Category: English

When I accompanied Lucas to a party, my entire body suddenly broke out in an allergic reaction. As the itching intensified, red rashes appeared on my exposed skin, spreading to my cheeks. “Sis-in-law, did you use some cheap makeup? Your face is swelling up like a balloon,” someone sneered. “How did Lucas end up with a girlfriend like this? So embarrassing.” “That dress you’re wearing costs a fortune. Can you afford to ruin it by scratching?” Amidst the mocking voices, I panicked, not knowing what to do. Lucas smiled and quieted everyone down. He took out a pill and said to me: “It’s an April Fool’s Day party. You won’t get mad at a little joke, right?” Later, I realized the truth. For three years of our relationship, I was nothing but a toy for Lucas and his friends to fool around with. But Lucas, I only fooled you once. Why are you crying your eyes out now? 0 “Here’s some allergy medicine. Take it quickly.” But even after taking the pill, my symptoms didn’t improve at all. I had no choice but to go to a nearby clinic alone. When I came back to return the dress, I heard an explosion of laughter from inside. “I’m dying of laughter! Her face was so swollen but she just kept enduring it.” On the big screen inside, they were playing a video of my swollen face after the allergic reaction. Lucas was at the center of the crowd, holding a wine glass with a smile on his lips. Someone beside him was laughing and counting on their fingers: “How many times have we successfully pranked her now?” “The first time, we tricked her into waiting for Lucas on the mountaintop. She stood in the cold wind all night, and we nearly scared her to death with our fake wolf howls. She ended up with a 104-degree fever the next day.” “The second time, we lied that Lucas needed a blood transfusion for a stomach hemorrhage. She stupidly donated 800cc of blood, which I resold on the black market.” “The third time, we framed her for stealing Bella’s necklace. Not only did she lose her scholarship, but it was hilarious watching her desperately search for evidence to prove her innocence.” “Including this time, it’s been 97 times, right?” “Just three more times and we can wrap this up perfectly. It’s been fun playing with her for three years. I’ll almost miss it. Poor Lucas though, having to be her boyfriend for three years.” “Well, who told her to mess with Bella? If it weren’t for her last-minute submission, Bella would have been accepted as Master Johnson’s final student. Lucas has doted on Bella since childhood. How could he watch her suffer such an injustice? It just happened to be April Fool’s Day, so we planned 100 pranks. Too bad it’s ending after only three years.” I staggered away from the banquet hall. Those words were like chains, tightly constricting my heart, making it hard to breathe. Five years ago, it was love at first sight for me. After two years of secretly liking him, I had barely managed to become a familiar face to him. But three years ago, at the apprenticeship ceremony, Lucas suddenly confessed to me. With my heart pounding like a drum, I couldn’t refuse his kiss. But it turns out there was never any mutual attraction. This was all his long-planned revenge. For the sake of another girl – the one he truly loved. My body was still itchy. The doctor had warned me earlier that there might be a problem with the fabric of the dress. But I still thought I was just being too delicate, not worthy of wearing such a nice outfit. When I got home to shower, I found that I had scratched my entire body raw. As the water hit me, it stung and itched. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I bit my lip, telling myself: “Don’t cry, don’t cry.” After the shower, I saw that Lucas had just called: “Are you home? I’m not coming back tonight. Had too much to drink.” I made a sound of acknowledgment, and then I heard someone on the other end of the line calling him: “Lucas, Bella’s looking for you. Hurry up.” The call was abruptly disconnected. I laughed bitterly at myself. He didn’t even bother to ask how I was doing. I opened my contacts and called Master Johnson: “Master, I’ve made a decision about studying abroad.” “I want to go.” Not long ago, my mentor had specially reserved a spot for me to study abroad, but I had been reluctant to leave Lucas and kept putting it off. I had even considered giving up this opportunity. But now, I was grateful for this “joke”. It allowed me to see everything clearly. “Sophia, are you sure? This study abroad program will take you away for three years. If you perform exceptionally well, it might even be extended.” “Master, I’ve made up my mind,” I said firmly, wiping away my tears. “I won’t regret it.” 0

“Alright, alright.” Master Johnson sounded very pleased on the other end. “Then you should let your boyfriend know. You love him so much.” Boyfriend? Did Lucas ever truly consider himself my boyfriend? “Master, I don’t love him anymore.” In my mind’s eye, I could still see Lucas sitting in the middle of that group, watching my embarrassing moment on the big screen with a carefree smile. Those mockeries and pranks were like sharp knives stabbing into my heart. Forced to play the fool for three years, now that I’ve woken up from this dream, I sobbed and said: “I will never love him again.” It wasn’t until I started packing that I realized just how many memories could accumulate in three years. The most prominent Polaroid on the fridge was from the day we got together. Lucas chose to confess his love on the eve of April Fool’s Day. He said he was afraid that if he waited any longer, I might take his sincerity as a joke. When I nodded and he embraced me, it had just turned midnight. So, were all those vows of love and eternity planned lies from the very beginning? My phone buzzed. Someone in the group chat asked: “Are we letting her off so easily today? There are only a few hours left until midnight. Shouldn’t we play one more prank?” “We’d have to lure her out first. We’ve already used the ‘Lucas has a stomach hemorrhage’ trick before.” “You’ve all seen that bracelet Lucas wears, right? The one Sophia gave him. Apparently, it was her mother’s keepsake.” My hand holding the phone started to shake. “Shit, you sent that to the wrong group!” “Crap, Sophia’s in this chat too.” After a series of message retractions, the group fell silent. Ten minutes later, my phone rang. Jack frantically said: “Sophia, come quickly! Lucas is in the swimming pool and won’t come out because of some bracelet.” “None of us can persuade him. You’re our only hope.” That bracelet had been passed down for generations in my family. My mother had put it on my wrist on her deathbed. “Sophia, don’t cry. This will keep you company in my place from now on.” I never intended to give the bracelet to Lucas. It was Jack who said in front of everyone: “Lucas has given you so many luxury gifts, but you’ve never given him anything decent in return.” “Sophia, are you just playing with Lucas?” I tried to explain, but I couldn’t be heard over their jeering voices. The truth was, I had given him quite a few gifts within my means. But in Lucas’s circle, even a keychain could cost thousands of dollars. At that time, Lucas kept a stern face. It was Bella who spoke up, pointing at my wrist and saying the bracelet meant a lot to me. “Why don’t you give it to Lucas?” “For a gift, the thought matters more than the price.” I stammered, “This is from my mom…” Lucas’s eyes, which had briefly lit up, suddenly darkened. He threw his wine glass to the ground. Someone pushed me from behind. I suddenly found myself kneeling in front of Lucas, allowing him to take the bracelet from my wrist. … When I got out of the car and returned to the banquet hall, I felt like my entire body had turned cold. I hated myself so much. Hated how weak and stupid I had been back then. I regretted it so much. Regretted being blinded by love and constantly lowering my standards. Even though I knew this was another trap. I had no choice but to come. 0

“Sis-in-law, you’re finally here!” “Lucas passed out, but we still can’t find the bracelet. What should we do…” I showed no emotion as I reached out to touch the pool. The members-only high-end club had a temperature-controlled pool 365 days a year, but now the water felt as cold as ice. Jack explained that the club’s temperature control system had coincidentally malfunctioned. I could see the malice hidden in his eyes. I nodded slightly, having noticed the phone he kept clutching in his hand. Before coming, I had already put on a swimsuit underneath. After a few laps in the pool, I indeed found the bracelet near the drain. But just as I retrieved the bracelet and was about to climb out, someone stepped on my hand. I jerked my hand away in pain, and a figure screamed as they fell into the water. Caught off guard, I was suddenly pushed underwater. Water rushed into my nose and mouth, nearly suffocating me. Before I lost consciousness, I vaguely saw someone jump into the water, swimming in the opposite direction from me. Perhaps it was my strong survival instinct, but at the last moment, I managed to grab onto the pool’s edge. As I surfaced, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me onto the deck. Lucas was holding Bella in his arms. He slapped me across the face: “Sophia, do you realize you almost killed Bella!” “It’s my fault the bracelet was lost, but why did you try to hurt Bella!” I lay on the ground, coughing and retching. My ears were ringing so loudly that his angry words seemed distant. Lucas handed Bella to Jack. With red eyes, he grabbed my neck: “Stop pretending. If anything happens to Bella today, I’ll make you pay with your life!” Seeing that I was still clutching the bracelet tightly, he snatched it away. I hugged his legs, sobbing and pleading through my coughs: “Please, don’t!” His expression was ice-cold: “This is your punishment.” With a forceful tug, he broke the bracelet into two pieces. “Lucas, don’t blame Sophia. She was just embarrassed about what happened at the party and wanted to get back at me a little.” “We’re both women, I can understand.” Lucas angrily threw the broken bracelet to the ground. He carefully picked up Bella: “Don’t defend her. You’re just too kind-hearted.” The group hurriedly left. Jack took the opportunity to snap several photos of me. He made a “98” gesture to someone nearby, and they both laughed so hard they could barely stand up straight. I held the broken bracelet tightly to my chest, tears falling in large drops onto the floor. All the hurt I had been holding back now burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam. Let it hurt more, until all the love turns into hate. Lucas, I will forget everything from the past. Never, ever will I love you again!

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I carefully selected 999 red roses for Sophia Evans. Her male secretary broke out in hives. Sophia was furious. Using my mother’s heirloom as bait, she forced me to fight a lion bare-handed. She casually instructed her subordinates: “It doesn’t matter if he dies. As long as it cleanses Ryan’s bad luck.” I remained silent. At the cost of 6 broken ribs and being mauled bloody by the lion, I successfully retrieved the heirloom and calmly turned to leave. Behind me, Sophia sneered: “He’s nothing but a lowly bodyguard I keep. How could a dog ever leave its master?” What Sophia didn’t know was, Someone had already bought out my contract for a high price. This time, I was going to protect someone else. The iron cage opened, and the massive lion roared as it charged out. I faced it bare-handed, instantly knocked to the ground! On the platform above, Sophia clenched her fists tightly. Jack’s face was flushed, his eyes sparkling. Sophia’s brow relaxed. It seemed they were telling the truth. This really could cleanse Ryan’s bad luck. The lion slammed into me, and I felt like my internal organs had shattered. I countered with a punch to the lion’s eye. The crowd gasped. I was covered in blood but never backed down. After accurately grabbing the nearby hunting rifle, I precisely shot the lion’s throat. One shot killed it. At the cost of 6 broken ribs and being mauled bloody by the lion. I had won. I successfully reclaimed my mother’s heirloom. Just as I was about to exit the underground arena, Ryan suddenly turned pale and coughed heavily. Sophia’s eyes instantly changed. She snatched the heirloom I had fought so hard to retrieve from my arms. The jade bracelet was viciously smashed, shattering into pieces. Sophia frowned slightly, her eyes filled with disgust as she looked at me. “Are you satisfied now that you’ve hurt Jack so much for a mere bracelet?” I opened my mouth but was left speechless. When Ryan choked on some water, Sophia splashed black dog blood on the heirloom. He coughed once, and Sophia used the heirloom to force me to fight the lion. My ribs were broken in six places, and my body wouldn’t stop bleeding. I didn’t understand who was really hurting whom. My nails dug deep into my palms. I skillfully knelt down and kowtowed to her. “I’m sorry, Miss. Please forgive me.” I bent down with difficulty, cherishing the fragments in my arms beyond measure. Mom, this time, I will take you away. The kneeling motion caused my shirt to be stained with fresh blood again. Sophia’s pupils constricted, and her brow twitched violently. She unexpectedly helped me up. “As long as you don’t oppose Jack, I’ll let you stay by my side and earn your keep.” Her tone was condescending, as if it were a great honor. As she finished speaking, Jack suddenly fainted without warning. Sophia’s face instantly tensed. Jack’s lackey quietly reported, “Miss Evans, it might be the negative energy from a dead person’s belongings that’s making Mr. Parker feel unwell repeatedly.” I looked up. A flash of triumphant joy quickly passed through Jack’s tightly closed eyes. He gripped Sophia’s hand tightly and said understandingly: “Sophia, I’m fine. After all, this is Mr. Wilson’s mother’s heirloom. I can endure it.” Sophia stroked Jack’s cheek lovingly and calmly ordered me. “Throw away that disgusting thing. If it makes Jack feel unwell again, you can get lost too.” I looked at her indifferently and resolutely walked towards the door. Seeing my lack of reaction, Sophia’s chest visibly heaved. She ordered someone to bring a whip and sneered. “Even a dog dares to defy its master. A beating will do.” The whip fell like raindrops, each lash accompanied by a sharp whistling sound. The wounds already torn open by the lion’s fangs now bled even more profusely. The force of the blows on my body lessened slightly, and Sophia mocked, “It seems I’ve really been too indulgent with you. Now you don’t even know how to beg for mercy?” Every pain on my body reminded me. Constant retreat would only make her more aggressive. I bit my lip hard, clutching the fragments tightly in my arms, not letting myself cry out. Sophia’s breath caught, and the whip she wielded showed no mercy. The whipping continued for a long time. The smell of blood from the lion’s corpse stimulated my blurring consciousness. Before losing consciousness, I vaguely heard Sophia’s cold laughter. Her fingers casually swiped across my phone screen. “A dog wanting to book a flight to run away from home? Just break its legs.” “Mere 99 lashes, just use some medicine to keep it barely alive.” “Oh right, quickly check on Jack. His health isn’t good, remember to give him the best medicine.” I involuntarily passed out. My mind couldn’t stop thinking. Now I’ll miss the flight.

When I woke up, Sophia was sitting by my bedside, which was rare. She looked down at me condescendingly, handing me a plastic bag with obvious disgust. The wounds on my body were still aching faintly. I lowered my head to look – it was full of fragments of the jade bracelet. I was somewhat surprised that Sophia hadn’t thrown them away. “It was Jack who begged me not to throw them away. If only you were half as sensible as him.” I rummaged through the fragments, but my heart suddenly plummeted. These were clearly just replaced fakes. I pulled out the IV needle expressionlessly. Jack suddenly appeared in the doorway, speaking slowly and deliberately: “Mr. Wilson, I’ve already returned your mother’s jade bracelet intact.” He enunciated each word, a flash of provocation passing through his eyes. Ever since he had entered the house, Jack had found me, the bodyguard, disagreeable in every way. When hungry, he’d make me brave pouring rain to buy roast duck 50 kilometers away. When the mood struck, he’d drag me out in the middle of the night to buy condoms for them. Time and again he tried to destroy the last heirloom from my mother, just to force me to give up and leave. I didn’t understand. Wasn’t Sophia completely devoted to him? I was just a dog for Sophia to torment and train as she pleased. Why did he want to destroy the last fantasy my mom left me? All the anger surged to my head. Ignoring the lingering pain in my body, I grabbed the fruit knife from the table. I pressed it hard against Jack’s throat, my voice ice cold. “Give me back all those fragments!” Jack cried like a frightened rabbit: “Sophia, I’m scared…” Without Jack saying more, The next second, I felt my scalp being forcefully yanked. The small knife in my hand uncontrollably cut Jack’s shoulder. Tiny beads of blood appeared. I was forced to look up at Sophia. But I met a pair of extremely cold eyes. In them was undisguised disgust, and a flash of murderous intent. She laughed coldly and stabbed the fruit knife into my chest. “Although you’re my husband, don’t forget who saved you back then! Do you want to experience being bitten by a lion again?!” “Squelch!” Blood instantly gushed out! My pupils constricted, and I instinctively tried to pull out her hand, but she pressed down hard. “Don’t move… it’ll be over soon.” I was in so much pain that the veins on my forehead bulged. The woman’s tone was rarely comforting. Enduring the pain, I looked at Sophia with an extremely calm gaze. At this moment, a strange sense of irritation suddenly welled up in Sophia’s heart. She slowly carved out that piece of flesh. Blood flowed down my chest, staining my trouser legs red, and also staining her hands red. Sophia looked at the words on my chest with satisfaction – “Sophia Evans”. Just because I accidentally cut Jack, Sophia personally carved a retaliatory tattoo on my body. She casually tossed the fruit knife on the ground. Sophia carefully embraced Jack, her tone pampering: “It’s okay, I’m here. I won’t let you have even a tiny scar.” Jack immediately kissed her lips shyly, his face full of guilt: “This was a gift from you. Luckily we found it. But I wrongly accused Mr. Wilson. Should I apologize to him?” In front of everyone, looking at me covered in blood stains, Sophia’s voice was utterly cold. “No need. He’s just a bodyguard, a dog I keep. What’s the big deal about suffering a little grievance?” They started kissing deeply right in front of me, as if no one else was there. But over these three years, I had already heard countless such sounds of debauchery. My phone vibrated. I couldn’t help but smile. My contract had completely fallen into her hands. The flight ticket Sophia had cancelled was rebooked. While kissing Jack passionately, Sophia discreetly observed me out of the corner of her eye. Seeing the smile on my face that she hadn’t seen in a long time, The irritation in her chest inexplicably surged up again. Before entering the bedroom, she coldly commanded: “I’m throwing Jack a birthday party tomorrow. You better show up too!” Taking advantage of the sounds of lovemaking coming from the bedroom, I quickly searched the entire villa. I finally found those jade bracelet fragments. Carefully gluing the pieces back into a bracelet shape. I hugged it to my chest, having lost and regained it. Tomorrow, I will leave with you.

The birthday party Sophia had meticulously prepared began promptly at 8 PM. Jack, wearing a pure black custom-tailored suit, made a striking entrance arm-in-arm with Sophia. The guests pushed me aside, quietly discussing among themselves. “Mr. Parker is truly talented. No wonder Miss Evans has doted on you so much all these years.” “But I thought that bodyguard was Miss Evans’ lawful husband?” Sophia looked at me, rarely dressed formally, her tone carrying a hint of tenderness: “Introduce yourself to everyone.” There was a trace of expectation hidden in her voice that even she hadn’t noticed. I kept my head down, my tone neither servile nor overbearing. “I am Sophia Evans’ bodyguard – Jack Wilson.” Sophia was visibly stunned for several seconds, her expression visibly darkening. An expression of annoyance flashed across my face. What did she want me to do? Jack smiled generously, a flash of malice in his eyes as he beckoned to me. “I’m not feeling well today and can’t drink. You drink all this alcohol for me.” I remained silent, finally opening my mouth. “I’m allergic to alcohol…” “Sophia, I know Mr. Wilson is probably still angry with me, so he’s just making up this lie.” Jack hung his head, his voice filled with disappointment. Sophia glanced at me, her voice growing heavier: “Drink! Don’t you always carry allergy medicine? Take it before drinking, what could happen?” Her tone left no room for refusal. I silently took out the medicine and swallowed a few pills. Soon, a group of people came forward with wine glasses to make small talk. I also picked up a glass and poured it down my throat. Glass after glass, my stomach churned violently, unable to stop the urge to vomit. The wounds that had not yet healed burst open under the effects of the alcohol. Seeing the blood at the corner of my mouth, Sophia very obviously took a sharp breath. The next second, Jack let out a scream. “Sophia, the heirloom watch you gave me is missing. Jack was the only one near us just now, could it be that he…” My pupils constricted, not because of this baseless accusation, but because the heirloom gift my mother had given to Sophia as a daughter-in-law, She had casually given away without any burden on her conscience. Back then, she had been so good to me and my mother. At this moment, I couldn’t help but laugh self-mockingly. Sophia looked at my smile, and the familiar feeling of irritation surged up in her heart once again. She personally comforted Jack and sternly called for the security guards. The next second, several guards pinned me to the ground, forcefully tearing at my clothes. Normally, I wouldn’t have been so powerless to resist. But with the new wounds Sophia had inflicted over the past two days, my body simply hadn’t had time to recover. I struggled desperately, but couldn’t overcome their brute force. My shirt was torn to shreds, the tattoo on my body faintly oozing blood. Sophia narrowed her eyes, revealing only her desire to control me. Until – “The watch has been found!” Sophia took the emerald watch and personally put it on Jack’s wrist, her tone doting. “Don’t be so careless next time.” Jack scratched his head embarrassedly, looking at me with a face full of guilt: “This was a gift from you. Luckily we found it. But I wrongly accused Mr. Wilson. Should I apologize to him?” In front of everyone, looking at me covered in blood stains, Sophia’s voice was utterly cold. “No need. He’s just a bodyguard, a dog I keep. What’s the big deal about suffering a little grievance?” In the bathroom, I couldn’t stop dry heaving. Before I could recover, Jack kicked me hard. He pressed down hard on the tattoo on my body, veins bulging on his forehead. “You’re really cheap, aren’t you? You’re just a dog Sophia keeps, yet you still cling to her!” “Speaking of which, do you know why Sophia sent you to buy medicine in the next city when your mom was critically ill?” “It was because she just wanted to get rid of you. At that time, I stripped naked with Sophia right in front of your mom – she was literally angered to death!” “Slap!” After slapping Jack’s face, I couldn’t hold back anymore and grabbed his throat. Jack laughed coldly, instantly fighting back. He kept splashing cold water on me, but accidentally touched a dry electrical appliance. In the blink of an eye, We both heard the sizzling sound from the electrical appliance simultaneously. The next second, it instantly exploded, and the entire bathroom was filled with thick smoke. Soon, anxious cries for help were heard outside the door. Sophia’s voice came along with the sound of high heels: “Where’s Jack Wilson!” She rushed in regardless of the raging fire. But her gaze immediately fell on Jack, who was pretending to faint. He reached out his hand, tears in his eyes: “Sophia, save me…” Ignoring me whose shirt was dyed red with blood. Sophia’s face tense with worry as she supported Jack and walked out without looking back. From beginning to end, not a single glance fell on me. I fell to my knees weakly, choked by the thick smoke. The pain on my body seemed to magnify infinitely in an instant. The next second, a pair of black leather shoes appeared in my vision. I looked up dazedly, and it was actually Jack’s lackey. A vicious smile appeared on his face as he pushed me hard. Already next to the window, I fell unprepared. “Don’t blame me for being ruthless. Only if Jack has good days can I rise with him.” He turned back confidently, not realizing he had actually helped me escape the fire scene. It was only the fourth floor. I dragged my limping leg and hailed a taxi, telling the driver: “Airport.” The scenery outside the car window rapidly receded. I took out my phone, removed the SIM card, and snapped it in half – “Crack.” The card broke into two halves, casually tossed out the window by me. Sophia Evans, from now on, you and I will completely disappear from each other’s lives!

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Nora was sixteen when she could no longer endure my mom’s torment and decided to take me with her to run away from home. When my mom found out, she grabbed me by the neck and sneered, “Want to leave? Pay up! I’ll just pretend I never gave birth to you two worthless brats. Otherwise, I’ll strangle her!” So, Nora scraped together three thousand yuan to “buy” me out. Later, when Nora and I opened a branch overseas, Mom appeared at my door with a bag of fried fish: “Sweet daughters, let Mommy in. I’ve come to see you!” Nora looked shocked, “Auntie, you’ve got the wrong people. We’ve been orphans since we were kids. How could we have a mom?” When we were kids, our family was very poor. How poor were we? Before I was seven, I had only seen what a watermelon looked like. I never knew how it tasted. When someone in the village threw watermelon rinds into the pig slop bucket, Nora and I would wait until they left to fish them out. Even if there were unknown things stuck to them, I still thought the crunchy stuff was delicious. When I got burned by hot water, we couldn’t find any ointment, so I used shoe polish instead. The next day, the skin and flesh on my foot were rotting. My mom slapped me six times, blaming me for wasting the shoe polish, and I still had to limp and weed the field. Nora started maturing at twelve and saved money for half a month to buy a vest. My mom went crazy, beat her until her eardrum ruptured, and called her a slut, kicking me a couple of times too. In such harsh conditions, my brother lived quite comfortably at home. My name is Nora, and my sister’s name is Phoebe. My mom often said if her first child were a son, we wouldn’t have been born, so we should thank our brother. Meat and vegetables were luxuries, but my brother got to eat drumsticks every day. When he ate, my mom would poke my shoulder with chopsticks. “What are you looking at? Isn’t there rice in your bowl? You hungry ghost, if you keep looking, I’ll gouge out your eyes!” The pickled vegetables in front of me had been there for years. I could even see little bugs wriggling inside, and I couldn’t swallow it. I wasn’t convinced. I knew my brother had a lot of snacks, like Taffy and instant noodles, and I wanted to eat those too. So, I sneaked a seasoning packet from the instant noodles when no one was looking. My mom caught me and grabbed a bamboo stick to beat me. The bamboo stick was of excellent quality, and it whizzed through the air. That day, I fainted and woke up multiple times. My back and arms were covered in blood. I cried and kowtowed to my mom, saying I wouldn’t dare to steal from my brother again. Only then did she show mercy, letting me kneel until dawn before going back to sleep. After that, I had a psychological scar, obediently eating my pickles with stale buns. But Nora didn’t accept it. Like me, she had rebellious genes in her bones. She slammed the table and shouted, “I want meat!” My mom quickly moved the plate away: “Boys eat meat to grow strong and help at home. What does a jinx like you need meat for? Get lost!” “I’m the one hoeing the fields, pulling the weeds. I do all the housework. My brother does nothing, but I want meat!” “You ungrateful girl still dare to talk back! Your brother is still young, so what if he eats more meat? Would it kill you to let him have it?” Nora exploded, picking up the plate and pouring it into her mouth. My mom rushed over and kicked her in the stomach, following with a feather duster. “Try to grab it! You dare to challenge me with your wings not fully grown. Do you not remember who gave you this worthless life?” Nora didn’t cry but jumped up and fought my mom fiercely. “I want meat!!!” In the chaos, the table was overturned. I crawled on the ground, quickly stuffing rice into my mouth. Nora scolded me, “You coward! Spineless!” I looked at her impatiently, “Are you eating or not? If you want some, I’ll save you a bit, otherwise, there won’t be any rice left.” My brother sat there calmly, watching us fight over a piece of meat, then casually tossed a few drumsticks to the family dog. You see, when people are degraded to a certain point, even a dog lives better. In the end, Nora lost. I dragged her back to the room, and suddenly, she silently rushed out. I shouted after her: “Hey, are you not eating the rice? If not, it’s all mine!” I vaguely heard a roar from outside. Moments later, Nora returned, showing me the drumsticks in her arms. I swallowed hard, “Impressive, where’d you get them?” “Snatched from the dog’s bowl.” “You killed the dog?” “No, I knocked it out with a stick.” Alright, I admit I was a bit wicked. My first thought was actually about eating dog meat. Moonlight shone on our faces, illuminating the wounds on Nora’s face. She stared at the moon outside, lost in thought. “Sooner or later, I’m getting out of here.”

This vow was realized quickly. When Nora was sixteen, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. One time, while on duty at school, she accidentally fell off a table and twisted her ankle, so the teacher sent the class president to escort her home. What should have been a normal scene took on a whole different flavor in my mom’s eyes. As soon as the person left, my mom grabbed Nora by the collar and started slapping her. “You little tramp, grown up and learning to seduce men, huh?” “Was that guy just now a customer? How much do you charge per night? Tell me, if you earn a lot, just drop out. It’s not like you’re learning anything useful anyway.” “Speak up! Weren’t you full of words before? I knew you’d be no good when you bought that bra years ago. Now, look at your fox tail sticking out!” Blood trickled from the corner of Nora’s mouth as she grinned, revealing red-stained teeth. “Mom, are you lacking men so much that you’re jealous of me?” My mom froze for a moment, then flew into a rage, grabbing Nora’s hair with one hand and smashing a glass on her with the other. “Damn it! Mom feeds you and clothes you, gives you life, and you have no gratitude, you heartless ingrate. I’ll beat you to death, just die already!” Screams echoed, and I couldn’t find a chance to help. Nora struggled desperately while my mom struggled to control her. My brother silently kicked from behind, and Nora fell heavily to the ground. My mom laughed. “Still, it’s the son who’s useful. No wonder he’s Mommy’s treasure!” Nora shrank into the corner, her body trembling with pain, letting my mom pin inexplicable crimes on her. My mom called her a slut, said she was a whore, born to be sold. When she ran out of insults, she focused on Nora’s hair. “I was wondering why you’ve been slacking off at work lately, spending all your energy on your hair. Braiding it, who are you trying to seduce? Shameless thing!” My mom grabbed a pair of scissors. I rushed over, hugging her leg, begging her to spare Nora. She kicked me away, forcing Nora to lift her head, cutting large chunks of her hair. Nora howled as my mom and my brother laughed. Her once proud long hair was now like it had been chewed by a dog. “Hahahahaha! Look at her now, like a rough old man. I’d like to see her try to seduce anyone now!” Nora collapsed to the ground, covering her face in silent tears. Dressed in rags, malnourished, thin as paper, in an age where beauty mattered, her thick, dark hair was her only pride. My mom’s malicious gaze turned to me, and I shivered. “This little tramp will definitely be a vixen too!” My mom called someone to sell our hair. There was no tenderness or care. I felt like a broken doll, my scalp in severe pain, being torn apart. Through the glass, I saw my ridiculous new hairstyle. “A flat fee, three hundred fifty. Take it!” My mom took the money, her face beaming. My brother laughed too. “Son, tonight Mom will take you to KFC, make these two burdens drool!” My hair, my treasured hair, turned out to be just a meal for my mom and brother. The hair buyer muttered, “What are these adults thinking, making two girls go out looking like this!” Everyone was happy except Nora and me. In the dark, illuminated by the moonlight, I shaved Nora’s hair to the scalp. I wanted to turn on the light, but Nora refused. She said she didn’t want to see how ugly she’d become. There was no choice, the hair was ruined, so we had to shave it all off. After I finished shaving hers, she shaved mine. Near the window, we looked at each other, saw our appearances clearly, and spoke simultaneously: “You’re so ugly.” “Shut up, you are too.” We laughed silently. Nora touched her bald head, her gaze becoming determined: “Nora, I’m going to leave.”

Nora meant what she said. The next day, when I woke up, she was already gone. She’d planned this escape for three whole years. She wanted to take me with her. I refused, knowing I would only be a burden. When my mom found out, she was furious. She strangled me, slapped me, even tried to choke me with a rope. Yet, she spared my life because I could still be exchanged for a bridal price in the future. Lying on the ground, gasping for breath, I prayed for Nora to run far away and never come back. But she did. She didn’t have her ID, making it hard to get anywhere. I helped her find the ID, dragging a big package from under the bed, stuffing things into her hands. “These are what I saved secretly. This biscuit will keep you full, take more. Don’t let the apple rot, eat it early, and this…” “Could you just say something? I went through a lot to steal this from my brother, and I haven’t even eaten it myself!” Nora spoke up, “Nora, I want to take you with me.” I paused, too afraid to answer. I lay on the ground, gasping for breath, praying that Phoebe would run far away and never come back. But she did come back. She didn’t have her ID card, which made it hard to go anywhere. I helped her find her ID card and pulled out a big package from under the bed, pressing things into her hands. “I’ve been secretly saving these. This biscuit will keep you full, take more of it. Don’t let the apples spoil, eat them soon, and here’s this too…” “Could you at least say something? I barely managed to steal this from my brother, and I haven’t even eaten it myself!” Phoebe said, “Nora, I want to take you with me.” I paused, afraid to answer. “Staying here leads nowhere. That woman only cares about her son. When has she ever treated us like human beings? If we don’t run, we’re just waiting to die!” However, just as Phoebe and I were about to leave, the door opposite suddenly opened. My brother shouted at the top of his lungs: “Mom, the two burdens are trying to run away!” Mom rushed out and easily dragged me away from Phoebe, grabbing me by the neck. “Run? Where to? If I wasn’t afraid you wouldn’t fetch a good price, I’d break your legs!” I trembled, but Phoebe was surprisingly calm. She negotiated with Mom, speaking with reason. Mom’s eyes darted around, clearly scheming. “You want to run, huh? Pay up! I’ll pretend I never gave birth to you two brats. Go wherever you want!” Mom demanded three thousand dollars, which was a considerable sum back then. Her plan was clear: I was young and staying would only waste food. She might as well make a hefty profit off me and lie to others that her two daughters ran off, gaining sympathy in the process. Phoebe didn’t hesitate to pay her. I knew it was all her savings. Mom, with saliva on her fingers, carefully counted each bill, grinning wider with each one. She slapped the cash into her hand and pointed outside: “Alright, off you go! Didn’t steal anything from us, did you?” Phoebe spread out the luggage. Besides a few worn-out clothes and books, there was nothing else. Phoebe wrote a note saying Mom voluntarily “sold” me to her, marked the amount, then signed and stamped it. While signing, Mom pretended to wipe her tears: “Why are you being so distant with me? If you miss home, come back…” Phoebe took my hand and left without looking back, with a sense of finality. That year, Phoebe was sixteen, and I was twelve. With the few dozen dollars we had left, we bought two southbound train tickets, never to return.

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I am a legendary racing driver with seven consecutive championships. However, my navigator boyfriend’s wrong directions caused me to crash during a race. While semi-conscious, I overheard a conversation between him and my best friend. “Finn, even if you’re worried she’ll win the championship and outshine my debut, this is too dangerous.” “What if you get hurt too?” “I’m willing to take that risk for you. Besides, I’ve had enough over these years.” “So what if I lost to her a few times before? Why should I only be a navigator?” “This time her hand is ruined, and I want to seize the chance to completely destroy her!” Hearing the truth felt like a stab in the heart. One was the partner I trusted with my life, and the other was a friend I secretly supported in pursuit of her dreams. I thought I was blameless, yet I was repaid with vile schemes. Since that’s the case, I don’t need to hold onto old feelings. Finn Beckett’s prestige as a top navigator and Eloise’s long-cherished dream of stardom—I once helped build those paths, and I can just as easily take them away.

When I opened my eyes, only Finn Beckett was sitting by the hospital bed. Seeing me awake, he appeared sorrowful, but there was a gleam of glee in his eyes he couldn’t hide. “Nora, your wrist is broken. Even if it heals, it might never be as flexible as before.” “So your racing career might…” I looked at his insincere face, feeling a bitter taste in my heart. To protect him, I let my side of the car take the brunt of the crash with the cliff. That’s why I was severely injured and had broken bones, while he only had minor injuries. But at that moment, I wished he had been smashed to bits. As I was brooding over this, Eloise suddenly burst in with a group of reporters. “Nora, you scared me to death!” She threw herself beside the bed, sobbing dramatically as if she might faint. The reporters played along with her act of deep sisterly affection. “Miss Eloise didn’t even attend the celebration party and rushed over. Truly a good friend!” Eloise seized the opportunity to speak, her voice choked with tears. “I’ve been friends with Nora for seven years. Forget the celebration party; I’d give up my debut stage for her!” I didn’t want to watch her hypocritical performance and slowly opened my mouth. “You must be thrilled I had a car accident, right?” “After all, if I won the championship, your debut stage would be overshadowed.” Eloise had a moment of panic but quickly put on a wronged expression. “I know you’re upset about losing the competition.” “If my successful debut makes you feel unbalanced, I’m willing to exit the industry for you…” Her acting was impressive, painting me as someone who can’t stand seeing a friend succeed with just a few words. The reporters were at a loss due to this sudden change, and the entire ward went silent enough to hear a pin drop. At this moment, Finn Beckett, who had been silent for a long time, scolded me. “If you can’t be happy for Eloise’s good fortune, fine! But why take it out on her because you’re in a bad mood?” I sharply looked at him, holding back the urge to tear his mouth apart. “You, as a navigator, gave wrong instructions and got me injured. What right do you have to criticize me?” Finn Beckett was guilty of deliberately hurting me. Seeing me expose his negligence, he became angry out of shame. “Why don’t you win without a navigator, huh? Aren’t you so great?” “Oh, I forgot! Now with your hand ruined, you can’t win a competition with or without a navigator!” “What legendary racing driver! Nora Quinn, you’re just a has-been now!” His venomous words made me tremble with anger, and I couldn’t help but retort. “So what?” “People will remember a fallen champion, but they won’t remember you as the eternal second place!” Finn Beckett was hit where it hurt, his eyes nearly popping out. “Just because I couldn’t beat you before doesn’t mean I can’t now!” “If you have the guts, race me one more time! The loser will leave the racing world forever!” Looking at the man in front of me, my whole heart was wrapped in pain and hatred. For four years, he had been my confidant and the other half of my soul on the track. Now, to destroy me, he was forcing me while I was injured. “Fine, I’ll race you.” Seeing me agree, Finn Beckett snorted and walked out. Eloise also dropped the act and left with the reporters, smugly. I watched the swaying hospital room door and had an idea. I want to watch them fall from their own webs of deceit, from great heights to heavy falls! But a month later, when I was discharged, I received a call from a teammate. “Sister Nora, something’s wrong! You’ve been kicked out of the racing team!”

Furious, I rushed to the training ground. “Finn Beckett! On what grounds did you kick me out of the racing team?” “I am the team captain you personally appointed, so I can decide who stays or leaves.” His smug look made me sick. “Have you forgotten how desperate you used to be?” “Losing to me five years in a row, terminated by your former racing team, it was I who took you in…” “Smack!” Finn Beckett, enraged, slapped me down and stomped on my wrist. “You witch! How dare you talk!” “Weren’t you just afraid I’d win one day, that’s why you made me a stupid navigator!” Other team members couldn’t bear it and criticized Finn Beckett for being ungrateful. “Say one more word, and you’ll be kicked out of the team with her!” Finn Beckett shouted, pressing harder. My face turned pale with pain, but I gritted my teeth and sneered. “Do you think the team can exist without me?” Finn Beckett sneered and slapped my face. “Trying to threaten me with sponsors?” With those words, Eloise came up beside him. She looked down at me, saying she signed many endorsements after debuting. “With me here, your sponsors are nothing!” Their eyes looked at me like I was an ant. But they didn’t know, the so-called sponsors were just icing on the cake. The real backer of this racing team was the Quinn family. If I wanted, I could dissolve the team with a word. As for Eloise’s endorsements, I helped her get them. “Your hand is ruined, the team is gone, let’s see how you win against me!” With that, Finn Beckett kicked me aside and left with Eloise in his arms. The team members helped me up, all saying they’d follow me. I looked in the direction Finn Beckett left and spoke coldly. “Don’t rush, the time isn’t right yet.” I want him to lose everything at the peak of his complacency. However, news of me being kicked out of the team and the “harsh words” I said to Eloise at the hospital quickly spread. Netizens eagerly awaited my exit from the industry, while also harshly criticizing me as a petty frenemy. I didn’t say a word in defense and instead reached out to Lachlan. He was the racing driver whose skills were only second to mine in recent years. Knowing I wanted to join, he agreed without hesitation. Returning to the track a few days later, I realized the severity of the problem. My wrist injury made it difficult to return to my peak. Just as I was troubled by this, an even worse situation arose. Finn Beckett not only poached all of Lachlan’s team members but came with Eloise to provoke. It turned out they wanted Lachlan to kick me out, but he refused. So in anger, they emptied his team. Finn Beckett looked at me with resentment, and his words were meaningful. “What did you offer this guy to make him protect you so much?” Eloise chimed in at the right moment. “What else could it be? Her hand is ruined, but her body can still be used, right?” I couldn’t endure it any longer and slapped her. “Don’t think everyone is as despicable as you two scumbags!” Seeing his sweetheart get hit, Finn Beckett raised his fist to defend her. But Lachlan, who was half a head taller, stopped him. In the end, he could only throw a vicious “just you wait” and leave in embarrassment. I looked at Lachlan standing in front of me, feeling very guilty. “Sorry for dragging you into this.” He glanced back at me, shrugged indifferently as if he didn’t care at all. I was full of doubts but didn’t feel right to ask. To solve the current predicament, I immediately contacted the Quinn family-sponsored racing teams from various countries.

After some communication, a French team’s coach agreed to help me assemble a top-notch team. I was going to share this good news with Lachlan. But when I arrived at the training ground, I found the garage engulfed in flames. I checked Lachlan, who was blocked outside the police line, from top to bottom. Fortunately, aside from being a bit disheveled, he was unharmed. “What happened?” “I don’t know. I was fixing the car in the garage when I heard a noise from the back door.” “But when I went to check, I only saw a figure running away, and then the garage caught fire.” Lachlan’s face was smeared black from the smoke, looking lost. But I knew in my heart, this was most likely Finn Beckett’s doing. After Lachlan was taken by the police to give a statement, I decided to demand an explanation. However, I was stopped at the gate by the manager of the former team’s training ground. He shoved me hard, completely lacking the previous respect and flattery. I was about to argue with him when Finn Beckett swaggered over. “Oh, here to beg for mercy?” He was smug, his eyes full of ridicule. Thinking of how he almost got the innocent Lachlan killed, I was furious. “If you have a grudge, come at me! Why target Lachlan? Does human life mean nothing to you?” “What evidence do you have to say I harmed anyone? Be careful, I might sue you for defamation!” Finn Beckett poked my shoulder hard, his face full of a sleazy smile. “How about this, come back and be my racing assistant, then I won’t…” “You think trash like you deserves to keep working with me?” I cut him off, and his eyes turned vicious. “I see, you’re just asking for it!” “I’m just waiting for you to exit the industry and crawl back begging me!” I looked at his back, thinking, let’s see who begs who then. On the way back, I contacted the sponsors. Lachlan’s car was destroyed in the fire, and we needed new racing cars. “You got any proof I harmed someone? Watch out, or I might just sue you for defamation!” Finn Beckett jabbed me hard in the shoulder, flashing a sleazy grin. “How about this, come back and be my race assistant, and then I won’t…” “You think trash like you deserves to work with me?” I cut him off, and his eyes immediately glinted with malice. “You’re really asking for it!” “Just wait till you’re begging me to help you when you leave the industry!” Watching him walk away, I thought to myself, who’s going to be begging whom? On my way back, I contacted the sponsors. Lachlan’s car had been destroyed in a fire, and we needed a new racing car. Fortunately, all the sponsors are brands invested in by the Quinn family and are always ready to assist me. Besides, I devised a brand-new plan. Three days later, I picked up Lachlan and headed to the Quinn family’s expansive private training ground on the outskirts. It not only had professional tracks but also various rally simulation terrains. Lachlan’s jaw dropped when he saw the training ground, the team from France, and the brand-new top-tier racing car. “Did you arrange all this?” I nodded and then announced my new plan in front of the entire team. “Lachlan, you and I will compete in the race a month from now.” “You’ll be the driver, and I’ll be your navigator.” “Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose? If I lose, you’ll have to leave the industry.” Lachlan asked, surprised. I just smiled and reassured him. “No one knows you better than your opponent. After competing against you for the championship for so many years, who else is more suited to be your navigator?” After hearing this, Lachlan also smiled. “Then I’m counting on you, my navigator.” Training commenced quickly. Lachlan’s driving skills didn’t disappoint me, and I was indeed well-suited to be his navigator. Turning, accelerating, braking—every move he made affecting the car was just as I expected. After a few days of working together, Lachlan even said my instructions were far better than his previous navigator’s. Training proceeded smoothly. Until, half a month later, we were invited to participate in a charity race. When we showed up on the track without any team members, all the media thought I had really hit rock bottom. “Nora Quinn used to be so glamorous, now she doesn’t even have a team?” “Not only no team, but she’s also teamed up with her former defeated opponent, how embarrassing!” Reporters loudly discussed my “downfall” for everyone to hear. Finn Beckett and Eloise approached, surrounded by a crowd. He started with sharp and sarcastic remarks, clapping mockingly. “I heard your cars got burned, no cars, and you still have the gall to come?” “Afraid you’ll never get another chance to race, so you don’t care about your reputation anymore?” “What a piece of junk to show up with?” He pointed at the old racing car we borrowed temporarily. Lachlan’s former team members jeered along with him. “Luckily we joined Finn! Otherwise, we might have ended up in a fatal car accident!” My former teammates stood by, their faces dark with anger. I gave them a reassuring look, signaling them to hold on a little longer. As we prepared to enter the track, Lachlan stopped me. “Your hand isn’t healed yet, let me do it.” Before I could respond, he was already in the car with his helmet on. The race began under the expectant gaze of the crowd. But at the first turn, Finn maliciously cut in front of Lachlan’s car. The two cars scraped closely, sparking a series of sparks. He repeated the same tricks at several more turns. What was supposed to be a charity race turned highly competitive under his provocation. After winning first place, Finn deliberately walked to the stands, shaking sweat from his hair in front of me. Like a dog just out of water. “Teaming up with such a second-rate driver, Nora Quinn, how do you expect to beat me?” Finishing his words, he snatched the reporter’s microphone in a self-assumed suave manner. “I’m sure everyone knows about the bet between me and Nora Quinn, but for old time’s sake, I don’t want to bully her too much!” “So I’ve decided to let my new girlfriend, also a popular actress, Miss Eloise, be my navigator!” In a rally race, a navigator is like the driver’s eyes. Choosing someone who knows nothing as a navigator is like driving blind. He’s trying to tell everyone that no matter what, I can’t possibly win against him. Looking at his smug face, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly inside. “Those who act unjustly will bring about their own downfall.” After that day, all the media rushed to report on the sensational romance between Finn Beckett and Eloise. Their shipper fans quickly grew in number. As for me, I was said to be unsuccessful on the track and in love. With support from various forces, the bet between me and Finn Beckett received unprecedented attention. However, no one expected that on the day the bet was fulfilled, I showed up alone at the track. In stark contrast to Finn Beckett and Eloise, surrounded by admiration, I looked like a solitary, pitiful figure. Even the reporters looked at me with a hint of pity. I ignored it and calmly tapped the microphone. “Finn Beckett, how about we raise the stakes on our bet?” “If I win, both you and Eloise leave the industry.” Finn Beckett reacted like he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “A racing driver without a navigator, still dreaming?” I curled my lips into a mocking smile. “Navigator? Are you blind? I’m standing right here.” I stepped forward, staring into his eyes. “Do you believe it, the legendary racing driver was me before, and the top navigator will be me in the future. “As for you, as long as I’m here, you’ll always be number two.” Finn Beckett’s eyes widened with rage, raising his hand to hit me. But suddenly, his gaze shifted to the entrance behind me. Then, the scene erupted in exclamations. My racing team had arrived! 5 Three top-tier racing cars entered one after another, followed by my team. Everyone present was stunned.

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I was a rehabilitation therapist hired by a wealthy family, but I ended up posing as the groom to marry into the Mason Family. The CEO’s wife despised me for wrecking the grand wedding she had meticulously planned for her childhood friend. Disregarding the heavy snowfall outside, she dumped cold water over me and punished me by making me kneel outside the front gate for three days and nights. While I was freezing and bruised, she spent her days drinking and partying with her male companion inside. To entertain him, she even ordered the removal of my sister’s oxygen tube, resulting in her suffocation and death. Afterward, she casually tossed me a check: “Didn’t you claim to love your sister the most? Now that she’s gone, I don’t see you shedding a single tear.” “Fill in the amount yourself, and don’t go around saying the Mason Family is stingy with their sister-in-law.” I turned away, tore up the check, and began arranging my sister’s funeral. What she didn’t know was that before the wedding, her childhood friend had taken the money and fled the country. I was merely a tool her family used to save her reputation. Now, my sister is gone, and the debt to the Mason Family is repaid. It’s time for me to leave.

“Asher! I’ve told you, no funeral for your sister. If people find out I have such a sickly sister-in-law, where would that leave my reputation?” “Get back here immediately! Caspian’s legs are sore. Aren’t you a top-tier rehabilitation therapist? Hurry back and give him a massage.” As soon as I hung up, Amanda’s furious voice echoed for everyone to hear. Caspian, as she mentioned, is her new boyfriend, who bears a striking resemblance to her childhood friend. I glanced down at the urn in my arms and said, “I didn’t…” hold a funeral for my sister; it was a direct burial. Before I could finish, she hung up. Just then, Mrs. Mason arrived hastily after hearing the news. Mrs. Mason frowned at the surroundings and turned to the butler, “Why isn’t Amanda here? Doesn’t she know today is her sister-in-law’s burial?” The butler, wiping his forehead, replied softly, “Madam, I can’t reach the young master…” Mrs. Mason called Amanda several times before she answered. “Amanda! You’ve been causing enough trouble daily, but do you even know what today is…” Mrs. Mason was impatiently interrupted. “Mom, is Asher spinning tales for you again? Ignore him; he’s nothing but a lying fraud.” “You…” All Mrs. Mason was left with was a busy tone. Mrs. Mason looked at me apologetically: “Asher, I’m sorry. Amanda is spoiled by me.” I shook my head. She wouldn’t even arrange my sister’s funeral, so why would she come to the cemetery for the burial? I’ve long been used to it. For seven years, Amanda detested me, believing I ruined the grand wedding she planned for her childhood friend. She treated me coldly, allowed the staff to bully me, and looked down on my background. Later, for Declan, she aborted our barely two-month-old child and sent me the video to boast. I still remember the icy look in her eyes that day: “Asher, you’re not fit to be my child’s father!” She even pointed at my sister with hatred: “Asher, you and your sister are the disgrace of my life!” Thinking of this, I looked at my sister’s smiling photo on the tombstone and silently said, “Mom, the seven-year promise is up.” Mom, upon hearing this, looked flustered for a moment. I agreed to marry into the Mason Family to repay them for the medical expenses they covered for my sister, setting a seven-year term with Mrs. Mason. Now, my sister is gone, and the term is up. It’s time for me to go. Mrs. Mason dismissed the butler and others, her voice hoarse: “Asher, I know you don’t want to stay with the Mason Family. I can let you go, but…” Her expression changed, turning stern: “You must always keep the wedding secret and never mention a word to Amanda until the day you die!” With that, she handed me a black card: “Consider it a token of my appreciation. The money inside is enough to secure your life after this. Take it.” It wasn’t appreciation; it was hush money. If I didn’t take it, Mrs. Mason probably wouldn’t let me leave easily. Seeing me accept the black card, her tense expression relaxed a bit, and she said quietly: “There are still seven days until the end of the seven-year term. Leave after seven days. The Mason Family also needs a legitimate reason for the announcement.” I nodded. The purpose of marrying me into the family was for the Mason Family’s reputation and Amanda’s public image. Waiting seven more days was nothing to me. Mrs. Mason took the flowers from the butler and placed them in front of the tombstone, regretfully saying: “We’ve received news from abroad that they’ve found medicine to treat your sister. We just needed a few more days…” She sighed deeply: “I should never have softened and agreed to let her leave the hospital. If only…” My sister’s condition originally didn’t allow her to be discharged, but her health suddenly improved, and she insisted on leaving the hospital, not wanting to stay there. That’s why I agreed for her to come home to recuperate. I placed my sister’s favorite toy in front of the tombstone and said softly: “Perhaps this way, she won’t suffer from illness anymore.” For her, it was a form of release. After offering some comfort, Mrs. Mason left with the butler. But soon after, a few familiar-faced bodyguards barged into the cemetery, raising hammers to destroy my sister’s tombstone. I stepped forward to stop them: “What are you doing!” The lead bodyguard signaled to stop, speaking coldly: “Son-in-law, please don’t make it difficult for us. These are the lady’s orders. She also asked us to deliver a message.” I clutched the hammer tightly and asked: “What message?” The bodyguard hesitated: “This is the consequence of being late. From now on, for every second you’re late, you’ll kneel in the ancestral hall for another minute.”

I then remembered Amanda wanted me back to massage Declan. As soon as they spoke, the bodyguards pulled me away, raising the hammer and smashing the tombstone into pieces. I tried to stop them, but my hands were held tightly, unable to move. “No! Stop! I’ll go back with you!” I shouted desperately, urging them to stop. Hearing this, they immediately put down the hammers, turned, and gestured for me to follow. Upon returning, I didn’t see Amanda. The bodyguard beside me put away a stopwatch and said: “Son-in-law, you’re late. The young master wants you to kneel and pay respects around the ancestral hall a hundred times.” Kneeling in the ancestral hall was a usual punishment Amanda used on me. She hated me deeply but was concerned about rumors of the Mason Family abusing their son-in-law. She came up with the idea of making me kneel and pay respects daily, which could be seen as strict family tradition and filial piety of the son-in-law. I didn’t want to stir up trouble in these last ten days, so I endured it, kneeling and paying respects to the Mason Family ancestors with every step. On my 99th round, Amanda returned, accompanied by Declan. Feigning surprise, Declan pointed at me and said: “They say kneeling sincerely is the only way it works. But Brother Asher is so perfunctory. Besides, he’s the Mason Family’s son-in-law. If word gets out that he’s disrespectful to ancestors, it could implicate you, Sister Amanda.” Hearing this, Amanda frowned: “Do it again, kneel properly. Don’t disgrace the Mason Family.” Following her words, I saw the smug look on Declan’s face as his long fingers pointed. “What are you looking at? Hurry and kneel again!” Amanda took the teacup from a servant and threw it in front of me. Enduring the sharp pain, I knelt, allowing the broken fragments to pierce my knees. I silently recited, only seven days left. Once the debt is repaid, I can leave the Mason Family forever. If I hadn’t signed an agreement not to tarnish the Mason Family’s reputation or bring shame to their name, I wouldn’t have endured Amanda’s abuse for seven years. Initially, I thought this would be temporary. After some time, she’d let go of the impersonation incident. I never imagined kneeling would last seven long years. Amanda’s resentment not only remained but turned into hatred. She blamed me for ruining her future. A month after our wedding, she told me: “If I’m unhappy, you shouldn’t be happy either.” She thought I married into the Mason Family for their wealth and public admiration, which made her despise me even more. Moreover, she ordered everyone in the Mason household not to show me any respect or sympathy, letting others treat me like a slave. Over the years, I’ve been worn down, living worse than stray dogs passing by the Mason home. Amanda’s male companions came and went, each bearing some resemblance to her childhood friend. I knew she was reminding me of the impersonation incident. Declan brought a bowl of rice dumplings to Amanda, and she affectionately said: “It’s so cold, yet you still cook. What if you catch a cold?” Declan brushed the snow off her coat, smiling: “It’s not that cold. Try it and see if it’s sweet.” As they moved, I saw Amanda’s face light up with a smile, saying it was sweet. But she always hated sweet food, especially rice dumplings. Once, to mend our relationship, I made her a bowl of rice dumplings. Without a word, she knocked over the boiling ceramic bowl. Coldly, she said: “Asher, don’t assume you know my preferences. Remember your identity as an imposter!” “Don’t let such cheap things appear in the Mason Family again; I find them dirty.” Since then, no rice dumplings have appeared in the Mason Family kitchen. After finishing my kneeling, I stood up, feeling the snow falling again. This time, it was colder and more piercing than ever. My consciousness was slipping. When I woke up, Amanda stood by the bed, her voice cold: “Asher, you’ve grown bold, using self-harm as a tactic. Do you think I’ll let you off because of this? Keep dreaming.” “It’s just kneeling in the ancestral hall; at most, your knees are injured. The wounds on your back and arms are unnecessary. Next time, make it more convincing.” “I don’t want to see this cheap stuff in the Mason Family ever again. It’s beneath us.” After that, not a single Rice Dumpling showed up in the Mason Family kitchen. Once I rose from kneeling, I felt the snow falling again, colder and more biting than ever before. My consciousness began to fade. When I came to, Amanda stood by my bed, her voice icy, “Asher, you’ve really gotten bold, haven’t you? Playing the victim card now? You think that’ll make me go easy on you? Keep dreaming.” “Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall might hurt your knees, but the wounds on your back and arms are excessive. Next time, make it more convincing.” All my injuries were because of her. If it weren’t for her orders, I wouldn’t have been beaten and scolded by other members of the Mason Family. Old wounds never healed before new ones appeared. It’s been like this for seven years, and yet she has the nerve to question me. She thought she’d seen through my facade and sneered, “Asher, if you help me with something, I won’t make you kneel in the Ancestral Hall today.” I looked up at her. With a smile, she said, “The roads are slippery from the snow. Caspian accidentally hit someone. You need to take the blame for him. Just like before. You’ll be back in two days.” I immediately thought of the day my sister died. I missed her last moments because I was covering for Declan. And now she wants me to be Declan’s scapegoat again. It’s laughable. I looked at her and said, “I’m not going.” Amanda’s expression changed, and she said coldly, “Asher, this isn’t a discussion. I’m informing you. You owe me. Do you think being the Mason Family’s live-in son-in-law is an easy position?” “I’ve already spread the news. Do you want the Mason Family to bear the stigma of covering up a crime? Asher, aren’t you always concerned about the Mason Family’s reputation?” She said this and then walked out with her phone to make a call. She always uses this pretext to make me take the fall for others, constantly threatening me with the Mason Family’s reputation. Before long, Declan came in, smirking, “Who would’ve thought, the Mason Family’s son-in-law, looking so polished on the outside, is actually a miserable wretch behind closed doors.” “You’re wasting this status. Why not give it to me? Amanda never loved you anyway. Why hold on?” “I heard you’ve lived worse than a dog in the Mason Family these years. Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall daily is one thing, but even at night, you have to fight for a place to sleep. You’ve covered for her for so many years. Has she ever smiled at you?” Declan wasn’t wrong; my life in the Mason Family was indeed worse than a dog’s. Though I carried the title of son-in-law, no one in the Mason Family recognized me as such. Behind my back, they spoke ill of me and even cursed me to die miserably. They all said I was a parasite, one you couldn’t shake off once attached. They believed that even being under the same roof with me would bring bad luck, so they didn’t even want to say a word to me. Often, they preferred to call Declan the son-in-law. Declan saw my silence as agreement and laughed, “Asher, you should thank me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten rid of your sickly sister.” I grabbed him and asked, “What do you mean?” He laughed, “Asher, you think your sister died because her illness worsened? That’s not it.” I lost control and grabbed his collar, scaring him into screaming, which alerted Amanda outside. She came in and slapped me hard. She pushed me heavily to the ground, and I felt a sharp pain in my waist. But the residual anesthesia numbed my senses. Declan deliberately fell and shouted, “Amanda, don’t blame him. It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for my face, he wouldn’t have done this…” I struggled to get up, wanting to explain, but the pain in my back overwhelmed me, leaving me speechless. Amanda carefully helped Declan up, looking at the red marks on his neck. She called the bodyguards outside with a stern face. She knelt down in front of me and said coldly, “Didn’t the Butler tell you? The Mason Family tradition forbids jealousy.” “Seems like you’ve forgotten the Mason Family rules. Let me help you remember.” She signaled, and four bodyguards stood in line. Amanda left the hospital room with Declan, throwing back a command at the door, “Break the hand that grabbed.” I curled up in pain on the ground. The pain in my wrist was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. I tried to get up, but a bodyguard stomped me down. In an instant, I heard the sound of bones breaking inside me. Mrs. Mason burst in, yelling, “What are you doing! Stop it! Do you want to kill someone!” But the bodyguards didn’t stop until my left hand was deformed, unrecognizable. Mrs. Mason cradled me with a look of heartache and shouted at the Butler, “Where’s the doctor? Call a doctor!” Seeing my body covered in bandages, with not a single unscathed spot, she couldn’t bear to look any longer. She turned away and said, “Amanda went too far this time. How could she do this to you? You’re her husband…” Moments later, her expression changed. She looked at me and said, “Asher, you should go. There’s no need to wait for the remaining five days…” As soon as those words left her mouth, the Butler placed my luggage in front of me. I took the plane ticket Mrs. Mason handed me, and she advised, “I’ve packed a few things of your sister’s from when she was alive. Keep them as a memento.” “I’ll explain to Amanda. Don’t worry about it. Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself.” I nodded as the professional medical staff took me away overnight. Watching my departing figure, Mrs. Mason asked with regret, “Did I make a mistake? I shouldn’t have orchestrated this marriage.” “Otherwise, Asher and Amanda wouldn’t have turned out this way…” The Butler handed her a tissue, comforting her, “Madam, it’s not your fault. If you hadn’t been forced back then, I believe you wouldn’t have done this.” Years ago, when Mrs. Mason lost her husband, just after the funeral, rumors of the Mason Group’s collapse spread. With only the mother and daughter left in the Mason Family, everyone was watching them, waiting for their downfall. Just when Amanda was establishing herself as the leader, her fiancé ran off with money. How could Mrs. Mason just watch this happen? So, she devised a plan to switch grooms. The Mason Family couldn’t become a laughingstock, so Mrs. Mason chose the newly arrived rehabilitation therapist, Asher. In one night, Asher went from being a poor therapist to a wealthy family’s son-in-law. Thinking of this, Mrs. Mason couldn’t help but regret, “I wronged Asher…” A few days after Amanda disappeared, she looked at her phone’s empty notification bar. She refreshed it repeatedly, but there were no new messages from me. In the past, after I got beaten, I’d always come to her to agree to her demands. But now, I hadn’t shown up. She only asked me to cover for Declan. It wasn’t the first time. I couldn’t be avoiding her. The thought made Amanda even more frustrated, and the bodyguards sent out to find me hadn’t reported back. Declan, noticing her frustration, handed her a glass of her favorite wine, but she pushed it aside without a glance. With no messages from me, her mind was restless, and this made her uneasy. Unable to bear it any longer, she finally called me. After a long wait, the cold voice from the receiver said the line was disconnected. Frustrated, she smashed the wine glass on the table and headed back to the Mason Family. Once there, she hurried upstairs. Seeing the familiar room decor, she sighed in relief. She thought I was just playing my usual disappearing act. In the past, my resistance to Amanda was to cut off contact, turn off my phone, and stay elsewhere for a few days before returning. She assumed this time was no different. Declan, worried, asked, “If he’s not here, what about the accident I caused?” Amanda reassured him from the sofa, “Don’t worry. With Asher taking the fall, I’ll make sure you’re fine.” “He can’t hide for long. Maybe he’ll come back on his own tomorrow, and then I’ll make him apologize to you.” Just then, the Butler came in, casually dumping my belongings on the floor like trash. At first, she didn’t care, thinking it was just some old clothes being discarded. But when the Butler pulled out a toy bunny, the disdain in her eyes faded. She frowned, “He’s giving up all this?” The Butler nodded. She sensed something was off. That toy was my most cherished item, caught by my sister herself. I never let anyone touch it, so how could I abandon it? Doubt rose in Amanda’s mind, but she quickly suppressed it. She frowned and asked, “Where did Asher go?” Before the Butler could reply, Mrs. Mason came downstairs, holding a document. Amanda’s unease intensified, though she didn’t realize she was holding her breath. When Mrs. Mason handed her the divorce papers, she finally understood the source of her frustration. Mrs. Mason said quietly, “These are the divorce papers Asher left you. He’s left the Mason Family for good.” Could you provide the specific text you need translated? I’ll be happy to help once I have it.

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After being separated from my wife for a year, I finally saw her again, and she was already five months pregnant. My anger and questions only brought her defensive retorts. “I’m an independent woman, and I have the right to control my own body!” “Why are you so upset that I’m having a child for a childhood friend?” Her childhood friend chimed in, explaining that the child was conceived via IVF, and they weren’t romantically involved. In the streets of France, they mocked me with, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and kissed right in front of me, calling me a backward bumpkin with outdated beliefs. “Don’t let him know I intentionally aborted the last child. The first child I give birth to can only be yours,” my wife whispered to her friend, unaware that I had already learned enough French to understand her. I grabbed my wife Sophia’s arm, fury boiling over. “You said you came to France to further your studies, but it seems you were studying in bed!” I glared at Sophia’s belly. We had been apart for a year, so this child couldn’t possibly be anyone else’s but Liam’s. The two of them were stunned by my sudden appearance, looking at me in disbelief. “Ethan, since you know everything, there’s no point in hiding it. The child is indeed Liam’s.” “Bro, actually, Sophia knew my mom wanted a grandchild, but I’m not interested in marriage. She just wanted to help me. This is our IVF child, and we’re innocent.” Despite my shock, they quickly put on a show of innocence. Ha, the way they were hugging and kissing was far from innocent! “Ethan, we’re married, and you should understand me. I can’t handle any major emotional upheaval now that I’m pregnant. Let’s settle everything after the baby’s born.” Her words made me laugh in disbelief. So, she was having a child for someone else, and I not only couldn’t be angry, but I had to be understanding and supportive? Sorry, I can’t accept that. “Sophia, I don’t even want to be with you anymore, so why would I protect your child?” I looked at her, my tone unwavering. To Sophia, all she saw was jealousy. “No matter what you say, I won’t abort this child just because you’re jealous!” Hearing this, Liam immediately dropped to his knees in front of me. He crawled a few steps forward, keeping his head very low. “Brother Ethan, please don’t make Sister Sophia abort the child. She’s quite far along, and an abortion would be harmful to her.” Liam whispered to me, in a voice only I could hear, delivering a truly cutting remark. “Sophia already aborted the last pregnancy to have this child. If she aborts again, she might never be able to have children.” Last pregnancy? Aborted? Those words left me momentarily speechless with rage. Sophia had told me our last child was an accidental miscarriage. At that time, I said I would drop everything to be with her, but she insisted I complete my project, saying she also wanted to study abroad and relax. Not only did I comply with her wishes, but I also transferred millions to her out of guilt. Turns out she intentionally aborted the child just to make room to have a child for another man? How am I supposed to swallow this?

“Sophia, you’d better explain clearly what happened to our child.” I turned and demanded answers from Sophia. Liam, who was still on the ground, quickly attempted to cover for his words. “Ah, I misspoke… I meant miscarriage. I was trying to say Sophia can’t have another miscarriage; it’s bad for her health.” I never thought Liam, a man, could be so duplicitous. Besides, I had met him before, and he wasn’t like this. “I don’t want to hide it from you. I did abort the child. Liam’s father is critically ill, and I wanted to have a child for Liam to continue their family line and give the old man some hope. How can you have no empathy?” Sophia’s words made me laugh out of anger. So she was overflowing with empathy, rushing to have a child for someone else? “Don’t give me that moral high ground nonsense, making cheating sound so noble! Just one thing, I want you back home for a divorce!” As soon as I mentioned divorce, Liam’s eyes lit up. Sure enough, a homewrecker always wants to ascend, regardless of gender. He had deliberately let me know about Sophia’s abortion to provoke a divorce between us, didn’t he? “You’re just bothered that the child isn’t yours, right? After I have Liam’s child, I’ll give you one. If we end up divorcing, you’ll have to leave Anderson Corporation, so what’s in it for you?” I underestimated Sophia’s shamelessness. She even threatened me with that tone. She doesn’t know that Anderson Corporation has been a shell since her father passed away. If it wasn’t for my investment and takeover, it would’ve gone bankrupt long ago. But she did remind me, after all my hard work, why should I make it easy for others by getting a divorce now? So I pretended to soften my stance, wanting to hear Sophia’s plan to have a child for someone else abroad. “I can avoid divorce, but you have to take care of this child!” “Don’t worry about the child. I’ll find a private hospital to give birth, and there won’t be any record. But you’ll have to be the one to sign off on the surgery. So for the time being, let Liam return home to manage the company while you take care of me until the birth.” Hearing her plan, I couldn’t help but take a deep breath. She intended to keep me informed until the child was too far along to be aborted, and I’d be the one to care for her during labor. Meanwhile, Liam would return home under the guise of managing the company for me, effectively sidelining me. What a plan to discard the donkey after exploiting it! “Don’t worry, you’re still my husband. Liam is just helping take over temporarily; nothing will go wrong.” Sophia made it sound so reassuring. “Alright, it seems like the best plan now, but you have to promise I can return to the company immediately after you give birth.” I turned and gave advice to my confidant at the company back home. Once Liam arrives, they’ll be sure to treat him well. With Liam gone, Sophia continued nurturing her fetus in France. But every day, she would spend a long time on the balcony, talking on the phone. “What are you chattering about out there every day?” I pretended not to understand her. “Just talking to some friends in France.” After testing several times and thinking I really didn’t understand, Sophia openly started speaking in French on the phone with Liam in front of me. “Liam, it’s alright if he deliberately makes things hard for you at the company. Just hang in there; everything will be fine after the baby is born.” “Remember my grandfather’s will? All of Anderson family’s entire estate will go to my first child.” Sophia’s words were laced with malice, as if she was already planning to discard me once she was done using me. What she didn’t know was that I had already learned French to find her. I understood every word she said these days. After all, knowing your enemy is the key to victory. She has her tricks, and I have my plans.

With two months left until the due date, Sophia eagerly moved into a private hospital. Since she didn’t want any record of her having a child for the Liam family, she devised a foolproof plan. Not only did she have me, her nominal husband, accompany her, but she also paid a hefty sum to bribe the doctor to alter the medical records. She changed the pregnancy period to four months and the type of surgery from a natural birth to an induction. With this switcheroo, even if I eventually confronted her or if a business rival dug up this dirt, she could claim this child was ours, but it was aborted due to poor development. As for the child in her womb, it really was developing poorly. The doctor said it was a Down syndrome child and advised against giving birth. But Sophia stubbornly chose to do the opposite, saying a child with an intellectual disability would be easier to manipulate. She needed a piece that would allow her to reap the benefits effortlessly. She always treated me like a pawn, but how could I let her manipulate me any longer? I looked at the altered surgical application form and silently clenched my fists. I decided to respect the doctor’s advice and not let the child come into this world. “Ethan, your French isn’t good, so you’ll need to use a translator to communicate with the doctors and make sure the surgery process is correct. Don’t mess it up!” Before entering the operating room, Sophia kept emphasizing to me. “I got it. I’ll communicate well with the doctor. You just go in and relax.” Maybe my calm tone aroused her suspicion. “Ethan, you’d better remember. If anything happens to me or the child, I won’t let you off easily!” Even at this point, she didn’t forget to threaten me. I had already confirmed the procedure with the doctors. They all agreed with my decision, and considering Sophia’s extreme personality, the child had inherent defects. If born, it would only be used by Sophia and then discarded. Rather than let that happen, I could stop the tragedy now. From the ward came Sophia’s heart-wrenching screams. “What did you inject me with? Why do I feel like the child isn’t moving?” She tried to get up but was anesthetized and could only lie on the bed. “Ethan, get in here and tell the doctors the child must survive!” “Ethan, even if I cheated and had a child for another man, you can’t do this to me. You’re my husband, and you must witness this child’s birth!” Sophia yelled for me from the ward, but I found it noisy and left, going further away. Just as I reached the first floor, I ran into Liam, who had rushed over. “Where’s the child, my child?” “You, what exactly did you inject me with? I can’t feel the baby moving anymore!” She tried to get up but was sedated and could only remain on the bed. “Ethan, come in here! You have to tell the doctor that the baby has to survive!” “Ethan, even if I was unfaithful and had a child with someone else, you can’t treat me like this. You’re my husband, you need to be here for the birth of this child!” Sophia was calling me from the hospital room, but the noise was overwhelming, so I stepped out to get some distance. Unexpectedly, as soon as I reached the first floor, I ran into Liam, who had arrived in a hurry. “Where is the child, where is my child?!” In his haste, Liam hadn’t properly concealed what he was carrying. It was the will established by the old patriarch of the Anderson family years ago. Through recent conversations between Sophia and Liam, I finally realized I had been ensnared in a massive scheme from the start. Back then, the old man of the Anderson family knew his daughter was unreliable, so he wanted to find someone to help manage the family business. He orchestrated a plan for Sophia to deliberately win over my family’s favor and secure my goodwill, while also setting up an ironclad will. No matter how I developed the company, the profits would always belong to the Anderson family. But it seems his plans are about to unravel now. “The child has already been terminated.” I smiled with a hint of detachment. Hearing this, Liam completely lost control. “You deceived me, didn’t you? The child was fine; it must have been born already!” Liam lunged to grab my collar. I snatched the documents from his hand and pulled him upstairs. “See for yourself!” When we got upstairs, Sophia had already been wheeled out, unconscious, with no child beside her. This sent Liam into a complete frenzy. He urgently pulled the doctor aside to ask. “Where’s the child? Which room was it sent to?” “The child has been dealt with according to your instructions. Here are the surgical records, and here’s the signed family consent.” When the doctor placed the surgical records in front of him, Liam saw his dreams shatter and collapsed onto the floor. “Didn’t we agree? Just write ‘termination’ on the record, but actually have the child!” “Ethan, it had to be you! You tricked us! You understood French, so you knew about the will. After I left, you secretly bribed the doctor. How dare you ruin my plans!” Just as Liam was about to charge at me, I tore the will to pieces and threw them in his face. The paper fragments fluttered down, just like his shattered dream of wealth. “Save your energy; you’ll need it to take care of her.” With that, I turned and left without looking back. “What do I do now? My billions!” “Sophia, wake up!” “Get up and think of something!” Liam’s wailing behind me was almost laughable. Weren’t they supposed to be in love? Why was every word from Liam’s mouth only about money? I had no time for this drama. There’s a tough battle waiting for me back home. Since Liam’s return, he’s overhauled the company’s staff, inserting many of their people. Operations are in chaos, and the stock keeps plummeting. I have to intervene. Back at Johnson Corporation, rumors were already spreading. They said Sophia and I secretly divorced, which is why Liam took over the company recently. As for me, I could be kicked out at any time, and those who support me would be cleared out too. These rumors were undoubtedly orchestrated by Sophia and Liam. Failing to use the child to oust me, they now want to use public pressure. It’s not going to be that easy. I identified several key figures spreading rumors and fired them, regardless of their position. I also rehired a few confidants who had been forced out under Liam’s pressure. With the staff cleaned up, I immediately called an emergency shareholders meeting. Exhausted after dealing with everything, I finally had time to go home, only to run into Sophia at the door. “Long time no see. I didn’t expect you’d change the locks.” Sophia spoke first, clearly with ill intentions. “But you didn’t change our mom’s nursing home location, did you?” Sophia waved her phone in front of me. It was a photo of her and my mom. I am committed to ensuring the content retains its original meaning while being expressed in a way that’s closer to English norms, making it easier to understand. Throughout this process, we will maintain the original formatting, keeping the line breaks and paragraph divisions intact.

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After being away for five years, I returned home to find numerous children’s clothes and toys scattered around. My wife explained these were for our future children. But on the day of our postponed wedding, her childhood friend crashed the ceremony with two kids in tow. It turned out that the wife, who claimed to be faithful, had already married her childhood friend and had three children with him. When I confronted her, she showed no guilt. “I may have had three kids with him, but my heart has always belonged to you.” Five years ago, just after obtaining our marriage certificate, I received a notice from the company to work overseas, delaying our wedding. I never imagined that today’s wedding would bring such a shocking revelation. I immediately stepped off the stage, removed my suit, and handed it to her childhood friend, sarcastically wishing them well. “We didn’t register, and you already have children. May you all live happily as a family of five.” As I turned to leave, Nora grabbed my wrist. Her eyes were red-rimmed. “Jude, is this really necessary?” “You’ve been away at sea for so many years. If Ezra hadn’t been there for me, I wouldn’t have survived.” I gave her a dismissive look as she wiped her tears and continued. “He’s been alone these years, taking care of me. Having his kids was just to ensure he’d have company in the future, nothing more.” She looked at me with hopeful eyes, but I felt nothing but disgust. “If you pity him so much, why not just be with him? Why come here to make me sick?” I tried to shake her hand off, but Ezra suddenly knelt before me with the three kids. “Jude, don’t misunderstand! I didn’t come to ruin your wedding. I’m just afraid that once Nora marries you, she’ll abandon the kids.” The three children knelt obediently, their eyes red-rimmed. “I just feel sorry for them, losing their mom at such a young age…” He sobbed softly, looking at Nora with pleading eyes. Seeing this, Nora rushed over without hesitation, “Don’t worry, Mommy won’t leave you!” She looked up at me, “Jude, these are my kids, and you also…” “Ah! Ezra!” Before I could react, Ezra was already lying unconscious on the ground. With a life at stake, I immediately called off the wedding and drove him to the hospital. Watching Nora take care of Ezra so attentively by his hospital bed, I couldn’t take it anymore. I asked my secretary to prepare the divorce papers right away. “Jude, what did I do wrong? Why do you insist on divorcing me?” The moment she received the papers, her eyes turned red. “How can you ask what you did wrong when you’re showing such care for another man right in front of me?” “Just because of this? Have you forgotten the promise you made when I saved you?” Oh, I remember, all right. Five years ago, after a late-night business dinner, I had a severe allergic reaction from accidentally eating peanuts. I ran under a tree, vomiting uncontrollably, and soon lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital, with Nora sitting beside me, peeling an apple. Her long hair glistened in the warm sunlight. At that time, I was struggling in my career, desperately longing for love. So, after that, I pursued her passionately. On the day we registered, I promised to take care of her for life and give her the best life possible. Unfortunately, the day before the wedding, I received news about an overseas company project. It offered six million in compensation, and my boss chose me out of thousands. I wanted to refuse, but she insisted I accept it. Before leaving, I spent all my savings to buy her a villa in downtown and hired the best housekeeper to serve her. To maintain our relationship, I sent her countless luxury gifts over the past five years and often video-called her. But in the end, she still cheated on me.

“Jude.” Seeing I didn’t respond, she called to me. “Ezra’s condition is really bad. I can’t just leave him… Trust me, I have no feelings for him.” “I only had three kids with him, but my heart has always been with you.” I was dazed and only realized she was already leaning on me. “I know you can’t accept it right away, but it’s okay. We can take our time until you can accept me.” Seeing her silently crying with red-rimmed eyes, my hands involuntarily embraced her. I admit, I softened. Maybe I should give her another chance. After a few busy days at the company, I returned home. As I entered, I found the living room in disarray, with kitchen spices mixed with water all over the floor. I felt uneasy and rushed to the study, only to find my laptop shattered on the floor. The USB drive with important data was also crushed. “Who let you in here!” I yelled at the kids outside the living room, but it was Ezra who appeared instead. He was in pajamas, looking sleepy. “Jude, why are you here?” “This is my house. I should be the one asking that! How dare you come in?” I pushed past him, trying to enter the bedroom, but he blocked my way. “Jude, I don’t have much time left. Can you not push so hard?” I looked at him in disbelief. “How am I pushing you?” As soon as I said it, he kneeled on the ground. “Jude, I’m begging you, please let me go!” I was startled and reached out to help him, but he suddenly collapsed. “What are you doing, Jude!” Nora pushed me away abruptly, helping Ezra up with concern. Just as she was about to speak, the three kids knelt and cried. “Mommy, this bad uncle… he bullied Daddy, boo hoo hoo…” I was furious. “You’re the ones who broke into my study and destroyed my laptop and USB drive!” “Enough, Jude, stop pretending!” Nora interrupted anxiously. “Those kids are so young. How could they have broken your stuff? I know you’re unhappy with Ezra, but you shouldn’t make him kneel!” “Don’t you know he has a terminal illness and doesn’t have much time left?” “He just wants to spend the remaining time with the kids.” Although I was reluctant, I decided to turn a blind eye because of his illness. To make it up to me, Nora made my favorite dishes. But halfway through the meal, I suddenly felt itchy all over. Everything blurred before my eyes. “What did you put in the food?” As soon as I spoke, one of the kids jumped up. “Uncle, I added some super tasty stuff for you!” He pulled out a few peanuts from his pocket, showing them off. “Call 911 now!” I anxiously looked at Nora, but she just watched me like it was a show. “It’s just peanuts in the food. An allergy isn’t losing a limb. Do you really need to call 911? Are you that fragile?” “Someone could die if you don’t call!” I struggled to get the words out, but Nora remained indifferent.

Ezra looked at me innocently. “Jude, I’m sorry. I really didn’t know you couldn’t eat this.” “This is my fault. I’ll apologize for the kids. Please don’t hold it against them…” With that, he knelt again. I turned away in disgust, only to be slapped by Nora. “He meant well. How was he supposed to know you have a peanut allergy?” “It’s just a child’s prank. Are you really reacting this much? An allergy won’t kill you, yet you’re making them kneel!” “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill!” Ezra gave me a barely noticeable smile, feigning innocence. “Nora, don’t speak like that. It’s my fault for not disciplining the kids…” As he spoke, tears fell. “The kids are so mischievous. If I’m not around, you must take good care of them…” At his words, Nora’s nose turned red, and she hugged him tightly. I struggled to reach for my phone, but the kids deliberately threw it to the ground. “We won’t give it to you! We won’t!” Watching Ezra and Nora embrace happily, I blacked out and collapsed heavily. … When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on a hospital bed. A female doctor was facing away from me, handling medication. For some reason, she seemed familiar to me. “Awake?” She walked over to change my dressing. “Do you remember me?” I saw her name tag and learned her name was Aurelia. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember anything. Seeing my lack of response, her eyes dimmed with disappointment. “Well, it’s been five years. It’s normal not to remember.” “But even if you don’t remember me, you should remember your peanut allergy, right? You went into shock five years ago for the same reason. Now it happened again. Aren’t you concerned about your own life?” She frowned at me, full of reproach. “How do you know I went into shock five years ago? Have we met?” “Wow!” She slammed the medical record book down hard. “You’re so ungrateful. If I hadn’t found you collapsed from shock at the restaurant entrance and given you first aid, you’d be long gone.” “Back then, I sent you to the hospital and rushed off for surgery. When I came back to find you, you were already gone.” Her words left me in a daze. She looked at me with a furrowed brow, her eyes brimming with accusation. “How do you know I went into shock five years ago? Have we met before?” “Seriously?” She slammed the medical record book down with force. “You have no conscience. If I hadn’t found you collapsed from shock at the restaurant entrance and performed first aid, you wouldn’t even be here now.” “Back then, I took you to the hospital and rushed off to surgery. When I returned to look for you, you were already gone.” Her words left me completely stunned. For years, whenever I asked about the person who saved me, Nora always dodged the question or gave vague answers. Thinking back now, it doesn’t add up at all. “Could you be more specific?” I asked. She turned back, clearly irritated. “Five years ago on New Year’s Day, at the Peace Hotel, someone went into anaphylactic shock and collapsed under a big tree, reeking of alcohol. It was revolting!” Her words made my stomach churn. The woman I’ve loved for five years turned out to be a complete liar. I’m sorry, it looks like the text you want translated is missing. Could you please provide the Chinese text so that I can help with the translation? Not long after, Nora visited me with a bag of fruit. She looked at me cautiously, “I’m sorry, Jude. I honestly didn’t know your allergy was that severe. I thought it was just a prank.”

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My husband’s first love got engaged. In an attempt to make her regret her decision, he left me right after our wedding to join a research team in Antarctica. Despite visiting him 66 times, my efforts were in vain. Five years later, I stopped going. At a birthday party, amidst laughter and conversation, he suddenly appeared. Upon seeing my slightly rounded belly, he was visibly upset, “I’ve been at the research institute for five years, and you ignored me all along. Whose child is in your belly?” I replied calmly, “It’s none of your business. According to the law, a couple can divorce after being separated for more than two years.” Upon hearing this, Jackson kicked over the birthday cake in anger, “Avery, I’ve only been away for five years, and you’ve already gotten yourself pregnant.” “Who does the child belong to?” “I’m going to make sure he can’t survive in New York City.” Watching Jackson ruin the carefully prepared birthday party, I got angry too, “Jackson, this isn’t the place for you to act out.” “If you’re not well, go to the hospital.” The mention of “hospital” made Jackson’s emotions flare up. He grabbed my arm and started dragging me outside, “We’re going to the hospital right now.” Jackson was so strong, I couldn’t even struggle. At that moment, Grandma Nora heard the commotion and hurried over with her cane. Seeing Jackson’s rough actions, she was instantly alarmed. “Jackson, let go of Avery!” “Avery is pregnant with…” Jackson’s mood softened a bit when he saw Grandma, but his anger surged again at her words. He interrupted Grandma Nora, “Avery, you’re quite clever, even fooling Grandma.” Then he raised his hand and slapped me hard. Blood trickled from my mouth as my cheek swelled. Grandma Nora was shocked by the scene. She tried to rescue me from Jackson’s grip. But the bodyguard by Jackson’s side kept her away. Jackson instructed the bodyguard to call the private hospital for a procedure. As he arranged things, he dragged me into the car. Grandma Nora reluctantly got into another car with the bodyguard. None of the surrounding friends offered help. Instead, they watched the scene unfold. Jackson’s family was wealthy and influential. They didn’t want to offend him and were happy to give him respect. The car quickly reached the private hospital. The director personally came out to greet Jackson. Ignoring the director’s flattery, Jackson dragged me to the OB-GYN department. “Jackson, let go of me. The child in my belly is…” Before I could finish, we ran into Phoebe, who had just come out of the doctor’s office. She was Jackson’s former sister-in-law and his long-cherished first love. Seeing Jackson, she happily ran over and hugged him. “Jackson, I’m finally pregnant,” she said, looking at Jackson with deep affection. Jackson let go of my hand and carefully hugged Phoebe. “Phoebe, you’re pregnant now. Be careful.” Phoebe playfully smiled and, noticing me, exclaimed in surprise, “Sister-in-law, you’re pregnant too?” Seeing their intimate actions, I instantly understood. Why Jackson left for five years and why Phoebe disappeared too. They had been together all along. Ignoring Phoebe’s provocative gaze, I simply replied, “Jackson, we’re no longer married, and you’re with Phoebe now.” “Let me go immediately, or you won’t be able to handle the consequences.” Grandma Nora was shocked to see Jackson and Phoebe together. But it was more important to stop Jackson from doing something rash. “Jackson, let Avery go home and rest.” Hearing this, Jackson immediately released Phoebe and sternly questioned, “Grandma, Avery cheated on me and is pregnant with someone else’s child. Do you want me to turn a blind eye?” Grandma Nora realized Jackson wasn’t going to let it go easily. She hurriedly said, “Jackson, the child in Avery’s belly isn’t someone else’s. It’s…”

Before Grandma Nora could finish, Phoebe interrupted, “Jackson, Grandma doesn’t look well. Is Avery not taking good care of her?” “Or is Grandma being threatened by Avery?” Hearing this, I found it laughable, “Jackson, you were raised by Grandma, and you disappeared for five years.” “You know better than anyone why Grandma’s not well.” Phoebe smirked and approached me, “You intruded on the relationship between Jackson and me. Don’t you know why Jackson left?” As she spoke, Phoebe pushed me hard. My belly hit a hospital bed in the corridor, and sharp pain shot through me. A warm sensation flowed down my thigh. Grandma Nora looked on in panic, “Doctor, come quickly. Avery’s child can’t be harmed.” The doctor and nurses were about to check when Jackson shouted, “No one is allowed to check. Today, I’m making sure she doesn’t keep the child.” At the director’s signal, the doctor and nurses didn’t dare move. Phoebe mocked, “Sister-in-law, carrying someone else’s child, betraying Jackson.” “How do you have the nerve to seek help from the family hospital’s doctors?” Grandma Nora anxiously searched her bag for her smartphone to call for help. Jackson ordered the bodyguard to take Grandma’s phone away. “Grandma, what kind of manipulation did Avery use on you?” “You’re still trying to help her.” “Grandma, I’m telling you, this child must not remain.” Grandma Nora was shocked, “Jackson, I’m your grandmother. Won’t you even listen to me?” Saying this, Grandma Nora supported me to leave and find another hospital. But the bodyguard restrained her. “Jackson, stop this madness.” I struggled to stand, clutching my belly, breaking out in cold sweat, “The child in my belly isn’t yours to touch. Let me go now, or you can’t handle the consequences.” Jackson stared at me, silent for a moment. Then Phoebe started live streaming with her smartphone. She whispered something in Jackson’s ear. Jackson took the smartphone from Phoebe and aimed it at me, “Avery, if you don’t want a dignified procedure in the hospital, I’ll do it another way.” “Remember the consequences of betraying me.” Jackson ordered the bodyguard to tie me to the hospital bed. I stared in horror at the bodyguard holding a stick. I struggled desperately, trying to break free. I was ready to reveal the true identity of the child’s father. “Jackson, you’re insane. The child I’m carrying is…” Before I could finish, the bodyguard, at Jackson’s signal, struck my belly with a stick. The intense pain turned my words into cries of agony. Blood seeped from the places my wrists and ankles were bound due to my struggles. “This is the price for betraying me and getting pregnant with someone else’s child.” The live stream audience, after hearing the story, joined in. “This woman is obviously trouble.” “Cheaters deserve to die. Don’t let her off easily.” “Teach her a lesson. Let all women see the consequences of infidelity.” Jackson showed me the live stream comments. “Avery, you not only betrayed me, but you also manipulated Grandma into deceiving me.” “Today, I’m going to make sure the child in your belly is dealt with.” Grandma Nora, who was locked in an office when the bodyguard tied me up, was now trying to intervene.

As the second blow was about to land, someone suddenly burst in. He stopped the bodyguard. “Young Master Jackson, Miss Avery isn’t someone you can touch now.” “Stop and apologize to Miss Avery. It might make your life easier later.” Phoebe looked uneasy at the sight of the bodyguard, but she said nothing. Jackson, however, stared at the intruder for a long time before speaking, “I see you’re familiar. You’re my brother’s bodyguard.” With that, Jackson suddenly grabbed the stick from the bodyguard and smashed it over his head. “How dare you meddle with my affairs.” Blood gushed from the bodyguard’s head as he collapsed on the ground. Watching the bodyguard who had been my only hope now lying there, possibly dead, plunged me into despair. “Jackson, please, I’m sorry. Spare the child in my belly.” I was desperate, crying as I spoke. Jackson glanced at the smartphone, then at me, and instructed the bodyguard to release me from the bed. “Now kneel in front of me and tell me what you did wrong.” “If the live stream audience forgives you, then I will too.” Clutching my aching belly, I painfully crawled to Jackson and knelt before him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have betrayed you or gotten pregnant. I’m at fault.” “But the child is innocent. Please, spare him.” Jackson looked at my pitiful state and said nothing. Instead, he connected with a netizen’s microphone. A furious voice came from the other end of the smartphone. “You deserve to be punished. Show no mercy.” “Are you kneeling here to confess your mistakes?” “If the viewers in the live streaming room forgive you, then so will I.” Clutching my agonizing stomach, I painfully crawled to Jackson’s feet and knelt. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been unfaithful, and I shouldn’t have gotten pregnant. I’ve made terrible mistakes.” “But the child is innocent. Please, I’m begging you, spare him.” Jackson surveyed my disheveled state in silence. Instead, he randomly connected a viewer’s mic. An outraged voice burst through the smartphone. “You deserve to be punished, you wretched woman. Someone should teach you a lesson.” Phoebe approached Jackson and spoke with deliberate calm, “Jackson, see, your sister-in-law is still unwilling to give up the child and won’t disclose the father’s identity.” “It seems she hasn’t truly realized her mistakes.” Their conversation made my face go pale. But for the sake of my child, I had to fight. I endured the pain and abruptly stood up, racing toward the exit. If I could just make it out of the hospital and call for help, the child might still have a chance. Just as I was about to escape through the hospital doors, Jackson grabbed my hair from behind. He yanked me back with such force, I felt my scalp tearing apart. “You’re still thinking of running away, are you?” “Without a lesson, you won’t learn.” He handed me over to the bodyguards, who restrained me on the operating room bed. “Doctor, perform the procedure and remove the child.” The medical team prepared to administer an anesthetic, but Jackson stopped them. “She’s disgraced herself, and the child is illegitimate. No need for anesthetic.” Under the harsh lights of the operating room, I whispered weakly, “Jackson, you’ll regret this.” I’m sorry, but it looks like the text you’re asking to translate is missing. Could you please provide the specific Chinese text that needs translation? Jackson listened indifferently and remarked,

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My father is an incredibly wealthy businessman, one of the richest men in the world. He once declared that if anyone dared to harm a hair on his precious daughter’s head, he would make them disappear from the face of the earth. But my stepmother Vanessa and stepbrother William doted excessively on Melody, a singer from a nightclub. They even allowed her to impersonate me at a gala dinner attended by wealthy elites, letting her sit in the place of honor meant for the true Chloe Collins. When I showed up, Melody tried to drive me away forcefully. “How dare a low-class singer like you try to attend tonight’s exclusive gala?” she sneered. “Mom and William have already let me take your place as the real Chloe Collins. You should leave now before you embarrass our family any further.” In my previous life, I was weak-willed and didn’t dare anger my stepmother and stepbrother. I tolerated all of Melody’s abuse. But now I’ve been reborn. Looking at the arrogant and domineering Melody, I walked up and slapped her hard across the face. “You ignorant nobody. A small gala like this has gone to your head,” I said coldly. “Who do you think you are? You’re not fit to use the Collins name.” 0

Melody was shocked that I, who had always been timid and afraid, dared to fight back. She immediately ordered the butler, Mr. Quinn, to drag me away. Mr. Quinn had barely taken a step when I glared at him. He quickly stepped back, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Miss Chloe, didn’t Madam and Master William confine you at home? How…how did you get here?” I fixed Mr. Quinn with an icy stare, frightening him so much he lowered his head, not daring to meet my eyes. “My father is one of the world’s wealthiest men, and I’m his only daughter. Yet you dare call me ‘Miss Chloe’?” “Mr. Quinn, you’ve worked for our family for 20 years. If you can’t even recognize your true masters, what use are you to me?” In my previous life, Mr. Quinn ignored my father’s orders to take good care of me. Instead, he followed my stepmother and stepbrother’s commands, often depriving me of food and clothes and verbally abusing me. When Melody beat me to death with a golf club, he even stood by watching coldly. Now hearing that I wanted to fire him, Mr. Quinn fell to his knees begging for mercy. “Please spare me, Miss…” Melody put on an act of helping Mr. Quinn up, then took on a sisterly tone to scold me. “Chloe, you’re just a singer I picked up from a nightclub. What right do you have to fire Mr. Quinn?” Tiffany, the daughter of the company’s general manager who always fawned over Melody, couldn’t wait to jump in and yell at me. “If it wasn’t for our Melody taking you in from that nightclub, who knows where you’d be now. How dare you be so rude to Melody!” The other guests all felt indignant and started criticizing me as well. “So this is the singer that Miss Collins took in? How ungrateful!” “Exactly! I heard Miss Collins took her in and treated her like a real sister, indulging her in everything. Who knew she’d be so presumptuous!” “A mere singer dares to impersonate the real Chloe Collins? She must have a death wish!” How ridiculous. The truth was that I was the one who had taken Melody in from the nightclub. But to my surprise, when my stepmother Vanessa saw Melody, she strangely loved her like her own child. My stepbrother William was thoroughly captivated by Melody’s charms and sweet talk, doting on her excessively. So for any company events or galas, they would have Melody attend while keeping me confined at home. Living this life again, I’ve finally woken up. My father is an incredibly wealthy and powerful man who adores me. Why should I let these people walk all over me? I swept my gaze across the crowd, finally locking eyes with Tiffany. I gave her a contemptuous smile. “Who do you think you are? Even if your father Thomas were here, he wouldn’t dare raise his voice to me.” Tiffany was stunned that I dared to call out her father’s name in public. Enraged, she raised her hand to slap me. I was quicker, slapping her across the face first. Her face turned deathly pale with anger as she shrieked, “You…you dare hit me? I won’t let you get away with this!” Melody gnashed her teeth and shouted, “Someone come and seize this singer Chloe!” Security guards rushed over. I swept my cold gaze across them and declared loudly, “My father said that if anyone dares touch a hair on my head, he’ll make them disappear from this world!” With those words, the guards froze in place, not daring to take another step forward. Melody took two steps back, her guilty conscience showing. She tried to maintain her composure as she yelled, “You…you’re lying! Everyone here knows that for any company events or galas, Mom and William always have me attend.” “If you’re really the true Chloe Collins, why have they never once let you appear?” The crowd nodded in agreement. “Miss Collins has a point. That singer must be lying and trying to impersonate the real Chloe Collins!” “How outrageous. A perfectly good gala ruined by this singer who snuck in.” I gave a disdainful laugh and turned to Mr. Quinn standing nearby. I ordered him, “If you don’t want to be thrown out of the Collins family, go fetch my stepmother and stepbrother.” “Tell them that if they don’t come immediately, I’m going to beat Melody to death.” Mr. Quinn was shocked. He knew that Vanessa and William both doted excessively on Melody. Every time, no matter who was right or wrong, as long as Melody was unhappy, they would severely punish me. But after a brief hesitation, he still hurried out. Melody smiled smugly at me. “Chloe, I think you’ve lost your mind. How dare you summon Mom and William here.” In my previous life, when Melody was beating me bloody with a golf club, I had begged them for help, only to be cruelly rejected. Now that I’ve returned from hell, I won’t let any of them off the hook. Before she finished speaking, a warning voice suddenly came from outside. “Chloe, you haven’t been disciplined for three days and now you think you can do whatever you want?” Chapter

William strode into the banquet hall, hands in his pockets, flanked by two bodyguards in black suits. The guests all greeted him as “Young Master Collins.” William nodded in response, then walked over to us. Melody immediately threw herself into his arms, her eyes brimming with tears and a wronged expression on her face. “William, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault for bringing Chloe back from that nightclub in the first place.” “That’s what caused her to make such a big scene now.” William gently stroked the back of her head, his voice soft as he comforted her. “It’s alright. With me here, she can’t do anything.” Then he turned to glare at me coldly, his face full of anger. “Chloe, I only allowed you, a mere singer, to stay in our home out of consideration for Melody.” “I never expected that after living with us for a few years, you’d become so presumptuous as to try impersonating her and becoming the real Chloe Collins.” William was the only son of my father’s younger brother. He had lost both parents at a young age. In the past, he would often come to our house under the pretext of visiting my father, but in reality he was trying to use my father’s status and influence to gain a foothold for himself. My father, out of consideration for his late brother, arranged for William to be a director in the company. He even allowed William to call him “Dad” just like I did. Back then, William doted on me a lot, saying having such a beautiful sister was his greatest fortune in three lifetimes. I never expected that after living in our home for ten years, William would turn against his own family and help Melody bully me! With just a few sentences, my cousin William had confirmed my identity as a mere singer. The crowd below immediately turned on me with vicious verbal attacks. “Miss Collins is too kind-hearted. That’s why this singer was able to bully her.” “Such an ungrateful wretch who doesn’t know her place. She should be locked up and left to rot in jail!” Having regained the upper hand, Melody shot me a look of smug triumph. I completely ignored her and turned to confront my biased cousin William. “Why are you the only one here? Where’s my dear stepmother? Is she too guilty to face me?” “Mom said dealing with a singer like you doesn’t require her personal attention.” I immediately took off the priceless jadeite necklace from around my neck and held it up high. “This was a birthday gift my father gave me when I turned 8. He said only his daughter, the true Chloe Collins, was worthy of wearing it.” “The 99 jadeite beads on this necklace came from a single piece of raw jadeite worth $50 million that my father specially bought at an international auction. He then commissioned John, a top French jewelry master, to carve my name onto each bead.” “William, do you still dare claim I’m just a singer now?” Hearing this, the crowd below all rushed forward, their eyes fixed greedily on the necklace in my hand. “Mr. Collins did indeed announce publicly before that he gave this billion-dollar necklace to his daughter.” “Strange. Why would Mrs. Collins and Young Master William let Melody take the place of the real Chloe Collins?” Melody’s eyes filled with panic, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She had never imagined I would have such a powerful trump card up my sleeve. William’s face darkened as he reached out to grab the necklace. “Chloe, how dare you steal Melody’s things. Give it back to her immediately!” His deliberate false accusation caused the crowd below to once again become unsure of who was telling the truth. I dodged his grasp. William signaled with his eyes, and the two bodyguards rushed forward to pin me down, snatching away the necklace and handing it to him. After receiving it, William personally put it around Melody’s neck, comforting her, “Sis, be more careful in the future. Don’t let this singer Chloe steal it again.” Melody nodded lightly. “Thank you, William, for getting it back for me.” She flashed me another smug smile. “Chloe, I took you in out of kindness, but you repaid me by stealing the birthday gift Dad gave me and claiming it as your own. You really deserve to die. Grab her and put her hands on the table. I’m going to teach her a lesson she’ll never forget!” The two bodyguards yanked me up and pressed my hands down on the table, leaving me unable to move. Melody skillfully picked up a wine bottle and smashed it down hard on my hands. Excruciating pain shot through me as bones shattered. The back of my hand was instantly a bloody mess, the white tablecloth stained crimson in a horrifying sight. I gritted my teeth and let out an anguished growl: “Dad will be here any minute. When he sees how you’ve hurt me, he’ll never let you off!” In my previous life, when Melody stole my identity as the real Chloe Collins and had me killed, my father never showed up. But this time, I had notified him in advance. He promised he would arrive at 10 pm sharp, just 5 minutes from now. Seeing me in such a pitiful state, Melody leaned in close to whisper mockingly in my ear. “Your dad is still overseas. How stupid are you to lie like this?” “Besides, with Mom and William backing me, even if your dad found out, he might not dare do anything to me.” Before she finished speaking, a furious bellow suddenly rang out. “Outrageous! Who gave you such audacity?” Chapter

The smug look on Melody’s face instantly turned to terror as she looked up. Vanessa strode into the banquet hall. The guests all bowed slightly in greeting. “Mrs. Collins.” The bodyguards immediately released their grip on me. Seeing it was Vanessa, the fear in Melody’s eyes dissipated. She flashed me a gloating smile. Vanessa’s eyes swept over Melody with concern, making sure she was unharmed. Only then did she turn to glare at me with utter disgust. “Who gave you permission to steal Melody’s identity as the real Chloe Collins?” In my previous life, I never understood why Vanessa was so biased towards Melody. It wasn’t until after I died that I learned the truth – Melody was actually the daughter of Vanessa’s true love. That man had once sworn undying love to Vanessa. But later, Vanessa was forced to marry my widowed father in order to save her family’s failing business. A year after marrying my father, that man died in a car accident while trying to save Vanessa. So when Vanessa discovered Melody’s true identity, she loved her like her own flesh and blood, vowing to give Melody the best of everything. Although Vanessa held the position of CEO in my father’s company, the person with true absolute power was still my father. Understanding the full story now, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “I’m only taking back what rightfully belongs to me. How is that stealing?” Now that even Vanessa was backing Melody’s claims, the crowd below became even bolder in hurling abuse at me. “This singer not only impersonates the real Chloe Collins, she even dares to speak so rudely to Mrs. Collins. She really doesn’t know her place!” “I think she’s gone mad with greed, fantasizing about being rich. What a fool!” William angrily declared, “Chloe, you’ve been eating and living well in our home all thanks to Melody’s kindness.” “But we never imagined our generosity would lead you to have such foolish delusions of impersonating Melody.” A cunning look flashed through Melody’s eyes. She pointed to the jadeite necklace around her neck and asked, “Mom, isn’t my necklace beautiful?” Vanessa was momentarily stunned. She glanced at me, realizing Melody had snatched it from me. She smiled and nodded. “It’s beautiful. It suits you perfectly.” Getting the answer she wanted, Melody grew even bolder. “Everyone, you all heard that, right? My mom has confirmed this necklace belongs to me.” “Chloe was just lying earlier when she said my dad gave it to her. She actually stole it from me.” The crowd below all chimed in agreement. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already 9:59 pm. I couldn’t help but smirk. In less than a minute, my father would arrive. Seeing I showed no signs of remorse, William flew into a rage. “Mom, Chloe has publicly impersonated our family’s true daughter. It’s unforgivable. I suggest we kick her out of the Collins family!” Vanessa hesitated, not agreeing immediately. “Chloe, if you kneel down and apologize to Melody now, and promise never to steal her identity as the real Chloe Collins again, I can allow you to continue staying in our family.” Melody’s eyes flashed with displeasure. Of course she didn’t want me to stay. She quickly spoke up. “Mom, it’s fine. She can’t really steal my identity as the real Chloe anyway.” “But she did try to impersonate me in public. If we don’t punish her severely, won’t others think our wealthy Collins family is easy to bully?” Seeing how this could damage the family’s reputation, Vanessa’s expression instantly changed. She berated me harshly. “Chloe, I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel down and apologize to Melody right now. Otherwise, I’ll kick you out of the Collins family immediately!” I laughed disdainfully. With my father away, she really thought she could act like the queen of the family. “You and William have twisted the truth, allowing Melody to impersonate me as the real Chloe Collins. You’re the ones at fault. Why should I apologize?” “Besides, you’re just my stepmother. What right do you have to kick me out of the Collins family?” William snorted coldly. “When Dad’s not here, Mom is in charge of all family affairs. Of course she has the right to kick you out.” Seeing me dare to talk back, Vanessa flew into a rage. She shouted for all to hear. “Someone come and take Chloe away.” “From today on, Chloe is forbidden from ever setting foot in the Collins family again!” Melody shook her head at me in mock pity, sneering, “Chloe, bullying me is one thing, but you dare to disrespect Mom like that?” “Someone bring me a bottle of acid. I’m going to destroy her face. Let’s see how she tries to impersonate me after that!” Vanessa and William nodded in approval. Melody was practically giddy with excitement. Dong, dong. The grandfather clock struck 10 pm. Mr. Quinn came running up to me, out of breath. “Miss, the Master has returned.” A large group of bodyguards in black suits rushed in, lining up on both sides like an honor guard. The atmosphere turned solemn. Then, my father strode in with a group of company executives, his voice booming like thunder. “Such big talk! Let’s see who dares touch a hair on my precious daughter’s head!”

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My son is an adrenaline junkie when it comes to travel. He proposed a trip to the vibrant, enigmatic Crimson Lake. The water there is extremely acidic, exuding a lethal presence. I was uneasy about it, so I accompanied him. But shockingly, my son pushed me into the lake. The water slowly ate away at my body, and I met a tragic end far from home. When I opened my eyes again, it was the day my son had suggested the trip. “Go ahead, my son, don’t worry. Mom’s got your back.” “Look at this, isn’t the scenery amazing?” The entire family was gathered in the living room, admiring the scenic photos my son had found online. That’s when I realized I had been reborn. Reborn on the very day my son suggested we visit the mysterious Crimson Lake in Cyprus. It’s beautiful but perilous; the water is highly corrosive. My mother-in-law glanced at me. She was concerned for my son’s safety too, but didn’t want to spoil his excitement and wanted me to be the one to voice concerns. That’s how it was in my previous life. After I gently advised him, my son and I had a huge argument. This time, I was eager for him to leave as soon as possible. “Son, I support your trip. You’re young, you should explore the world.” “Mom, you’re the best,” my son said, kissing me excitedly. My mother-in-law was surprised by my attitude and pursed her lips in disapproval. “Grandson, going abroad alone is too dangerous.” “Grandma, please, don’t meddle if you don’t understand.” In this house, my son ruled. One word from him, and my mother-in-law was silenced. My husband was glued to his phone, showing no interest in intervening. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll get Ethan the best communication gear, it’ll be safe.” My mother-in-law shot me a dirty look but kept quiet, afraid her beloved grandson might storm out.

I transferred twenty thousand yuan to Ethan to help him buy equipment. My mother-in-law didn’t dare criticize me openly but complained to my husband about my spending in private. Hugo and I started dating in college. We were at the same university but in different programs. We both interned in Beijing, dreaming of making it big in the city. But Hugo was naturally more laid-back. He disliked the fast-paced city life and took me back to his hometown. My mother-in-law believed I ruined her son’s promising future. For years after our marriage, she never treated me well. Things only improved slightly after Ethan was born. Ethan said twenty thousand wasn’t enough, so I immediately sent him another fifty thousand, making my mother-in-law furious. I just wanted Ethan to leave content. The travel companions he mentioned were local troublemakers. In my past life, they robbed me and tried to kill me to keep it quiet. To survive, Ethan followed their plan and pushed me into the lake. This time, I’m not going. Someone else will meet their fate at Crimson Lake. The more extravagant Ethan’s gear, the more likely they are to strike. Within a week, I had transferred nearly a hundred thousand yuan to Ethan. He was so pleased he nearly forgot himself, eagerly applying for his visa to Cyprus. “Your mom said she’s never been abroad and wants to go with you,” my mother-in-law suggested nervously on the day we applied for the visa. Ethan’s smile froze, his affectionate “loving mommy” demeanor vanished. “Ethan, I’m not going. I have to work overtime for the next two months, no time for travel.” Ethan’s expression softened, and he said to my mother-in-law with annoyance, “Grandma, can you stop interfering? I’m an adult now.” “Grandma is just worried about you.” “Worried, my foot. Don’t pretend to understand what you don’t.” Even though my mother-in-law spoiled Ethan from a young age, Ethan didn’t like her. I once thought he resented how she treated me, so he took it out on her. After being submerged in the dark red lake, I understood that Ethan only loves himself.

With my mother-in-law no longer causing trouble, Hugo decided to stir things up. During dinner, he suggested going with Ethan to Crimson Lake. He’s not concerned about Ethan’s safety. His reason for wanting to go is Fiona. Fiona is his junior colleague at the ship manufacturing plant. Although they refer to each other as “senior” and “junior,” their relationship has long exceeded those bounds. Whenever Hugo goes on a business trip, he buys the same local specialties for Fiona as he does for our family. When I asked him to bring me cosmetics, he even asked Fiona if she needed any. Even when Ethan broke his leg climbing and was in the operating room, he was worried about Fiona’s menstrual cramps. Hugo thinks I don’t know these things. But someone has already shown me their chat logs. Fiona can’t wait for me to file for divorce so she can officially be with her senior. Since she’s so eager, let them accompany Ethan to their demise. “I guess your dad’s department is organizing a team-building trip. You can show them around, and once there, you can explore separately.” Before Ethan could object, I quickly came up with a plan for them. This way, Hugo can openly take Fiona along. Ethan won’t resist too much either. “Mom’s at an age where she should also go with Hugo to see the world.” My mother-in-law, worried, naturally didn’t refuse when she heard this. The only one unwilling was Ethan. He still bore a grudge over my mother-in-law’s previous meddling. “Son, you’ll have to take care of dad and grandma. It’s hard work. I’ll transfer another ten thousand yuan to you.” At the mention of money, Ethan’s displeasure vanished instantly. He even promised to take good care of his dad and grandma. I took my mother-in-law to get passports and visas, counting down the days, hoping they’d leave soon.

Ten days before departure, Cora visited. Her face was bruised and swollen, clearly just beaten. She’s Hugo’s sister, married to a wealthy businessman. When she first got married, my mother-in-law bragged to everyone about how exceptional her daughter was and how great her husband was. It seemed Cora’s excellence could only be shown through marriage. Her husband indeed treated her well. He bought her designer bags and cosmetics, spoiling her like a princess. At that time, Cora would mock me, saying my attire screamed “poor.” She even had the maid bring me the trash they cleaned up, saying it was to broaden my horizons. She seemed to forget she was born into this “poor” family. Her father, in his sixties, still worked odd jobs on construction sites. He died in an accident, and the contractor compensated a large sum. That’s how the Aiden family’s life became comfortable. This house was bought with Hugo’s father’s life. “What happened this time?” My mother-in-law applied ice to Cora’s face, heartbroken. “He said I used his money to keep a gigolo.” Cora cried bitterly. She did have a history. Her husband worked long hours, leaving her alone at home. Over time, Cora got restless and indulged in nightclub services. She was caught in the act by her husband, beaten from the club to home. Since then, she’s been abused regularly and comes to my mother-in-law to cry. My mother-in-law, after comforting her, would only tell her to “endure.” This endurance lasted five or six years. During which, Cora was beaten to the point of miscarriage. My mother-in-law still wouldn’t let her divorce. This time, before my mother-in-law could advise her to endure, I quickly interjected. “Why don’t you also come along to relax, Cora?” Hearing she could go to Cyprus, Cora’s eyes lit up but slowly dimmed. “Traveling abroad costs a lot. I don’t dare use his money.” The wealthy lady who once looked down on me now worries about money. “Your sister-in-law has it. She’s very generous. Right, Blair?” The mother and daughter looked at me in unison. “If Cora wants to go, I can give another ten thousand yuan.” “Ten thousand! You gave Ethan so much, but only ten thousand for Cora!” When it comes to her daughter, my mother-in-law doesn’t mind spending money. “If ten thousand isn’t enough, I’ll give fifty thousand.” Go ahead, take it. After all, the money I give isn’t mine.

Landon got drunk and came demanding to take Cora back. Cora didn’t dare go out. My mother-in-law pushed me out the door. This suited my plan. I was afraid Landon would take Cora away, preventing her from going to Cyprus. Landon’s tantrums depend on the person. He only yells at Cora. In front of others, he’s a perfect gentleman. “Landon, Ethan is going on a trip, and Cora wants to go too. Don’t worry, the whole family will be there, Cora won’t act up.” “Is mom going too?” “Yes.” Hearing my mother-in-law would be there, Landon felt at ease. He knew his good mother-in-law would surely persuade his wife to reconcile with him. I easily put Landon into a taxi and sent him home. After dealing with Landon, I opened the door to see Cora with a pale face. Not from being scared by Landon. But because she secretly used my cosmetics. Since her affair, Landon controlled her allowance, forbidding her from buying nice clothes or using any cosmetics. In the past life, after I died, she gleefully rushed into my room, taking all my cosmetics and jewelry. Tonight, thinking she should dress up for the trip, she acted early. He was certain that his mother-in-law would persuade her daughter to make up with him. I easily got Landon into a taxi and sent him home. After dealing with Landon, I opened the door to find Cora with a ghostly pale face. It wasn’t Landon who scared her. She had used my cosmetics in secret. Since she had been unfaithful, Landon controlled her allowance, forbidding her from buying nice clothes or using any cosmetics.

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