Category: English

My wife and I faced difficulties conceiving, so we opted for IVF. Before the embryos were combined, I discovered my wife secretly swapping my sperm with that of her first love. I said nothing and simply swapped it back. Then, I took the opportunity to replace her eggs with those of my ex-girlfriend. Twenty-five years later, her first love came to my door, trying to claim my son: “My dear boy, I’m your real father!” Upon returning home from an overseas medical project with my son Caspian, we were taken aback by what we saw. A crowd of distant relatives, usually absent, had gathered. It seemed like the Johnson family was hosting a large family meeting. The most irritating sight was Quentin, sitting on the couch with red eyes, being comforted by my elusive “good wife,” Fiona Johnson. I raised an eyebrow, set my suitcase aside, and looked at Fiona: “What’s the occasion today? Why the crowd?” Caspian stood behind me, arms folded, glaring at Quentin with disdain. He had an inkling of the man’s identity. My mother-in-law sat at the head of the room, looking displeased and hesitant. Before Fiona could respond, Quentin rushed at Caspian, tears streaming down his face: “My dear boy, I’m your real father!” Caspian quickly stepped aside, scowling at Quentin as if he were something filthy. He stepped back, his tone icy: “My dad is Declan.” That kid is truly on my side. I held Caspian’s hand, giving him a reassuring nod, and then struck Quentin with a punch. The sound echoed through the living room. “Don’t make false family claims,” I said coldly, my gaze sharp. Fiona jumped up, helping Quentin, and pointed at me in anger: “Declan, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit Quentin!” She raised her hand to strike me, but Caspian swiftly moved forward and slapped Fiona. “How dare you hit my dad?” Caspian’s voice was calm but carried undeniable authority. Fiona froze, both angry and furious, raising her hand to hit Caspian. But Quentin pulled her back, pretending to cry: “Fiona, don’t hit him, he’s our son!” His fake fatherly act made me want to laugh. Fiona lowered her hand, glaring at Caspian: “If it weren’t for your real father, I’d teach you a lesson today!” Caspian sneered: “Oh, I’d like to see how you plan to do that.” His fierce gaze reminded me of my younger self. I was secretly pleased; he truly is the son I raised!

An elder from the family cleared his throat, trying to restore order to the chaotic scene. “Quiet down, everyone!” His voice was deep, carrying unquestionable authority. Everyone gradually quieted down, eyes on the elder. He looked at Fiona: “Fiona, why did you call everyone here?” Fiona took a deep breath, as if summoning courage. She wrapped an arm around Quentin’s shoulder, looking deeply emotional. “Actually, I have some important news to announce today.” She paused, her eyes scanning the crowd before settling on Caspian and me. I watched her quietly, curious to see what she was up to. “Caspian, he’s… he’s not Declan’s biological son.” Fiona’s voice was soft, but it was like a bomb exploding in the living room. Caspian turned to me, shock in his eyes. I gestured for him to stay calm. The relatives around us whispered excitedly, like vultures circling a carcass. “Back then, when we were doing IVF…” Fiona paused, as if embarrassed, “The doctor said Declan’s sperm quality was poor… So, to spare his feelings, I swapped it with Quentin’s…” This fool tried to shift the blame onto me! Fiona’s malicious gaze landed on me, seemingly expecting me to lose my temper. But I remained calm, waiting for her to continue her performance. “Today, I called everyone here to witness…” She looked tenderly at Quentin, “Caspian recognizes his biological father.” The relatives immediately erupted. “If Caspian isn’t Declan’s son, he needs to acknowledge his real father!” “Exactly, occupying the Johnson family son-in-law position for so many years, it’s time to step down!” “Declan has been holding onto the Johnson family business, now that the truth is out, he should step down from Johnson Corporation!” Listening to these discussions, I laughed coldly inside. These scheming relatives, who’ve been pushed out of the company management and only rely on year-end dividends, aren’t happy with me. They’re eager to watch the drama unfold between Fiona and me, hoping to reclaim a piece of the pie. Caspian, seeing the greed in the relatives’ eyes, squeezed my hand tighter. I spoke: “Caspian will always be my child.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm. Quentin looked helpless, choking up: “Declan, how long will you deceive yourself?”

I wasn’t deceiving myself; Caspian is indeed my child. Did Fiona and Quentin really think they could fool me? Back then, when Fiona couldn’t get pregnant, we decided on IVF. Before the embryo combination, I accidentally caught Fiona colluding with a nurse to tamper with my sperm storage. I overheard her excitedly telling Quentin that she had swapped in his sperm. I didn’t make a scene; I quietly offered the doctor a million dollars to switch it back with my extra sperm. I even “kindly” asked the doctor to swap Fiona’s eggs with my ex-girlfriend’s. On the day of embryo combination, Fiona and I witnessed the “miracle” together. She was abnormally happy, probably thinking it was her and Quentin’s child. Watching her foolishness almost made me laugh. Over the years, seeing her treat Caspian well, thinking he’s her son, was my private joy. She wanted to trick me, but she became an unwitting stepmother for over twenty years. Fiona interrupted my thoughts, mocking me, “You’re stubborn, Caspian may have been with you all these years, but the sperm isn’t yours! His biological father is Quentin.” I replied calmly, with a hint of provocation: “You’re dreaming?” “If you don’t believe me, let’s do a paternity test!” Fiona insisted, “I want a divorce! You forced me to marry you, and being with you for twenty-five years, I’ve done my duty!” Her face showed a hint of joy when she mentioned divorce. Looks like she’s been planning this for a while. Oh? She dares to say she’s done her duty? I’ve been married into her family for twenty-five years, living alone for all those years. While I raised our child, she was off having idyllic romances with Quentin. While I worked hard to uphold the Johnson family reputation, she was indulging in debauchery at entertainment venues. But one thing she got wrong; I didn’t marry her out of love, but to gain control of the Johnson family’s business. Now, Johnson Corporation is completely under my control. Fiona is no longer useful! “Divorce is fine,” I shrugged indifferently, “But there’s no need for a paternity test; I’m sure Caspian is my child.” Caspian looked at me, his gaze firm: “Dad, I believe you.” Fiona and Quentin immediately panicked. “Caspian, don’t you believe your mom?” Caspian ignored her, staying close to me. At this moment, a boy who looked like a college student barged in. He marched straight to Caspian, excitedly shouting: “Brother!” Everyone was stunned. It’s one thing for another dad to pop up, but now there’s a brother too?

Looking at the boy who resembled Quentin, I started to have a hunch. This must be Fiona and Quentin’s illegitimate child. They hid it well, not letting me find out for over twenty years. Looks like this drama is more interesting than I thought. My mother-in-law, sitting at the head, looked at the boy with authority: “Fiona, what’s going on here?” The atmosphere in the living room froze again. The boy looked like he was about to cry, his eyes red. “Brother, I’m Rowan. I… I’ve always known about you.” He stammered, his voice trembling slightly. He sneaked a glance at me, quickly lowering his head like he was afraid of my disapproval. “My… my dad often talked about you, saying you were excellent and handsome…” Quentin started sobbing at the right moment, his shoulders shaking. “Caspian, my beloved son, I’ve missed you so much all these years…” He lifted his head, eyes brimming with tears, as if he was wronged. “Rowan… he always wanted to meet you. We often secretly watched you…” Rowan nodded eagerly, adding: “Really! Brother, I went to your school just to… to be closer to you…” He pulled out a stack of photos from his pocket, carefully handing them to Caspian. “I… my dad used to mention you a lot. He always said you were remarkable and handsome…” Quentin began to sob, his shoulders shaking with emotion. “Caspian, my dear son, I’ve missed you so much over the years…” He looked up, tears welling in his eyes, as if he had been deeply wronged. “Rowan, he… he’s missed you too. We often went to see you secretly…” Rowan nodded eagerly, quickly adding: “Yes, really! Brother, I even went to school near you just to be closer to you…” He pulled out a stack of photos from his pocket and handed them carefully to Caspian. “These are your photos. I… I took them secretly…” Caspian flipped through the photos. There he was, wearing a graduation gown with a bright smile; looking tired after basketball practice; debating energetically with classmates… A shiver ran down Caspian’s spine. All these years, someone had been lurking around him, watching and secretly taking his photos! Fiona Johnson didn’t stay idle. She approached my mother-in-law, pointing at Rowan with a serious tone. “Mom, this is the Johnson family’s grandson! All the relatives are here today to witness this. Please… acknowledge him!” Fiona was clever. She knew that after my father-in-law passed away, it was my mother-in-law who held the decision-making power within the Johnson family. She had invited all the relatives to pressure my mother-in-law into recognizing Rowan as family. She believed that if my mother-in-law agreed to let Rowan join the family, I wouldn’t be able to object. After all, I’ve been dutiful and respectful to my mother-in-law for the past twenty-five years. Rowan, quick on his feet, immediately turned to my mother-in-law and respectfully called her, “Grandma!” My mother-in-law looked at Rowan and then at me, her gaze complex, not immediately acknowledging Rowan’s greeting. I knew she felt sorry for me. Not wanting to make things difficult for her, I broke the silence. “Fiona, your real motive is to have this illegitimate child join the Johnson family and inherit it, isn’t it? Why drag Caspian into this?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295604”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic

My daughter suddenly collapsed and urgently needed surgery. When it was time to pay, I discovered that the education fund, which I had painstakingly saved up for her, was gone. Desperate, I called my husband, Declan, the hospital director, to ask if he could expedite the process. He dismissed me coldly, “Adeline, how could you joke about our daughter’s life out of jealousy?” “You expect me to break the rules?” In tears, I tried to reach him again, but his phone was off. My daughter never woke up. Later, I found out that Declan had used my daughter’s life-saving money to buy a house in a good school district for Rosalie’s son. And on the day of her cremation, he spent the entire night watching fireworks with Rosalie and her son. At the hospital. Watching my daughter’s heart rate plummet, I was so desperate that I fell to my knees. “Dr. Wesley, please operate on my daughter. I promise I’ll pay the fees soon.” Dr. Wesley gently pushed my hand aside, looking troubled. “Sister-in-law, please don’t put us in a difficult position. We can’t perform the surgery without payment.” “Director Declan didn’t approve it over the phone.” “And he specifically instructed us not to let you cause a scene here.” “Is this causing a scene?” “This is life and death!” “The patient’s heartbeat is weakening,” an abrupt voice sent chills down my spine. The alarm from the monitor filled me with terror and confusion. Yes, I could call Declan’s Rosalie, Nora; they were likely together. With trembling hands, I dialed Nora’s number. After what felt like an eternity, she answered. “Adeline, Declan is bathing Finn right now. If it’s urgent, I’ll get him to answer.” I closed my eyes, trying to suppress my fury. “Tell him to come to the hospital immediately!” Declan must have heard me, as he shouted angrily on the other end. “Adeline, aren’t you done with your drama?” “You’re taking this too far.” “No,” I cried out in desperation. “Our daughter needs you. Come back quickly; she doesn’t have much time.” Before I could finish, the call was disconnected. Tears streamed down my face as I watched my daughter slipping away. As I hesitated, wondering whom to call next, the nurse’s urgent voice rang out again. “The patient’s heart has stopped.” “No, it can’t be!” I screamed and rushed to my daughter’s side. “Zoe must be in pain, just asleep. She wouldn’t leave me.” I shook her frantically. “Zoe, wake up and look at Mommy, please?” But no matter how hard I tried, her eyes remained closed. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, I fainted. When I awoke, my daughter had been taken to the morgue. I pushed through the pain in my head and stumbled there. I could only touch my daughter’s cold body. No! I couldn’t accept it. My Zoe was alive. Just a while ago, we were playing games happily. How could she leave me? I didn’t know how long I had been crying, my eyes swollen. With trembling hands, I dialed Declan’s number again. But he kept rejecting the call immediately. I laughed bitterly at myself. Why was I still hoping? Suppressing my deep sorrow, I called my best friend. She was the one helping with my daughter’s arrangements. At the crematorium, she said with red eyes. “Maybe, try calling again.” “After all, he is Zoe’s biological father.”

I remembered how much Zoe adored her dad. Not wanting her to leave with regrets, I dialed his number with a composed face. “Then I’ll give him one more chance.” The call was quickly answered. “What is it this time? You have time to call me; you should spend more with Zoe drawing.” Yes, Zoe loved drawing with me the most. But we would never have that chance again. “Come to the crematorium to see your daughter one last time.” I held back tears, speaking calmly. “Heh.” Declan laughed mockingly, “Where did you learn these lines? Don’t teach Zoe bad things.” “Let Zoe talk to me.” “You can’t hear her voice anymore.” “If she’s asleep, then tomorrow. I’m busy now.” Without listening further, Declan hung up. He even turned off his phone. If he wouldn’t listen, let him regret it. Watching the fire turn my daughter’s small body into ashes. My heart hurt so much I could barely breathe. I silently made a vow in my heart. At home, I held a memorial service for my daughter. Guests were curious. “Adeline, where’s Zoe’s dad?” “Yeah, what’s more important than a child’s funeral?” Indeed, I also wondered what Declan was doing. My daughter’s playful smile appeared in my mind. “Mommy, come catch me.” “Mommy, my birthday wish is to celebrate with both parents, okay?” A noise at the door snapped me back. I looked up to see Declan, who hadn’t been home for days, carrying a big cake. Beside him were Nora and her son, both dressed in red. I felt a sting in my nose and looked down. “Adeline, what are you doing? Turning our home into a funeral hall.” Guests started whispering as Declan walked in with the unfamiliar pair. He sensed something was wrong. He saw our daughter’s black-and-white photo on the table. Emotionally charged, he shouted, “Adeline, you’ve gone too far. Why put Zoe’s photo here?” “You’re crazy and shouldn’t curse my daughter.” “Can’t you see? This is Zoe’s funeral and memorial service.” My tone was calm, devoid of emotion. Declan squinted, frowning, in disbelief. To cover up his unease, he raised his voice several times. “No, this must be some trick of yours. Tell me, where are you hiding Zoe? Bring her out.” “Dad Declan, where’s Zoe? Didn’t we agree to celebrate her birthday today?” Nora’s son, Jasper, asked. Yes, today was supposed to be my daughter’s fifth birthday. But it turned out like this.

“Yes, today is Zoe’s birthday. I bought her favorite cake.” He said, panicking as he went upstairs. Calling, “Zoe, are you upstairs? Don’t play hide and seek with Dad, okay?” Guests started whispering again. “What kind of father doesn’t know his daughter died?” “Exactly, bringing a mistress and her child here, heartless.” I ignored them, kneeling, continuing to burn paper money. Unable to find my daughter, Declan stormed back down. “Adeline, where’s Zoe?” “Dad Declan, is Zoe playing hide and seek with us?” “Can we take her to our new home to play? It’s beautiful.” Hearing “new home,” I suddenly looked up. Remembering Nora wanted to buy a house here for her son to attend school. Could it be? I quickly stood, walked to Declan. “Declan, did you use our daughter’s education fund to buy a house for them?” “Adeline, don’t blame Declan. He felt sorry for us having no place to live and used it temporarily.” Nora acted pitifully, trying to gain sympathy. So it was true! If Declan hadn’t taken that money, Zoe wouldn’t have died from lack of surgery funds. I suddenly shouted at Declan angrily, “That was our daughter’s life-saving money! How could you do this?” “What life-saving money? Our daughter is alive.” Declan still couldn’t accept that our daughter was gone. “Then, Dad Declan, can I invite Zoe to see fireworks tonight?” “Last night’s fireworks were beautiful.” Hearing Jasper’s words, I laughed in anger. “So yesterday, when you hung up on me, it was to watch fireworks with them?” Declan answered confidently. “Yes, kids like excitement. I joined them. So what?” Ha! What do you mean, so what? Yesterday was our daughter’s cremation day, and he was busy with someone else’s child. Zoe always wanted Declan to take her to see fireworks, but he always had excuses. Yet now, he watched fireworks all night with Rosalie’s child. Declan, you’re so heartless. It’s fine if you don’t love me, but how could you treat my daughter like this? My best friend, unable to hold back, shouted at Declan. “Declan, you’re such a jerk, ignoring your child but treating someone else’s as your own. Is he your biological son?” Nora suddenly, with teary eyes, explained. “Miss, you can’t say that. It will cause misunderstandings.” I spent the entire night watching fireworks with Rosalie’s child. Declan, how could you be so cruel? You may not love me, but how can you treat my daughter this way? My best friend, unable to hold back any longer, began to berate Declan. “Declan, you’re truly despicable. You neglect your own daughter but treat someone else’s child like they’re your own. I bet that kid is actually yours.” Nora’s eyes welled up with tears as she tried to defend herself. “Ma’am, please don’t say such things. It will cause misunderstandings.” Declan stepped protectively in front of Nora and her child, glaring at my best friend. “Your words are damaging Nora’s reputation. Apologize to her.” My best friend sneered, “Apologize? Never. You should be the ones apologizing to Zoe.” “You didn’t even know your own daughter had passed away. You don’t deserve to be called a father.” She spoke the last sentence with sheer contempt for Declan. “Stop spewing nonsense. My Zoe isn’t dead; she’s only five years old.” He shouted, then began to tear apart the wreaths in the room. “I’ll show you acting. I’ll show you playing.” “Declan, you can’t do this. Zoe wouldn’t be happy.” “Stop it right now.” I rushed to stop Declan from destroying things, but he wouldn’t listen. In a matter of moments, the entire memorial service was in shambles. Many guests, unable to bear the sight, left, shaking their heads. Seeing him about to strike my daughter’s urn, I ran over and cradled it protectively in my arms. “You can’t smash this.” “Heh, Adeline, you’re really putting on a show, even setting up an urn.” “No, it’s truly my daughter’s ashes inside,” I croaked, my voice nearly gone. Declan snatched the urn from my hands and smashed it to the ground. Watching the ashes scatter, I fell to my knees with a thud. I murmured in agony, “Zoe, I’m sorry. It’s Mom who didn’t protect you.” “Truly sorry!” Tears streamed down my face like a broken string of pearls, mingling with my daughter’s ashes on the floor. Declan seemed to realize he had gone too far, his lips moving slightly. “You wanted to use these things to deceive me.” My best friend, furious, shoved Declan, “Declan, do you have any humanity? Why would you scatter Zoe’s ashes? She was just a child!” At that moment, Dr. Wesley from the hospital arrived at the memorial service. 4. Seeing the chaos inside, he feared being implicated in the child’s death and wanted to leave. But Declan stopped him, “Dr. Wesley, you’re here just in time. Tell me, isn’t Zoe still alive?” Dr. Wesley was even more frightened by the question, trembling as he replied, “Dean, back then, Adeline didn’t have the money for the surgery fees. She called you, but you refused to authorize the surgery. All the doctors present heard it.” “So now you’re lying for her, saying Zoe is dead?” “Answer me!” Declan shouted when Dr. Wesley remained silent. “I’m sorry, Dean Declan. Your daughter didn’t survive because the surgery wasn’t performed in time.” Dr. Wesley’s head was almost touching the ground as he spoke the last words. “Declan, did you hear that? Zoe is really gone, and it’s your fault.” My best friend took the opportunity to add. “No, that’s not how it is.” Declan muttered to himself, backing away. Suddenly, Declan lunged forward and grabbed Dr. Wesley by the collar. “You knew the situation best. Why didn’t you perform the surgery for Zoe?” “Dean, didn’t you instruct that without your consent, we shouldn’t agree to Adeline’s demands?” Declan ruffled his hair in frustration, gritting his teeth, “When did I ever say such a thing?” Dr. Wesley widened his eyes in disbelief, “Isn’t that what you instructed? Everyone in the hospital knows.” I knew Declan’s character. If he didn’t do something, he wouldn’t admit it. Could it be? I instinctively looked at Nora, seeing her panicked expression and tightly clenched fists. Declan also suddenly shot a fierce look at Nora. Terrified, Nora’s eyes filled with tears as she desperately defended herself, “Declan, I didn’t do anything.” I quickly approached Nora and slapped her hard. “I’ll make you pretend. Give me Zoe’s life back.” Seeing Nora being hit, Declan pushed me to the ground without hesitation. My head hit the ground with a loud thud. The pain was unbearable, and familiar yet unfamiliar fragments flooded into my mind. My best friend, seeing me clutching my head in pain, hurriedly helped me up. “Adeline, is your head hurting again? Let’s get you up first.” The images in my mind slowly overlapped. I finally remembered who I was. After a moment, I shot Declan a cold glare. He was already falling apart. With red eyes, he apologized to me, “Adeline, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Zoe’s condition would become so serious, and in the end…” I shook off Declan’s hand decisively. “Declan, we’re finished. Get ready to face the consequences!” My best friend was stunned by my sudden change. “Adeline, did that bump knock some sense into you? Your aura is so powerful.” It was only after that bump that I remembered my past. I met Declan after a car accident. I was the patient, and he was the doctor. After the accident, I only remembered my name and had no other memories. During my hospital stay, I fell for Declan’s handsome appearance. He had just broken up with Nora not long before, and since we were both orphans, we ended up together out of convenience. After marriage, I knew he didn’t love me that much, but he didn’t lack love for Zoe. Until recently, when his Rosalie returned with a child, taking away the little affection he had for me. Declan was shocked by my sudden powerful aura. “Adeline, how did you suddenly become a different person?” “As for Zoe, I really didn’t expect it. I thought…” “Yes,” I interrupted Declan, “You thought everything I did before was just my way of competing for your attention.” “Declan, in your eyes, am I really so despicable that I would joke about my daughter’s life?” “Now that our daughter is gone, our union was a mistake from the start. Let’s end it here.” After speaking coldly, I crouched down, carefully gathering my daughter’s ashes from the ground and wrapping them in cloth. Declan was thoroughly panicked. “No, Adeline, Zoe is gone, and now you’re leaving me too?” I found it utterly ridiculous. I sneered, “Declan, it’s not that I’m leaving you. You pushed me away.” “Without us, there are others waiting for you to take them home.” I glanced at Nora standing nearby. Her eyes gleamed with pride, full of provocation. But the next second, she played the victim, “Declan, Finn is a little scared. Can you take us home first?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295620”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

This time, as usual, I went out to walk the dog. After returning, just as I was about to lie down in the bedroom to rest, I thought I heard my dog’s thoughts. “How odd, there seems to be a strange odor in the house.” “It smells bad, like the scent of a stranger.” I remembered the dismemberment case my husband had mentioned to me last night, and it sent shivers down my spine. I didn’t care if I was imagining things; staying safe was my top priority. Just as I reached for the leash to head out, there was a knock on the door, and I heard my husband’s voice. “Phoebe, open the door.” Recently, I’ve noticed something unusual about my little dog, Buddy. He keeps sniffing around the house, as if searching for something. But besides me and my husband, there’s no one else here. So, I didn’t think much of it, assuming Buddy might just be restless because he’s entering his mating season. Today, after our usual walk, I planned to grab some clothes and take a shower to wash off the sweat. Just as I loosened the leash and was about to open the bedroom door, I heard a very unfamiliar voice. “Why does it feel like there’s a strange smell in the house? It’s been here all along, so stinky! Mom, can you get rid of that bad guy?” I froze, looking around to find the source of the voice. But in my house, it’s just me and my boyfriend. That wasn’t my boyfriend’s voice, and he wasn’t even home from work yet. Who could it be? While I was hesitating, the voice spoke again. “Why isn’t Mom moving? Does Mom think there’s a strange smell too?” Mom? I looked at my little dog, Buddy, in disbelief. Could it be him talking? But how could a dog talk? I shook my head, wondering if work stress was causing me to hear things. Standing at the bedroom door, my hands on the doorknob, I hesitated for a long time. What if, just what if, it was true?

I decided to test whether I was just imagining things. I quietly took out Buddy’s favorite treat. Placed it in front of him. “Yummy, yummy. Why is Mom suddenly feeding me?” Buddy happily wagged his tail, munching away, and I heard his thoughts again. My heart sank. A dog’s sense of smell is far more acute than a human’s. If Buddy sensed something strange in the house, there had to be. I recalled the home invasion murder case my husband had mentioned a few days ago. What if, by sheer bad luck, I ran into the murderer? I couldn’t help but think of those gruesome home invasion cases. The victims died with open eyes, and some were even more tragic, with their intestines scattered everywhere. These cases hadn’t affected me much before. But coincidentally, our neighborhood hasn’t felt safe lately, with many people’s belongings going missing. Reporting to the police yielded nothing. Unresolved cases are like a sword hanging over my head, never allowing me to relax.

Of all the strategies, fleeing seemed the best. I nervously picked up the leash, planning to escape with Buddy. “Knock, knock, knock—” there was a knock on the door. Then I heard the sound of keys turning, and my boyfriend Kieran entered with a cheerful smile. This guy, still smiling. I considered telling Kieran about the possible intruder. But just as I was about to speak— Buddy spoke again. “Huh? Why does Dad also smell bad? Like that stranger’s smell.” This news felt like falling into an icy abyss. I felt waves of coldness sweeping over me. Could Kieran be connected to that stranger? But he’s my partner, the one I share my life with.

The story of Kieran and me is simple. Kieran is well-known at the academy, not just for his numerous part-time jobs, but also for his outstanding grades. Even though he wore patched clothes, the unyielding determination in his eyes deeply moved me. So I pursued him passionately. I was born into a well-educated family, the only daughter in a first-tier city, with intellectual parents, always living without financial worries. Initially, Kieran wasn’t interested in me. But I persisted, and a year later, our story found its ending. We became a couple. However, this led to a lot of gossip in the academy. They all said Kieran was a poor boy who managed to win over a wealthy, beautiful girl. I even argued with Kieran over this. But later, Kieran didn’t care about these rumors and treated me even better than before. After we graduated from college, we got married. Because he was Kieran, I chose to enter wedded bliss early. I believe our relationship hasn’t reached a point where he would want to harm me.

Out of caution, I held back my words. I treated Kieran with care and attention as usual when he came home. I didn’t want to arouse his suspicion. I also didn’t intend to judge if Kieran had such thoughts. Because I was really scared. I couldn’t risk my life. But how could I leave here without leaving a trace? I looked at the door and discovered something chilling. The door seemed to be double-locked. I couldn’t believe it, so I went over. Gently turned the doorknob. Sure enough, the door was double-locked. Why would Kieran lock the door? A series of questions burst in my head. I didn’t want to think about anything, nor did I dare to. “Phoebe, what are you doing?” Kieran’s voice came from behind me. I was startled but pretended to be calm, asking him in my usual tone. “Why did you lock the door?” I looked at him with genuine confusion. “Phoebe, do you know about the recent home invasion murder case?” Kieran looked at me, a peculiar smile on his face. His gaze made me shiver.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295460”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic #校园School #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn

During the New Year’s dinner, my cousin Arlo started boasting about his girlfriend, claiming she was a billionaire CEO, all while subtly flashing his knockoff Rolex. Then my other cousin, Hazel, jumped in to say her boyfriend was a Beijing big shot, waving her imitation Hermès bag at me and asking, “Ever seen one of these, cousin?” Funny thing is, the billionaire CEO and the Beijing tycoon they’re bragging about are listed on the same marriage certificate. I took a sip of my drink and texted Ezra: “Since when did you get a girlfriend?” He replied immediately: “Auntie, that’s not true. I just transferred you 5 million as a note saying ‘Spend freely!’” … On New Year’s Eve, following family tradition, we held an ancestral ceremony. My eldest uncle proudly announced he had booked a top-notch VIP suite at the city’s fanciest restaurant, Fancy City Restaurant, for our family gathering. He made sure to tell my parents: “Fancy City Restaurant is so exclusive. I had to ask a friend and wait six months to book it! Ordinary folks can’t just walk in.” “The food is exquisite, dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, sashimi, and Australian lobster. You probably haven’t had anything like it!” “Your family works hard all year round away from home, rarely experiencing such luxury. This is a chance to see and taste something new!” My grandmother had three children. My dad is the youngest, with my eldest and second uncles above him. My eldest uncle works as a subcontractor for a construction company, earning about a hundred thousand annually, and he’s always looked down on us. My second uncle is unemployed, spending his time idly around the village gambling, relying on his wife for financial support. Our family moved to Beijing ten years ago. My mom mentioned that every New Year, these relatives we rarely see can’t resist flaunting and ridiculing us. For the past few years, I’ve been too busy to visit. This year, I’m curious to see what they’ll pull. I smiled and said to my eldest uncle, “Sure, Uncle, we’re looking forward to it.” He flicked his cigarette ash and, with a tilt of his chin, remarked: “I checked, and it’s over an hour by bus on route 19 to Fancy City Restaurant, so you should start early!” Then he added, “Daphne, since you’re back, I’ve prepared a surprise for you.” At 5 PM, I arrived at the restaurant suite with my parents. My mom whispered to me discreetly: “Daughter, this place is smaller than where we usually eat.” Just then, my second uncle entered, overhearing, and raised his voice: “Sister-in-law! You can’t just work all the time. We need to learn to enjoy life too!” “People with no worldly experience get laughed at! No wonder Daphne is still single at her age!” “Oh, by the way…” He gestured outside. “That electric tricycle outside is yours, right? Better charge it up, or it’ll run out of power on your way back!” Cousin Arlo chimed in: “Hey, that’s why we, as children, need to work hard.” “Daphne, I’m just saying, you should at least get a car. Otherwise, in this cold winter, your parents will freeze on that tricycle!” He casually showed off his Audi car key, saying, “Learn from your brother. It’s not about showing off, but having pride. Get a good car and a good partner!” Then he flaunted his fake Rolex again, grinning with pride: “Dear elders and siblings, I don’t mean to brag, but my girlfriend is just too famous. Do you know who she is?” The whole table stared at him with curiosity. Cousin Arlo lowered his voice and whispered: “The billionaire CEO of Harmony Group!” “Check it out, this watch is just one of the many expensive ones she gifted me.” I almost choked on my soup but managed to keep my bowl steady. I wiped my mouth with a napkin: “Cousin, if your girlfriend is so amazing, why not bring her over for us to meet?” He glared at me, “What do you know? She’s a big CEO, very busy! As her boyfriend, I must support her work!” His words made all the relatives nod in agreement, their eyes filled with envy. I almost burst out laughing, confirming with him word by word: “Cousin, are you sure? Your girlfriend is the CEO of Harmony Group?” He lifted his head proudly: “Of course!” I widened my eyes, feigning admiration as I looked at him: “Cousin, I heard the CEO of Harmony Group is mysterious. There are no photos of her online, and she’s rarely seen. How did you pursue her?” He stood with his hands on his hips, looking even more smug: “Pursue her? She pursued me! It was love at first sight! I’m so handsome; it’s only natural she’d like me. I couldn’t shake her off!” Not wanting to be left out, cousin Hazel stood up, holding her knockoff Hermès, and loudly announced: “I wasn’t going to say anything, but since we’re family, it doesn’t matter.” “My boyfriend is also a big shot, just like the CEO of Harmony Group!” Everyone turned to her, and I poured myself another bowl of soup. Seeing my indifferent reaction, she quickly called out to me: “Hey, cousin, know Hermès? You might never see one in your life. My boyfriend gave it to me.” “Aren’t you working in Beijing? You must’ve heard of his name. It’ll shock you!” “My boyfriend is known as the Beijing tycoon, Ezra Taylor!” I gave her a surprised look. She seemed pleased with my reaction and continued confidently: “Cousin, why are you just drinking soup? Is it because you can’t usually afford such good dishes?” I took a sip of my drink and messaged Ezra: “Heard you got a girlfriend?” He replied instantly: “Auntie, that’s false.” Transferred me 5 million via mobile banking, noted as “Dear, spend freely!”

After receiving the money, I looked up at cousin Hazel: “Cousin, such a coincidence, your boyfriend is too busy to come too?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes: “Idiot! You think everyone is like you, working hard every day? He’s busy with billion-dollar deals.” “Daphne, don’t delay any longer. Staying single too long will mess with your mind. Look at you, turning into an old maid!” I pointed to the Buccellati necklace around my neck: “Who said I’m single? I have someone.” “Look, a necklace from my partner. It took six months to order, just got it, said I should wear it for fun.” “And guess what, he’s busy too.” Cousin Hazel burst into loud laughter, mockingly: “Daphne, you’re lying through your teeth!” “What takes half a year to order?” “This looks like a $9.9 package from Bargain Bin!” “Are you going to return it after wearing it?” Everyone at the table laughed hysterically, leaning back in their seats. Aunt Vera laughed the loudest, even hiccupping: “Haha, this silly girl has been single too long, spouting nonsense!” My mom’s face turned a bit pale. She nudged me discreetly, and I patted her hand under the table, signaling her to calm down. My eldest uncle blew on his tea and kept glancing outside, seemingly waiting for someone. After a while, someone opened the door. An elderly couple and a chubby middle-aged man entered. My uncle’s eyes lit up, and he stood up: “Ah, Mr. Beckett, you’re finally here! We’ve been waiting for you!” He eagerly had the server add chairs. The middle-aged man called “Mr. Beckett” had thinning hair slicked back with gel, making him look even greasier. His belt couldn’t hold his large beer belly, and he emitted an unkempt odor. Cousin Hazel covered her nose in feigned disinterest. My uncle beckoned me over: “Daphne, this is Mr. Beckett from our construction site. His family is well-off and drives a Mercedes.” “Though he’s divorced and a bit older, his child is with the mother, so he has no burden.” “I think divorced men know how to treat women better!” “You’re not young anymore, quite a match.” I felt nauseated, slamming my chopsticks down: “Uncle, what do you mean by this? I already said I have someone, no need for introductions.” My dad’s face darkened too: “Nolan, we’re here to eat as family, what are you doing?” The elderly couple scanned me from head to toe with critical eyes. The old lady said with disdain: “Too skinny, won’t be good for childbirth. I’m waiting for a grandchild.” I held back my disgust and messaged Ezra: “Come quickly, or your wife will be sold off.” Then I sent a location pin. Uncle wasn’t expecting my refusal, slamming the table, speaking earnestly: “Daphne, stop lying!” “You’re not getting any younger. You avoid coming back for New Years because you’re single!” “I know working is tough, but don’t delay yourself!” “Your parents spoil you, not worrying about your marriage. They’ve let you become an old maid.” “Today is New Year’s Eve, a good day! Mr. Beckett is reliable, let’s just settle the marriage!” Then I shared my location. Uncle was taken aback by my refusal. He slammed the table and said sternly, “Daphne, enough with the lies!” “You’re not getting any younger. You keep avoiding coming home for the holidays because you don’t have a boyfriend!” “I understand work is hard, but you can’t put your personal life on hold forever.” “Your parents are clueless and just indulge you without worrying about your future. They’ve let you become a spinster.” “Today is New Year’s Eve, a perfect day! And we know Mr. Beckett well, so let’s just arrange this marriage!” Instead of getting angry, I laughed, “Uncle, let me repeat: my partner and I are very happy together. I’m sorry, but your efforts are in vain.” Aunt snorted with laughter. “Daphne, there’s no need to lie to save face. Look at your shabby state. What kind of good partner could you possibly find?” The designer clothes I had custom-made looked like gray rags to them. As soon as Aunt finished speaking, Cousin burst out laughing, openly mocking: “Oh dear, poor Daphne! Look at us, we all have rich and successful partners. She’s just a poor single worker. Must be so miserable. It’s New Year’s, let her have her moment without calling her out.” Cousin lifted his chin, his eyes full of mockery. Just as I was about to respond, my phone screen lit up. The message was from “Gatekeeper of Love.” Cousin, with his sharp eyes, caught a glimpse and laughed, holding his stomach. “Gatekeeper of Love, Daphne, is that your boyfriend?” With that, all the relatives turned their attention to me, ready for a spectacle. He raised his voice and said: “Oh, so your partner is a security guard! No wonder you kept it from us.” “Next time, I’ll ask my girlfriend if her company needs more security staff? Maybe get your partner a better salary!” Uncle’s expression was full of disdain: “Daphne, a security guard? Come on, break up and join Mr. Beckett, and live a harmonious life!” The old couple took the opportunity to approach, pulling out a gold bracelet, trying to slip it onto my hand: “You’re getting older, forget about dowries and gifts. Take this big bracelet and give us a grandchild soon.” Uncle signaled to my cousin and his sister, and they each grabbed one of my arms: “Daphne, dating a security guard is pointless. While you’re still young, find someone wealthy.” “Take the Beckett family bracelet! We’re just waiting for your wedding banquet!” I shouted, “What are you doing!” 3. I kicked Cousin in the stomach, and she let out an “ouch” and released my arm. She lost her balance and fell into “Mr. Beckett’s” arms, who took the opportunity to grope her. Cousin screamed in anger. The private room door was kicked open, and a man strode in. This man wore gold-rimmed glasses and a black wool coat, his face slightly sweaty, clearly having rushed over. His gaze swept the room, landing on me. I gave him a look. He understood and strode over to “Mr. Beckett,” landing a punch. Surprisingly, the scholarly-looking man had an astonishingly strong punch. The table of relatives was shocked. “Mr. Beckett” screamed in pain: “Do you know who I am? How dare you hit me!” Uncle was also alarmed: “Who are you? How can you hit people like this?” “Mr. Beckett’s” mom was furious, shouting at the stranger: “Why did you hit my son! Call the police! I’m calling the police! You won’t get away!” The man ignored them, standing by like a steadfast pine, hands clasped. The door was still open, and the wind and snow blew in, bringing a chill. A tall man in a suit walked in gracefully, much taller than the previous one. In the wind and snow, his face was more handsome than any popular star, so stunning that it was hard to look away. With broad shoulders and long legs, his perfectly tailored suit made him look tall and elegant, walking like he was on an international runway. The man exuded a natural aura of authority. Cousin gaped at him, her face full of admiration and infatuation. Mr. Beckett quickly stood upright, bowing and trembling as he spoke, “Mr. Ezra… What brings you here? You…” Ezra had a faint trace of anger on his face: “I heard noise outside, where did he touch?” Mr. Beckett’s face turned red, kneeling in terror, slapping himself: “Mr. Ezra, I was overcome with lust and groped.” Ezra kicked him over. Mr. Beckett curled up on the ground, not daring to get up: “Mr. Ezra, well kicked, well kicked.” Cousin Hazel blushed, her eyes sparkling, hurriedly tidying her clothes. She showed a shy expression, touching her hair: “Mr. Ezra, thank you for standing up for me, I’m so happy.” Ezra frowned at her: “Who are you? Was it you he touched?” “I’m here to find my wife.” Wife???

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295476”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #励志Inspiring

Every year, my sister-in-law’s family of three would expect a free ride back home for Christmas in my car. This year, when I asked her to chip in for gas, she turned around and posted about me online. “Help! My sister-in-law is demanding gas money, what should I do?” “Hey everyone, do you have to pay when riding in your brother’s car?” When some commenters called her a “freeloader”, she retaliated by reporting my car as “stolen property”. She nearly got me fired from my job. My in-laws said I was being petty and told me to apologize to my sister-in-law. I exploded and flipped over the Christmas dinner table. Did they really think I was such a pushover? Just after Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law Sophia sent a message asking for another free ride. “Hey Lily, we’ll be riding with you guys again this year. When are you leaving?” “Eric said you’re departing on the 23rd, I wanted to check if that works for you.” Seeing this message, I felt a wave of irritation. The thought of giving them another free ride this year made me wish the car would break down. I replied curtly: “Why don’t you just buy plane tickets? It only takes two hours.” Sophia sensed my reluctance and quickly tried to smooth things over: “It’s so hard to get tickets during the holidays. I’m really sorry to trouble you, sis.” I scoffed internally. Before Sophia got married, it wasn’t a big deal to bring her along. But after she got married, her family of three plus several large suitcases crowded the car so much that I barely had room for my own luggage. To make matters worse, her husband had no sense of social graces. He’d be glued to his phone the whole ride, only looking up to complain or ask for bathroom breaks. They treated us like free chauffeurs and their kid was a nightmare, leaving dirty footprints all over the back of the front seats. During rest stops, they’d shamelessly ask me to buy snacks and drinks for their child. And of course, they conveniently ignored all the gas and toll costs for the trip. I’m not totally against giving them rides, but once or twice is enough. Doing it every single year, and acting so entitled about it? My money doesn’t grow on trees, you know?

When my husband Eric got home from work, he cautiously asked: “Honey, did you have a fight with Sophia?” I glared at him, feeling even more annoyed. Although we didn’t live with his parents, having a tattletale sister-in-law was still frustrating. These siblings may each have their own families now, but they still couldn’t get their priorities straight. I sat on the couch with my arms crossed: “Every year we drive back for Christmas, and your sister’s family always expects a free ride. Can’t they just buy their own plane tickets?” Eric scratched his head and tried to placate me: “Honey, you know how hard it is to get tickets around the holidays!” “Be the bigger person, it’s not a big deal to bring them along.” Just then, my coworkers were sharing links in our work group chat to help each other score plane tickets. “Help a colleague out! My kid’s chances of getting home depend on you guys.” “Just need two more people, thanks everyone!” … I opened a private chat with a coworker heading to roughly the same destination as us: “Hey John, did you manage to get tickets back home?” John quickly replied: “Got them, Lily! Tickets were easy to get this year, they even added two new flight routes to my hometown.” “I’m so jealous you can drive back, Lily.” I opened the airline booking app and searched for tickets to my in-laws’ place. There were seven flight options, with three still having available seats. I immediately took screenshots and sent them to Sophia, telling her to buy tickets right away. “These flights still have seats available, you can buy tickets now.” “Three tickets together cost less than the gas for driving, and it’s safer too.” The last time we drove back, her son accidentally bumped his head on the car door and got a huge lump. It scared me to death. If anything serious had happened, selling my car wouldn’t have been enough to cover it. I’ve always suggested she take a plane with her child for convenience and safety, but she never listens. After some thought, I forwarded an article about child car safety awareness. The post emphasized that children must use car seats when riding in vehicles. I kindly reminded her: “Sophia, I don’t have a car seat. It’s fine for adults, but really dangerous for kids.” Sophia didn’t reply, and I wasn’t sure if she’d seen my message. Then I received a $50 transfer from her, labeled “gas money”. I replied with a “?” Sophia still didn’t respond, but she posted a screenshot of our chat in the family group. “Having to pay gas money to ride in my own brother’s car, I’ve really learned something new.” “Sis-in-law, don’t be so petty, I’ve paid for the gas.” “Calculating everything so precisely between family members, haha!” That “haha” stung my eyes. I was about to type a response when Eric came out of the shower. He wrapped his arms around me and started groping my waist: “What are you looking at, sweetie?” I angrily pushed him away and showed him what his dear sister had said. “Look at what your sister is saying. How am I being calculating?” “I’m just being considerate. If anything happened, your whole family would tear me apart.” “Besides, we’ve been married for five years and they’ve gotten free rides every single year without contributing a penny. Why should they?” The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I stood up and started counting off grievances on my fingers. But Eric just frowned and looked at me with disdain. “Why can’t you be more generous? Why are you always nitpicking about these little things?” “Are we really so hard up for a few bucks in gas money?” “How are we supposed to face my parents when we get back if you act like this?” Seeing his aggressive expression, I was stunned. So in the eyes of his whole family, I was just a petty shrew? It wasn’t enough that his sister’s family took advantage of me, I was supposed to bow and scrape to her, always at her beck and call? I reminded him: “This car was a wedding gift from my parents. It’s not your family’s public property.” As soon as I said that, he exploded. He angrily threw his towel at me, his face contorted with a rage I’d never seen before. I dodged the towel, but he lunged forward and grabbed my arm, snarling: “How long are you going to harp on about that stupid car? Do you look down on me?” I was just trying to remind him that the car belonged to our little family unit, and I had the right to decide who could use it. But he took offense again, thinking I was looking down on him. Having such an immature and sensitive husband was exhausting. When we were dating, I was attracted to his ambition and didn’t pay attention to his family background. My parents gave me enough confidence that I wouldn’t have to tiptoe around as a daughter-in-law. But after marriage, his true nature was gradually revealed. His paranoia and sensitivity left me constantly having to defend myself. Seeing his enraged expression, it seemed like he might hit me at any moment. I was frightened and quickly shook my head: “No, you’re overthinking it. I’m just stating facts.” Just then, a shrill phone ringtone broke the tension. He let go of me and answered the call: “Hello, Mom. We’re driving back on the 23rd.” “No, no, that was just a joke. How could we ask Sophia for gas money?” “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” After hanging up, he coldly looked at me: “Lily, behave yourself when we go back for Christmas. Don’t cause trouble.”

The next day at work, my boss called me into his office. “Lily, have you met with anyone unusual recently?” I was confused. As a low-level employee, who could I possibly meet? But I answered honestly: “Just a few clients to discuss next quarter’s collaboration.” My boss poured me a cup of water and gently reminded me: “Well… did they give you any gifts?” I suddenly realized what he was getting at. In our line of work, improper relationships with clients were strictly forbidden. Getting caught taking bribes would be career suicide. I immediately stood up to defend myself: “Boss, all my client meetings are on camera. I can prove my innocence!” Seeing how agitated I was, my boss quickly told me to sit down. That’s when I learned someone had anonymously reported me for taking bribes, even claiming my recent promotion involved some shady dealings. The whistleblower seemed very familiar with my financial situation, specifically mentioning my $40,000 Mercedes. “How could a low-level civil servant afford such an expensive car?” “I have evidence of her accepting bribes. I hope the leadership will thoroughly investigate this bad apple.” The evidence was a blurry video taken in a hotel. In the video, I was seen taking a delivery at a hotel room door. The packaging was from a luxury brand. The whistleblower zoomed in on the packaging. I watched the video a few times before remembering what had happened. I was on a business trip in my aunt’s city a while back. She was in a rush to catch a flight abroad, so she had someone deliver a gift to me. That scarf is still hanging in my closet. How did this turn into a bribery accusation? Although I had evidence to clear my name, my boss decided to put me on leave for a while due to the bad optics. “Why don’t you use up your annual leave? Come back when this blows over.” “Don’t overthink it. Just relax and maybe start trying for a baby.” My boss patted my shoulder, seeing how dejected I looked. It sounded nice, but it was basically a temporary suspension. If I got pregnant during this time, I might as well not come back. After working here for so long, I understood the office politics. I felt utterly disheartened, both about my family and my career. To make matters worse, Sophia was still stirring up trouble in the family group chat. She shared a video about a college student being asked to pay for gas when riding in his uncle’s car during the holidays. The comments section was full of freeloaders supporting the student: “I give my uncle a couple hundred when I ride with him, he won’t take more than that.” “My uncle leaves me $10 for a haircut after Christmas.” “Make sure to tell your mom about this.” “I can totally relate, my sister would kill me for this.” But there were a few comments calling out the poster as a “freeloader”. … Combined with the $50 she sent me earlier, it was clearly a dig at me as the “aunt” in this scenario. In the family group chat, my mother-in-law was the first to attack: “What’s this nonsense about paying to ride in your uncle’s car? Where’s the logic in that?” My husband’s aunt chimed in: “It’s just a car ride, why be so petty? What, does the car not use gas when they’re not in it?” Sophia played the innocent victim: “Maybe it’s because we ride with them too often and my sister-in-law is upset.” My mother-in-law immediately retorted: “Even if you rode with them every day, your sister-in-law has no right to complain. Are you not family anymore?” They didn’t mention me by name, but everyone knew they were talking about me. I was beyond frustrated and typed out: “So just because someone calls you ‘aunt’, they’re entitled to free rides?” “Freeloading and feeling righteous about it, what kind of upbringing is that?” “When parents lack social graces, children learn by example.” I don’t know the full context of that video, but judging by the poster’s reaction, they had probably never offered to pay before. In these situations, it’s usually about the relationship between the older generation, not the kids. The poster’s mom and uncle/aunt likely don’t have a great relationship. Otherwise, why would the aunt give her nephew such a hard time? From the aunt’s perspective, I could understand her frustration. Both the older and younger generations seemed to think she should be a free chauffeur, and asking for gas money made her the bad guy. The kids were unhappy, the adults were clueless, and everyone felt entitled. How many times can so-called family ties withstand this kind of strain? Seeing me push back so hard, Sophia replied sarcastically: “Oh, having a car makes you so great? Now you’re lecturing us on manners?” “It’s just a stolen car anyway, what are you so proud of?” My eyes caught the words “stolen car” and something clicked in my mind. I seized on her words and demanded: “What do you mean by that? What ‘stolen car’?” “My parents bought me this car as a wedding gift. Watch your mouth!” Provoked by me, Sophia didn’t hold back anymore and started ranting. “Your parents are just ordinary workers, where did they get that kind of money?” “You have an older brother, why would they buy you a car?” “That car was obviously a gift from someone else. You must have done a lot of ‘favors’ to get it!” Seeing her so brazenly admit to the accusations, I was furious. To become a civil servant, I had locked myself at home for three solid months studying, barely leaving the house. After getting the job, I worked diligently and cautiously, terrified of making any mistakes. To double-check accounts, I practically lived at the office. Among the new hires in my cohort, I worked the most overtime and was the only one without connections. After six months, my performance spoke for itself and I was promoted without question. All my financial transactions and personal interactions could withstand scrutiny. Now just because I didn’t want to be taken advantage of, she was trying to smear my reputation. With this accusation, my record would be tarnished and I’d never be promoted again. I was shaking with rage and lashed out: “My parents bought me a car because they love me. If your parents don’t love you, take it up with them!” “This year I’d rather wreck my car than give you freeloaders a ride.” “Get lost, moochers!”

When I got home, I was so angry I couldn’t sleep. I thought about driving the car back to my parents’ house and just taking a plane to my in-laws’. But when I got to the garage, it was empty. Eric hemmed and hawed, saying a good friend had borrowed the car to impress a date. “My buddy’s a great driver, nothing will happen.” “He’s just taking it out for dinner with a girl, it’ll be back soon.” I felt a stab of pain in my chest. How many times had this happened? Five years ago when Eric and I got married, my parents gave me a $40,000 Mercedes as a wedding gift. From then on, it seemed like the car became public property. Whenever Sophia’s family had even a minor issue, they’d come borrow the car. During holiday visits to the in-laws, any relative could order Eric to be their chauffeur. For weddings, funerals, or other big events, friends and family would ask to borrow our car. I didn’t want to make a fuss, so I kept quiet. But the car would always come back filthy. Traffic tickets, toll fees, gas – we had to pay for it all out of pocket. A few times, someone even threw up in the car. I’d gag while paying to have it cleaned. Halfway through cleaning once, the car wash guy found used condoms in the back seat. I checked the dashcam footage and nearly threw up. On the car mats I’d carefully chosen, Eric’s cousin was going at it with some strange woman. I lost it and cursed out his cousin in the family group chat. Eric’s aunt accused me of being petty, saying young couples need their romance and I was making a big deal out of nothing. I laughed coldly and posted screenshots from the video in the chat. “Auntie, look closely before you speak. That’s not your daughter-in-law in there.” “If you want to fool around, get a hotel room. Do you have to be so disgusting in my car?” In the end, the cousin and his wife nearly divorced over this, and Eric blamed me. “Look what you’ve done, making such a big deal out of nothing!” “Now my cousin’s family is falling apart. Are you happy?” That Christmas was a disaster, with relatives gossiping and laughing at us. What annoyed me most was that the cousin and his wife didn’t end up divorcing. His wife even passive-aggressively attacked me in the group chat: “Some people get a little money and look down on everyone else.” “Doing such awful things, it’s karma that you can’t have children.” I was about to fire back at her when Eric jumped in to defend me. “No one’s borrowing our car anymore, so don’t even ask.” “Every time you borrow it with a full tank and return it empty. We’re not suckers.” One time his cousin borrowed the car to go party and returned it with barely any gas left. I was in a rush to go out and didn’t notice the fuel gauge. I ran out of gas halfway and was stranded on the highway for hours. The car blocking traffic caused a huge jam, and I missed an important contract meeting. When I finally made it back to the office, my boss chewed me out. After that, I strictly forbade Eric from lending out the car behind my back. I even threatened divorce over it. But people treated it like background noise, still secretly borrowing the car. Now Sophia wanted another free ride, and all the old resentments came flooding back. I was firmly against it. As a result, she nearly got me fired. Not only that, she seemed determined to ruin my reputation and get me kicked out of the civil service altogether.

After I spoke up in the family group chat, Sophia quieted down for a while. I went ahead and bought two plane tickets, saying we wouldn’t be driving back this year and everyone should fly. My mother-in-law called me, hinting none too subtly about having children. In our five years of marriage, I’d been too focused on work to think about kids. Eric and I had agreed before marriage to wait until my career was stable before discussing children. The workplace is already challenging for women, and pregnancy is an unavoidable hurdle. Many capable women enter the workforce with the potential to climb the ladder into leadership or even higher decision-making roles. But because of childbirth, they’re forced to give up promotion opportunities. I didn’t want that. I wanted to reach the top, to make all my years of hard study worthwhile. With Sophia’s stunt, it felt like all my efforts had been reduced to a joke. My mother-in-law was very direct: “You’ve been married for five years now. If you don’t have a child soon, where will my son show his face?” “People in the neighborhood are calling him infertile. You may not care about face, but I do!” I couldn’t help but wonder if she and Sophia had planned this together. One tries to get me fired, then the other pushes for a baby. Back and forth until I’m a full-time homemaker preparing for pregnancy, completely removed from my career. Even my boss was tentatively asking if I was planning to have a child. I was at my wit’s end, wondering if I’d been cursed. What on earth had possessed me to marry into this family? I snapped and cursed at my mother-in-law: “Nag nag nag, is nagging all it takes to have a baby?” “If you’re such an expert, why don’t you go work at a fertility clinic? Apparently you can make babies just by talking!” It was the first time I’d ever talked back to her like that. She immediately burst into tears. She called her son right away, saying I was bullying her and had cursed her to die. She even claimed I looked down on their family for being poor and said they weren’t good enough for me. I listened to her twisting my words, feeling a surge of satisfaction. You didn’t expect this, did you? Your son was standing right next to me the whole time. What a brilliant performance! Eric’s face cycled through various shades as he placated his mom and hung up. I’m sure being called “infertile” by his own mother didn’t feel great. But he’s so obsessed with saving face that he refuses to get checked at the hospital, insisting the problem must be with me. I’m happy to play dumb. After all, I don’t want kids anyway.

On December 23rd, I was ready to leave with my suitcase when Eric just stood there not moving. I urged him: “Hurry up, we need to queue for security checks at the airport.” That’s when he finally told me he’d lost his ID. “Not sure when I lost it, but I can’t find it anywhere.” “Let’s just drive back instead.” I put down my suitcase and stared at him expressionlessly. He avoided my gaze, looking guilty. After sharing a bed for over five years, how could I not know what he was up to? But the flight was leaving in an hour, and it would take about 30 minutes to drive from our place to the airport. There definitely wasn’t time to get a temporary ID. And that’s not even counting traffic jams and queuing time. I said coldly: “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You’re that desperate to drive back?” He gave up the act and sat down, dangling the car keys: “We have a car, why not use it? Everyone in the neighborhood envies my Mercedes. It’ll be convenient for visiting relatives during the holiday too.” I was about to explode when my phone rang. Sophia’s family was already waiting downstairs, urging us to hurry up and leave. Looking at my shameless husband, I felt utterly disappointed in this family. Eric grabbed the suitcase and pushed me towards the door: “Let’s go, we’ll hit traffic if we wait any longer.” Once in the car, Sophia apologized and voluntarily offered another $50 for gas. Seeing my sour expression, she even bought me an energy drink. “I’m really sorry, sis. We just couldn’t get tickets.” Her husband snorted and plopped down, immediately starting to scroll through TikTok. That’s when I realized that after our big fight, she’d found out all the tickets were sold out. She’d tried several scalpers but couldn’t score any. She even looked into rideshares, but when people heard it was a family of three with lots of luggage, they quoted her a private car price. She balked at the cost and crawled back to ask me for a ride. I was furious at how these siblings had manipulated me, just praying nothing else would go wrong on the trip. Next time this happens, I swear I’ll sell the car. Then no one can covet it. We soon got on the highway, and Sophia’s son started whining in the backseat. “Mommy, I need to pee! I need to pee!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295492”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic

I Got Transported into a Novel Good news: I became the female lead. Bad news: It’s not a proper novel! It’s the kind of book you read under the covers late at night, feeling all hot and bothered. When I was reading it before, I thought, “Huh, is that all you’ve got?” Now, I just want to call the police. Looking at the pure yet seductive face in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Even though I was smiling bitterly, the tear mole at the corner of my eye was dazzling, and my misty eyes gave off a flirtatious feeling. This was my face, but not entirely. Because my face could never be this hot. I got transported into a novel. Into an novel in Nifty where the female lead shares my name. I remember my best friend sending me a link, telling me to read and memorize the whole thing. I hid under the covers, reading it with a flushed face, unable to stop. In just thirty chapters, it combined elements of love triangles, forceful seduction, captivity, and more. It was a five-star masterpiece in terms of excitement. Watching a character with the same name as me being tossed around by three men like a pancake… Besides feeling deeply ashamed, I also felt a pain in my waist and weakness in my legs. The original female lead cried until her voice was hoarse, but still couldn’t escape her fate. If I had known that sharing a name meant getting transported, I would have memorized the whole thing no matter what. I had only read half of it when things started getting intense. As excited as I was when reading it then, I regret it just as much now. I like reading novel in Niftys, but I don’t want to actually experience them! Although my eyes might look mischievous, my heart is pure. I consider myself to have very proper values. Trembling, I posted online for help: [What do you do when you get transported into an novel in Nifty as the female lead? Urgent, please respond.] [Let go of those male leads, I’ll take care of them!] [Just lie back and enjoy it!] +99 This comment quickly received countless likes. Damn it! Do they even know that the male leads the author wrote are all exceptionally gifted in certain areas, and they’re all above the law? She really dared to write it that way. If it were really happening to me, I would refuse. At this moment, a voice suddenly rang in my head: [Detecting rebellious consciousness. Mission issued: Avoid any negative contact with any male lead for 99 days to choose to leave this world on your own.] Great! As long as I guard my own garden and survive for 99 days, I can return to reality. So easy! While I was lost in thought, a voice came: “Sophia, come down for dinner.” “Oh, coming,” I responded, then quickly covered my mouth, unable to believe that a human could make such an abstract sound. Coquettish and soft, it sounded indecent as soon as it came out. Even I couldn’t help but have naughty thoughts when I heard it. No wonder the book described that as soon as the female lead’s voice came out, it made people want to pin her down and do unspeakable things. Holy cow! Isn’t this killing power a bit too much? Soon, I went downstairs. The food on the dining table was more sumptuous than a holiday feast. A haggard but still beautiful woman frantically winked at me, “Sophia, your big brother is back, hurry and greet him.” I looked across the three-meter-long dining table, and my heart skipped a beat. Help! The first big gun was already in position!

A black suit wrapped around the man’s lean body. He had excellent bone structure, young and handsome. It’s just that his face always carried impatience and ferocity, making people afraid to approach him easily. That face, that waist, just sitting there, his sex appeal was already maxed out. My eyes sparkled. With that high, straight nose, I could tell he was very skilled at certain activities. Thinking of this, I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat on my back, almost bewitched by the male lead’s beauty. I secretly warned myself: Stupid, keep your legs together and guard your own garden! This was the female lead’s first man, the domineering CEO, Liam. In the book, the female lead’s mother Yvonne married into a wealthy family with her daughter from her previous marriage, Sophia. Liam was her stepbrother, the actual power holder of the family. Liam hated the mother and daughter, and with just one word, he made their life in the wealthy family worse than that of the housemaids. Yvonne was afraid of him. The female lead was also afraid. I was even more afraid. I had read the original novel and knew that this man was cold-blooded and cruel, and loved to torture people. And he had many little hobbies, dragging the female lead to various places to do all sorts of things. I immediately felt my legs go weak. I opened my mouth, but remembering my coquettish voice, I quickly closed it. Then, taking a deep breath, I called out clearly: “Big brother.” Liam frowned, looking at me with surprise. The bitch’s daughter, quite brave today. Her previous weakness and pitiful act was obviously all fake. Liam’s lips curled into a mocking smile, and he responded coldly: “Mm.” Yvonne saw that I had received a response from Liam and became excited, urging me again: “Sophia, didn’t you have something to say to your big brother?” I looked confused. Except for the juicy parts that I read word by word, I skimmed through all the other plots. How would I know what she’s talking about? I didn’t make a sound. The air suddenly became quiet. It was Liam who broke the silence, “What is it?” Yvonne looked at me with disappointment, “It’s about Sophia’s birthday. We want to hold a party at home and invite some celebrity friends to attend. It would also let everyone know that Sophia is your sister.” “Bang.” Liam put down his chopsticks heavily on the table, his gaze fierce. After so many years, this bitch still hasn’t given up. Back then, when his mother’s body was barely cold, his father had eagerly brought this pair of mother and daughter back. If it weren’t for his swift seizure of power, who knows how happy the three of them would be now. Now, even his arrogant father didn’t dare to speak loudly to him, yet this bitch and little bitch still wanted to use him to increase their status. Dream on. Low pressure permeated the air, and no one dared to speak, silent as cicadas in winter. Only I, with my suspended heart finally settling down. I remembered this plot. It was at the birthday party that the female lead was taken advantage of by her scheming stepbrother. And from then on, things became not suitable for children. I clenched my fists, refusing to engage in any naughty business, starting with me!

Liam didn’t even eat anymore, he just stood up directly. He happened to see my curled lips, my tender face blushing and shy, as beautiful as a peach blossom. His breath hitched. Why did the little bitch look so different today? So tempting. Liam: “Sophia, come upstairs with me.” “Huh? Oh.” Yvonne came over and gave me a push. I stood up reluctantly. Following Liam into a room, it wasn’t until the door was closed that I belatedly realized this was his bedroom. “Kneel down.” Me: “???” What kind of breed of psycho are you? My shocked expression made his brow furrow even deeper. “I don’t want to say it twice.” His low voice gave me an extremely strong sense of oppression. I started to shake, it was this body’s instinctive reaction. I frowned, why am I so scared? My knees already wanted to kneel, but there was still a bit of backbone supporting me to stand in place. I sincerely asked: “Why?” “A few days of not seeing me, and you dare to defy me?” Liam said while starting to unbuckle his belt. Wait, why are you unbuckling your belt?! I was so scared that I collapsed on the ground, immediately kneeling straight. “No, brother, what are you doing? I’m kneeling, I’m kneeling for you, isn’t that enough?” Liam smiled sarcastically, his eyes full of deep malice. “Go to the bed and bend over, stick your butt up high.” I looked at him vigilantly, putting on a brave face but inwardly terrified: “What do you want to do? I’m not even 18 yet, you know about the ten-year prison sentence, right?” Is he trying to do me early? Liam had already taken off his belt. Hearing this, he was stunned. “What are you thinking? You think I want to do you? You’re not worthy.” “Then why are you taking off your pants?” “Shut up.” Are you blind? He only unbuckled his belt, he didn’t take off his pants. “Hurry up, don’t force me to kill you.” “Then you swear first, absolutely not to do anything naughty to me.” Liam’s face turned black as the bottom of a pot. Suddenly, he smiled wickedly, snapping the belt in his hand through the air, making a whooshing sound. “You’re really asking for death.” I let out a scream, almost forgetting that the male leads were all above the law. He really dared to kill me. My body moved uncontrollably, crawling to the bedside in a few moves, trembling as I bent over. “Is… is this okay?” I was so embarrassed that my face turned red enough to drip blood. It’s just that my voice was soft and tender, sounding extremely pitiful. Liam subconsciously wanted to hold me in his arms and comfort me gently. Liam’s hand holding the belt paused. He suppressed the unusual feeling in his heart, but the belt still swung out, though the force was unintentionally much lighter. With a “smack”, a huge tearing sensation came from my buttocks. I cried out in pain, tears bursting from my eyes. He… he actually spanked my butt with a belt? This scene wasn’t in the original novel, was it?

This body was delicate, soft, and sensitive. I collapsed on the ground in pain. I bit my lip and whimpered, my eyes full of tears, like a begonia flower ravaged by a violent storm, shattered on the ground. Wuwuwu, my precious butt was about to split open. I raised my head angrily, just in time to see the middle of Liam’s suit pants, where the sensation was quite obvious. My whimpering became a bit quieter, afraid of angering him again. Being spanked with a belt was better than being threatened with a gun. Liam’s hand trembled. What the hell? The young girl’s fair skin had a faint pink color, her amorous peach blossom eyes, the tears about to fall accusing him of his cruelty, her delicate nose, her pink lips, making her look alluring and ready to be plucked. It was as if she was inviting him to taste her, to enjoy her… In the past, he had punished the little bit… Sophia like this too. He hated them for intruding into his home, treating her as a toy to vent his anger on, even beating her until she was covered in wounds, never feeling an ounce of pity for her. Why were such criminal thoughts popping up in his head today? No wonder her behavior and manners were all so strange today, acting as if he wanted to force himself on her. Playing hard to get? Hmph, as expected of the bitch’s daughter. Just like her shameless mother, at such a young age she already knows how to seduce men. Acting like a prostitute. “Get out!” I heard it like heavenly music, scrambling to get up and leave. “Stop!” I had just touched the doorknob when my hand froze. What now, you lunatic? I quickly covered my butt that had been shattered into four pieces, shrinking myself into a small ball, my expression evasive. Another hit would really shatter me. This posture, in Liam’s eyes, suddenly made him feel as if something had hit his heart, as if he had done something unforgivable to her. “Whose idea was the birthday party?” “I’m sorry, don’t hit me, I don’t know, it wasn’t me.” Liam: “…” This scared? He couldn’t help but soften his tone, “You want to have a birthday party?” I shook my head like a rattle drum, “No, I don’t want to.” The novel in Nifty plot started from the birthday party. I absolutely don’t want any birthday party. I want to survive. I rushed over and knelt on the ground, tightly hugging Liam’s legs, “Brother, please believe me, I really don’t want a birthday party. I’m just a stupid fool who can’t be presented in public. Please don’t throw one for me.” Liam only felt a tickle at the root of his leg, and his heart trembled a bit, “What did you call me?” I looked up, saying with utmost sincerity: “Brother, I’ve always thought of you as my real brother. Please, you must believe me.” If he’s my real brother, he can’t have designs on me. I hope this law-abiding citizen’s morals haven’t completely degraded. The girl’s hands were soft, such a small bundle. Liam’s heart softened. “Alright, no party.”

I returned to my room, and Yvonne came. “Darling, did he agree?” I shook my head. She was obviously a bit disappointed, but didn’t say anything. “Sigh, it’s mom’s fault for being useless. Liam won’t give us any benefits, but luckily there are many top-tier rich young masters at your school.” “My baby is so beautiful, you’ll definitely find someone stronger than the Liam family. Oh right, you’ve been chasing the Young Master Sean for quite some time now, haven’t you succeeded yet?” I perfunctorily said: “Almost.” Then I tried hard to recall the plot. The female lead was currently attending a certain noble school. That was where Yvonne had knelt for a day and night before Liam finally relented and let her in. That school was full of rich kids and socialites. In Yvonne’s words, if you just marry any man from there, you can lie flat for the rest of your life. But— At school, there were two more big guns. Is this school really necessary to attend? After Yvonne left, I looked in the mirror. A crimson mark spanned across my entire butt. My precious butt was burning with pain. When I was reading it before, it was just text. When I saw the female lead crying and saying it hurt when the male leads did this or that to her, I thought she was crying because of some kind of kink. I didn’t expect it to really hurt! Too delicate. Just one hit with a belt and it hurts like this. If I were to be… wouldn’t I lose my life? I became even more determined to survive, wishing I could forge a stainless steel chastity belt and weld it onto myself. There was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” After about a minute, the person simply answered with one word, “Me.” I immediately went on high alert. “I’m already asleep, come back tomorrow.” The doorknob turned, and Liam’s gloomy face appeared at the door. I quickly covered myself with the blanket. The movement was too big, causing the fabric of my pants to rub against the wound. I unconsciously let out a moan. How to put it? That sound was very soul-stirring. I wished I could rip out my throat. I closed my eyes directly and played dead. After all, no man likes a woman who lies in bed like a dead fish. The voice sounded by my ear: “Does it still hurt a lot?” I didn’t dare to open my eyes, only begging him to leave quickly. “Let me check it for you.” Please, that’s my butt, what are you checking?! I opened my eyes, just in time to meet Liam’s gaze. “Why aren’t you pretending anymore?” I said softly: “You’re going to look at my butt.” “What did you say?” Liam’s face flashed with unnaturalness.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295509”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring

The imposter daughter exposed her identity to bring me back, only to make me marry her crippled fiance. She put on a show in front of the whole family, trying to sow discord between me and them. But what she didn’t know was that we could all hear her thoughts. When she slashed her palm with a fruit knife to frame me, she was secretly thinking, “Why isn’t that useless father of mine hitting her yet?” When she tumbled down the stairs and accused me, she was cursing in her mind, “Stupid old hag, why don’t you teach her a lesson?” And when she snuggled up to my brother in feigned innocence, she was thinking, “You’re really a loyal dog, my dear brother.” The expressions on the faces of the three of them shifted in an instant, their anger rising to the point of madness. I just smiled faintly and turned away, ignoring her, only wanting to get this “special” task over with as quickly as possible. When Kendra Miles found me, I was fishing by the river under the blazing sun. She grabbed my hand with joy, tears welling up in her eyes. “Sis, I finally found you.” Before I could react, a group of people rudely yanked me off the fishing boat and shoved me into a Rolls-Royce Phantom. As soon as the car door slammed shut, Kendra’s smile vanished, and her icy gaze shot at me like an arrow. Her lips didn’t move, but I could clearly hear her cursing in her mind. “How infuriating! This unlucky fool is actually so good-looking. What good is being pretty? She’s destined to be my stand-in and marry that cripple! “It’s all my useless mother’s fault. She couldn’t even get rid of the engagement. If it weren’t for that, I would never let this freak come back! “Even if she returns to the Miles family, I won’t let her live a day in peace.” Half an hour later, we boarded a private plane and arrived at the top of the most luxurious skyscraper in Priemon before nightfall. The place was lit up like a dazzling star, hosting a grand banquet. Kendra led me through a side door to a luxurious suite. Before entering, she pulled a fruit knife out from somewhere, the blade glinting menacingly. She raised an eyebrow at me, and the next moment, blood started flowing from her palm, and I found the knife in my hand. She slammed open the door, threw her arms wide, and threw herself into a noblewoman’s embrace, screaming, “Dad! Mom! Leonard! Help!” Blood trickled down her arm as the people in the room rushed to her, their eyes filled with shock and sympathy. Leonard Miles quickly ripped off his handkerchief to wrap her wound. “Aurelia… Aurelia is trying to kill me! “Aurelia, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to steal your life. Why don’t you believe me?” Her biological parents and brother, who had never met me before, gathered around Kendra, all frowning in unison. They looked at me with clear disdain. I stared at the united front of this family, a faint sorrow tugging at my heart, before I calmly said, “She hurt herself. It has nothing to do with me.” My so-called brother clenched his fist. “The weapon is in your hand, and you still dare to argue? Just like the private investigator said. You’re truly malicious!” They had hired a private investigator to look into me? How did I not notice? My elegant and dignified mother, clutching the sobbing Kendra, comforted her gently before turning to glare at me. “Even though we know you have a bad nature, Kendra still begged us to find you, worried that you’d suffer out there. How could you be so heartless to hurt her?” My successful father sighed in deep disappointment. “If you want to return to the Miles family, you must kneel and apologize to Kendra. We don’t have ungrateful, knife-wielding scum in this family. Kneel!” Kendra raised her chin smugly, her eyes full of provocation. I had imagined the scene of meeting my biological parents, but I never expected it to unfold like this. I stood still, staring at them without moving. “Leonard, if she doesn’t kneel and apologize to Kendra, break her legs!” Leonard stepped forward, closing the distance. I gazed at him with cold eyes, fingers flexing, the fruit knife twirling between my fingertips as I watched them wide-eyed. With a snap of my fingers, the fruit knife flew through the air, and when it fell, I caught the blade steady, then flicked my wrist. The knife whistled through the air, grazing Leonard’s head and embedding itself in the wall. I slowly walked into the room, my voice frigid. “I don’t leave anyone alive if I strike. But since you’re my family, I’ll overlook this. Remember, never again.” Leonard stiffly shut his mouth, swallowing hard. My father instinctively pulled my mother closer, his eyes full of panic. At that moment, Kendra’s thoughts echoed in my mind. “Go ahead, stupid dog, you’re already scared? Didn’t I tell you she’s learned acrobatics? That was all to trick you idiots. “Are you just standing there brewing shit? Aren’t you the ones who claim to love me the most, unwilling to let me suffer a bit? Why don’t you teach her a lesson?” The three of them froze in place, their gazes unintentionally shifting toward Kendra, the tension in the room thickening. I gave a slight smile. She probably still didn’t know that we could all hear her thoughts. With Kendra in the picture, this whole mission just got a lot more interesting.

“Mom, I believe Aurelia didn’t hurt me on purpose. Once she marries into the Anders family, she might stop making things difficult for me,” Kendra said, tears streaming down her face. But her thoughts betrayed her. “Stupid old woman. Why is she not making a move? Hurry up and get rid of her!” My mother, as though gripped by a poisonous snake, suddenly shoved Kendra away, her voice sharp. “What… What did you just say?” She was trembling with anger, her face darkening. She pointed a shaking finger at Kendra, opening her mouth to speak, but no words came out, as if she were about to faint. Kendra collapsed to the floor, her face full of feigned innocence. “Mom, what… what’s wrong with you?” Her expression was desperate, but her thoughts revealed her true nature. “What the hell is this crazy bitch doing? Has she gone mad and about to die? Oh, that’s great. Those two loyal dogs will be much easier to control.” My mother’s chest heaved violently, her eyes bloodshot from the fury boiling inside her. Before I could enjoy more of the drama, someone suddenly knocked on the door, and a servant informed us it was time to go to the banquet hall. Leonard stepped forward, helping my mother catch her breath. My father pointed to a set of high-end formal wear on the sofa bed, his tone reluctant. “Change into this dress and join us in the banquet hall. Remember, your name is Aurelia Miles.” Only then did I realize I was still wearing my black fishing outfit. Once they left, two beautiful ladies came in to help me. One quickly touched up my makeup while the other helped me into the formal gown. After the preparations, I was escorted into the banquet hall, where my parents and brother were already mingling. On the way here, from Kendra’s thoughts, I learned that this banquet was supposedly my engagement to the son of the richest man in Priemon. However, the heir had been paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident five years ago, unable to walk. Originally, Kendra had been the one promised to him, but she refused to marry a cripple. Not to mention that her husband’s mother, Regina Anders, had a notorious reputation for being ruthless. This heir wasn’t a first-time groom; he had two previous fiancées, both of whom had mysteriously died not long after their engagements. Kendra always suspected that Regina was behind their untimely deaths. So, rather than marry a cripple, Kendra had chosen to expose her identity and find me to take her place. Coincidentally, my mission was here in Priemon. Since she had found me, I had to play along. The banquet hall was packed with Priemon’s most influential figures. Now, I needed to find the man with a wolf-head tattoo on his wrist. I casually picked up a glass of wine from a passing servant’s tray, staying alert as I moved gracefully through the crowd, my eyes scanning every corner. Suddenly, a group of exquisitely dressed women, whose cheap airs were unmistakable, closed in on me, sizing me up with condescending glances. “You must be Kendra’s sister, Aurelia?” The ringleader was one of Kendra’s closest friends, Monty. “Kendra told us that when she found you, you were fishing in the river.” Monty laughed out loud, a high-pitched giggle escaping her lips as she dramatically covered her mouth with her hand. “You still smell like fish! So foul! You’ve completely ruined this beautiful banquet.” The others immediately stepped back, sneering as they fanned their noses and exaggeratedly sniffed the air. Kendra, hiding among the crowd, watched from a distance, clearly enjoying the spectacle. As they spoke, I was herded away, pushed into a secluded corner of the hall.

I slowly scanned the crowd, unhurriedly correcting Monty. “That’s a kind of sturgeon, known as a living fossil. It’s a level-one protected species. Its cartilage and spinal cord contain anticancer factors, making it of great academic and economic value. I’d say none of you here are worth as much as it is.” The socialites flinched as though I’d struck a nerve, glaring at me with fury. “Hmph, daring to catch a national protected species? Bet you’re just trying to make a living by selling it. How pathetic you are.” “Your return doesn’t mean you and Kendra are at the same level. The social ladder is not that easy to climb. You’ll never be better than Kendra.” “Exactly. It was Kendra’s kindness and generosity that saved you from the slums. You should be on your knees thanking her.” At that, a few of them came over to push down on my shoulders. I seized their wrists, shifting my body down, and with a swift move, I knocked them both to the floor. Since they liked kneeling so much, I thought I’d give them a bit more practice. Everyone froze, mouths hanging open, wide-eyed. “What? Never seen someone who knows martial arts?” I shook my head in exasperation. “I don’t argue with mediocrity. While you all may be shallow and ill-mannered, I’ll kindly offer some advice.” I turned to Monty, my voice measured. “Look at your face. It’s a clear sign of overindulgence. You shouldn’t be so frequent with your… activities.” “And you,” I said, turning to another one, “your face is swollen, your skin’s turning purple, and your fingertips are thick. Your heart’s in bad shape. Go get yourself checked before it’s too late.” I turned to another girl, raising an eyebrow. “The bad breath… Doesn’t anyone tell you?” The group turned bright red, both humiliated and angry, gnashing their teeth but unable to retaliate. Seeing the situation unfold, Kendra quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. “My sister is from the countryside,” she said, offering a sheepish smile. “She’s used to speaking harshly. Please don’t take her words too seriously. “Monty, you wanted that Lady Dior bag, right? I just got one today and brought it for you. And here’s your Pandora bracelet. Don’t worry. Everyone’s got something.” Monty clutched her bag to her chest, jumping up and down with excitement, her eyes sparkling. As she and the others prepared to shower Kendra with praise and flattery, their faces suddenly froze. They had overheard Kendra’s inner thoughts. “No wonder they’re so good at flattering me. Just a few knockoffs, and they’ve got them spinning. “Ugh, I can’t believe I brought them into this prestigious banquet to show them a bit of the high life. What are they even wearing? I’m embarrassed just standing next to them. “Monty’s such a slut. How does she even get such a handsome boyfriend? I’ve tried so many times and failed. She’s obviously blind. “What are they still standing there for? Why haven’t they come to worship me yet? Are they really that happy to see me?” I nearly burst out laughing. Monty and the others were so furious their faces twisted, looking like they could kill Kendra on the spot. But they couldn’t dare to make a move, not with the Miles family’s power behind Kendra. Just then, the glittering golden doors opened, and a woman with a cold, aloof aura entered, pushing a handsome man in a wheelchair. I narrowed my eyes. The man in the wheelchair… It was him! Free Point

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295525”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #狼人Werewolf

## My best friend and I woke up one day to find ourselves transported into a beast tribe. She was cast as the stand-in for the icy high priest’s unattainable first love. I, on the other hand, was stuck as the pathetic sycophant of a psychotic snake king. Armed with modern knowledge, the two of us worked tirelessly to improve the tribe’s infrastructure—only to be labeled as heretics and brutally executed by the saint of the tribe. Beheaded. Burned. Our souls shattered. When I opened my eyes again, I grabbed my backpack, knocked on my best friend’s door, and asked: “Are you ready to die again?” “Together,” she replied without hesitation. Turns out, after our deaths, our so-called husbands went completely insane. By the time the high priest returned to the tribe, Leila and I were already in the middle of dividing up the last of our stockpiled supplies. She crouched on the floor, meticulously sorting through her stash. From tiny bottles of chili sauce to a collapsible tent, she treated everything like treasure. Thanks to our efforts at modernizing the tribe, we’d accidentally amassed a decent warehouse of goods over the years. She looked so pleased with her finds that I couldn’t help but feel a mix of envy and pride. Suddenly, a frantic shout came from outside: “The high priest has returned!” Leila shot to her feet like a startled cat, her face instantly losing color. Without missing a beat, she shoved me—backpack and all—under the bed. “Stay hidden and don’t make a sound!” she hissed. Then, with surprising ease, she picked up a three-kilogram cast iron pan and handed it to me like it weighed nothing. “If that saintess shows up to cause trouble, smash her in the face with this!” Before I could respond, the door burst open, kicked down by none other than the high priest. Despite his title as a religious figure, the man standing before us was every bit the predator his avian lineage implied. Towering and broad-shouldered, his sheer presence seemed to block out the light from the doorway. His sharp gaze fell on Leila, who was frozen in place, her eyes brimming with tears as though she were seconds away from shattering. “You’re back!” she whimpered, her voice trembling. “Why didn’t you send word ahead? I could’ve prepared a proper welcome…” Her tone was soft, laced with just the right amount of vulnerability, but the high priest didn’t so much as blink. “Where is Suya?” he demanded, his voice cold enough to freeze the air. Leila’s face twisted into a picture of confusion so convincing that I almost believed her myself. “Suya? She’s missing?” “I’ve told you countless times,” he growled, his patience wearing thin. “She is the chosen saint, blessed by the gods. I stripped myself bare and prayed for her empowerment—it is destiny.” His tone dropped even colder, and his gaze darkened. “You met with her in secret. The next moment, she vanished. Do you really expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?” Leila’s lips trembled as she reached out to tug at the hem of his robe, her voice barely above a whisper. “She… she asked to meet with me. She wanted to talk…” Before she could finish, he pulled his robe out of her grasp with such force that her wrist turned red from the friction. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cowered, clutching her wrist. For a moment, the high priest hesitated, his gaze softening ever so slightly. But just as quickly, he turned and stormed out of the room. “Do not leave this house unless I command it,” he barked over his shoulder before disappearing down the hallway. Leila collapsed to the floor with a dramatic wail. “Please don’t go! Stay!” Her mournful cries echoed through the room, but as soon as his footsteps faded, she wiped her face dry and deadpanned: “He’s gone. You can come out now.” I crawled out from under the bed, pan in hand, and raised an eyebrow. “You’ve gotten better at this.” Leila smirked. “The game’s on. Suya’s starting her drama with the high priest. Your snake king is next.” I shivered at the thought. “Yeah, I can feel it. It’s about to get messy.” We exchanged a look, then glanced at the pile of supplies on the floor. “Die again?” I asked, my tone light but my meaning clear. Leila didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. But this time, we’re dying on our own terms.” 2 Leila and I weren’t natives to this world. She’d been brought here as the stand-in for the high priest, Sterling’s, one true love—the saintess Suya. In this brutal world of beast tribes, where people could shift into animals, the high priest held a position of unparalleled power. Sterling was the poster child of perfection: devastatingly handsome and worshipped by all. But no matter how much Leila tried, his heart was forever tied to Suya. Meanwhile, my luck was even worse. When we first arrived in this world, we were presented with a lineup of handsome, half-naked men to choose from. Without thinking, I picked the most dangerous-looking one—a man with piercing, cold eyes and an aura that screamed “stay away.” That man turned out to be the snake king, Lucien, feared by everyone in the tribe for his venom and ruthlessness. It wasn’t long before I realized just how “dangerous” he could be. Let’s just say his… capabilities in certain areas were extreme. To survive, I became his obedient little lapdog. The first time around, Leila and I used our modern knowledge to revolutionize the tribe. We built bridges, dug wells, wove fabrics, and even introduced basic sanitation systems. But none of it mattered. The moment our so-called “husbands” left the tribe, Suya accused us of heresy. We were dragged to the sacrificial altar, tied to posts, and forced to watch as Suya, draped in a pure white robe, smiled angelically while slicing away at me with a dagger. Piece by piece, she carved me apart. Blood soaked the altar as my head was severed from my body. When she was done, she burned what remained of our souls, ensuring we couldn’t even reincarnate properly. “Why did Suya even meet with you?” I asked. Leila scowled. “How should I know? I didn’t go. Do I look that stupid to you?” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Sterling might be cold and distant, but even if Suya stirs up trouble, the worst he’ll do is kick you out.” My voice dropped as I remembered my own situation. “But Lucien…” Leila shuddered. “Yeah, your snake king is way scarier. He’d probably skin you alive.” “Not probably. Definitely.” I couldn’t stop the chill that ran down my spine. The stories about Lucien weren’t just rumors—they were horrifyingly true. He once peeled the skin off a prisoner, layer by layer, just to extract information. The screams were so terrifying that they sent the enemy troops into retreat. And yet, all of his attention—his obsession—was reserved for the same woman who doomed us both: Suya. If I was going to die, I needed to plan my escape carefully. But just as I started packing, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward. The world spun as my back hit the wall, and a low, dangerous voice whispered against my ear: “Where were you?” 3 Lucien’s voice rumbled low and rough, so close to my ear I could feel the heat of his breath. His hand wrapped around my wrist with ease, pinning me in place. There wasn’t even the smallest gap between us, our bodies pressed together. His collar was slightly open, revealing faint crimson scales etched across his collarbone—sharp, menacing, and impossible to ignore. The glint in his eyes was predatory, like a beast that had just cornered its prey. “I went to see Leila. She helped me make you a gift…” I started, but before I could finish, he ducked his head and tugged a necklace off my neck with his teeth. The necklace was crude, made from river stones I’d polished and strung together with no real skill. Ugly and rough, it was a clumsy attempt at crafting. “This? For me?” he asked, raising a brow. He examined it briefly, his lips curling into a faint smirk of mockery. “It’s hideous,” he said bluntly. Despite his words, he tied the necklace around his neck without hesitation. The mismatched trinket looked ridiculous against his cold, lethal aura, but somehow, he wore it anyway. “Lucien,” I said, my voice softening as I called his name. “Hmm?” His head tilted slightly, gaze fixed on me. “Suya… she’s missing, isn’t she?” He leaned closer, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I felt his breath against my skin as he inhaled deeply, his voice rasping with satisfaction. “Was it you?” I turned my head away, avoiding his question. Instead, I shoved at his chest, trying to free myself. “You stink. Go take a bath.” I expected him to snap back, but instead, he scooped me up without a word. With a few long strides, he reached the edge of the bathing pool and leapt in, dragging me with him. Water splashed everywhere as he pulled me against him, his grip tightening. Something about him shifted. His breathing grew heavier, his movements rougher. When I glanced down, I saw that half his body had already transformed into a long, sleek serpent’s tail. The dark, iridescent scales shimmered like liquid obsidian, cold to the touch as they pressed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. “Scared?” he asked, his voice low, almost teasing, though his eyes burned with something far more dangerous. Before I could answer, his lips curved into a wicked smile, and he claimed me with a kind of madness I’d come to know all too well. Lucien was relentless. Two. Just two, but it was enough to leave me trembling. His tail coiled around me, pinning my wrists, refusing to let me go. Again and again, he pushed me past my limits, his predatory nature shining through. Even when I was too exhausted to move, he didn’t stop. By the time he finally relented, I felt like my entire body had been wrung out. Weak and boneless, I could barely lift my arms. Lucien, however, seemed perfectly at ease. He dipped his head and bit down on my shoulder—a possessive mark—before gently licking the spot he’d bitten. Then, he grabbed a cloth to dry my hair, his movements surprisingly tender. “Stay in the house for the next few days,” he said, his tone far softer now. “There’s trouble in the army. I won’t have time to deal with you.” It was clear he was in a good mood. I lowered my head, feigning sadness. “Lucien… can’t we ever have a real home? A family?” His hand froze mid-motion. He turned to face me, his gaze sharp and cold. That was the line. Lucien could possess me, control me, even indulge me—but he would never entertain the idea of marriage or children. He didn’t answer. Instead, he silently handed me a cup of bitter herbs. “Drink,” he ordered. The taste was awful, spreading across my tongue and down my throat like a punishment. Tears sprang to my eyes as I stared at the bowl in my hands, my tears falling into the dregs at the bottom. Once I finished the last drop, Lucien pulled on his cloak. His tail shifted back into human legs as he stood, his expression as cold and distant as ever. Without so much as a glance back, he strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I stayed where I was, listening to the sound of his footsteps fading away. Then, slowly, a grin spread across my face. Perfect. He wouldn’t be back for at least ten days. Ignoring the ache in my body, I pushed myself to my feet and hobbled over to the stash of supplies hidden in the corner. I opened the chest and carefully selected a few key items. Three days later, in the dead of winter, Leila jumped off a cliff. 4 Sterling received word that someone had spotted Suya deep in the snow forest. Without hesitation, he set off, only to be stopped midway by a breathless teenager from the tribe: “High Priest! It’s bad! Your wife… she’s climbed to the top of the cliff and says she’s going to jump!” That troublesome woman. Every time something related to Suya came up, she pulled some kind of stunt. If it wasn’t pretending to be sick, it was threatening to end her life. And now? Jumping off a cliff? Sterling’s eyes narrowed, his voice icy as he barked, “Let her jump. Don’t stop her.” He didn’t even break stride. Suya was missing, and Leila thought she could distract him with her cheap tricks? Pathetic. Fury simmered in his chest as he stormed off toward the snow forest, determined to find Suya. Leila stood at the top of the cliff, wrapped in a thick fur cloak as snow whipped through the air, stinging her face and making it hard to keep her eyes open. She saw Sterling leave without hesitation and gave a bitter laugh. She had guessed right—he wouldn’t come for her. He never did. She meant nothing to him. The wind howled, colder and sharper by the second. Leila tilted her head back and looked up at the dark, stormy sky. It matched the icy emptiness in her chest. Beside her, a young girl from the tribe tugged at her sleeve, tears streaming down her face. “Leila, please think this through! It’s freezing—if you jump, you’ll turn into an ice cube down there!” Leila only smiled faintly, ignoring the girl’s pleas. She slowly shrugged off her cloak, revealing a pair of worn pendants hanging from her waist. One bore the carving of a bird in flight; the other, the sigil of the high priest. A matching pair. They were the tokens Sterling had given her on the day she accepted his courtship. Her fingers brushed over the carvings, her expression distant, her eyes red-rimmed. But then, in the biting cold, her lips curved into a reckless smile. “Becoming an ice sculpture doesn’t sound so bad, does it?” The snowstorm grew fiercer, the wind howling like a beast. Leila stepped to the edge of the cliff. And, amid the gasps and screams of the onlookers, she jumped. Her heavy cloak spiraled through the air, tumbling into the abyss below. “Damn, it’s freezing!” Leila’s voice echoed softly through the icy cavern. We had planned this for weeks, waiting for the perfect storm to cover our tracks. Leila landed lightly on the snow below, her descent slowed by a rope and the counterweight of supplies I had anchored at the top. Her lips were pale from the cold, but she was calm and collected, brushing off the snow as she glanced up. She gave her cloak one last shake, letting it fall into the ravine to complete the illusion, then turned to me with a grin. “Let’s go.” With that, we slipped into a narrow, hidden ice tunnel, vanishing into the storm. The wind and snow swept over the cliffside, erasing all traces of our escape. By the time Sterling arrived, the base of the cliff was empty. The only thing left behind was half-buried in the snow: the shattered remains of the matching pendants. 5 I knelt near the cliff’s edge, clutching the broken pieces of Leila’s pendant in my trembling hands. Tears streamed down my face, freezing against my cheeks in the biting wind. I stayed perfectly still, as if the storm itself had locked me in place. Sterling approached, his imposing figure looming over me. He looked down, his sharp gaze piercing. “Why are you crying?” “She’s gone…” I whispered, my voice shaking. I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat, barely holding back the fury that threatened to spill over. “Leila is dead. Are you happy now?!” Sterling’s eyes darkened, his voice cold and cutting like a blade. “Don’t be ridiculous. Leila, come out!” I laughed bitterly, lifting my head to glare at him. “Come out? Are you blind? Everyone saw her jump! What do you expect her to do—climb out of the ice with her bare hands?” Sterling’s hand twitched at his side, a small, almost imperceptible tremor betraying his composure. But his face remained stoic, his expression unreadable. His gaze flicked to the shattered pendant in my hand. “Impossible,” he muttered, his voice low, almost to himself. Tears fell harder down my face, hot against the cold, as I screamed at him: “Impossible? Do you think someone can survive falling into a frozen ravine? What do you want her to do—fly out of there like one of your eagles?!” For the first time, Sterling seemed… shaken. He stood frozen, his usual calm and calculating demeanor cracked. His eyes darted back to the cliff, then to the snow below, as if expecting to see something—anything—out of place. But there was nothing. Just cold, empty silence. “No…” he whispered, almost like he was trying to convince himself. I pushed myself to my feet, anger boiling over. “You never cared about her, not once!” I shouted, my voice raw with emotion. “She waited for you, Sterling. Before she jumped, she sent someone to tell you, to give you a chance to save her. But you didn’t come. You could have turned back, but you didn’t!” Sterling’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. His pupils contracted, and for a moment, it seemed like he was going to say something—but no words came. The storm raged around us, snow whipping through the air. Finally, he spun around, his voice a roar against the wind: “Search for her! Now!” With a sweep of his arms, he shifted, his form dissolving into a massive eagle with dark, powerful wings. Without hesitation, he dove off the cliff, disappearing into the storm below. Search for her? I looked down at the broken pendant in my palm, a wry smile tugging at my lips. Leila was long gone. She was probably sitting in a warm cave deep in the snow forest, sipping tea and toasting her feet by the fire. Sterling, meanwhile, was scouring a frozen wasteland for a ghost. Perfect. Now that he was out of the picture, faking my own death would be a piece of cake. 6 Word spread quickly through the tribe: the Snake King, Lucien, had saved the saint, Suya. She sat delicately in his arms, her soft voice barely above a whisper, her frail figure illuminated by the glow of nearby flames, making her look even more pitiable. Lucien stood tall in his black-scaled armor, cradling her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Behind them, the enemy encampment burned in a raging inferno, the path ahead slick with the blood of those he’d slaughtered. The story of Lucien’s rescue spread like wildfire. “I’ve never seen the Snake King so gentle before!” “She must be his salvation, taming the beast!” Those words stung like needles in my ears. Meanwhile, I was at home, trying to surprise Lucien by cooking something for him. It didn’t go as planned. A slip of the hand, a misplaced spark—and the entire snake den went up in flames. The fire raged for three days and nights, devouring everything. By the time it finally burned out, the tribe could only find a handful of ashes where I had been. Not even bones remained. They built a small mound to mark the spot, a symbolic grave for the ashes they could gather. When Lucien returned, the sky was dark and heavy, as if the weight of the snow clouds above would crush everything below. He stood in front of the charred ruins, his boots sinking into the blackened earth. The air around him felt sharp enough to cut. Lucien said nothing, his gaze colder than the frost creeping over the wasteland. His soldiers stood frozen behind him, terrified to speak, their breaths shallow in the oppressive silence. Finally, he raised a hand, his voice low and rough, like iron scraping against ice: “Dig.” The soldiers blinked in confusion. “Dig? Dig what?” Lucien’s eyes narrowed, a deadly glint flashing in his pupils. “I want to see her with my own eyes. Dig.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295541”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #魔幻Magic

After my sister broke up with her boyfriend, she moved into my place. The day after her boyfriend came to apologize and beg for reconciliation, a terrifying heatwave hit. That night, she used the excuse that her boyfriend said the spare room was too hot without air conditioning, so she made me move to the spare room. The next day, she said the weather was too hot and people were dying outside, so they needed to stay for a few more days. Her boyfriend took advantage when she wasn’t paying attention and started touching me inappropriately. I told my sister, but she angrily said it was because I was wearing too little and deliberately trying to seduce him. As the food in the house became scarcer, my sister pushed me out the door, saying this way they could eat a bit less. I died from the heat outside. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment when my sister was crying to me on the phone. “Emma, Derek was flirting with other women behind my back, and he hit me. I’m breaking up with him,” Lily’s sobbing voice came through the phone, startling me awake. “No matter how much he begs this time, I won’t get back together with him.” “He’s been hanging around outside my apartment every day. Can I stay at your place for a couple of days?” My sister’s tearful voice jolted me. A strong, unshakeable thirst spread through my entire body. The suffocating heat that felt like it was evaporating my very being made me gulp down several large glasses of ice water. When I couldn’t drink anymore, I realized I had been reborn. I had returned to my previous life, to the day when my sister called crying about breaking up. That was indeed the last time I heard her say she wanted to break up in my previous life. Because not long after, a global heatwave was coming. It was an unprecedented, abnormal heatwave. Many people would lose their lives in this event. I was one of them. It was this phone call that led to my death in the subsequent events. My sister, Lily, had dropped out of high school for a man and had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with her dropout boyfriend for years. Every time it was all talk and no action. When she called me, she could hardly speak a sentence without mentioning that man of hers. Every time, she would be cursing her scumbag boyfriend one second, swearing to break up, and the next second she’d be happily posting lovey-dovey content on social media. “Love is about breaking up and getting back together, and in the end, not being able to live without each other,” she’d write, with heart emojis. I remember once asking her why she got back together with him again, wasn’t she breaking up with that jerk? Unexpectedly, she got angry and slapped me. “Emma, what kind of sister are you? Are you jealous of my happiness? Are you cursing me? I gave up my chance to go to college for you, and this is how you repay me?” “You’re worse than an ungrateful wretch.” She berated me as if every breakup was my fault. I angrily turned and left, not talking to her for a long time. A few days later, she called to apologize, then asked to borrow money, saying she was planning to marry Derek and needed to buy a new house. “Emma, I’m not as educated as you, and I don’t earn as much as you do.” “Your sister has finally found someone she wants to spend her life with. Don’t you want me to be happy?” She spoke while crying, implying that I owed her because I got an education and she didn’t. I’ve grown tired of hearing these words over the years. I told her directly that this was the last time, and she shouldn’t use this to guilt-trip me anymore. So when she asked for $200,000, I gritted my teeth and gave it to her. This was money I had saved up through hard work, day and night. It wasn’t the first time I had given her money, but she had never paid me back. After our parents died, she was my only relative left. They always said that Lily had a low education and it wasn’t easy for her to make money outside, so they told me to help her if I could. I never hesitated when she needed something. She had taken nearly $300,000 from me over time, with reasons ranging from buying a house to losing her job due to her low education level. The real reason was that her boyfriend was a lazy good-for-nothing who had racked up a mountain of debt, and she was happily following behind, cleaning up his messes. That night, I had an acute appendicitis attack. The pain was excruciating. I managed to drag myself to the hospital for surgery. The surgery cost 5,000,butaftergivingherthemoney,Ionlyhad5,000,butaftergivingherthemoney,Ionlyhad2,000 left. I called her asking for $3,000 for the surgery, but she cried and repeated her old excuses. “Emma, you know your sister didn’t go to school and doesn’t have many skills…” I hung up before she could say more and borrowed the money from a colleague. The night after the surgery, I was tossing and turning in bed, feeling awful. I opened social media and saw my sister had posted about having a candlelit dinner with Derek in an elegantly decorated restaurant. I turned off my phone, feeling a chill run through me. I was in agony from surgery, and my own sister wouldn’t give me a penny, but she was enjoying a candlelit dinner with my money. For two weeks after the surgery, she didn’t call me once. From then on, I never answered her calls again. Until this morning, when I received photos she sent of her being abused by Derek. The handprint on her face was obvious, and the bruises on her thighs and arms were particularly noticeable. She looked like she had been badly beaten. I instinctively became worried. After all, she was my only relative left, and I couldn’t ignore her. I called her back, and just like now, she was sobbing and talking about breaking up. They had broken up and gotten back together before, but it had never been this serious. Afraid she might be abused, I agreed to let her stay with me for a couple of days. Little did I know that as soon as she arrived, Derek would show up too. I angrily tried to kick Derek out, but she cried and begged me, saying Derek owed loan sharks money and would be beaten to death if I kicked him out. She asked me to help her one more time, let them hide for a few days, saying it was too hot to find a new place now. I softened once again, telling myself this would be the last time. But I never expected that this time, they would shamelessly move in with me. Complaining that the spare room was too hot without air conditioning, saying they might get heatstroke, they made me move to the spare room. I was so hot I was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts when Derek suddenly barged into my room, his eyes roving over me lecherously. I screamed in fright. But my sister angrily accused me of trying to seduce her boyfriend. Finally, using the excuse that there wasn’t enough food, they said they were guests and told me to go out and buy groceries. They pushed me out the door. It was so hot outside that it was unbearable. I knocked on the door, begging my sister to let me in, but she said there wasn’t enough food for three people anymore, and with one less person, they could last a few more days. Better for one to die than all three. No matter how much I knocked, she wouldn’t open the door. I kept knocking persistently, but she remained coldly indifferent and never opened up. In the end, I slowly died of dehydration, feeling utterly heartbroken. “The weather bureau reports that today’s highest temperature will be 111°F. High temperatures will persist for the next week. Please take precautions against heatstroke and minimize going outdoors…” The familiar weather forecast was playing on the TV, and my sister’s sobbing came through the phone again. “Emma, Derek hit me. You won’t abandon your sister, will you?” Seeing that I didn’t respond, Lily quietly asked.

In my previous life, that feeling of thirst so intense it made my heart race, yet also chilling to the bone, rose up again. I gulped down another large glass of ice water to suppress it. Not hearing me speak, Lily’s crying grew louder, and her tone suddenly became sharp. “Emma, if I had been the one to go to college back then, would I have to beg you like this? Have you forgotten what you promised Mom and Dad?” “I’m your only sister. How can you be so heartless, watching me get beaten?” “Do you want me to make a scene every day at your home and office, telling everyone how ungrateful and inhumane you are?” Here we go again. She seems to only know how to repeat this one line over and over. I’ve helped her so much more over the years. Whenever things don’t go her way, she takes out her frustrations on me with baseless accusations. She has never shown any gratitude. Even when disaster struck in my previous life, she coldly pushed me out to die. Remembering the desperation and suffocation I felt before dying in my previous life, Lily’s cold face kept flashing before my eyes. Gripping the phone tightly, I spoke softly, “Do you really want to come stay with me?” Sensing an opportunity, Lily quickly nodded, her voice taking on a hint of joy. “He owes a ton of money and keeps hitting me. There’s no way I can keep living like this.” “Emma, I knew you were my dear sister. I knew you wouldn’t abandon me.” A smile played on my lips as I spoke again, “Sis, are you absolutely sure about this?” She seemed surprised that I hadn’t rushed out to help her like before. Her tone started to become impatient: “Emma, are you done?” I took a deep breath and finally said to let her move in three days later, as I was currently away on a business trip. She quickly agreed. In my previous life, Lily had also come over three days later. Thinking carefully about her personality, she probably wanted to rush over immediately. Even if I said I was away on a business trip, she would likely camp out in front of my building waiting for me. If I guessed correctly, Derek probably got into a fight over the money he owed and was now being held at the police station. Derek owed a ton of debt and had assaulted someone, so he was on the run hiding everywhere. Lily was waiting at home for three days for him to be released, then planning to occupy my place long-term. Since she wanted to come, let her come then.

Thinking about the unprecedented and brutal heatwave that was about to hit, I felt a chill. Most people would lose their lives in this natural disaster. Besides the food shortage, there would also be insufficient water and electricity supply in high-rise buildings, and heatstroke would be rampant. Since heaven had given me another chance, I needed to use these three days to make thorough preparations. This time, I was going to take good care of myself. First, I rented a large villa with a basement nearby. I had looked at these villas when I was house hunting before. They all came with basements. The basement temperature was cool and perfect for avoiding the heat. At the time, I thought the first floor was too dark, needing lights on day and night, so I didn’t go for it. Now in this weather, it was perfect to rent it, in case of sudden power outages later when air conditioners and fans couldn’t run normally. Also, the villa was far from others, which would draw less attention, making it convenient for me to store supplies later. As soon as I stepped inside, I felt the coolness hit me. I took out the jacket I had prepared and put it on. The male realtor who had brought me here involuntarily shivered and hugged himself, then smiled and introduced the place. “Ma’am, this is the villa with a basement you requested. Except for the poor lighting on the first floor, how do you like the rest?” He trailed off, looking at me strangely. After all, young people nowadays prefer houses with good lighting and bright rooms when renting. While I was oddly looking for a place where you couldn’t see the sun even in broad daylight and needed to turn on lights as soon as you entered. Although the weather was indeed very hot now, everyone had air conditioning at home. I paid him the money and, seeing he seemed nice, started chatting with him. “The weather is so hot. Several elderly people back home got sick with heatstroke after being outside too long. They can’t even go out to buy vegetables. This house is cool and cheap, so I can save some money too.” I’m not sure if he understood my meaning, and I couldn’t be too obvious about it. After finding the house, I continued shopping for the supplies I needed. I borrowed a small tricycle and spent most of the day going to a wholesale market about ten miles away. I bought dozens of boxes of instant noodles and canned food, and brought them home to store. Then I went to other places further away to buy some vacuum-packed vegetables and fruits. I put all these things in the basement, and finally ordered several super large refrigerators online. I also went to buy several boxes of wholesale ice cream, snacks, and so on. After staying in the basement for a while, I couldn’t help but shiver. Suddenly inspired, I bought a set of hot pot cookware. Then I went to other places to buy ingredients for hot pot, like beef, chicken, and so on. I bought quite a lot and stuffed it all into my big refrigerator, filling it to the brim. Thinking about how unpredictable people can be during disasters, for safety and self-defense, I also went to a knife shop to buy some weapons for protection, and picked up a bag of mouse traps while I was at it. Finally, thinking about the possibility of water and power outages, I bought several large water storage tanks with purifiers. I also learned online how to make a solar power panel. In addition, I stocked up on plenty of backup medicine to prevent heatstroke, just in case. Of course, I was very cautious while doing all this, afraid of drawing attention. I dressed inconspicuously and wore a baseball cap. By the time I finished all of this, three days had passed. Looking at the room full of supplies I had stockpiled, I was very satisfied. It would be enough to last half a year. In my previous life, experts on TV said the extreme heat would end in two months at most. I had stayed home eating and drinking with them for half a month, until food became scarce and I was pushed out. At this point, Lily’s call came in.

“Emma, I’m already at your door. You’re still not back?” Her breathing was a bit heavy as she spoke, likely because it was indeed very hot outside. I sat leisurely on the couch enjoying the air conditioning, and said slowly, “Sis, my car won’t arrive until tonight. Why don’t you find a coffee shop to rest in…” Before I could finish, she hung up. It was getting dark outside. I ate dinner, called a cab, and headed home. Lily was standing in the hallway outside my apartment, empty-handed. The bruises on her face hadn’t faded, and you could still see clear handprints. I didn’t rush to show concern like I used to. She brushed back her sweaty, matted hair and glared at me with fiery eyes. “Why are you only getting back now? I’ve been here for so long.” Before I could speak, she snatched my bag, took out the keys, and opened the door. She kept complaining, “I told you to make me a copy of the key.” Once inside, she immediately turned on the air conditioning and started rummaging through my fridge. She took out a large, unpeeled durian. “At least you had the decency to buy this for me.” I looked at the durian in her hands, inwardly frustrated that I had forgotten about it. I could only watch as Lily opened it up. She set aside one large, intact piece of flesh and hastily devoured the smaller pieces. When she had eaten her fill, she picked up the large piece and looked at me warily: “Emma, I’m saving this. Don’t you dare touch it.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295557”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #魔幻Magic #惊悚Thriller #校园School #励志Inspiring

Mom took out Dad’s will. It read: My entire estate is to be inherited by my eldest son, while my daughter is to handle the debts. I looked at the aged document in disbelief. My brother seemed unfazed, as if it were the most natural thing: “You’re Dad’s daughter, and there’s a saying that a daughter pays her father’s debts. You should accept your fate.” Mom nodded in agreement, “Yes, you can’t just ignore it, or we’ll take legal action against you.” I tossed the will aside. A will without proper witnesses or legal validation is nothing more than a piece of scrap paper. “Are you serious?” I not only threw the will but also stomped on it several times. Dad’s assets included an old house in the downtown area and a mere $30,000 in savings, all bequeathed to my brother. Yet they expected me to cover the $100,000 debt Dad left behind. In that moment, Mom and Brother felt like complete strangers. “How can you do this? Dad just passed away, and you want him to rest in peace with such regrets?” Brother pushed past me and carefully retrieved the will. Mom’s eyes were filled with reproach. “From childhood, haven’t I done so much for this family? How can you ignore that?” “Now you want to dump all the debt on me while you enjoy the benefits. Is that fair?” Brother scoffed, crossing his arms. “Fair? There’s no such thing as fairness in this world.” “Since Dad left a will, we have to follow it.” “Stop making a scene and figure out how to pay up, so you don’t drag us down.” Brother didn’t even finish middle school. He’s completely illiterate. To him, this will was absolute, and I had to obey it. Mom and Dad didn’t have much education either. They thought they could control me with a simple will. Mom added her voice to the conversation. “Cora, don’t be stubborn.” “We have no choice. Your brother is the breadwinner and needs to inherit the family business.” “You need to make some sacrifices to help the family through this tough time.” Mom’s words struck me hard, making me see reality clearly. To her, I was just a pawn to be sacrificed at will. I once thought Mom loved me dearly. Dad never liked me and was often harsh with me. Whenever I was upset, it was Mom who comforted me. She often said we were family, and families fight and make up. Dad often abused Mom, and I was the one who protected her. At that time, I believed Mom and I were both victims in the family. I thought we needed to support each other. So, I worked hard in school, hoping to succeed and take care of Mom. I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my tears. “This will is invalid. The court won’t recognize it, and neither will I.” “How dare you refuse?” Brother kicked the table angrily, his face contorted with rage. It seemed like he would hit me any second. Mom stopped him, turning to me with tears in her eyes. “Cora, why are you being so unreasonable?” “We’re family. If you make a scene, people will laugh at us.” Those tears would have broken my heart before. But now, I only felt deep sadness. “Mom, it’s not me being unreasonable. You’re being too much!” “You only think about Brother. Have you ever considered me?” “Do you know how much a $100,000 debt burdens me?” Brother glared at me, gritting his teeth: “Stop playing the victim. Just because you studied a few more years doesn’t make you special. Dad’s will is clear; you have to accept it!” He stepped forward, ready to charge. I fearlessly met his gaze, standing tall. “Don’t try anything! If you touch me again, I’ll call the police!” At the mention of “police,” Brother and Mom’s faces turned pale. They never expected me, always obedient, to resist so firmly. Mom’s tears flowed unchecked, trying to use family ties to sway me. “Cora, are you really going to be so heartless?” “We’re your family. How can you turn against us for money?” My voice was filled with sorrow: “If you insist on forcing me, then see you in court.”

With that, I turned and left, ignoring their shouts behind me. Back in my apartment. I collapsed onto the floor, tears finally flowing freely. After crying for a long time, I calmed down and started thinking of a plan. I contacted a professional lawyer and explained the situation in detail. The lawyer listened, frowning. He said the will had major issues with authenticity and legality. Especially putting all the debt on me, clearly against the law. The will was invalid. Hearing this, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. During this time, Mom and Brother bombarded me with messages. They accused me of being unfilial, saying I’d grown independent. My sister-in-law pretended to advise me not to make things ugly. I ignored them all. Until one day, I came home after work. I found the door wide open. I thought it was a break-in and was about to call the police. Then I heard a familiar voice. It was my nephew’s voice. “I like this cat, I want to take it home.” Hearing my nephew’s voice, I was startled. I rushed inside. The living room was a mess, clothes and books scattered everywhere. Mom, Brother, and Sister-in-law stood in the center. My nephew crouched in a corner, trying to grab my cat. The kitten struggled, crying out. “What are you doing?” I shouted angrily, my voice echoing in the empty room. Mom was startled by my shout, a flash of panic on her face. But she quickly returned to her self-righteous demeanor. “Cora, how can you talk like that?” “We’re your family, can’t we come to see you?” Mom spoke while picking up a piece of clothing from the floor, casually folding it and placing it on the sofa. “Do you need to turn my house upside down to visit?” “And who let you allow the kid to grab my cat?” I quickly went to my nephew, gently taking the cat from his arms. “Auntie’s stingy, I just wanted to play.” My nephew pouted, looking unhappy. “Alright, alright, he’s just a kid, why argue with him?” Sister-in-law pretended to smooth things over. “We came today to talk things out. We’re family, no need to make it like this.” “Talk about what? About me paying off the debt?” “Yes, it’s Dad’s wish. You can’t ignore it.” “Get out, I have nothing to say to you.” Brother, who had been silent, turned grim at my words. Suddenly, he stepped forward. “The will is from Dad. You think just saying it’s invalid will make it go away?” “You have to pay Dad’s debts, or you’ll be an ungrateful traitor!” I pointed to the door, yelling: “The debt allocation is unfair. I’m not stupid enough to inherit it. Get out!” “Cora, don’t talk to your brother like that.” Mom played the family card again. “We have no choice. Your brother’s business failed, and he owes a lot.” “Help us carry this debt, and we’ll treat you well in the future.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “The future? Do you think I still believe you?” Mom has said “in the future” too many times. “But when has it ever come true? Every time you coax and deceive me, making me pay for your greed!” Mom once asked me to give her my paycheck, promising to save it for me. But last year, when I got sick and asked for some money, she said it was gone, used for Brother’s business. She said Brother would pay me back… Things like this happened so often in recent years.

Mom opened her mouth to argue but was silenced by my sharp gaze. She looked down, hands nervously twisting her clothes. Brother’s face turned red, veins bulging on his forehead like an angry bull. “You heartless brat, if you don’t agree to pay today, you’ll regret it!” Sister-in-law, instead of stopping him, fanned the flames. “Exactly, you can’t be so selfish. Think about the family.” The kitten trembled in my arms, letting out frightened cries. I gently soothed it. “Try anything, and I’ll call the police. You’ll regret it!” “Your wings have hardened, huh, you little brat?” He gritted his teeth but didn’t dare to lay a hand on me. We stood in a standoff until he suddenly smashed a cup on the table to the ground. With a loud crash, glass shattered everywhere. My nephew jumped, hiding behind Sister-in-law. “You think calling the police will solve anything? You can’t escape this debt!” “Fine, let the police sort it out. Let’s see what they do about you trespassing, vandalizing, and threatening others!” I gently stroked it, feeling a pang of sympathy. “You dare lay a finger on me? I’ll call the police, and you’ll regret it!” “Think you’re all grown up now, you brat?” He was seething with anger but didn’t dare make a move. After a tense standoff, he suddenly smashed the cup from the coffee table onto the floor. With a loud crash, glass shards flew everywhere. My little nephew was startled and quickly hid behind my sister-in-law. “You think calling the police will sort this out? You’re not getting away from this debt!” “Fine, let the police come and see how they handle your trespassing, destruction, and threats!” When “call the police” was mentioned, my mom’s face turned ashen. She rushed over, grabbing my hand. “Sweetie, don’t call the police. It’s my fault, let’s talk this over.” Even my sister-in-law panicked, her fake smile fading into a worried expression. My little nephew, frightened by the scene, started crying loudly. I wasn’t swayed and clearly stated the address on the phone. They were too late to stop me and could only watch me with anger. Soon, the police arrived. I explained the situation in detail. The police inspected the damage to the house and checked the threatening messages on my phone. “Your actions are illegal.” The officer said sternly, “Breaking into someone’s home and making threats is a legal matter.” My mom and sister-in-law began pleading, while my brother stayed silent with his head down. “Because this is your first offense and the victim is considering not pressing charges, you must leave immediately and never harass her again.” Under police supervision, my mom and sister-in-law exchanged reluctant glances. My brother clenched his fists, seemingly wanting to lash out, but held back. “Fine, see if we care!” He gritted his teeth, spitting out his words, “Don’t expect us to be there for you anymore!” With that, he pulled my nephew and headed for the door. My mom and sister-in-law quickly followed. At the door, my mom glanced back at me. Her eyes seemed to carry a glimmer of hope, but I ignored her. With a heavy thud, the door slammed shut. I sat on the floor, hugging my cat, tears once again blurring my vision. I thought I had scared them off this time. But I didn’t expect them to escalate things. It was the weekend when I received a message from my mom. “I’ve been thinking these past few days. We’re family; you shouldn’t bear all the debt alone.” “We plan to sell the house to repay the debt.” I was skeptical. “Your aunt is also here. She rarely visits; you should come too.” I couldn’t refuse anymore. The family had pressured me to drop out of school early. My aunt covered my living expenses in high school. In college, I relied on student loans and part-time jobs. Without my aunt, I couldn’t have even finished high school. So my aunt is very important to me. “Okay.” To ensure everything was safe. I sent a message to my aunt, asking if she was really going back. She replied: Yes. Relieved, I packed my things to go back. I didn’t realize this decision would almost ruin me. When I returned to the old house that night. Everyone was there. The food was ready, neatly placed on the dining table. My aunt warmly greeted me as I came in. Even the others, usually so harsh, smiled and greeted me. Even my usually bossy brother was speaking kindly. No matter how I looked at it, it felt strange. I got goosebumps. I didn’t feel touched, just uneasy. But with my aunt there, I felt a bit calmer. She pulled me to the dining table. She sat next to me, occasionally glancing my way. “Our Sweetie has grown up beautifully.” For some reason, I felt like my aunt was looking at me like I was prey for sale. But I quickly told myself I was overthinking it.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295573”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #励志Inspiring