clever people guess what he meant. My hand clenched into a fist, but I released it two seconds later. I pulled out my phone and made a call: “Get the contract back. I’m canceling our partnership with Belle Corp.” I had done so much for her, yet she repaid me with infidelity and by trying to force me out. If I let that good-for-nothing Ethan Calderon walk all over me, I wouldn’t be James. Chloe Belle and Ethan Calderon walked out, clinging to each other, just as they heard me speak. Ethan Calderon scoffed at me on the spot, his face full of disdain. “James, you think you’re the boss of Robertson Corp.?” “What makes you think you can cancel the partnership with Belle Corp.?” Everyone else also gave me doubtful glances; they wouldn’t believe me. I leaned back in my chair, watching Ethan Calderon with the most languid posture. He wasn’t to be outdone, looking down at me condescendingly. “Because I am the head of Robertson Corp.!” The private room went silent for a few seconds, then erupted in laughter. “You say you’re the head of Robertson Corp.?” “Ha! Since when?” “If you’re so awesome, why are you working at Belle Corp.?” “Are you out of your mind, or do you just think we’re playing us for fools?” One sentence ignited the anger of all the senior executives. They hadn’t spoken earlier because they respected my marital relationship with Chloe. Now, seeing that Chloe was clearly siding with Ethan Calderon, they knew currying favor with him would be beneficial. “I didn’t treat anyone like a fool!” “Those were your words.” “Wait ten more minutes; you’ll know when the Robertson Corp. representatives return.” “Enough, stop spouting nonsense here.” “There’s no place for you at this meal. Stand up and go back to clean out your things immediately so Ethan Calderon can sit there.” “After all, he brought us closer to the Robertson Corp. partnership, so he absolutely deserves the Vice President position.” Ethan Calderon helped Belle Corp. partner with Robertson Corp.? I turned my head and looked coldly at Ethan Calderon. He looked back at me with immense pride. “Who else if not me?” “I know you’re probably unhappy about giving up your position.” “How about this, we’ll decide by vote.”

Chloe Belle looked at Ethan Calderon with an admiring gaze. “James, did you see that? That’s what a truly intelligent person says!” “Unlike you, all talk and no action, just making a fool of yourself.” I didn’t speak, waiting to see how Belle Corp.’s people would react. Chloe Belle shifted her gaze to everyone else, her voice carrying an undeniable authority. “You all heard what was said, didn’t you?” “So I’ll get straight to the point.” “Do you support Ethan Calderon as Vice President? Or James as Vice President? Let’s decide by a show of hands.” “Now, those who support Ethan Calderon as Vice President, please raise your hands!” Everyone saw that Chloe Belle highly valued her assistant; who would dare to defy her and not raise their hand? Everyone in the room, except me, raised their hands in approval. Ethan Calderon smirked, very pleased with the scene before him. Chloe Belle curled her lips into a smile, nodding with equal satisfaction. I instantly understood; she was humiliating me in public. “Those who support James remaining as Vice President, please raise your hands!” Everyone exchanged glances; no one raised a hand. Ethan Calderon scoffed and raised his hand, and even Chloe Belle looked a bit bewildered. Only I knew why he raised his hand. “Oh, my! How can you treat our current Vice President this way?” “At least one person could raise their hand so James wouldn’t lose face completely, right?” My confusion vanished, and his mockery grew stronger. “I’m such a considerate person; seeing James so pathetic, I just had to raise my hand.” “Oh, James! Don’t be sad, I’ll hold onto that position for you really well.” He looked at me with a fake smile. I didn’t get angry; I just lightly tapped the table. “Chloe, it’s not that I underestimate your abilities.” “Belle Corp. is a legitimate company, after all. You’re dismissing a Vice President by letting a bunch of nobodies make the decision? Without the shareholders’ input?” I was going to leave, but not by being casually dismissed by this bunch of worthless people. Honestly, without me, Belle Corp. would probably be close to bankruptcy. “James, are you looking down on us?” Someone slammed the table and stood up, starting to openly oppose me, seeing I was at a disadvantage. “Exactly! We are senior executives of Belle Corp. Don’t we have the right to vote?” I pulled out my phone, sent a message, and then stood up. “Yes!” “Simply put, to fire me, you need the support of the board of directors.” Seeing me about to leave, Ethan Calderon called out, smiling. “Wait!” “Didn’t you say Robertson Corp. representatives would bring a contract to cancel the deal?” “What, can’t keep up the act anymore?” “See! That’s the kind of competence our Vice President uses to help Belle Corp. thrive.” “Laugh all you want!” “Anyway, everyone gets arrogant when they’re in power.” “The partnership between Robertson Corp. and Belle Corp. depends on tomorrow’s board meeting.” If they want to dig their own grave, I won’t stop them. After my figure disappeared through the door, everyone stopped laughing. My departure didn’t cause a ripple; instead, they continued ordering food and occasionally mocked me for entertainment. Back home, I washed away the day’s fatigue. Holding a bottle of red wine in one hand and a glass in the other, I lay on the single sofa on the balcony, poured myself a glass, and slowly savored it. Just then, my phone vibrated.

I glanced at the caller ID, and knowing it was Ethan Calderon, I didn’t answer. He seemed to enjoy it endlessly, calling again and again. I’m not one to lose my temper easily, so I let him call as much as he wanted. Until, getting bored, he sent me a video and a voice message. It showed him in Chloe Belle’s bed, hugging and kissing her wildly, engaging in intimate acts. He thought provoking me would make me furious. Instead, I immediately downloaded their video and sent it to everyone in the company. I thought my heart would feel a little sad, but surprisingly, it didn’t. The next day, when I returned to the company, everyone gave me strange looks. “Did you all get it last night?” “Mr. James actually sent me an intimate video of Miss Belle and Assistant Ethan Calderon in bed!” “You got it too? Holy hell, I got it too!” “Me too…” “How did everyone get it? What’s Mr. James playing at?” “His fiancée getting intimate with another man, and he’s not angry? He even has the energy to send that kind of video to all the employees.” “Quiet down, Miss Belle is coming.” As soon as the words fell, Chloe Belle, clicking in high heels, strode towards me. When she got close, she raised her hand, ready to slap me. I caught her hand: “Still so angry first thing in the morning?” “Are you not man enough for Chloe? Is that why you couldn’t satisfy her?” Ethan Calderon’s face instantly flushed red; it seemed my counterattack had made him furious. “James, you’re disgusting.” “Why would you send my intimate photos to every employee in the company?” I smiled, shook off her hand, then straightened my collar. “Guess why I have a video of you two in bed together?” The hall instantly fell silent; everyone was curious. “Well, it’s all thanks to Assistant Ethan Calderon.” “He sent me your intimate video, but he didn’t tell me the details. I thought, such good benefits, I shouldn’t hog them all, right?” “So, I made sure every employee in the company got a copy.” Chloe Belle looked at Ethan Calderon in disbelief, but he denied it with a distraught face. Just then, the shareholders in the conference room sent word. They had been waiting for a long time; if we didn’t go in soon, they’d leave. Ethan Calderon certainly wouldn’t let them go, as he hadn’t formally taken my position yet. As soon as I walked into the conference room, I became the center of attention. Chloe Belle, with Ethan Calderon beside her, walked arrogantly to her seat. She pointed at the seat that belonged to me. “Ethan Calderon, this position is yours from now on. Go sit.” “Alrighty!” Ethan Calderon beamed and quickly walked over, sitting down without hesitation. “Indeed, the Vice President’s chair is so comfortable.” The chairs were all identical, yet everyone present understood the deeper meaning behind his words. Someone couldn’t help but stand up and ask: “Miss Belle, you’re letting an assistant sit in the Vice President’s position? Where will Mr. James sit?” Chloe Belle smiled: “That’s why! That’s why I called all of you here.” Ethan Calderon immediately straightened his clothes, and Chloe Belle instantly announced to all the shareholders. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement today.” “I am dismissing James and formally appointing Ethan Calderon to the position of Vice President.” Except for Arthur Franklin, the old shareholder who spoke, no one seemed surprised. It seemed that last night, besides their intimate activities, they had also been busy winning over supporters. Arthur Franklin was dissatisfied with the outcome and confronted Chloe Belle. Ethan Calderon picked up a teacup and smashed it on his head: “Old fool, if you can’t bear to part with James, then get lost with him!” “Sell your shares! Belle Corp. might be better off without a stubborn old man like you!” I walked in and helped Arthur Franklin up. I, who was usually calm and composed, finally erupted in anger. “Do you all support Miss Belle dismissing me?” “Yes!” The reply was uniform and forceful, as if they feared I wouldn’t hear them. “Alright, then I’ll give you a gift too.” I raised my hand and clapped: “Everyone, come in!” The door opened, and several stern men in sharp suits walked in. They held a contract in their hands—the partnership agreement between Belle Corp. and Robertson Corp. “Chloe, I can raise you up, and I can cast you down to hell!” “I announce that Robertson Corp. will never partner with Belle Corp. again.”

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As the top deep-sea rescue diver in the country, I received an urgent call for help. The missing person was a ten-year-old, last seen in Gale Creek Bay. Ten years ago, my sister, Sophia, accidentally fell into the same waters. My then-girlfriend, Olivia, who was the diving team captain, promised me herself, “With me there, I’ll definitely bring Sophia back safely.” But what she brought back was only Sophia’s bloated body. Later, I learned that during the dive, she had actually caught Sophia’s hand but, wanting to give the credit to her partner, Marcus, she deliberately unclipped the safety line attached to Sophia. After surfacing, Olivia cried, claiming she had done her best. Marcus, too, became a “rescue hero” through fabricated stories. From that day on, I dropped out of college and trained to get my rescue diver license. Over ten years, I’d done more than two hundred underwater rescues. One hundred ninety-three lives made it back to shore, alive, because of me. I’d simulated the underwater conditions thousands of times, hoping that one day, no one else would suffer Sophia’s fate. But today, the command center sent a photo of the missing child to my phone. I stared at the screen for a long time. The child’s mother stood on the shore, her face contorted in tears as she cried into the camera. I recognized her. I flipped my phone face down on the table. “I can’t do this rescue. I’m not going down.”

“Ethan, are you kidding me?” David, the dispatcher at the command center, chuckled, as if he genuinely didn’t understand what I was saying. “Last year, during the floods, you dove alone into forty meters of murky water and pulled that kid out of the shipwreck, didn’t you?” “You’re the record holder for live underwater rescues. No offense, but if you say you can’t go down, then no one in this country can!” He paused, a hint of playfulness still in his voice. “You’re telling me you can’t handle this level of a rescue?” “I’m not kidding.” “Ethan…” “I’m serious. I can’t take this mission. Find someone else, don’t waste time with me.” After that, I hung up. But before I could even zip up my gear bag, the door burst open. Hayes practically stumbled in, his forehead slick with sweat. “Ethan,” he braced himself against the doorframe, his chest heaving, “You… you can’t leave yet.” “Hayes, there’s nothing to discuss.” “Just hear me out first.” He closed the door, leaning his back against it as if afraid I’d walk right out. “You know Gale Creek Bay’s conditions. Our regular teams have been searching for two hours. Three teams have rotated through, and they haven’t found a trace.” He paused, lowering his voice. “The boy who’s missing, his dad is Marcus, the owner of the biggest commercial diving equipment company in the country. His mom, Olivia, she used to be a diving team captain, too.” “Without their funding for the rescue team all these years, where would we get all this top-notch equipment…” “Then use the equipment to search.” I cut him off. “Since the underwater search equipment is so advanced, it’s not like I absolutely have to go down.” I picked up my bag, ready to leave, but Hayes rushed forward and grabbed my arm, holding it tight. “All the equipment has been used! Sonar can’t reach all the blind spots, we still need divers to search by hand!” “Ethan, if we weren’t utterly desperate, I wouldn’t be begging you.” I didn’t respond. Hayes paced frantically, stomping his foot. “Ethan, are you worried about safety?” “Gale Creek Bay is dangerous, I admit, but I guarantee you, the shore support is top-tier.” “Dry suits, spare oxygen tanks, underwater comms – whatever you need, I’ll get you. I’ll stake my life on your safety!” “Hayes, it’s not a safety issue.” “Then what is it?” “Personal reasons.” “Personal…” His voice rose a notch. “Ethan, there’s a ten-year-old kid down there, and you’re telling me ‘personal reasons’?” By then, the news of my refusal to dive had spread. Rescue team members gathered in small groups around the doorway. “Ethan, you’re the benchmark for our rescue team! If you don’t take it, who else would dare?” “What kind of legend? Stop praising him. I think he’s just a coward, scared to die.” Curses erupted, one after another. I showed no expression, glancing down at my watch. “Hayes, you’ve wasted another five minutes.” “I don’t want this mission. You can find someone else. Time is running out. I suggest you start the rescue immediately.” Ignoring their attempts to stop me, I turned to leave without a word. A voice from the back of the crowd rang out. “Ethan, your sister… she died in Gale Creek Bay, didn’t she? How can you be so heartless, just leaving someone to die?!”

I froze, my heart clutched by an invisible hand. The phone screen was still lit, showing the ten-year-old boy smiling, his front teeth visible. The exact same age as Sophia had been… I closed my eyes. If Olivia hadn’t unclipped her safety line back then, would everything have been different? Suddenly, the commotion in the crowd pulled me back to reality. A man in an expensive designer suit strode forward. He didn’t even look at me. He just opened his wallet and started throwing stacks of cash at me. “What’s the problem with going down?” “You just want money, right? Come on! Name your price!” “Is this the guy you found for me?” Marcus turned his head, glancing at Hayes, his voice full of disdain. He then looked me up and down, a mocking sneer on his face. “So you’re the top underwater rescue diver now?” “Well, I’ll be damned. This is quite a sight.” “So-called rescue heroes, just holding another family’s child’s life hostage for a payout.” He moved closer, pulling out his phone again. “Still not enough? Name a number! I can transfer it right away. A hundred thousand? Half a million? Whatever it takes to save my son, any amount is fine.” Everyone in the hallway gasped, marveling at his generosity. I didn’t move. I just stared, lost in thought, at the medal pinned to his chest. Ten years. The honor gained from my sister’s death, still displayed on him. Following my gaze, he glanced at the design—two hands cradling a life—and chuckled contemptuously. “What? Envious?” “I’m not like a diver of your caliber. This medal, I earned it with my life.” “Ten years ago, right here in Gale Creek Bay! Visibility underwater was almost zero, and my wife and I dove in without a second thought to start the rescue.” He placed himself on a moral high ground. “Unlike some people, who, just because they have some skill, exploit people’s desperation.” I glared at him, only a few words escaping my throat. “Did you save her?” Marcus’s expression stiffened for a second, but he quickly assumed a defensive posture. “In those conditions, no one could guarantee a hundred percent success…” I let out a soft, bitter laugh. “So, you didn’t save her, did you?” “I am indeed different from you. Without absolute certainty, I won’t just dive in. And I certainly won’t easily drag crying family members on shore from hope to despair!” I forced him to meet my gaze, but it was clear he’d long forgotten that I was the man standing on that shore, waiting for Sophia to be brought up that day. He grew enraged, grabbing my collar. “Don’t care if I saved her or not, at least I wasn’t a coward! You don’t even dare to go in the water, what right do you have to judge me here?” The murmuring around us grew louder. “Mr. Marcus is right. At least he put his life on the line ten years ago. Ethan talks a big game, but when it matters, he’s just a greedy coward.” Accusatory stares felt like needles piercing my back. Everyone thought I was avaricious, selfish, and cold-blooded. I ignored them, until a woman stumbled in. Her hair was disheveled, her makeup streaked by tears. Ten years had passed, and even now, in her disarray, time hadn’t left many marks on her face. The woman who had vehemently promised to bring Sophia back safely, yet personally pushed her into the abyss, stood before me.

I unconsciously clenched my fists. She didn’t even truly look at me, instead grabbing Marcus’s arm, signaling him to step back, then turned to face me. “Please.” “Hayes said you’re the rescue team’s last hope. I don’t know you, but I choose to trust you!” “My child is still underwater. He’s only ten. He’s terrified of the dark, and he needs to hear my voice every night to fall asleep.” Tears dripped from her chin. “If you just go down, I’ll do whatever you ask. Anything, any price.” I took a deep breath, the emotions suppressed for ten years churning in my chest. Perhaps this price was greater than they could imagine. Would they still insist then? Finally, I spoke, my voice low. “I can agree to come to the site with you.” Olivia was overjoyed, grabbing my hand and exclaiming. “Oh, thank God, that’s wonderful! Your name is Ethan, right?” She paused, a little hesitant. “No matter what your name is, my husband and I will be so grateful.” I cut her off. “Don’t misunderstand. I agreed to go to the site, not to go in the water.” Ten years. I stood on the riverbank of Gale Creek Bay once more. The ground was covered with equipment: multi-dimensional sonar, high-power underwater lights, three top-of-the-line rescue boats on standby. A dozen experts huddled around a folding table, pointing at hydrographic charts. “This is Mr. Marcus’s child! We have to save him, no matter the cost!” I stood outside the crowd, looking at the scene, and suddenly felt a lump in my throat. Ten years ago, Sophia fell into the same waters. But on the shore, there was only one inflatable boat, a few ordinary safety ropes, and Olivia’s empty promise. Today, because it was Marcus’s son lying at the bottom, the entire command center could mobilize so much equipment within two hours. What about Sophia’s life then? What was it worth? At most, it was just a stepping stone for them to gain fame and fortune. Even if they only retrieved a bloated body, they could still wear the halo of “rescue heroes,” attract investors, start businesses, and rake in cash in the business world. At that moment, the rescue personnel on site gathered around, their faces grim. “Based on underwater air pressure and the child’s equipment capacity, the rescue window is only twenty minutes. The child is running low on oxygen. If we don’t go down now, he’ll be gone for good!” “Ethan, since you’re already here, why don’t you go down now?” Countless mouths opened and closed before me, but I shook my head. “You have the most advanced sonar in the country here, a top-tier medical team, and all these experts.” “Besides, didn’t the child’s parents also participate in the Gale Creek Bay rescue ten years ago? If anyone should go down, it certainly isn’t me.” Olivia seemed to not have expected me to suddenly bring up the past. She looked up at me, tears streaming down her face, her lips trembling. “Yes, we went down back then, but we were injured after that rescue and moved behind the scenes. Technically, we can’t even enter the core area now!” Perhaps with a guilty conscience, she suddenly collapsed to her knees. Her knees hit the ground with a dull thud. “Mr. Ethan, please, I beg you. I admit we weren’t skilled enough. We don’t deserve the title of rescue heroes, but our child is innocent!” “I’m begging you, if you’ll just go down, I’ll do anything!” She frantically banged her head against the ground, her forehead instantly red and swollen. “Please go down! Save my son!” Her gut-wrenching cries instantly ignited the anger of the surrounding crowd. “Ethan! Are you even human?! How can you treat a grieving mother like this?” “Ethan, you’re too selfish!” “She’s kneeling to you, and you’re still playing hard to get!” Several emotional team members rushed forward, grabbing my arms, desperately trying to push me into the water. “You’re going down today!” Malice washed over me from all sides, like a crushing tide. I spoke, my voice hoarse. “You all want me to go down so badly?” “But even if I do go down, even if I reach your child…” “How do you know I won’t also let go?”

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The night before my heart transplant, my husband, Noah, brought me a glass of milk at midnight. When I woke up the next day, I found that the heart meant for me had been stolen by my sister, Chloe. The next day, I broke down at the operating room door, demanding to know why. Noah sighed helplessly. “Chloe’s condition is worse. You still have three years to live. Just let her have this heart.” My mother frowned, saying I was being unreasonable. “Chloe has always compromised for you. As the older sister, you should give in this once.” Even my son wouldn’t speak up for me. “Chloe is afraid of pain, you’re not. The heart should go to Chloe.” Everyone stood against me. A sharp pain surged in my chest. I had a heart attack and died right there at the operating room door. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day before the heart transplant. “Your physical condition is fine. The donor heart has been confirmed, and the transplant can proceed tomorrow.” “Remember to fast and avoid liquids for 10 hours to ensure a smooth operation.” Familiar words echoed in my ears again. I opened my eyes, tears streaming down my face, soaking the pillow. My attending physician looked at me and smiled. “Evelyn, congratulations. The match rate for this transplant is very high. After the surgery, you’ll be healthy.” She thought I was crying tears of joy, but only I knew the truth. The agony and despair of finally grasping hope, only for it to be crushed by the very people who were supposed to be my family. The pain of the heart attack still lingered throughout my body, yet I forced a smile. “Thank you, Doctor.” “Could I ask you for a favor? Please don’t tell my family about tomorrow’s surgery yet. I’ll sign the consent form myself.” Heaven had given me another chance. This time, I would hold on tight and never let go. The doctor nodded understandingly, closed my medical file, and left the room. My roommate, who shared the room with me, looked at me with envy and struck up a conversation. “I’ve been waiting for a suitable donor for almost seven years. It’s so wonderful to see you get to live. Your family must be so happy.” I smiled but said nothing. They couldn’t possibly be happy, not when their beloved adopted daughter, Chloe, hadn’t found a donor yet. Even when I was hospitalized, no one was willing to visit or take care of me. Several times, the pain was so severe that doctors issued a critical condition notice, requiring my family to sign. With trembling hands, I immediately called Noah. But his first words were full of blame. “I told you not to call me in the middle of the night. Chloe is a light sleeper; it will wake her up.” I curled up on the hospital bed, cold sweat soaking my gown. My voice trembled as I spoke. “Noah, I’m in so much pain. The doctor said I might not make it. I want to see you, to see Ethan and Mom and Dad.” “Please, can you all come to the hospital and see me?” But I didn’t get his concern. Noah’s hushed voice was utterly cold. “Stop acting out, Evelyn. You just can’t stand us revolving around Chloe. You’re faking pain to trick us into visiting you.” “This is the fifth time. The doctors issued a critical condition notice, and we didn’t come to see you, yet you still survived.” I blinked, stunned, unable to believe the man I loved most would say such hurtful things. I instinctively began to explain. “I’m not lying, Noah…” Before I could finish, the phone was snatched away, and my mother, Eleanor’s, equally hushed voice came through. “Evelyn, I beg you, stop being so dramatic.” Her disappointment was so heavy that I could almost picture her tightly furrowed brow, even through the phone. “Chloe’s heart isn’t feeling well today. Do you need to have heart trouble too? Always copying Chloe—do you really think we can’t see through it?” Eleanor’s voice rose slightly, disturbing Chloe, who let out a mumbled groan. My father, Richard’s, muffled voice immediately interjected. “What’s there to say to Evelyn? Hang up quickly, don’t wake Chloe.” And just like that, the call was disconnected. I held my phone, feeling a wrenching pain in my heart. I couldn’t tell if it was from the words I’d just heard or something else. Just like now, knowing deep down they only cared if Chloe lived a healthy life, I still felt a stinging in my nose from their coldness at the operating room door in my previous life. “Your family seems to be here.” My roommate’s words brought my thoughts back. I turned to the door and saw Mom, Dad, and Noah pushing it open and walking in. Mom’s eyes reddened the moment she saw me. She choked up and came forward to hug me.

“Oh, Evelyn, this is wonderful! You finally got your heart transplant!” “I’m really so happy to see Evelyn healthy again.” Dad held a food container in his hand and smiled as he offered it. “Knowing you’re having surgery soon, your mother specifically went to the market to buy the freshest chicken and slow-cooked it all day into a rich broth.” “Eat it quickly to regain your strength. The surgery won’t be so hard then.” My body stiffened. For a moment, I didn’t know what expression to make. Since I was brought back to the George family, my parents had always been indifferent towards me. This was the first time Mom had personally made a meal just for me. I lowered my eyes, looking at the chicken broth, but didn’t reach for it. Dad didn’t seem to mind. He placed the soup on the cabinet and spoke gently. “Evelyn, I know you didn’t grow up with us and feel a bit distant, but for such a major surgery like a heart transplant, why did you ask the doctor to keep it from us?” I clenched my hands, knowing I hadn’t managed to hide it from them after all. Noah stepped forward, gently uncurled my hand, and rubbed it. “Why do you still like to dig your nails into your palm when you’re nervous? I’m your husband, of course, I have the duty to sign your surgical consent form. You don’t have to worry about troubling me.” Looking at their three equally gentle smiling faces, I found it hard to breathe. I couldn’t help but retort sarcastically. “You’re all busy looking after Chloe. This little thing doesn’t need to be brought to your attention.” Their smiles faltered slightly. Then, Noah sighed and gently ruffled my hair. “You’re still mad at us for not visiting you in the hospital because we were taking care of Chloe, aren’t you?” “It was our oversight. We were wrong. We’ll definitely change.” He picked up the bowl of soup, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to my lips. “This is my earnest effort. It won’t taste good if it gets cold. Let me feed you.” The surgery was still fifteen hours away. Even if I drank this bowl of soup now, it wouldn’t affect my transplant tomorrow. They must have known that. My heart fluttered slightly. I couldn’t help but wonder if my parents were truly seeing me again. I opened my mouth, then closed it, pushing the bowl away. “Mom, thank you for your kindness, but I don’t have an appetite right now. Just leave it here for a bit.” “Bang!” As soon as the words left my lips, a small figure kicked open the door. My son, Ethan, burst in like a little cannonball, crying as he spoke to my mother, Eleanor. “Grandma, what do we do? Mom won’t drink the soup, so Chloe can’t get the heart transplant!” “I don’t want Chloe to hurt! Make Mom give the heart to Chloe!” “What?” I stared in shock at the bowl of soup, then snatched the thermos from Dad’s hand, stirring frantically. A small blue capsule floated up. I recognized it. It was my long-term anticoagulant medication. But days ago, when the doctor informed me there was a high possibility of a donor heart, I had stopped taking it. All to seize every chance for a heart transplant. If I took this medication before surgery, I might not survive the operation due to a clotting disorder. And the doctors, after comprehensive consideration, would abandon my transplant.

Fear crawled all over my heart. I clutched my chest, the pain so intense that a layer of cold sweat seeped from my back. I couldn’t take it anymore. I smashed the food container in my hand and roared. “Are you trying to kill me?!” The pain of betrayal from two lifetimes combined, tears filled my eyes. I looked mournfully at the few people who were supposed to be the closest in the world to me, choking back sobs as I demanded an answer. “Dad, Mom, I’m your daughter, aren’t I? Why are you doing this to me?” My sudden outburst of smashing things startled Ethan. He flinched, then cried even louder. “Bad mom! You don’t hurt at all, why are you still trying to steal Chloe’s heart?” “I don’t want a selfish mom! I only want Chloe!” “Don’t hurt?” I mumbled, chewing on those words as if they were shards of glass I couldn’t swallow. Looking at this son I had nearly died giving birth to, all my affection for him dissipated like smoke. It was precisely because I was in so much pain during my episodes—my face pale, expression twisted, black hair matted with cold sweat clinging to my cheeks—that I looked so ugly and terrifying. I always worried about scaring my little one. So I never let him see me during an episode. Ethan would sometimes notice something was off. He’d cautiously ask me. “Mom, does your heart hurt?” I would force a smile and reassure him. “No, I don’t hurt, Ethan. Don’t worry, okay?” I told the lie so many times that Ethan actually believed it. And just because I lied about not hurting, he wanted me to give my heart to Chloe. It was utterly ridiculous. I hunched my back, trying to alleviate the pain, and couldn’t help but let out a short, self-deprecating laugh. “Ethan.” I stared straight at him, my voice raspy. “If I told you I hurt too, would you still want me to give my heart to Chloe?” My heart condition wasn’t always this severe. But while waiting for a donor, I unexpectedly found myself pregnant. It was already difficult for me to conceive. The doctor told me that if I aborted this child, I might never have another one. She pointed to the beating heart on the ultrasound for me to see. “He’s very healthy.” I looked at the screen, many thoughts flashing through my mind, yet feeling as if nothing had. But in the end, I touched that beating heart and decided to keep the child. My pregnancy was incredibly difficult. I couldn’t move much, and my morning sickness was severe. By the time I carried Ethan to term and gave birth, it had almost killed me. My attending physician immediately came to me, looking serious. “Evelyn, you’re insane! Because of this child, your heart’s lifespan has been shortened by almost three years!” But looking at the small, soft infant in my arms, I shook my head firmly. “Doctor, I don’t regret it.” At least, not before I died in my previous life. Ethan’s tears paused. He bit his lip. “Yes, I want Mom to give her heart to Chloe.” All my strength seemed to drain away in an instant. I almost lost my balance. I wiped the tears from my face and spoke coldly to the menacing group. “You want me to give up my donor heart? Impossible.” The atmosphere completely froze. Mom, Eleanor, her face grim, spoke with disappointment. “Evelyn, ever since you came back to the George family, Chloe has always yielded to you. Haven’t you bullied her enough these years?” “You won’t even give up a heart for Chloe. You’re truly a greedy person.” Noah chimed in. “You still have three years to live, but Chloe is in so much pain that she can’t sleep at night. She’s so frail a gust of wind could blow her away.” “How can your heart be so cruel, watching your sister suffer?” But because I gave birth to Ethan, those three years I had left were long gone. If I didn’t get a heart transplant now, I might die next month, or even tomorrow. My mouth was full of bitterness, but I had no strength left to explain any of this to them. I just closed my eyes and told them to leave. “Chloe doesn’t deserve to be my sister. If you think I’m heartless, then after the surgery, I can leave the George family and never bother you again.” Countless insults immediately erupted, but I didn’t take a single word to heart. I called security.

“Someone is causing a disturbance in the hospital, disrupting normal medical order.” Security guards came and escorted them out, and then my ears finally had peace. Exhaustion also washed over me. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up again, a nurse informed me to prepare for surgery. I changed into a surgical gown and lay on the operating table. I was being wheeled to the operating room alone when someone blocked my way. Noah stood at the operating room door, his face grim. “Evelyn can’t have surgery. She drank milk last night and didn’t fast.” The head nurse’s face instantly changed. She asked me sternly, “Did you secretly eat something?” My face was pale. I shook my head, about to explain. Mom and Dad also stepped forward, bringing a frail-looking Chloe with them. “Doctor, we are her closest family. Of course, we want her to be healthy, but we can’t lie.” “Evelyn drank milk last night. We saw it with our own eyes.” They pushed Chloe forward. “But Chloe didn’t eat anything last night. She needs the same donor heart as Evelyn. For everyone’s sake, let Chloe have this transplant.” “We’ll make sure to keep Evelyn in line next time and not let her eat things she shouldn’t.” I instantly understood what they meant. There were no cameras in the room. Whether I had eaten or not depended entirely on their word. And once a donor heart is harvested, it’s only viable for three hours, including air transport time. If I wasted any more time trying to prove I hadn’t eaten, this heart would be useless. I gave them a cold glance, my entire heart completely chilled. The head nurse was already hesitating, but I lay calmly on the operating table, unmoving. The operating room door opened, and Dr. Diaz, my attending physician, beckoned to the head nurse. “Alright, wheel Evelyn in.” Noah’s face changed. He spoke urgently. “Doctor, she ate something last night, she can’t have the surgery!” Dr. Diaz looked at them coldly, then tossed something out. “Whether she ate or not, Evelyn already proved it to us. As for you, you’re implicated in attempted murder. Get ready to go to jail.” The operating room door closed. I saw Mom, Dad, and Noah’s faces instantly turn ashen.

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Five years after I married the unhinged billionaire heir, news suddenly broke of my reserved guardian, Kate Brown’s death. The transatlantic call from his assistant came at five in the morning, London time: “Ms. Fiona, Mr. Kate Brown has passed away. The Brown family is in chaos, and only you can return to take charge…” It had been so long since I’d heard that name. I froze for a moment. As the adopted daughter of a powerful family, I’d only done two rebellious things in my adolescence. One was coaxing Kate into a reckless night with me when he was drunk. The second was boarding a plane for an arranged marriage abroad, escaping before he sobered up. From then on, the eighteen years Kate and I had spent relying on each other since the orphanage were cut all ties. I never imagined I would return home five years later, only to attend the funeral of the man I once so obsessively loved. At the funeral, a little boy in a black suit broke free from the people around him and threw himself into my arms. When I picked him up, he wiped his tear-streaked face, sobbing uncontrollably: “Mommy, you’re finally home!” “They’re all mean. They only want Daddy’s inheritance and keep bullying me!” Looking at the boy’s face, which was an eight-point resemblance to Kate’s, I remembered my first meeting with his father.

For as long as I could remember, I had no parents. I raised myself through petty thievery and pickpocketing around tourist attractions. Until I was seven, when I snatched a Rolex watch from a wealthy heir’s wrist, Only to be caught red-handed by the owner himself. The man, dressed in an exorbitantly expensive custom suit, didn’t hit or scold me, nor did he call the police. Instead, he crouched down, magically placed a piece of candy in my palm, and smiled warmly. “Fiona, I’m sorry, I’m late.” “My name is Kate. I was an old acquaintance of your parents.” “From now on, I will be your guardian, your uncle, and take care of you for the rest of your life.” He kept his word. He attended my parent-teacher conferences, protected me from drunk troublemakers, Taught me how to use forks and knives, taught me to play the piano, Transforming that prickly little beggar into a proper lady, little by little. But I was too greedy, not content with just being his niece, wishing to forever monopolize all of Kate’s kindness. I planned to confess that one reckless night we shared, on his birthday. I even decided that if he didn’t agree, I’d throw a tantrum, just like when I was little and wanted candy, Crying and making a scene until he finally said yes. But before I could even open my mouth, I heard him publicly announce his strategic engagement to Audrey Benjamin at a family dinner. Everyone in the family nervously stared at me, afraid I’d overturn the dining table on the spot. But this time, I merely presented a velvet box. The box opened to reveal a pair of natural pink diamonds, perfectly cut and dazzling under the lights. My adoptive mother, Sarah, paused, about to say something: “Fiona, these diamonds are worth two hundred million. Weren’t you planning to make them into a wedding ring…?” I smiled gracefully, my tone sincere. “They were always meant for Kate. They’ll make a perfect engagement gift.” At my words, Kate suddenly felt an inexplicable awkwardness. His tone was half warning, half coaxing. “Fiona, when you were younger, I indulged you when you made a fuss.” “But from now on, if you cause any more trouble, I won’t go easy on you.” I secretly clenched my fists, raising a smile. “You’re right. I’ll make sure not to disappoint your expectations.” Kate frowned, feeling like something was off, but then his phone rang. It was Audrey Benjamin, urging him to go watch the fireworks with her. He grabbed his coat, ready to leave, but hesitated, turning back to look at me. “Fiona, do you want to come along…?” I paused, then shook my head, my voice light as I urged him on: “You should go, Kate. Have fun.” Kate stared at me for two seconds, then finally said nothing.

The door closed, and the smile on my face finally dropped. Sarah looked at me, a flicker of pity in her eyes. “Fiona, if you’re hurting, just cry it out.” But instead, I suddenly knelt before her. Sarah gasped, quickly helping me up: “What are you doing, child?” My expression was solemn. “The Brown family raised me for twenty years. I remember your kindness and dare not ask for more.” “I heard the family has always wanted to partner with the Williamson family in London but couldn’t find a way in. I’m willing to marry their youngest son.” Sarah’s face went pale. She gripped my wrist tightly. “Fiona, you want to marry Jason?!” “Do you know what kind of person he is?” “Rumor has it he’s a dark, cruel maniac. Aren’t you just throwing yourself into a fire pit?” I didn’t pull my hand away, gently soothing Sarah. “Mom, those are just rumors. Besides, don’t people also think I’m crazy?” “Crazy enough to disregard all morals, selfish and domineering, always trying to chase away every woman near Kate.” “The Williamson family has always been low-key. A marriage alliance is the only way to get close to them.” “You and Dad have spoiled me so much; I want to contribute to the family too.” I analyzed the pros and cons of the marriage alliance, my gaze growing steadier with each word. Sarah’s eyes reddened. She looked at me for a long time, then reached out and stroked my hair. “Alright, since your mind is made up. The Williamson family will send someone to pick you up. You’ll be married in London in half a month.” Hearing the timeline, I sighed inwardly at the coincidence. My wedding, of all things, would be on the same day as Kate’s engagement party. At this, Sarah suddenly remembered something and began to fuss: “But I haven’t had time to prepare your dowry. I need to have Robert transfer some company shares to you first…” I quickly interrupted her, “Mom, I don’t need anything.” “Also, please help me keep the marriage alliance a secret from Kate for now.” “I don’t want him to feel like I’m forcing his hand or trying to stop his engagement with Audrey.” Sarah couldn’t argue with me. She sighed and pulled me into her embrace.

By the time I returned to my bedroom, it was almost dawn. After booking an expedited visa application, I collapsed onto the bed, feeling groggy. But I hadn’t slept long before I vaguely sensed someone sitting by my bed. It was Kate. He was staring down at the floor, his expression heavy with something I couldn’t quite make out. I’d never seen him like this before. In all my memories, Kate always maintained his composed demeanor. Unflappable, with a steady voice. Even when a catastrophe struck the family, he stood there like an unbending pillar. But now, there was a deeply hidden trace of panic on his face. Just as I was about to speak, he spoke first. “Fiona, I’m asking you.” His voice was very low, but his words were sharply articulated. “Audrey had dirt leaked about her online. Was this your doing?” I said nothing. He stood up, looking down at me, his eyes full of a certainty that already held a conclusion. “You’ve always disliked her. You’ve given her a hard time ever since she entered the Brown family.” “Now that our wedding is set, you can’t sit still.” “Playing dirty tricks behind people’s backs is the most despicable thing.” He paused, lowering his voice a notch, as if giving me one last chance. “Tell me honestly, how involved were you in this?” I leaned against the headboard, looking at him. Wind outside ruffled the curtains, then let them fall. I waited for him to finish before I spoke. “No.” “Fiona.” “I said no, it was not me.” My voice was very calm, so calm that he frowned. Kate probably didn’t expect this reaction from me. Usually, I would either cry or make a fuss, but I would never speak to him in such a calm tone. He looked at me again, then pushed his phone screen in front of me. “The comments are over ten thousand. The time the posts went out perfectly matches when you returned to your room after dinner.” “You were alone in your room; no one saw you, no one knew what you were doing.” I glanced down at the screen, then pushed his hand away. “A matched time doesn’t mean it was me.” “Then who was it?” His voice turned cold. “Who would be targeting Audrey and post at exactly that time?” I didn’t answer. Because no matter how I answered that question, he already had his own answer. Silence stretched for a few seconds. I sat up from the bed and folded the blankets neatly. “Kate.” “Call me Kate.” He immediately interrupted, his voice harsh. I paused, then spoke again. “Kate, are you done?” His eyes subtly changed, his frown deepening. “Fiona, what is with your attitude?” “I don’t have an attitude.” I stood up, pushing his hand away. “I just find it a bit odd,” “You come into my bedroom in the middle of the night just to ask me this?” Kate was silent for a moment. That silence stung more than any words. I looked in the mirror and saw him standing behind me, His expression shifting through several emotions like a revolving lantern, finally settling into a complex look I couldn’t decipher. He quickly averted his gaze. “Audrey is very upset. You should go on a trip to another city for now, and come back after the wedding.” But before he finished, the door was abruptly pushed open.

Audrey rushed in, trembling, her voice shaking. “Fiona, you just don’t want me to be with Kate, do you?” “Fine, I won’t get engaged! Will you just leave me alone?” Kate quickly pulled her into his arms, murmuring comforting words. Then, he looked at me, his eyes full of pleading. “Fiona, go post a clarification, admit that you slandered Audrey.” “Once the fuss dies down, no one will remember it.” I thought of my own terrible experience with cyberbullying in the past, and my face instantly turned pale: “I won’t admit to something I didn’t do.” Then, before Kate could react, I dragged out the large suitcase I had packed last night. I reopened it. On top was the first photo of Kate and me after I joined the Brown family. My voice was soft, but every word was clear: “If I prove that I no longer like you, would that prove it wasn’t me?” As soon as the words left my lips, I picked up that photo and tore it into pieces. Kate’s face changed. I didn’t look at him. I picked up the next item—a custom-made dress, his eighteenth birthday gift to me. The scissors fell, and the sound of silk tearing was particularly grating. One item after another. Photos, gifts, souvenirs. Each one was etched with my former obsessive, fervent love. I had once treasured them, but now I destroyed them all without batting an eye. A surge of inexplicable irritation welled up in Kate’s heart. He stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. “Fiona, that’s enough.” I looked up at him, my eyes calm and devoid of emotion. In the stalemate, Audrey’s eyes darkened. She forced a smile: “Fiona, why are you doing this? It makes it seem like I’m being pushy.” She tugged at Kate’s sleeve again, her voice as soft as water: “It’s alright, Kate, don’t pressure her. “Even if it really was her, what is there for me not to forgive?” I couldn’t stand her fake sympathy and manipulative tone. My voice stiff, I asked them to leave. “Kate, is there anything else? If not, I’d like to rest a bit more.” Kate looked at me, wanting to say something, but Audrey pulled his sleeve. “Kate, let’s go. Let Fiona get some rest.” He finally nodded, turning to walk out. Just as I was about to close the door, a man holding a fruit knife suddenly charged straight at us. “Audrey, you caused my sister to drop out of school and commit suicide! Today, I’ll make you pay!” Kate reacted instantly, wrapping an arm around Audrey’s waist, shielding her as they dodged aside. But I, standing behind him, couldn’t react quickly enough. His protective turn even pulled me, sending me straight into the path of the knife. “Thwack!” The blade plunged into my chest then was pulled out. Large gushes of blood sprayed forth. My legs gave out. I slid down, leaning against the doorframe. Through my blood-blurred vision, I saw Kate’s lips move, as if calling my name.

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Two months pregnant, Daniel Brown demanded I give blood to his childhood sweetheart, Chloe. Already anemic, I refused, my eyes burning. But his friends just called me selfish. “Chloe is on the operating table. You’re the only match. What’s the big deal about donating a little blood?” With that, they practically dragged me inside. A flicker of hesitation crossed Daniel’s eyes, but he hardened his gaze. “It’s just a blood donation. Our baby will be fine.” I stopped struggling, a single tear sliding down my cheek. After the transfusion, a sudden, excruciating pain ripped through my abdomen. The baby we’d hoped for for three years was gone. I stayed in the hospital alone for three days after the miscarriage. Meanwhile, Daniel remained glued to Chloe’s side, never leaving her. My womb felt empty, but it was my heart that truly ached. As I was discharged, I coincidentally ran into Chloe and Daniel, surrounded by their usual group of friends. I carried my backpack, utterly alone, while Daniel helped Chloe walk, supporting her every step. When his gaze landed on me, Daniel paused. “Why are you still at the hospital?”

“I’m fine.” I hid the miscarriage, my face pale, and walked towards the exit. “Let’s go together.” Daniel grabbed my arm, his tone leaving no room for argument. By the car, Chloe quickly slipped into the passenger seat. She looked innocent. “Zara, I just had stomach ulcer surgery. I get car sick easily.” “Could you let me have this spot?” I didn’t feel like arguing, so I just opened the back door. But all his friends piled into the back, three grown men squeezing in next to me. They stared at me, their voices unfriendly. “Zara, Chloe is still very weak. We’re all coming to your place to look after her.” I looked at Daniel in the driver’s seat. His face was tight, but he didn’t say a word to object. I smiled soundlessly. The cicadas on the trees chirped clearly. How could I still have expectations for a man like this? Daniel’s friends had never liked me. In their eyes, Chloe and Daniel were soulmates. I was just the wicked outsider trying to break them up. When they visited our home, everyone treated me like a servant, and Daniel never once stood up for me. Even when I was carrying his child, I still had to give blood to Chloe. In the end, I didn’t even get a thank you. All they’d say was: “It’s your honor.” This wasn’t the first time I’d been wronged, but it was the first time I chose to accept it calmly. “Okay, I’ll go home by myself.” I closed the car door and turned, walking away first. It was rush hour, and I couldn’t even hail a cab. In the scorching heat of mid-summer, having just suffered a miscarriage, I walked for an hour under the blazing sun to get home. The moment I pushed open the door, a barrage of accusations greeted me. “Zara, why are you so slow? We’ve been home for ages.” “We haven’t eaten all night. Let’s try Zara’s cooking again.” I looked at Daniel and Chloe. It was a hot summer day, but the AC wasn’t on inside the house. They were worried that frail Chloe might catch a chill. So Daniel sat beside her, fanning her. Even though his own forehead was beaded with sweat, he ignored it, completely absorbed in fawning over Chloe. Seeing me silent, Carter called out to Daniel. “Daniel, everyone’s hungry! Tell Zara to make us something to eat.”

Only then did Daniel look up, ignoring my pale face, and gave orders as if it were his right. “Zara, be a good girl and prepare us a simple meal.” “And make a special stew for Chloe. It’ll help her recover.” The dull ache in my heart twisted into a sharp, agonizing stab, making it hard to breathe. I walked into the kitchen with my head down, cutting off their joyful chatter. It felt as if I were the outsider, completely out of place among them. In the past, I would have argued hysterically with them, as if that could salvage my dignity. But little did I know, doing so only fueled their arrogance. Compared to my tantrums, Chloe always seemed so sweet and reasonable. But now, I didn’t want to fight anymore. This group of people, this kind of partner, simply wasn’t worth it. When I brought out the prepared dishes, I was drenched in sweat. Chloe willingly took the food from my hands, but the moment I let go, she suddenly pulled away. The food spilled everywhere, and the ceramic plate shattered into pieces. “Watch out!” Daniel, quick as a flash, shielded Chloe. My exposed calf, however, was scalded a bright red. “Zara, I know you don’t like me, but you shouldn’t intentionally drop plates!” Not a single drop of soup had splashed on her, yet Chloe burst into tears, throwing herself into Daniel’s arms as if she’d suffered a great injustice. “Yeah, Zara, what are you doing?” “Zara, you’ve been targeting Chloe for ages. We’re all just good friends, why are you like this?” “She was the one who let go first.” I coldly watched the chorus of voices scolding me, and spoke softly. They were about to say more, but Daniel cut them off sharply. “Zara, apologize!” “You’ve gone too far this time. Chloe just got out of the hospital, and you scared her.” In the scorching summer heat, I shivered all over. I felt a chill to my bones. The burning pain in my calf was less than a fraction of the agony in my heart. I looked at the man who had once been my greatest source of security and strength, now torturing me slowly like an executioner. Something inside me snapped. “Fine, I apologize.” I smiled bitterly, tears uncontrollably welling in my eyes. Daniel froze for a moment, trying to reach for me, but I dodged him. “The food’s ready, I’ve apologized. Can I go back to my room and bandage my injury now?” I showed him my skin, already blistering from the scald, hoping he would let me go. With that, I ignored the mess on the floor and turned back to my room. Outside the door, it was noisy. I heard Chloe’s whiny voice. “I’m sorry, Zara is only angry because of me.” “I’m just a jinx. I won’t cause you any more trouble.” I heard the door open, Chloe ran out, and the whole group rushed after her, worried. The door slammed shut loudly. Just as I thought Daniel had gone out too, he pushed the door open and entered. Daniel hugged me from behind, his hand gently stroking my lower abdomen. “Zara, why can’t you just cut her some slack? Chloe is still like a child, she needs you to be more patient with her.” “Besides, we have a baby on the way now. Once things at work settle down, we’ll finally have our wedding. Don’t be mad, okay?” His voice was unexpectedly gentle, with a hint of pleading. “So you still remember I was pregnant?” I pushed his hand away, unable to stop the sarcastic bite in my voice.

Daniel’s smile froze. His phone rang in his pocket. He answered, and Carter’s voice was unusually clear in the quiet room. “Daniel, hurry over! Chloe fainted on the way, and someone needs to pay the hospital fees.” Daniel didn’t hesitate, immediately pulling out the bank card we’d saved money on together from the nightstand. “Are you crazy, Daniel?” I stopped him, furious. “For Chloe, you’re going to take our baby’s savings, aren’t you?” Daniel tried to push past my obstruction. “That’s enough, Zara.” “It’s a matter of life and death, and you’re only thinking about your petty concerns. How selfish can you be!” I frantically hit his shoulders, and his momentum pulled me out of the room. “I’m selfish? She’s your childhood sweetheart, not mine! How dare you use my money for her?” Daniel, provoked by something I said, pushed me roughly to the ground like an enraged animal. No one had cleaned up the scattered debris. I collapsed onto it, exhausted. A sharp pain shot through my body. I lifted my arm; my back and arms were covered in cuts. Daniel had already left, without even a backward glance. Seeing my hands covered in blood, I used my last ounce of strength to dial 911 before losing consciousness. In a blur of fading awareness, I dreamt of that young boy, who went with me to pray at church. His hands clasped, his expression devout: “I’ll love and protect Zara forever.” “If I ever break this promise, may I die a horrible death.” When I woke up again, it was late at night. The dark hospital room was empty except for me. Nurse Olivia came in to offer me a glass of water, carefully helping me sit up. She looked at me, wrapped in bandages, and said with a sympathetic tone: “Ms. Zara, you just had a miscarriage, and now you’re in this state again? Please make sure to get plenty of rest.” I closed my eyes, bitterness and pain washing over me. I thanked her softly, my heart filled with endless sorrow. I opened my phone and saw that Carter had posted an update on Ins. [Looks like Daniel still cares about Chloe the most.] The accompanying picture showed Daniel sitting on a hospital bed, with Chloe’s head resting on his lap, smiling contentedly and happily. Cheating scum. No wonder they say they’re truly meant for each other. My heart ached until it was numb. I forced down the sorrow. They weren’t worth my tears or my sadness. I logged into my mobile banking and checked the balance. Thankfully, my $15,000 was still there. I calmly transferred the money to my personal account. My marriage with Daniel, like our child, had reached its end. I called Karen Hayes, the General Manager: “Karen, is there still a chance for me to transfer to headquarters?” A week ago, I had been offered a transfer to headquarters for my outstanding work, but I’d refused due to my pregnancy, not wanting to be separated from Daniel. But now, I didn’t need to consider any of that. “Zara, aren’t you pregnant?” “Just rest and take care of your pregnancy for now. There will be other opportunities, and I’ll keep you in mind for future openings.” Listening to Karen’s gentle voice, I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Karen, I lost the baby. I want to return to work as soon as possible.” Karen was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the line. “I’ll add your name back to the list. A miscarriage is a serious matter, though. Take another week to rest before reporting to headquarters.” I affirmed, my voice choked. “Thank you, Karen.”

During that week in the hospital, Daniel never once contacted me. Perhaps he hadn’t even realized I was still pregnant. I wasn’t surprised. It had always been like this; I used to make excuses for him over and over, but not anymore. After a week of rest in the hospital, my body had mostly recovered, and I checked out. During that time, I scrolled through many of Chloe’s Ins posts, each one related to Daniel. In the photos, Chloe looked like a princess adored by all, surrounded by their group. Next to her were nutritious meals and countless small gifts, while I had nothing by my side during my hospitalization. The pearl necklace Daniel had once promised to buy me was now glaringly hanging around Chloe’s neck. Strangely, seeing all this again, I could scroll past it without a flicker of emotion. Back home, it was just as I had left it that day. It seemed Daniel had been at the hospital taking care of Chloe the whole time. He hadn’t returned home, nor did he know I had been hospitalized. I quickly packed my bags, gathered all my belongings, threw away the photo on the nightstand, burned the love letters he’d once written to me, and placed my wedding ring on the table. After all that, I looked at the empty house, just as it had been when we first moved in. I lowered my gaze to the divorce papers in front of me, picked up a pen, and signed my name. Before I could even call Daniel back to sign the divorce papers, he returned himself. When he entered, I was on the phone, handing over my work responsibilities to a colleague. My colleague asked about my flight date, and I replied: “It’s tomorrow afternoon.” Seeing Daniel come in, I hung up. He frowned and asked: “What’s happening tomorrow afternoon? A prenatal check-up?” I put my phone away and calmly replied: “Work-related. No check-up.” Only then did I notice he was carrying a takeout bag. Meeting my eyes, he offered the bag. “I’m sorry, Zara. Chloe has been in the hospital these past few days, and I couldn’t leave her.” “I bought you some food. To help you recover.” I didn’t take the bag, and the faint smell of fish made me feel a wave of nausea. We’d been married for so many years, yet he didn’t even know I couldn’t eat fish. How ironic. But now, I didn’t even have the energy to argue. “Oh, right, these are Chloe’s clothes. They’re silk, so you can’t machine wash them. You can hand-wash them tonight.” Hearing his words, and looking at the man in front of me, I suddenly began to wonder. Had he changed, or had I simply married this kind of person all along? I bit my lip and said in a low voice: “Just leave them there.” “I need to go back to grab some change of clothes.” He said, then quickly went into the bedroom to pack. I picked up the divorce papers and walked over to him. “Daniel, our mortgage is paid off. We just need to sign this.” He didn’t suspect a thing, took the pen, and quickly signed his name. I watched him grab his clothes and leave the house. I booked a flight for two hours later. Taking off my ring, I placed the divorce papers and the miscarriage surgery report on the table. These were the last things I would leave for Daniel. As for him and me, this was the end. Daniel’s eyes were bloodshot, probably from several nights of staying at the hospital. Chloe frowned at his disheveled look and feigned concern. “Daniel, you should go back and rest for a few days. Let Carter take over.” Daniel looked at the empty chat window with Zara and swallowed the words of refusal.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “408533”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

Waking up from the car crash, I could only say “Yes” and “No,” and I had to tell the truth. My wife pulled a chair to my bedside and took out a small notebook filled with questions. “Mason, do you have a secret stash of money?” “…Yes.” “Is it over fifty thousand?” I closed my eyes. “Yes.” She turned to the next page, staring intently at me. “Mason, tell me, are you cheating on me?” My name is Mason Carlos, thirty-two years old, an ordinary employee at a mid-sized company. Three days ago, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. My head hit the edge of a flower bed, and I passed out on the spot. When I woke up, my wife, Eve, was leaning over the bed, her eyes red-rimmed, her nose a little red, clutching a tissue. I opened my mouth, wanting to say, “Honey, I’m fine.” But only two words came out of my throat: “No.” Eve paused. “No to what?” I tried again. “Yes.” Eve looked at me, tears still in her eyes, her expression shifting from worry to confusion. The doctor was called in quickly. They took three CT scans and two MRIs. Finally, the attending physician pushed up his glasses and explained to us with a very academic expression. “The patient’s brain sustained an impact, resulting in a rare focal lesion in the language center. Currently, he can only produce two syllables—’Yes’ and ‘No.’ The recovery time is uncertain; it could be three months, or it could be…” He paused. “Permanent.” Eve’s face turned white then. But I was more concerned about something else—I realized I couldn’t lie. I discovered this after the doctor left. Eve sat back down by the bed, peeling an orange for me, and casually asked, “Are you in a lot of pain?” I wasn’t actually in that much pain anymore. But I instinctively wanted to say “Yes” to gain sympathy. However, my mouth opened, and my throat felt like it was being choked, unable to make any sound. I tried again: “…No.” Eve’s hand stopped peeling the orange. “Not hurting?” “Yes.” 【Wait, my mouth is out of my control?】 She glanced at me with an unreadable expression, then put an orange segment into my mouth. “Then why did you make me cry for three days?” “Yes.” 【No! I wanted to say no!】 I squeezed my mouth shut, but the “Yes” had already popped out. Eve looked at me again, that gaze very subtle. She put down the orange, sat up straight, like a different person. “Mason, I have a question for you.” “Yes.” 【Why did I say yes again?】 “Do you have a secret stash of money?” The question felt like a needle pricking my back. I wanted to shake my head, close my mouth, pretend to be unconscious—but my mouth was no longer my own. “Yes.” Eve’s pupils visibly dilated. She slowly pulled out a small notebook from her bag, opened the first page, which was densely filled with questions. 【When the hell did she prepare this?!】 “Is your secret stash over ten thousand?” “Yes.” “Over fifty thousand?” “Yes.” “Over a hundred thousand?” My mouth started to twitch. “…Yes.” “Over… five hundred thousand?” The ward was so quiet you could hear the liquid dripping from the IV bag in the next bed. My lips moved, my throat felt like a traitor lived inside it. “…Yes.” The pen in Eve’s hand dropped to the floor. As she bent down to pick it up, I distinctly heard her take a deep breath, then slowly exhale, like she was doing yoga meditation. “Mason.” “Yes.” “Do you think it’s better to be alive than dead?” For the first time, I felt that telling the truth could also be a form of torture. “…Yes.” “Then you’d better pray that half a million is still there.” She closed the notebook, a smile on her face that sent shivers down my spine. “Otherwise, I’ll help you re-experience a car crash.” I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, with a strong premonition—my disaster had just begun. Sure enough. Eve turned to the second page. “Have you secretly looked through my phone?” “Yes.” “Do you think the steak I cook isn’t tasty?” “…Yes.” “Was the name you called out in your sleep your ex-girlfriend’s?” My breath hitched for half a second. “No.” Eve raised an eyebrow. “Whose was it then?” I opened my mouth—but this question couldn’t be answered with “Yes” or “No.” I could only produce a muffled airflow sound. She rephrased the question. “Was it a game character’s name?” “…Yes.” Eve rolled her eyes, clearly not believing it. But she couldn’t refute it—because it really was the name of my game character. I subtly exhaled in relief. 【This damn ability sucks, but at least it can’t answer open-ended questions. So, as long as she doesn’t ask precise yes-or-no questions, I still have a glimmer of hope—】 “Is your secret stash hidden in that false-bottom drawer in the study?” “Yes.” 【Damn it.】 “Is the bank card password your birthday?” “No.” “My birthday?” “No.” “Your mother’s birthday?” “No.” She paused. “Is it… six zeros?” “No.” “Six eights?” “No.” She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over my face inch by inch, like a scanner reading data. “Is it… the date you first asked me out?” My throat rolled. “…Yes.” Eve froze for three seconds. Then she lowered her head, her hair covering half her face, her voice a little muffled. “You really… your way of hiding money is so old-fashioned.” She turned the page and continued asking. But I noticed the tips of her ears were red. 【Okay, at least I gained a few points back this round.】 Just as I was sighing in relief, she looked up, her gaze sharp again. “Mason, have you ever secretly deleted SnapChat messages with other women?” “No.” “Really no?” “Yes.” “Then have you deleted SnapChat messages with other men?” My mouth twitched. “Yes.” Eve’s expression froze. “…What?” I wanted to explain that I’d deleted messages with Wyatt that were just us sending each other memes, because they took up too much memory—but only “Yes” came out of my mouth. She stared into my eyes for a full ten seconds. Then slowly pulled out her phone. “I’m calling your mother.” 【There’s no way to refute this question; I’m completely done for.】

My mother didn’t come. A more terrifying person did—Eve’s mother, Mrs. Kelly. The next morning, the moment the ward door was pushed open, a wave of jasmine perfume rushed in, followed by a pair of sharp eyes. Mrs. Kelly was fifty-eight, her hair impeccably styled, walking with a confident stride. As soon as she entered, she first checked my IV drip, then felt my forehead, and then turned to Eve. “You look fine, you’re not dying.” “Mom, let me explain—” Eve pulled her to the window, whispering for five minutes. I lay in bed, watching my mother-in-law’s expression change from confusion to shock, from shock to… excitement. She quickly walked to my bedside, pulled up a chair, and sat down, hands clasped on her knees, like a seasoned detective in an interrogation room. “Mason.” “Yes.” “Can you really only tell the truth?” “Yes.” “Then tell me, do you secretly look down on me?” This question was fatal. I looked at Eve for help, but Eve lowered her head and played on her phone, pretending not to see. “No.” Mrs. Kelly nodded in satisfaction. “Then do you think my cooking is good?” My throat felt like it was being squeezed, my vocal cords struggling. My lips trembled twice, then a faint but clear syllable squeezed out through my teeth. “…No.” The temperature in the ward dropped ten degrees. Eve’s phone almost fell to the floor. Mrs. Kelly’s smile held for three seconds, then slowly vanished inch by inch. “Not tasty?” “Yes.” “I cooked for three hours.” “Yes.” “You mean, the food I cooked for three hours isn’t tasty?” “…Yes.” 【I want to sew my mouth shut.】 She then asked the next question. “Mason, have you ever done anything behind my daughter’s back that would betray her?” “No.” “Really no?” “Yes.” Eve interjected, “Mom, I already asked him, that line checks out.” Mrs. Kelly gave me a suspicious glance, seemingly unsatisfied with the result. Then she cleared her throat and pulled out her own small notebook. Yes. She had a small notebook too. Even thicker. “Mason, I’m going to ask you a few questions about Eve.” Eve’s smile froze. “Mom?” “I need to keep an eye on my daughter’s affairs.” Mrs. Kelly turned to the first page. “Mason, did Eve tell you her monthly salary is over ten thousand?” “Yes.” “Was she bragging?” Eve stood up. “Mom!” My throat uncontrollably produced a sound: “Yes.” The ward erupted. Eve’s face turned beet red. “Mason! Shut up!” “No—Yes—” 【I want to shut up too!】 Mrs. Kelly pushed up her reading glasses and continued turning pages. “Did Eve secretly give the living expenses you gave her to her good-for-nothing brother?” “Yes.” Eve completely froze. Mrs. Kelly’s face also turned dark. “I knew it!” Mrs. Kelly slammed her hand on her thigh. “That spendthrift! Mason, you just wait, I’ll go home and sort him out!” Eve’s voice changed. “Mom, can you please stop asking?” “Why shouldn’t I ask? It’s rare to have someone who tells the truth.” “Well, you can’t stand the questions either.” Eve suddenly fought back, turning to me. “Mason, does my mom have a secret boyfriend?” Mrs. Kelly’s pen dropped to the floor. The air in the ward completely froze. I looked at my mother-in-law’s already twitching face, then at my wife’s face, full of curiosity. The gazes of the two women met on me, like two knives sawing at my face. The traitor in my throat was ready. “…Yes.” Mrs. Kelly’s expression deflated like a balloon left out for three days. Eve clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my god! Mom!” “You—you—” Mrs. Kelly pointed at me, her finger trembling, then sharply turned to Eve. “Why would you ask that?!” “You were just asking me, weren’t you!” Eve stood her ground. “Mason, is it Jack, the man from the community dance class?” “No.” “John, the yoga instructor?” “No.” “Jimmy, who plays chess at the community center?” “…Yes.” Mrs. Kelly grabbed her bag, ready to leave. “I’m not staying! This hospital is toxic!” Eve grabbed her arm. “Mom, don’t go, Jimmy is a really nice guy—” “You shut up!” The two women wrestled in the ward for ten minutes, finally reaching an agreement—they would keep each other’s secrets, and neither would use me as a lie detector again. Of course, the shelf life of this agreement was about as long as a hot cup of coffee. Because as they left, I clearly heard Eve whisper in the hallway, “Mom, does Jimmy have a pension?” I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, seriously contemplating a philosophical question for the first time. When a man can only tell the truth, is he most useful, or most dangerous? Before I could figure it out, my phone rang. A message from Wyatt: “Dude, I’m coming to see you this afternoon, and could you do me a favor?” I typed my reply: “What favor?” “Help me tell my wife I’m working late.” I stared at the message, falling into a long silence. 【Dude, did you forget that I can only tell the truth now?】

Wyatt and I grew up together. In his words, we had a brotherhood forged through fire. In my words—he’d screw over his best friend without batting an eye. At two in the afternoon, he pushed open the ward door, a bag of fruit in hand, grinning from ear to ear. “Bro! Heard you got hit? Does it hurt?” “No.” Wyatt paused. “No to what? Not hit?” “No.” “Then what is it?” I opened my mouth, found I couldn’t explain, and just gestured—pointing at my throat, then shaking my head. He pondered for five seconds. “You mean… you can’t say anything else?” “Yes.” “Only ‘Yes’ and ‘No’?” “Yes.” Wyatt put down the fruit, pulled up a chair to my bedside, his expression shifting from shock to contemplation, from contemplation to… excitement. “Then you can only tell the truth?” “Yes.” “Oh my god!” He slapped his thigh and stood up, pacing the ward twice. “Bro, you’ve unlocked a cheat code! Do you know what you can do with this?” I knew. I very much knew. Then his phone rang. Caller ID: The Boss (his wife). Wyatt’s face instantly changed. He lowered his voice, looking at me. “Bro, if my wife asks where I am, just say—” He stopped. Then slowly remembered my new ‘setting.’ “…Never mind, I’ll take it outside.” He slipped into the hallway, closing the door. But the soundproofing wasn’t great. I heard muffled bits and pieces: “Working late… Yes, yes, the boss made me… No, no, not out drinking…” Three minutes later, he pushed the door open, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Handled it.” “No.” Wyatt looked at me. “No to what?” Before he could finish, his phone rang again. This time it wasn’t a call, but a voice message. His wife Mary’s voice boomed from the phone: “Wyatt, you better explain yourself! Your colleague posted on Ins, your company isn’t working overtime this afternoon! Where are you really?!” Wyatt’s face turned green. He stiffly looked back at me, his gaze as if asking, “How did you know?” How could I know? I just said “No.” But my uncooperative mouth had just delivered the most accurate, damning judgment at the most precise moment. Wyatt took a deep breath, pressed the voice reply button. “Honey, I’m at the hospital seeing Mason—” The phone was snatched away. Mary called him on FaceTime. Wyatt dared not refuse. The moment the video connected, Mary’s face filled the entire screen. “Is Mason there? Let me see him.” Wyatt shoved the phone in front of me, desperately winking. Mary stared at me. “Mason, did Wyatt just get there?” I glanced at Wyatt’s face, which screamed, “Bro, save me.” Then my mouth opened. “No.” Wyatt’s soul visibly floated out of his body. Mary’s voice dropped three degrees. “Did he go somewhere else first?” “Yes.” “Did he go play cards?” “No.” Wyatt secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Did he go to an internet cafe?” “Yes.” Wyatt slumped back in his chair. Mary was silent for three seconds, then let out a laugh. That kind of laugh dropped the ward temperature to below zero. “Wyatt, you just wait.” The video call ended. Wyatt covered his face with his hands, a muffled sentence squeezing through his fingers. “Mason, our twenty years of friendship…” “Yes.” “You just sold me out like that?” “Yes.” “Were you doing it on purpose?” “No.” His hands slid from his face. He looked at me, his gaze like a puppy abandoned by its owner. “You can’t control it either?” “Yes.” He sighed, slumping back into the chair. “Alright, fine. Anyway, my credit score with my wife is already in the negatives.” He stood up to pack his things, and as he reached the door, he looked back at me. “Bro, one last question.” “Yes.” “Do you think it’s embarrassing that I’m so afraid of my wife?” I wanted to say “No” to comfort him. But my mouth wouldn’t allow it. “…Yes.” Wyatt nodded, his expression calm. “Yeah, I thought so too.” Then he gently closed the door. The moment the door closed, I heard a low howl from the hallway, like a wounded beast. I pulled out my phone and sent him a message: “Bro, buy some flowers on your way back, don’t go home empty-handed.” He replied with one word: “Screw you.” Ten seconds later, another message came: “What kind of flowers?” I smiled, then realized a problem. I was being discharged tomorrow. Out of the hospital, I would return to normal social relationships—my company, colleagues, boss. And my mouth would still only tell the truth. I opened the WhatsApp work group and saw Owen’s latest message: “Mason’s in the hospital after an accident; his clients will temporarily be handled by me.” Below it, the boss’s reply: “Thanks for your hard work.” And below that, Owen’s reply: “My pleasure, it’s all for the company.” I stared at those lines of text, my fingers unconsciously clutching the bedsheet. 【Owen, you’ve been eyeing those three clients of mine for a long time.】 I put down my phone and closed my eyes. 【Tomorrow, back at the office, you’re going to have a rough time.】

On the day of my discharge, Eve stayed glued to me, repeatedly whispering the same thing in my ear. “At the company, talk less, say nothing if you can, just shake your head if people ask you anything.” “Yes.” “Just shake your head, don’t open your mouth.” “Yes.” “You opened your mouth again.” “…Yes.” She took a deep breath, pulled a face mask from her bag, put it on me, then added another layer on top. “Double mask, no matter how fast your mouth is, nothing will get out.” When I walked into the company wearing a double mask, the receptionist looked at me like I was a hazmat soldier. Owen was the first to come over to “care” about me. He walked to my cubicle, patted my shoulder, a perfectly calibrated smile on his face. “Mason, how’s your body? Feeling any better?” I nodded, not opening my mouth. “Heard you had a head injury? Want to take a few more days off? I’ll keep an eye on your clients for now, no rush.” His tone was sincere, his expression genuine. But I noticed a nearly imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth when he said “your clients.” I still nodded, pointing to my throat, indicating that I couldn’t speak. Owen showed an understanding expression. “I get it, I get it, take good care of yourself.” He turned and left. I opened my computer and found that my client system access had been downgraded. For my three key clients, the past week’s contact logs were all under Owen’s name. He was already poaching my clients. I wasn’t angry. Because I knew one thing—Owen wasn’t just poaching clients. During last year’s annual audit, I’d accidentally seen an expense report where the amount didn’t match the actual cost. The signature on the expense report was Owen’s. At the time, I didn’t say anything because it wasn’t my business. But now, it seemed I could make it my business. At eleven in the morning, the department held a meeting. Mr. Williamson, the boss, sat at the other end of the long table, speaking for half an hour about quarterly goals, using a PowerPoint presentation. I wore my mask the entire time, sitting quietly in the corner. Everything went smoothly—until Mr. Williamson suddenly called my name. “Mason, are you familiar with the situation of your clients? Owen said the contract with Anderson Group was almost finalized last week, is that right?” Everyone’s eyes turned to me. Owen sat opposite me, his smile unchanged, but the tip of his pen pressed a small dent into the table. I instinctively wanted to say “Yes”—because saying “Yes” was the easiest. But my mouth disagreed. Because that contract was far from finalized. Before I was hospitalized last week, Mr. Anderson of Anderson Group explicitly told me that Owen’s proposal was full of flaws, and they were hesitant about whether to switch suppliers. I opened my mouth. “No.” The conference room fell silent. Owen’s smile froze for a moment, but he reacted quickly. “Mason, you just got discharged, you might not be up to date on the latest developments—” Mr. Williamson raised a hand, interrupting him. “Mason, do you mean the contract isn’t finalized?” “Yes.” Owen’s brow furrowed. Mr. Williamson looked at Owen, then at me. “Owen, didn’t your report last week say we’d secured the letter of intent?” Owen forced a smile. “Mr. Williamson, the situation is a bit complex; Mason might not be aware of the latest progress—” “Did you falsify the report?” This question wasn’t from Mr. Williamson. It was from my colleague, Lena. She sat next to me and had always been at odds with Owen. Everyone’s gaze once again focused on my face. My mouth moved again. “Yes.” The conference room erupted. Owen slammed the table and stood up. “Mason! Are you out of your mind?!” Mr. Williamson’s face darkened. “Owen, sit down.” “Mr. Williamson, he just suffered a head injury; his words aren’t reliable—” Mr. Williamson raised his hand. “I will check the original email records. Sit down.” Owen slowly sat back down, the muscles in his face taut like an iron plate. He glanced at me. That look held a murderous intent. After the meeting, he stopped me in the hallway. “Mason, what the hell do you mean?” I pointed to my throat. “Don’t play mute with me, you were speaking perfectly fine in there.” He lowered his voice, stepping closer. “You think you can touch me? My uncle is Cameron—the company’s VP. You’re just a junior employee, you think you can mess with me?” His spit splattered on my mask. I stared into his eyes, silent for two seconds. Then I reached out, pulled out my phone, and showed him a message. It was a photo I’d taken with my phone during my hospital stay—that expense report from last year with the abnormal amount. I’d only taken it casually at the time, never expecting it to be useful today. Owen stared at the phone screen, his face draining of color with each passing second. I curved my lips into a smile at him—he couldn’t see it anyway, the mask was covering it. Then I typed a message and sent it to him: “Give me back my clients. As for the rest, depends on your performance.” He pushed my phone away and walked off. His steps were three times faster than when he came. I leaned against the hallway wall, pulling down my mask to catch my breath. 【Mason, you really are something. Can’t speak, but you play your cards pretty well.】 Back at my cubicle, Lena leaned over and whispered, “Was everything you said just now true?” “Yes.” “Owen really falsified the report?” “Yes.” “Did he do anything else?” I saw the gossipy glint in her eyes and my mouth twitched. “Yes.” Lena’s eyes lit up. She pulled her chair next to mine. “You tell me, I’ll ask.” I pulled out my phone and typed: “Not here. Treat me to dinner after work, and I’ll tell you everything.” “Deal.” 【Owen, your good times are over.】

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It was the ninth year of our ‘thing,’ and Ethan announced his engagement. I hadn’t even had a chance to ask for my severance pay yet, when he sent a super long message, basically saying: You’re too low-class for my family. Staring at the screen full of his SnapChat messages and a string of sixty-second voice notes, a giant question mark floated above my head. Wait, I just treated you like an ATM. You actually thought it was real? Ethan must have binged too many rom-coms to think that. I came to that conclusion after professionally reading all thirty-seven of his messages. Otherwise, it’s hard to explain why he’d think I had any feelings for him beyond his money. Of course, I’m not some cold-blooded creature. Feelings? Yeah, I’d had them before. In college, I was the one who pursued him. He was the campus superstar, smart, artistic, and most importantly, his hands were gorgeous. Long fingers, clearly defined knuckles, perfectly rounded nails, a healthy, rosy pink. I’m a hopeless hand-fetishist. And those gorgeous hands came with a clean-cut face and a 6’1″ frame. I was practically drooling. Even if he had a mouth full of venom, I put up with his snarky comments and chased him for three years. Who hasn’t done something stupid when they were young? Things took a turn two days before our senior year internship. As student body president, he was leading us on an investor pitch. A beefy, square-built investor, Mr. Biggs, clearly liked what he saw. He brought out all sorts of booze, obviously planning to get Ethan wasted and take advantage. Watching Ethan choke on his drinks, tears in his red-rimmed eyes, I don’t know where I found the guts, but I grabbed a bottle and smashed it over Mr. Biggs’ head. My college sports elective was shot put, by the way. That ‘fun’ night landed me a trip to the police station. I finally got out when Ethan’s impeccably dressed butler came to pick him up, and I was just… brought along. It was late summer, early fall. The night breeze was cool, blowing away some of the alcohol fumes, and also my courage. After a few steps, my legs gave out, and I stumbled to the ground. God, for someone who’d been a straight-A, rule-following good girl for eighteen years, a police station visit was a huge deal. This time, Ethan didn’t just walk away. He stood under the streetlamp, silhouetted against the light. I couldn’t see his expression. But I still remember what he said. “Skylar, I don’t like owing people favors. Whatever you want, I’ll try my best to give it to you, except for…” Before he could finish, I stumbled forward to grab his hand. In my mind, I was supposed to grab his hand with teary eyes, crying out dramatically, “Besides you, I want nothing at all!” But I forgot about my jelly legs. My attempt to grab his hand turned into a desperate tug on his jacket, and the momentum pulled him into my arms, slamming him against the streetlamp. He braced himself over me, his lips brushing the corner of my mouth, so close I could count his eyelashes. His clean scent filled my senses, warm and dizzying, making my heart pound. He must have been stunned, not reacting immediately. When he turned his head, his lips landed squarely on mine. “Master Ethan!” Ethan’s impeccably dressed butler let out a high-pitched shriek. It was hard to believe such a dainty sound could come from a six-foot-three, bearded man. And just like that, I became Ethan’s ‘girlfriend.’ At least, in my mind, I was his girlfriend. And I became the poster child for the gold-digger who snagged a rich heir. Back then, everyone had something to say. Calling me a manipulative user, a pathetic hanger-on. I just tuned out the haters and kept enjoying my ‘sweet’ time with Ethan. Even if I shared my daily life in long essays and he only responded with a single “K”; Even if I saved up to buy him gifts, and he’d just toss them on the table, still wrapped; Even if I wasn’t feeling well and wanted to say no, but seeing his displeased frown, I’d force myself to endure his touch, only for him to find me boring and leave me alone at the hotel… None of that mattered to me. When you’re blinded by love, a hot guy gets a pass. Until I landed an offer from a major corporation, with a bright future ahead of me. I couldn’t wait to share the good news with him. But he didn’t even look up, eyes fixed on his computer screen, his finely articulated fingers tapping on the keyboard, each click like a hammer blow to my heart. “With your degree, getting into my family’s company would be tough.” “But you’ve been decent this past year, not too ambitious.” “So, I’ll arrange for you to join my company. The marketing department is crucial, and with my connections, no one will bother you.” “Do a good job, and I won’t shortchange you.” His tone was exactly like a boss using PUA tactics on an employee. But my young, love-struck brain didn’t catch on to his manipulation. Instead, I thought he was about to end things, and I panicked. I was pretty reckless back then, too, demanding like some heartbroken movie character: “What am I to you, really?”

He gave me a cold, condescending look, saying nothing, yet saying everything. In the end, he just walked away, and I cried so hard my hands shook. I didn’t dare truly offend him. He wasn’t wrong about one thing: good jobs are hard to come by. And a good job with connections? Even harder. Reality bites, and not using the connections I had would be plain stupid. I mourned my shattered romantic illusions for one night, then dutifully reported for work the next day. Others asked me: What’s your relationship with Mr. Ethan? I swept up the last remnants of my shattered romantic illusions and simply said, “We’re alumni.” Ethan was pleased with that answer and took even better care of me. He took care of me so well, it eventually led to the bedroom. It wasn’t complicated. Ethan’s ‘one that got away’ got divorced. Ethan gleefully went after her, only to ‘happily’ get the shocking news that she’d remarried her ex and was expecting their third child. He got absolutely wasted. The next day was a crucial meeting with investors. If that deal didn’t go through, the entire team’s bonuses were gone. Watching our massive bonuses evaporate, everyone in the group was tearing their hair out. As ‘Ethan’s connection,’ I was, of course, chosen to go ‘talk sense into him.’ I admit, when Ethan hugged me tight, his eyes misty with tears, I still felt a despicable flutter in my heart. Five years, from eighteen to twenty-three, weren’t something you could just forget. He held me so tight, as if he wanted to crush my bones. Big, heavy tears landed on my shoulder, and his gasps mingled with my own as our mouths found each other. Tears are a man’s best beauty treatment. Male beauty was just too tempting. I couldn’t resist, and I indulged completely. When he called out his first love’s name in my ear, I choked him. His eyes were bloodshot, and he pushed hard into me, grinding his hips. I was so into it, I even slapped him a few times, watching him gasp and plead. I honestly didn’t even care that he was calling out another woman’s name. The next day, I was woken by a splash of cold water. Ethan silently put on his suit, casually tossing me a freshly delivered, clean business suit to replace yesterday’s, which was… covered in unidentified liquids. He buttoned the last button, then pointed to the bedside table. All the documents were already neatly arranged there. “If I don’t see you in half an hour, don’t bother coming in tomorrow.” I jolted awake. Ignoring the bruises and bite marks he’d left on my legs, I quickly got ready, enduring the discomfort to stand by his side all day. Ethan didn’t spare me a single glance the entire time. It wasn’t until after work, when I couldn’t hold on anymore and wanted to go home and rest, that he suddenly called out to me. “Skylar.” My familiar name sounded foreign coming from him. His eyes had reverted to how they looked that night in our senior year—chillingly indifferent. “I always thought you were smart, honest, and knew your place.” His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, his finely articulated hands making me distracted. “But yesterday… I hope you understand one thing.” “A small slip-up between adults, as long as it’s consensual, isn’t something to be morally judged.” Jerk. That word popped into my head, but I kept my polite smile. “I hope we maintain a purely superior-subordinate relationship at the company.” Ha. My fists were clenched so tight. If I could, I would’ve repeated my ‘heroic’ act from when Mr. Biggs was trying to get him wasted. But reality bites, and my connections still depended on him. I nodded at him. “Okay, Mr. Ethan.” He was still rambling on, then paused, choked for a second when he heard me, and stared at me with a strange expression. I rolled my eyes internally. What are you staring at? Never seen a gorgeous woman before? My future hung on him right now. I’d be insane to pick a fight. Perhaps my docile obedience pleased him, because after that deal closed, my bonus was five times what others got. All those zeros… I thought that kind of money only existed in Hollywood movies. So, all his dirty talk? My brain just translated it to: “Want Daddy’s fat balance to fill your bank account?” Yes, I did. More than anything. From then on, Ethan and I maintained this purely ‘consensual adult’ relationship. From twenty-three to twenty-seven, my promotion speed was much faster than most. As a highly ‘professional’ and ‘consensual’ subordinate, I naturally met all my boss’s needs. I even went above and beyond, always available, and kept him utterly satisfied.

For that, he even magnanimously allowed me to pick up documents at his house. Oh, no thanks. I politely declined. Being a good ‘consensual subordinate’ requires boundaries. Back then, I cherished my position. And the string of zeros on my paycheck. Sometimes Ethan would go crazy and make all sorts of unreasonable demands, but for the sake of my bank balance, I could endure it. Of course, enduring for too long without release would turn anyone into a lunatic. That’s when Liam crashed into my world. I had just pulled two all-nighters working overtime with Ethan at the company. I was angrier than a pissed-off banshee. It’s a known fact that when people are angry, they do impulsive things. My impulsive act was a ‘weekend warrior’ trip – an intense, last-minute climb up Mount Rainier. To make sure I didn’t get stuck, I hired eight college-aged guides, telling them if I couldn’t make it, they’d have to carry me. Liam was the most emotionally intelligent of the eight. The other guys kept subtly hinting for more cash. Only Liam didn’t show such strong mercenary intentions. He was sweet-talker, actively bought water and snacks, and carried me up without asking for extra pay. After reaching the summit and watching the sunrise, I spent half an hour venting my frustrations about Ethan. Liam just stayed by my side, not bothering with the other guys yelling at him to come down for more gigs. He looked at me, his slightly downturned eyes gentle, like a puppy’s. On a whim, I stroked his chin, thinking, if it’s a ‘consensual adult relationship,’ and Ethan can do it, why can’t I? Liam was quick to catch on, satisfying me completely. I praised his flexible tongue, and he practiced until his tongue could do incredible things. Whenever Ethan got on my nerves, I’d go to Liam, and a smile would return to my face. Liam was smart, always available, and didn’t ask for a dime. Handsome, clean, and free? There was no reason not to take advantage. After a while, he even had the password to my place. Before I could even put down my phone, a pair of mischievous hands wrapped around my waist. Liam’s chest pressed against my back, and a rather inappropriate part of him rubbed against my lower back. The next second, a hot kiss landed on my lips, mixed with steamy breath that made my face flush. “Sis, I’m all showered…” His mouth asked for my permission, but his hands were anything but innocent. “You’ve seen this month’s physical report, Sis. I want…” Tiny kisses trailed from my lips down my back, and with a gentle push, I was knocked onto the carpet. Liam was the swimming team’s star at his sports academy. Great core strength, incredible stamina. If it weren’t for that, his measly $8,000-a-month income plus stipend wouldn’t even qualify him for my ‘hunting’ criteria. The kisses on my back continued. This time, he unhooked my bra with his teeth, leaving a damp trail on my earlobe. “Sis, please?” His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked at me piteously. His tongue tied a knot in my pajama drawstring. Seeing me momentarily stunned, a hint of triumph flashed in his puppy eyes, and he smiled, looking exceptionally goofy. Tsk, little brat. He’s quite the actor. If I hadn’t already seen his contact note for me: “97, June 13, Gemini. Big tits, easy to fool, and down for anything.” I might actually have fallen for it. I gave a light pinch behind him. His breathing hitched, hot air sprayed on the back of my neck, and with red eyes, he pinned me against the wall. “Sis, I can’t take it anymore, Sis, save me…” I smiled without speaking, then choked his neck, making his eyes well up with tears. He hugged me tight, refusing to let go. Men under twenty-five were the best. Young and fresh. Plenty of strength and stamina. And free. Done and tossed. Leaving a red handprint on his perfectly sculpted butt, I opened my phone to order takeout. Another screen full of green messages. Ethan had called at least ten times, and his messages were a saturated bombardment. [Skylar, hiding won’t help. There’s no future for us.] [Don’t even think about using past events to threaten me. You know the difference between us.] [Don’t try to disrupt my engagement party.] … [?] [Why aren’t you replying?] [Skylar, talk to me.] I slowly typed a question mark. He replied instantly. [Skylar, playing dead won’t work. We’re over. You’ll…] A flood of messages made my eyes swim. Anyway, my current savings could easily buy me a sweet two-bedroom apartment in a prime city location, fully paid off. Whether this relationship continued or not didn’t matter. Taking a sip of the herbal tea Liam had brewed before he left, I replied with a single word: [Okay.] The next second, I downloaded and secured all records of transfers, then blocked and deleted him. The next day, I was pulled awake. Half-asleep, I slowly came to, only to see Ethan standing by my bed, his dark circles rivaling a panda’s. His hollow eyes staring at me were like a snake’s, chillingly menacing. I screamed, my voice hoarse. Ethan’s eyes were bloodshot. He moved his lips, about to say something, when the door burst open and Liam rushed in. “Sis, don’t be scared, I’m here!” He was wearing a basketball jersey, holding a bag of breakfast. My nail marks and a few suggestive bite marks were visible on his muscular chest.

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I helped Ethan Cole build his empire from the ground up, but right before our wedding, he confessed he was in love with my half-sister, Chloe. I agreed to break up, but on one condition: he had to help me win over his business rival, Dominic Vance. “Are you insane? You’ve been chasing me for ten years and never got me. Is this your way of getting back at me?” Ethan’s handsome face was etched with disbelief. I retorted defiantly, “Dominic is taller and hotter than you. I stopped loving you ages ago; now I’m crazy about him!” Ethan laughed, calling me delusional. “Everyone knows Dominic Vance is completely out of everyone’s league. No woman has ever managed to get close to him.” “So you have to figure it out! If you help me win him over, I’ll sign away my inheritance rights and hand over our billion-dollar empire to you and Chloe.” I turned away, pretending to be nonchalant, but tears instantly streamed down my face. Of course, I knew the chances of getting Dominic Vance were zero. I just wanted a mutually destructive way to release all this tangled, unspoken love and pain. But to my absolute shock, Dominic Vance took my hand under everyone’s watchful eyes and asked, “What date are we getting married?” ###

“This is my fiancée, Eleanor Hayes. She likes you, Mr. Vance.” “She likes your movie-star looks, your decisive demeanor in business, the mature charm that’s settled in you over the years…” Ethan’s handsome face was pale with fury as he read the love letter I’d written to Dominic. He’d helped me write the letter, and all my fancy jewelry and designer clothes were bought with his platinum card. He skipped a major international meeting and drove me to the city’s most exclusive restaurant, personally arranging a candlelight dinner, all to help me confess my feelings to Dominic. Dominic let out a cold laugh. “Is today April Fool’s Day?” Ethan’s jaw tightened in a visible struggle, as he tried to appear nonchalant. “I’m not kidding. Eleanor really likes you. I’m helping her pursue you.” “You can leave now. Don’t interrupt my time alone with Mr. Vance.” I coldly dismissed Ethan, watching him disappear into the heavy rain. His back was lean and tall, more mature and charismatic than when I first met him ten years ago. Back then, he was fresh out of college, interning at my father’s company during summer break. His blue shirt was faded from washing, his eyes clear and stubborn, and he worked meticulously. I saw his character and talent, promoting him from a poor kid to the youngest vice president. “He says you like me, but your eyes clearly still love him,” Dominic commented softly from beside me. His face was strikingly handsome, his eyes deep and profound. He sat there, like a god veiled by mist. Just then, Ethan looked up at us from downstairs. I immediately, shamelessly, sat on Dominic’s lap, wrapped my arms around his neck, and made it look like we were being intimate. “I apologize, Mr. Vance. I had to pretend I wanted to pursue you because it was the only way I could get some alone time with you. My real intention is to discuss a partnership – I’m begging you, please drop Ethan and invest in me.” I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but Dominic’s eyes seemed to dim slightly. “You should know, I’m signing a contract next week to invest five billion in Ethan Cole.” Of course, I knew time was critical! So I immediately pulled out the documents I’d brought, passionately introducing the company I had secretly founded. “…I’m collaborating with university Ph.D.s. Our technology is more mature than Ethan’s team’s, and it’s 100% capable of commercial incubation…” Dominic flipped through the documents, a smirk playing on his lips. “Everyone says you’re a ‘love-brain,’ but I never imagined your own company would be so impressive.” I forced a bitter smile. “My father is incredibly sexist. He doesn’t have a son, so he’d rather hand the company over to a male relative—a nephew—than to me. At first, I poured everything into mentoring Ethan, thinking we could run the company as a husband-and-wife team after we got married. But then he fell for Chloe Miller—my father’s illegitimate daughter with his mistress!” Dominic calmly reminded me, “The ‘mistress’ you refer to is now your father’s legal wife, and Chloe is the pampered Hayes heiress, adored by your father. If Ethan marries her, he’ll still get the Hayes Group.” That was what I resented the most! I had poured my heart and soul into Ethan, only for it all to become Chloe’s gain in the end. Years ago, when Chloe and her mother officially moved in and took over, it gave my mother a sudden heart attack and she died. I hated them! Ethan falling for Chloe was the ultimate betrayal! “I want revenge on them, and now only you can help me. Drop Ethan, and invest in me!” My eyes burned with fervent pleading as I looked at Dominic. But his gaze was cold. He gripped my waist and gently moved me from his lap to a nearby chair. “I detest mixing personal feelings with business. Think clearly and then come back to me.” ###

Dominic gracefully departed, and I stumbled out after him, shocked to find Ethan still waiting outside the door. “I saw you throwing yourself at him, Eleanor. I never thought you’d be so shameless!” His eyes seemed to blaze with fire. I sneered, “What? Are you jealous? Waiting so long downstairs just to mock me?” Before he could answer, Chloe’s syrupy voice drifted from the nightclub across the street. “You’re mistaken, Ellie. Ethan was waiting for me, not for you.” She wore a shimmering sequined dress that hugged her curves, a stark contrast to my stiff suit dress. Ethan’s tone with her was utterly doting. “Babe, aren’t you cold?” He took off his coat and draped it over her. She whined coquettishly, “Hmm, not enough. Ethan, warm my hands for me.” Ethan immediately cupped her hands, gently blowing on them to warm them. I used to cry and demand to know why he loved her and not me. His answer was that I was always focused on work, like a grim, hardened man. Only a drama queen like Chloe could make him feel that spark of romance. “I’m totally wasted, Ethan. Take me home now.” Chloe climbed into the passenger seat of the Ferrari. I snapped, “Get out! Ethan drove me here for my date with Dominic, and now he has to take me back. Besides, I bought him this car!” “Let Ethan choose, darling,” Chloe pouted, then leaned closer to me and hissed maliciously, “You pathetic shrew, you lost again. You can spend all the money you want, but you’ll never make Ethan love you. And even if you stripped naked in front of Dominic, you wouldn’t get him.” Sure enough, Ethan chose her again, driving the sports car away with a roar. Just then, a few burly guys burst out of the nightclub, grabbing my hair and demanding money for drinks. “Your sister didn’t pay just now! She told us to find you! Hand over the cash, or else…” They leered, their dirty hands reaching for me. I immediately screamed, “Let go of me! Ethan! Help me!” Ethan hadn’t driven far. I was sure he could see the scene in his rearview mirror, but he didn’t stop. He hesitated for just a second, then sped away. It was just like in our relationship: he unhesitatingly abandoned me, choosing my lifelong enemy, Chloe, leaving me sleepless night after night, crying until my eyes were dry, and laughed at by all my enemies. “Stop screaming. Come play with us, pretty girl…” The club thug’s foul-smelling breath was close to my face, his greasy hand gripping me tight. I finally snapped, pulling out the documents from my bag and using them as weapons, wildly striking at them. The sharp edges of the papers cut their skin. My sudden fury forced them to retreat, step after step. When I turned, I saw Dominic Vance’s Rolls-Royce parked by the street. After confirming I had repelled the thugs, his car started and drove away. He had witnessed everything, yet chose to stand by. A wave of frustration washed over me. I realized I didn’t have the charm to make him like me. But I had to use the pretense of pursuing him to secure an investment. If I could just persuade him to drop Ethan and invest in me instead, I could turn the tables, climbing above Ethan and even my father. Unexpectedly, a video of me fending off the club thugs was filmed and posted online, even trending on social media. #HayesHeiressMeltdown #DumpedFiancéDrama The media gossiped wildly about my history with Ethan, saying I was a rich heiress who supported a poor boy, only for him to get rich and dump me for being a ‘dowdy old hag’… *Slap!* Ethan slammed a stack of newspapers onto the table in front of me. “The headlines and trending topics are all calling me a ‘backstabbing scoundrel’! Eleanor, you knew this was a critical time for me to lead the Hayes Group in fundraising and going public. How could you buy hit pieces to trash my name?” I sneered, “If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. The media isn’t wrong. I poured my heart and soul into you for ten years. How are you repaying me?” Ethan knew he was in the wrong, but his expression remained cold. “You asked me to help you pursue Dominic, and I agreed. But he doesn’t like you. What more can I do?” “That just means you haven’t tried hard enough! You need to push harder.” I grabbed his tie, manipulating him. “At tomorrow’s spring auction, I want to buy him a gift. Whatever I set my sights on, you’ll get it for me, no matter the cost.” ###

The auction was packed with high-society figures, and Dominic Vance was there too. He was seated regally in the center of a private box on the second floor. Ethan, Chloe, and I sat in the front row, allowing me to clearly see that the first item up for auction was a piece by my mother from thirty years ago. “…Madam Hayes was a renowned jewelry artisan during her lifetime. Her early works are cherished by collectors worldwide. Today, three pairs of her earrings are returning to the market…” I bid frantically, but every time I made an offer, Chloe would raise the price, clearly trying to outdo me. “Help me!” I shot Ethan a look. “You promised me! You said you’d get me whatever I wanted today, no matter the cost!” Ethan met Chloe’s eager gaze and softly refused me. “I agreed to help you bid on a gift to win over Dominic, but would Dominic even care about these earrings? Don’t be silly.” My heart was burning with anxiety. I regretted that all my cash flow was tied up in company operations, leaving me no extra money for bidding. In the end, Chloe successfully acquired all three of my mother’s pieces. “The wings on these butterfly earrings are too big. I don’t like them.” Chloe, with a flick of her wrist, cut the delicate gold filigree, and two gemstones tumbled to the floor. I was stunned. “Are you crazy? How could you ruin perfectly good jewelry?” “I bought them, so I can do whatever I want with them.” Chloe cackled with glee, then broke and cut the other two pieces of jewelry, throwing them to the ground. Whispers and snickers broke out around us. “Chloe’s just trying to get a rise out of her.” “Exactly. Eleanor’s mother clung to her status as the legal wife back then, making Chloe an illegitimate child for years, and her mother a publicly scorned mistress.” “But now Chloe has really made a name for herself. Everyone knows she’s Richard Hayes’s favorite daughter. They say Ethan loves her, and once he marries her, Eleanor will surely be kicked out of the Hayes Group.” “Eleanor is truly useless. No money to participate in the auction, so she can only watch her own mother’s jewelry be destroyed…” My heart bled in that moment, watching the jewelry my mother had painstakingly crafted, day and night, being desecrated into garbage. The auctioneer on stage presented the next item: “A Breguet Tourbillon timepiece from the early 19th century, starting bid one million…” Dominic Vance on the second floor was the first to bid, immediately raising the price to three million. It seemed he liked this watch. I instantly joined the bidding, going back and forth with him, pushing the price to twenty million. Ethan’s face beside me turned dark. Chloe, unaware of the situation, scoffed at me, “Don’t pretend to be rich, you can’t afford it!” As Dominic bid a high price of thirty million, I directly shouted, “Whatever it takes!” The entire hall gasped, shocked that I had the money to snatch something coveted by the billionaire Dominic Vance. My next sentence pushed the atmosphere to a climax once more. “I’m paying with Ethan Cole’s card, and I’m giving this watch to Dominic Vance.” Everyone’s jaws dropped as they watched me use Ethan’s platinum card, instructing the staff to deliver the timepiece to Dominic Vance’s box on the second floor, accompanied by a bouquet of red roses, a symbol of affection. Within half a day, the news of me spending Ethan Cole’s money to pursue Dominic Vance swept through the entire high society circle. That evening, I was dressed to the nines. As I walked into the dazzling garage, Ethan rushed up to block me. “Do you know what people are calling me now? They’re calling me a humiliated cuckold! Spending money to help my fiancée get another man!” I gave him a sidelong glance. “Better than being called a backstabbing scoundrel, isn’t it? I’m actively taking the blame for the relationship, letting people think I’m the one cheating. Shouldn’t you be on your knees thanking me?” Ethan gnashed his teeth, forcing out a cold laugh. “You spent my money. Did *he* like it?” The “he” he referred to, of course, was Dominic Vance. I lit up my phone screen, shaking it twice in front of him. “See that? Dominic sent me a message ten minutes ago: ‘Eight PM tonight, Grand Zenith Hotel, Room 8808.’” Ethan’s face instantly turned ashen. I swaggered, patting his face. “What are you gawking at? Hurry up and drive me to my date with Dominic!” ###

I believed Dominic Vance had been impressed by my sincerity. For this, I had prepared even more detailed business plans, determined to persuade him to invest in my company tonight. Ethan, driving beside me, frequently glanced at me in the rearview mirror, then suddenly spoke. “Why the Grand Zenith Hotel, of all places?” I paused for a moment, then remembered. The Grand Zenith Hotel was where I had booked our wedding a year ago. The wedding date was next Thursday; even the invitations had been sent out. I had bought wedding favors worth hundreds of thousands and spent millions decorating the venue. Now, the groom was driving me there for a date with another man. I sneered, “Do you even care? The beach under that old bridge is where we first fell in love. Five years ago, I almost drowned saving two children. Even the paramedics said I was gone, but you wouldn’t give up. You desperately gave me CPR and artificial respiration, and I actually came back to life. The moment I opened my eyes, I saw the tears on your face, and I swore then and there that I would love you forever…” Back then, Ethan and I truly were life-and-death companions. As I spoke, I felt a sense of weariness. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. You’ve probably forgotten all about it anyway. I bet even the rocks we lay on have been swallowed by the sea.” Ethan, who had been silent, suddenly slammed the accelerator, turning the sports car around and heading for the highway exit. I gasped. “Are you crazy? I’m going to be late! Take me to the hotel!” His dark eyes held a stubborn glint. “Weren’t you just talking about reliving the past by the sea? If you didn’t want to, why bring it up?” The car radio was broadcasting a hurricane warning, advising residents to stay indoors. I screamed that Ethan was insane, rushing to the beach in a hurricane to die. He sped to the beach and forcefully dragged me out of the car, searching for the rocks that had witnessed our bond in life and death. Heavy black clouds pressed down on the sea, giant waves roared, and a severe storm warning had been issued. “Yes! I’m crazy! Why are you provoking me in such a twisted way? When you asked me to help you pursue Dominic, I wanted to kill him!” he yelled at me. I scoffed. “Don’t pretend! You only agreed to help me pursue Dominic because I promised to sign the agreement giving up my inheritance of the Hayes family assets. You dream of seeing me out of the Hayes family, so that after my father dies, you and Chloe can have the entire Hayes fortune to yourselves…” “I didn’t!” Ethan’s eyes were wide with desperation. He tightly cupped my cheeks, his breath close to mine, full of a mix of longing and suppression. “You just don’t understand me, actually, I… I…” “Actually what?” I felt a strange tension. Just then, his phone rang. “My Darling Chloe” flashed on the screen. Ethan didn’t hesitate for long before answering. The unspoken atmosphere between us instantly vanished. I knew it. Everything that followed was just as I expected. Chloe said she was scared of the thunder and needed Ethan to come to her immediately. “No way. Your job right now is to take me to meet Dominic,” I reminded him. Chloe heard my voice and started crying even harder. “I’m so scared. Oh, no, I accidentally fell, and my leg might be broken. Ethan, please take me to the hospital, okay…” Her acting was awful, yet Ethan actually believed her. He immediately decided to drive to her house. “What about me? Dominic is waiting for me. How am I supposed to get a ride in this weather?” I angrily demanded. Ethan looked me directly in the eyes, stating seriously, “I’m tired of playing this game with you, Eleanor. You’ll never get Dominic Vance. The women who’ve chased him over the years were A-list celebrities, beauty queens, even daughters of powerful politicians or foreign nobility… Eleanor, you don’t stand a chance. Besides, isn’t your ultimate goal just to make me angry? Well, you’ve achieved your goal. Give up. There’s no way I’m letting you see Dominic today.” He gave me one last deep look, then truly abandoned me, driving off to rescue “broken-legged” Chloe. The hurricane was closing in, chilling my thin clothes to the bone. My entire heart felt cold and desolate. From then on, my feelings for Ethan Cole were nothing but hatred. The wind howled in my ears. Staying here would be life-threatening, but I couldn’t even stand steady; I could barely move an inch against the wind. In despair, I saw a helicopter flying towards me against the wind, like a small boat battling the waves, perilous yet determined. The person inside opened the cabin door and extended a hand to me. The strong wind ruffled his hair, revealing his handsome, refined face. It was Dominic Vance. He said, “I agree. Now, come with me.”

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My daughter, Ashley, came home for her first Christmas after graduating from a prestigious university, driving a luxury car and making a grand return. She handed out gifts to everyone in the family. “Grandma Susan, Grandpa George, this is an ornate gold-plated good luck charm. May it bless you with health and a long life.” “Dad, here’s that Rolex Submariner you always talked about. Now you’ll make a statement when you go out!” “Brittany, you always take such good care of yourself. This limited-edition skincare set will be perfect for you.” Watching everyone cheer with excitement, I nervously rubbed my grease-stained hands, my heart full of hope. After all, I’d given up my executive position to focus on her education, and for over ten years, I hadn’t even bought myself a new outfit. Finally, Ashley smiled and walked over to me, handing me a black plastic bag: “Mom, this gift is special, I picked it just for you. It’s perfect, you’ll definitely love it.” I opened the bag excitedly, but my smile instantly froze when I saw what was inside.

A toilet brush, toilet cleaner, steel wool, rubber gloves… All cleaning supplies. “Mom, I carefully picked out these brands. Their stain removal power is super strong.” “They’ll last you for years, and it’ll make cleaning the house so much easier.” “Mom, why aren’t you saying anything? This is imported toilet cleaner, one bottle is like three ordinary ones.” Ashley, seeing me frozen in place, let her smile fade a little, a hint of impatience in her voice. “I even made a special trip to Sam’s Club for these. Didn’t you always complain about your back hurting when you scrubbed the toilet? With this, you just soak it, and it’s clean. It saves time and effort. I’m doing my duty as a good daughter.” I clutched the bottle of blue liquid, my gaze sweeping across the living room. George and Susan held their heavy gold-plated charms, grinning from ear to ear. My husband, David, wore that emerald-green Rolex, excitedly adjusting it under the light. Brittany was dabbing thousands of dollars worth of premium skincare onto her face. The room was filled with laughter, But not for me. Only I, the “housemaid” who had quit her job to support her daughter for over ten years and served the entire family, received a pile of cleaning tools. “Ashley,” my voice was dry, “Is this… your Christmas gift for Mom?” Ashley pouted, popped a cherry into her mouth, and said nonchalantly: “Yeah. Mom, don’t be ungrateful. These things might look cheap, but they add up to a few hundred dollars.” “Besides, Grandma and Grandpa are old and need to take care of their health, Dad needs to save face, and Brittany needs her beauty routine. What about you?” “You just spend all day in the kitchen and bathroom, so anything else would be wasted on you.” Wasted on me? So, in my daughter’s eyes, I was only fit to deal with toilets and grease. “Exactly, Kate,” Brittany interjected snidely, looking into a mirror. “Ashley is just being practical. If she gave you a skincare set, you don’t exactly primp yourself, so it’d just be a waste. A fancy watch? Would you wear that to haggle at the farmer’s market? How tacky!” David frowned and chimed in, “Yeah, it’s the holidays, and the kid made a heartfelt gesture. You should be praising her, not pulling a long face and being dramatic.” “It’s not easy for Ashley, fresh out of college and already thinking of buying things for the family. Instead of praising her, you’re making a scene.” Susan carefully tucked her gold-plated charm into her pocket, squinting at me. “Who tends to this entire family’s every need? Every single thing? Ashley feels bad you work so hard, so she bought you useful tools. How can you be so narrow-minded, Kate?” I stood there, my ears ringing. I looked at these people, whom I had poured my heart and soul into serving for half my life. I woke up at five every morning to cook nutritious meals for the whole family, and at eleven at night, I was still hand-washing their silk clothes. The year Ashley was a senior in high school, I broke my leg in the snow while delivering hot soup to her. Even with a cast on, I still washed her school uniform. When David’s startup failed, I sold my pre-marital condo to bail him out. For three years, when George was bedridden after his stroke, I was the one who fed him, changed him, bathed him, and turned him, never getting a good night’s sleep. Now, they sat here, looking glamorous, enjoying my daughter’s “thoughtful gesture,” and then collectively trampling on my dignity. “Mom, hurry up and put them away,” Ashley urged impatiently. “We still need to make Christmas dinner later. You can try that powerful degreaser, I hear it works wonders. It’ll save you from reeking of cooking oil and grossing everyone out.” “Hahahahahaha…” Brittany burst into laughter, and George and Susan joined in. Reeking of cooking oil… grossing everyone out. I looked down at my hands, rough and cracked from years of constant labor. I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.” “Since Ashley specially picked them, and they’re so strong, I definitely should try them out.”

I picked up the black plastic bag and strode towards the dining table. On the table was the Slow-roasted Prime Rib I had been preparing since yesterday, slow-roasted for a full twenty hours. “Hey, Kate, what are you doing? Dinner hasn’t started yet, why are you putting trash on the table?” Brittany shrieked. I ignored her, deftly unscrewing the cap of the imported toilet cleaner. With a flick of my wrist. “Splash!” The entire bottle of toilet cleaner poured out. The blue liquid instantly mixed into the rich brown gravy, bubbling eerily and emitting a nauseating smell. The room fell into a dead silence. Ashley’s eyes widened. “Mom! What are you doing? Are you crazy!” I didn’t stop. I grabbed the powerful degreaser and aimed the spray nozzle at the beautifully plated Atlantic lobster. “Hiss—hiss—” White foam covered the lobster shell. “Ah! My lobster! Three hundred dollars!” Ashley shrieked, shoving me away. “Mom! Are you sick?! I paid for all this! Do you know how expensive it is? Can you afford to pay me back?!” I stumbled back, my waist hitting the corner of the table with a searing pain. But I laughed out loud. Then I grabbed the brand-new toilet brush and plunged it into the Slow-roasted Prime Rib, now mixed with toilet cleaner, stirring vigorously. Gravy splashed. The liquid splattered onto Ashley’s new designer wool sweater. “Ah—! That’s disgusting! My clothes! Mom! You did that on purpose!” Ashley jumped back, dodging me. I held up the dripping toilet brush, pointing at the ruined Christmas dinner. My voice was calm. “Ashley was right, this cleaning power is truly strong.” “Don’t you all think I’m dirty? That I reek of cooking oil? That I’m only fit to scrub toilets?” “Then you all can taste what a toilet brush tastes like.” “This is your wonderful daughter, your wonderful granddaughter’s thoughtful gesture, specially chosen, worth hundreds of dollars!” “Eat it!” “Anyone who doesn’t eat it is disrespecting Ashley and throwing away her heartfelt gift!” David finally reacted, his face flushed purple with rage. He lunged at me, raising his hand. “Katherine!” “You’ve gone too far!” The slap didn’t land. Because I was still holding the bottle of powerful degreaser, aimed right at his eyes. David froze, his hand stopping mid-air. “You wouldn’t dare spray me, would you?” “Katherine, I think you’ve had enough of the good life! What’s wrong with you, going crazy on Christmas? Do you know how much this table of food cost? You couldn’t pay it back even if I sold you!” I sneered, “How much?” “Is it worth my ten years of youth? Is it worth my ten years of being a slave? Is it worth all the housekeeper fees and caregiver fees I saved the Johnson family?” Susan slapped her thigh, wailing, “You were just doing your duty!” “What wife doesn’t do housework? Are you so special? Ashley buys you a gift and you’re still picky, you ruin everything, you destroy the whole family’s Christmas dinner! You’re a total spendthrift! Such a curse! How did our Johnson family ever marry a jinx like you?!” Ashley stood by, her eyes red with anger, tears streaming down her face. She turned and threw herself into David’s arms, crying heartbreakingly: “Dad… I really just wanted to make Mom’s life easier… I don’t know why Mom hates me so much… Did I do something wrong… Dad… I’m so sad…” Look. This is the daughter I raised. She was the one who humiliated me with a pile of cleaning tools, but now she looks like she’s suffered the greatest injustice.

David tenderly patted his daughter’s back, pointing a finger at my nose. “Look what you’ve done to her! Ashley has never cried like this in her life! Katherine, you have to apologize to Ashley today!” Brittany chimed in, making a snide comment: “David, I think Kate’s just going through menopause, she’s completely unhinged, she can’t stand to see us happy, can’t stand to see Ashley succeed.” “Ashley is so accomplished, and she even bought her a gift, but instead, she goes and ruins the whole family’s Christmas dinner. This is only tolerated in our home, any other family would have thrown her out.” “Get out!!!” I suddenly smashed the toilet brush to the ground and ripped off the greasy apron I’d worn for ten years. “Since I’m a curse, since I’m unreasonable, since I’m only fit to scrub toilets.” “Then I’m not serving this family anymore.” “Aren’t you all rich? Don’t you have gold-plated charms, Rolexes, and premium skincare?” “Then you all can manage it yourselves!” With that, I turned and walked towards the bedroom. Behind me, Ashley’s tearful voice cried out, “Mom! You’re such a disappointment!” “You ruined my thoughtful gesture, and you ruined this family! You’re simply… simply not a good mother!” My steps faltered, and a sharp pain twisted in my chest. But I didn’t look back. I walked into the bedroom and pulled open the closet. It was full of David’s designer suits and shirts. My clothes? Oh, I forgot. My worn-out clothes were stuffed into a woven bag in the corner, not even deemed worthy of the closet. I turned to look at those shabby clothes, suddenly feeling a wave of nausea. I don’t want them. I only took my ID, bank cards, and the senior accountant certificate locked in a drawer. Looking at that certificate, my eyes welled up with tears. Once upon a time, I was the CFO of a well-known multinational company, with a brilliant future ahead of me. For this family, for Ashley to study in peace, I locked it away in the dark, for ten years. I never imagined that ten years of sacrifice would lead to this end. I composed myself. When I walked out of the bedroom, the living room was still a mess. Ashley was holding her phone, taking pictures of the chaos. Seeing me, she immediately put away her phone and put on a heartbroken expression. “Mom, are you really leaving? It’s Christmas, where are you going? Just apologize to me and Dad and the others, and clean up this mess, and we won’t blame you.” “Don’t make a scene, you have nothing without this family. You’re so old, and you don’t have a job, where can you go?” I looked coldly at the daughter I once considered my life. “Ashley, since you bought so many cleaning tools, use them well.” “The grease on the floor, the leftover food on the table, and this entire Johnson family’s rotten hearts.” “You can slowly clean it yourselves.” With that, I pulled open the front door. A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, blew into my face, Completely shutting the suffocating “home” behind me. Christmas Eve streets were empty. I pulled my five-year-old worn-out winter coat tighter and found a hotel. Once in the room, I collapsed onto the bed, and my phone suddenly began vibrating frantically. I checked it, and my blood pressure instantly spiked. Ashley had posted on Ins, and it had quickly become a local trending topic. The photo showed the ruined Christmas dinner. The caption: “Came home for Christmas intending to surprise my mom, but she hated the gifts, flipped the table, and ran away. My heart is so tired, why does my love only bring such pain?” Below it was a string of likes and comments from netizens. “Hugs to the OP! How could a mother be like this! So ungrateful!” “My jaw dropped after seeing the screenshots! This table of food looks so expensive, and she just flipped it? She must have psychological issues!” “My heart goes out to the OP, dealing with this on Christmas. It’s better to leave, this kind of toxic family isn’t worth staying in.” “Is the OP’s mom going through menopause? I suggest she sees a therapist.” Looking at these blatant lies, my hands were trembling with anger. They not only humiliated me at home, but they wanted to ruin my reputation online too. I took a deep breath. Luckily…

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“Give that account to her? Why? Just because she’s your favored one?” I pushed open Director Jenkins’s office door. Director Jenkins slammed her hand on the table. “Chloe Miller, watch your tone. I decide who gets what. Let’s keep things civil, for everyone’s sake. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make your life difficult.” “But I’ve been working on this for half a year, and it’s almost signed,” I stared at her. “Company resources, does it matter who handles it?” She leaned back, her posture relaxing slightly. “Think bigger picture. It’s all for the good of the company.” I looked at her self-satisfied expression and nodded. Then I suddenly smiled. “You’re right. I really should… think things through for the company.” As I walked out of the office, the smile vanished from my face. Back at my desk, a gasp came from beside me. “Oh, how can I accept this?” Brittany Hayes, wearing an ill-fitting short skirt, walked to the center of the office area, clutching a folder. She deliberately raised her voice. “Chloe, I heard you transferred that huge account you’ve been working on for half a year to me?” “That’s tens of millions in revenue!” “Thanks for all the groundwork you laid, Chloe. I’ll truly cherish it.” “I won’t let your efforts go to waste.” Her eyes glinted with provocation, and the corners of her mouth turned up. The sound of keyboards stopped. A few colleagues looked over, then quickly averted their gaze. I organized the documents on my desk, not even lifting my head. “No need to thank me. After all, Mr. Wang said new hires need a little ‘encouragement’.” “Whether you can hold onto that account is entirely up to your abilities.” Brittany’s smile froze. Mr. Robert Wang, the General Manager, walked out of his office. “Everyone, please stop what you’re doing. We’re having a short meeting.” Mr. Wang scanned the room, his gaze resting on me. “I have an announcement to make.” “Considering our year-end sprint, and to optimize resource allocation and cultivate new talent…” “Chloe Miller has proactively proposed transferring the TianSheng Group project she was managing to Brittany Hayes.” “Everyone should learn from Chloe. This is the kind of broader perspective we expect from our veteran employees!” “Come on, let’s give her a round of applause!” Sparse applause broke out. I clapped twice in cooperation. After the meeting, Brittany placed an iced latte on my desk. “Chloe, here’s an iced latte.” “Godfather asked me to come and get the TianSheng Group documents from you.” “Especially Ms. Carter’s preferences, her pet peeves, and all the previous negotiation details.” She held out her hand. I watched the dripping iced latte stain the documents. “They’re all on the shared drive. Download them yourself.” “Oh, Chloe, the shared drive only has official documents.” “I need your private notes.” She lowered her voice. “Godfather said if this deal falls through, you’ll be the only one to blame.” “You don’t want Godfather to think you’re holding out on us, do you?” I scoffed. I created a folder, packed the prepared materials, and sent them. “Sent.” “Read carefully. Don’t mess up something as simple as what kind of tea Ms. Carter drinks.” Brittany left with her laptop. Just before closing time, Director Jenkins called me into the pantry. She closed the door, her face turning grim. “Chloe, I know you’re upset.” “If this deal goes through, you’ll still get your share of the bonus.” “But if you dare to pull any stunts behind our backs or trip Brittany up…” “I’ll make sure you can’t work in this industry ever again!” Her manicured finger pointed at me. I bowed slightly. “Director Jenkins, you’re overthinking. How could I dare?” “I still have my mortgage to pay; work is important.” “Don’t worry, I’ll fully cooperate with Brittany.” Director Jenkins snorted and waved her hand. “Alright, get out. Just be smart about it.” Walking out of the company building, a cold wind blew. I pulled out my phone and opened the chat for “Mommy Dearest.” “Mom, I have something to tell you!” She replied instantly. “My sweet daughter, what’s wrong?” I typed out a line, put away my phone, and smiled.

Over the next few days, the office was quite noisy. Brittany frowned as she looked through the documents. The usually quiet WhatsApp group was stirred up daily by her @ mentions. “@Chloe Miller, what does ‘exclusive agreement’ mean in this clause?” “Ms. Carter’s legal team is asking if it can be removed. How do I respond?” “@Chloe Miller, how is the floating percentage in this quote calculated?” “The system keeps giving an error!” “@Chloe Miller, help! Ms. Carter’s secretary asked about Plan B from the previous proposal. I can’t find it anywhere!” I watched the screen, deliberately waiting for Mr. Wang to prompt me in the group before slowly replying. “Exclusive agreements are standard practice. Be firm with their legal team.” “The floating percentage is based on that formula; plug in the numbers yourself.” “Plan B is in the archived folder. Check there.” Brittany followed my advice and dealt with the client, but she was met with refusal. That afternoon, the office atmosphere was tense. Brittany slammed her mouse, her eyes red, and stormed into Mr. Wang’s office. Less than five minutes later, Mr. Wang’s voice pierced through the glass door. “Chloe Miller! Get in here!” I walked in, carrying my thermos. Mr. Wang slammed his hand on the desk. “Chloe, are you trying to get yourself fired?” “Brittany says she called Ms. Carter over a dozen times, and no one picked up.” “Did you give her fake contact info?!” “Are you intentionally trying to sabotage this deal?!” Brittany sat nearby, pointing at me and accusing. “Godfather, she’s doing this on purpose!” “She must have badmouthed me to Ms. Carter, otherwise why would Ms. Carter ignore me!” “Chloe, you can’t jeopardize the company’s interests like this!” I blinked. “Mr. Wang, you’re wronging me.” “The contact information is right there in the business card holder. How could I possibly give fake details?” “Maybe Ms. Carter has been busy these past few days and hasn’t had time to check her phone.” “Bullshit!” Mr. Wang slammed the folder on the floor. “Too busy to even pick up Brittany’s calls?” “Right now, in front of me, call Ms. Carter! If you can’t get through, you’re packing your bags and leaving immediately!” I pulled out my phone. “Alright, I’ll try.” I dialed the number and put it on speakerphone. It rang twice, then connected. A cold, indifferent female voice came through. “Hello?” Brittany froze, and Mr. Wang stiffened. I cleared my throat, my tone gentle. “Hello, Ms. Carter, this is Chloe.” “I apologize for disturbing you, but our manager, Brittany, said she couldn’t reach you.” “We’re worried about delaying the signing process, so I just wanted to ask…” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a cold snort. “Manager Brittany? Which Manager Brittany? I don’t know her.” “She keeps sending me all sorts of ridiculous emojis; I’ve blocked her.” “Chloe, how many times have I told you? I only discuss my projects with you.” “Sending just anyone to bother me, does your company not want to do business anymore?” Brittany’s face instantly flushed red, and she lowered her head. Mr. Wang’s face alternated between green and pale. I quickly responded. “Ms. Carter, please don’t be angry. New hires are still learning the ropes; we’ll reinforce their training.” “As for the signing…” “Alright, out of consideration for you, I’ll let it go.” “We’ll discuss the specifics later.” The call ended. The office was silent. I put away my phone and looked at Mr. Wang. “Mr. Wang, see? The phone number wasn’t the problem, was it?” “Perhaps Brittany was a bit too enthusiastic, and Ms. Carter doesn’t like that style.” Mr. Wang glared at Brittany. “Useless! Can’t even figure out a client’s preferences! Now go reflect on what you did wrong!” He then looked at me. “Since you can reach her, you’ll continue to assist with communications.” “But Brittany will still sign the contract; that’s non-negotiable.” I nodded in agreement. “Yes, you’re right.” After this incident, Brittany became smug again. She posted a group photo on Ins, Photoshopping me out and replacing me with herself. “All those late nights pulling off a multi-million dollar deal were totally worth it!” Many people liked it below her post.

At the company, she started ordering me around. “Chloe, please print this contract. It needs to be double-sided and in color.” “Chloe, please book the meeting room for tomorrow. I need the largest one, set up with flowers and fruit.” “Chloe, go buy me a coffee, the hand-ground one from the corner café.” I accepted all her requests without complaint. Brittany leaned back in her chair, her eyes full of triumph. The day before the signing, the sales department was in chaos. Mr. Wang threw a document in front of me. “Chloe Miller, this is the script for tomorrow’s signing ceremony.” “You need to write it today, down to the minute.” “Who stands where, who says what. Don’t leave until it’s done.” I flipped through the document. “Mr. Wang, shouldn’t Manager Brittany be preparing this?” “After all, she’s the one in charge.” Mr. Wang shot me a sidelong glance. “Brittany needs to memorize the contract clauses; she doesn’t have time for this.” “I’m telling you to write it. This is your chance to participate in a major project.” Brittany sat nearby, painting her nails. “That’s right, Chloe. Just help me out a bit.” “If I make a fool of myself tomorrow, it’ll be the company’s embarrassment.” I took the document. “Alright, I’ll get it ready now.” At noon, Mr. Wang called me to the end of the hallway. Amidst the lingering smoke, her gaze was inscrutable. “Chloe Miller, for tomorrow’s signing ceremony… you won’t be coming in.” I raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Wang, I wrote the script, and I maintained the client relationship.” “Now you’re not even letting me into the venue?” Mr. Wang flicked off ash from his cigarette. “Chloe, you need to understand the situation.” “Brittany has more charisma than you, and she presents herself better.” “If you’re standing there, you’ll only draw attention away from Brittany.” “What if your attire offends Ms. Carter?” “Your job is to be at the door and handle logistics.” “After the signing, I’ll let you attend the celebration dinner.” I looked at her, and suddenly smiled. “Mr. Wang, are you sure you don’t need me to control the situation on-site?” “Given Ms. Carter’s temper, if there’s any unexpected change…” “Shut up!” Mr. Wang cut me off. “What unexpected change could there be? Just don’t be an eyesore.” “Have a broader perspective, understand?” I nodded. “Alright, broader perspective it is. I’ll wait by the door.” Back at my desk, Brittany was trying on clothes. It was a white lace gown with a train. “Chloe, doesn’t it look good? This is my power suit!” She twirled around. I glanced at it. “Gorgeous. You look just like a bridesmaid.” Brittany’s face darkened. “What do you know, you bumpkin!” Colleagues from other departments passed by, whispering to each other. Mr. Wang heard the commotion and cursed a few times in the WhatsApp group. I ignored the distractions and sent a message to my mom. “Mom, remember to wear that black suit tomorrow. The more serious, the better.” Just before closing, I went to get water. A cup of coffee was splashed in my face. I dodged, but my sleeve still got stained with brown. “Oops!” Brittany held the empty cup, a smirk on her face. “My hand slipped, it slipped. So sorry, Chloe.” “But you don’t have to see clients tomorrow anyway.” “It’s fine if your clothes get dirty; you should probably get some new outfits anyway.” I pulled out tissues to wipe the stain. Brittany took a step back. “What are you looking at? I already apologized.” I tossed the tissues into the trash. “It’s alright.” I smiled. “Out with the old, in with the new.” “I hope your power suit holds up tomorrow.”

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