The moment I won the championship, I instinctively looked for Payton. But the VIP section was empty. On my phone, news flashed. He’d spent millions to rent every billboard in the city. All to celebrate his first love Sophia’s birthday. Meanwhile, the trending topic was my scandal. “Extreme skydiving champion Lily is the mistress of the Payton heir.” But I was supposed to be his fiancée. I rushed to his office to confront him. Instead, I walked in on an intimate moment. He calmly lifted Sophia off his lap and looked at me coldly. “Sophia’s back. You can get lost now.” Seven years of being by his side meant nothing. I looked at his smug face and laughed. I turned and walked into the elevator, dialing his half-brother and bitter rival. “Jace, that collaboration you mentioned before. I’m in. Let’s make Payton lose everything.” Lily’s POV As I leaped from four thousand meters high, the wind roared in my ears. I calmly pulled the ripcord. The massive main parachute exploded open above my head, violently yanking my rapidly falling body upward. Landing, detaching the chute, unfastening the safety buckle. My movements were fluid. Enthusiastic cheers erupted around me. This was my third extreme skydiving world championship this year, and also the highest-level commercial endorsement I’d secured for Payton Corporation. After removing my goggles, I instinctively looked toward the VIP viewing area. I scanned all around but never found the figure I’d been expecting. Payton hadn’t come after all. My assistant Shay approached hesitantly, holding out my phone. “Lily, Payton, he…” On the screen was a news article. “Payton heir makes grand romantic gesture, spending millions to rent citywide billboards for Sophia’s birthday!” In the video, the usually cold and taciturn Payton was gently fastening a diamond necklace around a girl’s neck. The girl shyly nestled into his embrace like a startled fawn. Below this news article hung another glaring headline. #Extreme skydiving champion Lily is the Payton heir’s mistress#. The netizens’ mockery flooded in. “She flies around in the sky every day and actually thinks she’s a socialite?” “Who doesn’t know Lily signed with Payton Corporation for money back then? She’s just a money-making tool.” “Our Sophia is afraid of heights. Mr. Payton won’t even let her near the second-floor terrace. Lily skydives every day and Mr. Payton never cares about her. That’s the difference between true love and a mistress!” I calmly turned off the screen, concealing all emotion in my eyes. “Miss Lily, are you okay?” Shay looked at me with concern. “I’m fine. Pack up the equipment. We’re going home.” During the thirteen-hour flight, I didn’t sleep once. My mind was filled with the look in Payton’s eyes as he fastened the necklace around Sophia’s neck. That careful, protective gaze. He used to look at me like that too. Seven years ago, my mother was dying. I knelt in the rain outside the Payton estate, begging for money. It was Payton who walked up to me with an umbrella and pulled me to my feet. He paid for her treatment. He sent me to the best skydiving school. He said, “Lily, you belong to the sky. You shouldn’t be held back by this mud.” I thought it was love. But I was wrong. He was just seeing someone else in me. Someone too afraid of heights to ever fly herself. Now, that woman had returned. As soon as I got off the plane, I called Payton. The phone rang for a long time before he answered. In the background was soft piano music. “What is it?” The man’s voice carried cold indifference. “I saw the news.” I gripped my phone tightly, my knuckles turning white. “Payton, we’re legally married.” A slight snort came from the other end. “Lily, don’t try to control me with that piece of paper. Whatever compensation you want, contact my secretary directly.” “I just won the championship.” I didn’t know why I said this. Perhaps I still held onto a laughable shred of hope. “Mm, congratulations.” His tone was perfunctory. “Sophia has a bit of a cold. I don’t have time to listen to you report your achievements. If there’s nothing important, I’m hanging up.” Beep. The sound of the call ending pierced my eardrum. Standing in the airport, I suddenly felt that the cold at four thousand meters was nothing compared to this moment. When I returned to the villa, it was already late at night. I opened the door and froze. The originally minimalist living room was now filled with pink throw pillows and stuffed animals. My favorite skydiving oil painting of the snowy mountains had been taken down and carelessly tossed in a corner, replaced by an enormous solo portrait of Sophia. Payton sat on the sofa, playing with an exquisite music box. Hearing the noise, he looked up, his brow furrowing slightly. “Why did you come back so suddenly?” “This is my home. Can’t I come back?” My voice was hoarse. Payton stood up and walked over to me, looking down at me from above. “Sophia likes this place. She doesn’t sleep well and needs quiet. Your skydiving equipment takes up too much space. I’ve already had it moved to the apartment in East City.” His tone was flat, as if he were discussing the most ordinary matter. “You’re kicking me out?” I looked up, staring hard into his eyes. “Just having you change where you live.” Payton was somewhat impatient. “Lily, you’ve always been independent and strong. Sophia is timid. Don’t scare her.” Looking at this man I’d loved for seven years, I suddenly felt he was completely unfamiliar. I was independent and strong, so I deserved to be kicked out? She was timid, so she could rightfully take over everything that belonged to someone else? I didn’t make a scene. I didn’t cry. I simply turned around calmly, dragging the suitcase I hadn’t even opened yet, and walked into the night. He didn’t try to keep me. Behind me, only the crisp music of the music box played on, as if mocking my pathetic state.
Lily’s POV The apartment in East City was tiny, not even big enough to store my parachute pack. I spent the entire night packing up the equipment I’d once treasured like precious possessions, stuffing them one by one into the cramped storage room. At dawn, Payton’s secretary called. “Mrs. Payton, Mr. Payton has instructed that for next month’s extreme sports reality show, he hopes you can help Miss Sophia.” The hand wiping my helmet paused. “Sophia? Isn’t she afraid of heights?” The secretary gave an awkward laugh. “Miss Sophia says… she wants to challenge herself. After all, Mr. Payton feels this show has very high viewership, which would help Miss Sophia’s career…” “And Mr. Payton’s intention is for you to serve as her dedicated safety instructor, protecting her throughout.” Have a world champion serve as a safety instructor for a delicate female celebrity? And watch my own husband dote on another woman in front of a national audience? “I refuse.” I coldly uttered those words. “Mrs. Payton…” The secretary’s voice lowered. “Mr. Payton said if you refuse, Payton Corporation will withdraw all sponsorship of your skydiving team for the second half of the year.” I shut my eyes tightly. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Payton, you’re so cruel to me. My team had over a dozen colleagues who’d been with me for a long time. They desperately needed this sponsorship to maintain the high training costs. “Fine.” After hanging up, I looked at myself in the mirror with reddened eyes and forced out a smile more painful than crying. The debt I owed Payton. I was close to finally paying it off. On the day of filming, the weather was hot. Sophia wore a custom pink skydiving suit and was surrounded by a cluster of assistants as she approached. She wore delicate makeup and had her hair carefully styled. She didn’t look like someone here to skydive. More like she was walking a red carpet. Payton followed beside her, holding a parasol, carefully shading her from the sun. “Hello, Lily.” Sophia walked up to me with a sweet smile. “I’m really afraid of heights. Payton insisted I try skydiving. You must protect me, okay?” I handed her a set of basic protective gear with an expressionless face. “Put it on. Check the buckles.” Sophia suddenly cried out, looking at Payton with grievance. “Payton, this buckle is so hard. It hurt my hand.” Payton immediately dropped the umbrella, took her hand with concern and blew on it gently, then turned to look at me coldly. “Lily, can’t you help her? What am I paying you for?” The surrounding crew members all turned to look, their eyes full of curiosity. I took a deep breath, stepped forward, and efficiently fastened Sophia’s safety buckles, tightening the straps. “It hurts! Be gentler!” Sophia’s eyes immediately reddened. Payton shoved me aside and shielded Sophia behind him. “Lily, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” His eyes were icy, as if I were a criminal. The push made me stumble backward, my back hitting the hard cabin door. “Skydiving isn’t acting. If the straps aren’t tight, there could be an accident.” I looked straight into his eyes, my voice completely flat. “If Mr. Payton is worried about her, you can take her and leave right now.” Payton’s expression was terrible. He was about to speak when Sophia tugged at his sleeve. “Payton, Miss Lily is just looking out for me. I’m fine. I can handle it.” He glanced at me coldly. “If anything happens to Sophia, even one hair on her head, I’ll make you pay.” The plane took off. As altitude increased, the cabin pressure began to change. Sophia’s face turned pale. She clutched Payton’s arm tightly, trembling all over. “Payton, I’m scared… I don’t want to jump anymore…” Her voice took on a tearful quality. Payton held her tightly, constantly comforting her, then turned and roared at the pilot. “Turn back! Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable!” The pilot looked at me somewhat helplessly. “Miss Lily, this…” “We can’t turn back.” I looked calmly at the instrument panel. “The air currents are unstable right now. Forcing a landing is too risky. We must either jump at the designated altitude or circle to burn fuel.” “I told you to turn back, don’t you understand!” Payton suddenly stood up, rushed over to me, and grabbed my collar. “Lily, do you want to make Sophia uncomfortable? You crazy woman!” Looking at him, I suddenly felt utterly absurd. I was a professional skydiving athlete using my professional knowledge to protect everyone’s safety, yet in his eyes, I’d become a vicious woman jealous of someone else. “Payton, let go.” I said coldly. Just then, the plane suddenly encountered strong turbulence. The fuselage shook violently. Sophia screamed and fainted. Chaos erupted in the cabin. I quickly steadied myself and checked Sophia’s vital signs. She’d only fainted from extreme fright. Nothing serious. But Payton had completely lost his rationality. He shoved me away, held Sophia tightly in his arms, and glared at me with bloodshot eyes. “Get away! Don’t touch her!” I sat on the cold metal floor, watching him hold another woman while trembling, and my heart felt like it was being pierced by millions of needles simultaneously. The pain made even breathing taste of blood.
Lily’s POV The plane ultimately landed safely. Sophia was rushed to the hospital. Payton stayed close by her side. Meanwhile, I, as the “instigator” of this “farce,” was kept at the tarmac, subjected to questioning by the production team and Payton Corporation’s PR department. “Miss Lily, why did you refuse to turn back? Was this decision mixed with personal emotions?” “There are rumors that you hold a grudge against Miss Sophia and deliberately tampered with the equipment. Are these accusations true?” Countless microphones thrust toward me, camera flashes blinding. I repeated that same sentence expressionlessly. “Weather conditions didn’t permit it. I only made the most professional judgment.” No one believed me. With Payton’s tacit permission, public opinion completely turned toward Sophia. She became the innocent victim. Someone bravely challenging herself but persecuted by a vicious instructor. And I became the jealous lunatic. My social media accounts were flooded with hate. Countless vicious private messages poured in. People even mailed dead rats and razor blades to my apartment. I ignored it all, just locked myself in my room, reviewing the meteorological data from that day over and over. I wasn’t wrong. But I knew that in Payton’s eyes, even my breathing was wrong. Three days later, Payton’s mother, Claire, personally came to this small apartment. She wore a haute couture suit. Looking around, a flash of disgust crossed her eyes. “Lily, look at yourself now.” Claire sat in the only clean chair, her tone condescending. I brought her a glass of water. “Why are you here?” “Don’t call me Mom.” Claire coldly interrupted me. “If Payton hadn’t insisted on marrying you back then, do you think you could have entered the Payton family? Think about what your status is.” I lowered my eyes and didn’t refute her. “I’m here today to inform you of something.” Claire took out a document from her bag and tossed it on the table. “You must win the World Championship next month. Payton Corporation just acquired an overseas sports brand. We need this championship to expand brand awareness.” I looked at the document, sorrow welling up in my heart. “What if I can’t win?” “What did you say?” Claire sneered. “Lily, don’t forget that your mother’s medical bills back then, and your training expenses over these years, were all paid by the Payton family. The contract states it clearly. If you lose, not only do you have to pay ten times the penalty, your team will have to disband too.” She stood up, looking down at me from above. “Win the championship, fulfill the responsibilities in the contract, and then voluntarily divorce Payton. Sophia is the one I approve of. You’ve occupied this position long enough. It’s time to give it up.” The door slammed shut heavily. I collapsed to the floor, looking at that cold contract, and finally couldn’t hold back my tears. So in their eyes, I was never Payton’s wife. I was just an employee who’d signed an unequal treaty. For the next month, I practically lived at the training facility. The high-intensity training aggravated my old injuries. My shoulder and knee hurt so much I couldn’t sleep. I could only get by on painkillers. I dragged my exhausted body back to the apartment, only to see Payton’s car downstairs. He leaned against the car door, a cigarette between his fingers. Seeing me, he stubbed out the cigarette and strode over. “Where were you? Why do you look so haggard?” “Training.” I flatly uttered that word and walked past him, preparing to go upstairs. He grabbed my wrist. I gasped, the severe pain in my shoulder instantly draining the color from my face. Payton froze for a moment and instinctively released his grip. “What’s wrong with you?” “Nothing.” I stepped back, creating distance. “Mr. Payton, is there something you need?” Irritation flashed in his eyes. “Sophia has a very important red carpet event tomorrow. She needs a beautiful necklace. I remember you have one called Heart of the Sun. Lend it to her for a day.” I jerked my head up, looking at him in disbelief. That “Heart of the Sun” necklace. The ring he’d proposed with had been remade into it. Later, he’d personally fastened it around my neck, saying he wanted that necklace to stay against my heartbeat forever. Now he wanted me to lend this necklace to another woman? “No.” I said stubbornly through gritted teeth. “Lily, can you stop being so selfish?” Payton’s voice turned cold. “It’s just a necklace. It’s not like you wear it.” “That’s a memento from my mother!” I blurted out, randomly making up a lie. I didn’t want to tell him I’d been wearing that necklace all along. Payton sneered. “Your mother left it to you? Lily, when you lie, don’t you think first? I bought that for you back then. Since I bought it, I have the right to use it now.” He reached out and directly pulled open my collar. The silver chain glinted coldly in the moonlight, and that blue diamond rested quietly at my collarbone. Payton froze. He clearly hadn’t expected that I’d been wearing it all along. Looking at his shocked expression, my heart no longer held a ripple of emotion. I reached up without hesitation and yanked hard. Snap. The chain broke, its sharp edge cutting a bloody line across my neck. I hurled the necklace, still warm with my body heat and blood, hard against his chest. “Take it! Now get the hell out!”
Lily’s POV The necklace struck Payton’s chest, then fell to the ground with a crisp sound. Payton looked down at the necklace on the ground, then at the blood seeping from my neck, an extremely complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He instinctively reached out, wanting to touch my wound. “Lily, you’re insane…” I violently slapped his hand away, my gaze cold as ice. “Payton, take your things and get out of my sight.” I didn’t look at him again. I turned and walked into the dim stairwell. Only after closing the door did I slide powerlessly to the floor, covering my neck, letting tears flow. That necklace wasn’t just his proposal token to me. It was the only thing that could give me strength during countless high-altitude descents. Now, even this last bit of warmth had been personally stripped away by him. The next day, photos of Sophia wearing that “Heart of the Sun” on the red carpet dominated all entertainment news headlines. The caption read: “Limited edition blue diamond gifted to beauty, Payton heir and Sophia’s relationship going strong.” I turned off my phone, forcing myself to focus on the tactical board in front of me. The World Championship was about to begin. I had no time to heal my wounds. “Miss Lily, your shoulder…” Shay looked at my trembling hand with concern written all over her face. “Give me a nerve block injection.” I instructed the team doctor expressionlessly. The doctor frowned tightly. “Lily, are you insane? If you get another nerve block with this injury, you might never be able to lift your arm again!” “It’s fine.” I raised my head, my eyes resolute. “I must win this competition.” If I won, I could completely repay my debt to the Payton family. If I won, I could completely leave Payton. The moment the nerve block entered the joint cavity, the pain nearly made me bite through my teeth. The World Championship was held in Switzerland. The snow winds of the Alps were bone-chillingly cold. I stood at the helicopter cabin door, looking down at the continuous snow peaks below, and took a deep breath. I leaped, like a bird, diving into the vast whiteness. Wind roared in my ears. I endured the severe pain in my shoulder, precisely controlling my posture, completing one high-difficulty maneuver after another. Opening the chute, gliding, precision landing. When both my feet landed steadily on the bullseye, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue. I won. I’d won this gold medal with the highest value, and also completed the task Claire had assigned. On the day I returned home, the airport was filled with my fans and media. Wearing sunglasses, I struggled to make my way out under security escort. Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the crowd. “It’s Mr. Payton! Mr. Payton came to pick her up!” Payton wore a black haute couture suit, holding a large bouquet of bright red roses, striding toward me. Media camera flashes went crazy, trying to capture this touching scene. Payton walked up to me, handed me the roses, his eyes so tender they seemed to drip water. “Darling, congratulations. I knew you could do it.” He called me “darling.” He hadn’t used that term in three years. I didn’t take the flowers. I just looked at him coldly. “Mr. Payton, don’t put on an act here. I just finished competing. I’m very tired.” The smile on Payton’s face froze. He stepped forward, trying to put his arm around my shoulder. “Stop making a scene. So many media are watching. I’ve already made reservations at a restaurant to celebrate for you.” I dodged his touch, my voice not loud but clear enough for the surrounding media to hear. “Mr. Payton, your fiancée Miss Sophia is still waiting for you. You’ve given the flowers to the wrong person.” As soon as I said this, the entire venue erupted in shock. Payton’s expression instantly darkened. He said angrily, “Lily, do you have to make a scene at a time like this?” “What did you say?” I laughed coldly. “Payton, you’re using the championship I risked my life for to advertise your company, then you turn around and act affectionate toward me. Don’t you find that disgusting?” I didn’t acknowledge his ugly expression again. I walked straight through the crowd and got in the car. The moment the car door closed, I saw Payton violently hurl that bouquet of roses to the ground. When I returned to the apartment, the first thing I did was print out divorce papers. I signed my name on them, then put them in an envelope and mailed them to Payton. I wanted nothing. I only wanted freedom.
Lily’s POV Three days after I mailed the divorce papers, Payton didn’t respond. Instead, Sophia posted a photo of herself trying on wedding dresses on social media. The caption: “Seven years of feelings, not as good as one grand wedding. Looking forward to next month’s wedding.” Looking at that post, I had no reaction. Seven years. The length of my marriage to Payton was also exactly seven years. Today was our seventh wedding anniversary. In previous years on this day, no matter how busy he was, he would cancel all social engagements to spend time with me. But today, he was accompanying another woman trying on wedding dresses. In the evening, someone knocked on the apartment door. I opened it to find a drunk Payton. His tie was loosened, his eyes reddened, staring hard at me. “Lily, how dare you?” He shoved me aside, stumbled into the room, and threw the crumpled divorce agreement on the table. “Giving up all marital assets? Do you think that makes you noble?” I closed the door, coldly watching him lose control. “I’ve fulfilled my contract obligations. I don’t want Payton Corporation’s sponsorship anymore either. Payton, I don’t owe you anything.” “What did you say?” He whirled around, grabbed my chin in a vice grip, the force almost crushing my bones. “Lily, you owe me a life! I saved your mother’s life! You think you can leave me?” I was forced to look up at this face I’d once been so infatuated with. “Oh? Do you want me to give my life back to you?” Payton seemed stung by the deathly stillness in my eyes. He suddenly released me, irritably loosening his tie. “Take back the agreement. I can pretend this never happened.” His tone softened somewhat, carrying arrogance. “Sophia’s wedding is just for show. She needs a wedding to solidify her status in the entertainment industry. You’re still my wife.” I could hardly believe my ears. “Payton, are you insane? You want me to watch you hold a wedding with another woman, and then I’m still supposed to continue being Mrs. Payton?” “What do you want? Money? Resources? I can give you anything!” He shouted loudly. “Lily, don’t be too greedy! You’re flying around in the sky every day. How would you have time to take care of home? Sophia can provide me happiness that you can’t!” “Happiness?” I chewed on this word, feeling utterly desolate. “When I was getting nerve block injections to skydive for your company, nearly dying on that snowy mountain, you were helping her pick out necklaces. When I was being cyberbullied across the internet because of your coercion, you were helping her try on wedding dresses.” “Payton, you don’t want happiness. You just need an obedient pet and a good employee who can make money for you!” Slap! The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the small apartment. Payton’s hand hung in mid-air, trembling slightly. I turned my head to the side. My cheek hurt badly. I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth. This was the first time he’d hit me. The air was deathly silent. “Lily… I…” Payton seemed to realize what he’d done. Panic flashed in his eyes as he tried to reach for me. I stepped back, avoiding his touch. “Payton, consider this slap the last bit of gratitude I’m repaying you.” I pointed at the door, my voice utterly devoid of warmth. “Please leave my home immediately.” Payton stood in place, his chest heaving violently. He looked at me. Ultimately saying nothing, he turned and slammed the door as he left. The next day, I contacted a lawyer and formally filed for divorce with the court. Since he wasn’t willing to divorce by agreement, we’d go through legal procedures. Just as I was preparing to go to the law firm, I received a call from my coach. “Lily, something’s happened! The training facility’s property rights were transferred by Payton Corporation. The new owner is demanding we all move out within three days!” My head buzzed. That facility stood on the last piece of land my mother had left me. Later, to raise training funds, I’d mortgaged this land to Payton Corporation. Payton had once promised me that as long as I won the World Championship, he’d return the facility’s property rights to me. He’d broken his promise. “Who’s the new owner?” I asked, suppressing my fury. “It’s… it’s Sebastian.” All the blood in my body instantly froze. Sebastian, Sophia’s father. He was also the man who’d scammed my mother out of all her money years ago, causing her heart attack and ultimately her death! Payton had actually given my mother’s memento to my enemy!
Lily’s POV I don’t know how I rushed to Payton Corporation’s building. Security tried to stop me. I shoved them aside. Eyes red, like a cornered beast, I kicked open Payton’s office door. Inside the office, Payton sat on the wide leather sofa. Sophia leaned against him, holding a document, laughing happily. That document was the property rights transfer for the facility. Seeing me burst in, Sophia cried out in alarm and shrank into Payton’s embrace. “Miss Lily, why are you here…” She looked at me timidly, like a frightened little rabbit. Payton’s expression darkened. He shielded Sophia behind him, looking at me coldly. “Lily, what are you doing? This is the office!” I stared hard at the document in his hands, my voice trembling with extreme anger. “Payton, you gave the facility to Sebastian?” Payton frowned, his tone very impatient. “It’s just a broken-down facility. Sophia’s father wants to invest in extreme sports. I saw that land was sitting empty, so I transferred it to him. If you want one, I’ll buy you ten better ones.” “Broken-down facility?” I laughed miserably, tears finally bursting forth. “Payton, that’s what you promised to return to me! That’s the only thing my mother left me!” “Lily, stop making a scene.” Payton stood up, looking down at me from above. “Your mother’s been dead for so many years. What’s the use of keeping a piece of land? Sophia’s father is a businessman. That land can only achieve maximum value in his hands.” “Businessman?” I pointed at Sophia, questioning him. “Do you know what kind of person Sebastian is? He scammed my mother out of all her money years ago! He’s the murderer who killed my mother!” Sophia’s face paled. She immediately burst into tears. “Miss Lily, you can’t slander my father just because you’re jealous of me! My father has always done honest business. How could he possibly scam anyone…” “Shut up!” I roared. “Stop!” Payton suddenly slammed a document on the desk, making a huge noise. He walked up to me, his eyes utterly devoid of warmth. “Lily, you’re becoming more and more disgusting. I know better than you what kind of person Sophia’s father is.You could fabricate such lies just to take over that land?” He looked at me with eyes full of disappointment and disgust. “You used to be jealous of Sophia, but at least you were honest. Now? You’re like a lunatic spouting lies!” Looking at him, my heart shattered completely into dust. He didn’t believe me. He’d rather believe a con artist’s daughter than his wife of seven years. “Payton, I’m asking you one last time.” I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “Give me back the facility, and we’ll have nothing to do with each other ever again.” “Impossible.” He refused without hesitation. “I already promised Sophia. It’s a gift for her father.” A gift. He was giving my mother’s memento to the enemy who killed her. “Fine.” I nodded, wiped away my tears, and straightened my spine. “Payton, you’re going to regret this.” I turned and walked out of the office without looking back. I didn’t return to the apartment. Instead, I went straight to the law firm. “Mr. Zhang, help me investigate all of Sebastian’s financial transactions over the years, and find evidence of the fraud he committed against my mother back then.” I slammed a bank card on the table. “This is all my money.” As I left the law firm, I got a call from Old Lee. “Lily, the facility… Sebastian brought people to demolish the buildings!” I rushed to the facility like a madwoman. Bulldozers were roaring. The row of trees my mother had planted with her own hands had already been uprooted. Sebastian stood to the side, smoking a cigar, looking smug. “Stop! Everyone stop!” I rushed forward, trying to block the bulldozers. “Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Lily?” Sebastian exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at me with a smug grin. “What’s wrong? Didn’t Mr. Payton tell you this land is mine now?” “Sebastian, you bastard! Give me back the land!” My eyes were bloodshot as I lunged at him, trying to attack him. Several security guards immediately stepped forward and pinned me to the ground. The rough gravel scraped my cheeks. I struggled desperately, but it was useless. “Demolish it!” Sebastian waved his hand. I watched as the bulldozers knocked down the training tower, watched as those buildings that held countless hours of my sweat and memories turned to rubble. My heart died along with those ruins.
Lily’s POV Through the clouds of dust, the security guards tossed me to the roadside like garbage. My knees and elbows were scraped raw, blood mixed with dirt running down. I watched Sebastian drive away in his luxury car, laughing, watched the bulldozers crush the last traces of my mother. I didn’t cry. I’d run out of tears yesterday. I dragged my stiff body back to that cramped apartment, step by step. I opened my laptop and began organizing all the commercial endorsements and competition prize money I’d earned for Payton Corporation over the years. Payton thought I was just an athlete who could only skydive, but he forgot that over these seven years, to help him solidify Payton Corporation’s market share in the sports industry, I’d been exposed to many core confidential matters. If Sebastian dared to take over the facility, he would definitely use Payton Corporation’s resources for money laundering and illegal financing. I dialed an encrypted number. “Help me check Sebastian’s recent fund flows, especially any connections with Payton Corporation’s overseas accounts.” A low male voice came from the other end. “Lily, you’re finally willing to contact me.” That person was Jace Payton. Payton’s half-brother, the child of the Payton family who’d always been exiled abroad. He was also the one who, years ago in that rainstorm, had actually paid the first installment of my mother’s surgery fees. But later Payton appeared, forcefully took over everything, drove Jace out of the country, and became my “benefactor.” “Jace, help me.” My voice was hoarse. “Alright. Three days.” Jace didn’t ask a single question and hung up directly. For those three days, I didn’t leave the apartment. Payton didn’t look for me either. My phone was filled with news about Sophia and Payton preparing their wedding of the century. On the third night, Jace sent me an encrypted email. Inside was not only evidence of Sebastian using the facility for money laundering, but also evidence of Sophia’s early involvement in illegal gambling. Most damning of all, Sebastian’s money laundering channel used Payton’s private overseas accounts. Looking at the evidence on the screen, I smirked coldly. Payton, for the sake of a con artist, you personally handed me the knife. I packaged all this evidence and set it to send on a timer. Target: the police department and all major mainstream media outlets. After finishing this, I received a call from Payton. “Tomorrow is Sophia’s wedding. You must attend.” His voice still carried that commanding tone. “In what capacity should I attend?” I asked flatly. “Ex-wife, or the stray dog you kicked out?” Payton was silent for two seconds, his tone tinged with displeasure. “Lily, stop making a scene. There will be a lot of media tomorrow. You attending as Payton Corporation’s spokesperson will dispel rumors that we’re on bad terms. As long as you cooperate, I’ll compensate you double for the facility’s loss.” “Compensation?” I laughed lightly. “Payton, some things once broken can never be fixed.” “Lily! What exactly do you want!” He finally lost his patience. “I’m warning you, if you dare not show up tomorrow, or if you dare cause trouble at the wedding, I guarantee you’ll never be able to stay in the skydiving world!” “Fine, I’ll go.” I calmly hung up. I would give them a wedding gift they’d never forget. The next day, the weather was terribly gloomy, strong winds rolling with dark clouds. The wedding of the century was held at an outdoor estate owned by Payton Corporation. I wore a black trench coat with no makeup, my face pale as a ghost. Payton wore a white custom suit. Seeing me, he frowned deeply and strode over. “Why are you wearing this? Didn’t I have someone send you a dress?” “The dress was too dirty. I found it disgusting.” I looked straight into his eyes. Just then, Sophia approached in a trailing wedding dress, supported by Sebastian. “Miss Lily, you came.” Sophia smiled happily, showing off as she touched the blue diamond necklace around her neck. I looked at this revolting father and daughter, then at Payton standing beside them, his eyes fixed on Sophia. “Yes, past matters should be completely resolved today.” I raised my wrist and checked the time. Ten o’clock sharp. The time the scheduled email was set to go out. Almost simultaneously, piercing sirens suddenly sounded outside the estate. Over a dozen police cars roared up, directly breaking through the estate gates. Several police officers strode up to them. “Sebastian, you’re suspected of massive fraud and illegal money laundering. Please come with us. Mr. Payton, your private accounts are suspected of involvement in international money laundering. Please cooperate with our investigation.” Cold handcuffs were directly clamped onto Sebastian’s and Payton’s wrists. Sophia screamed and collapsed to the ground in fright. Payton looked at the handcuffs on his wrists in shock, then suddenly turned to look at me. “Lily… was this you?” His voice was trembling. I stood in place, looking at his pathetic state, not a ripple of emotion in my heart. “Happy wedding, Mr. Payton.” I smiled slightly and turned to walk into the strong wind.
Lily’s POV The police cars roared away. The originally lavish wedding of the century instantly became a farce. I didn’t look back once. I walked straight out of the estate. The wind grew stronger and dense raindrops began to fall from the sky. I drove to the wilderness skydiving facility in the suburbs. Today would be my last jump. I wanted to leave all the Payton family’s taint from these seven years in the wind. When I reached the facility, heavy rain had already fallen. The meteorological station issued a thunderstorm warning. Skydiving in this weather was tantamount to suicide. But I didn’t care. I put on that pure black skydiving suit without any sponsor logos and shouldered my original old parachute pack. The helicopter pilot gripped the cabin door tightly. “Lily, you’re crazy! In this weather, if you encounter strong wind shear, the chute won’t open at all!” “Let me fly once.” I looked at him, my eyes as hollow as a dry well. “Just this once. If I don’t jump, I’ll suffocate.” The helicopter climbed with difficulty through the wind and rain. I sat by the cabin door, looking down at the city shrouded in dark clouds and rainstorm. My phone vibrated frantically in its waterproof bag. It was Payton’s number. He must have been released on bail. I pressed the answer button. “Lily! Where are you!” On the other end, Payton’s roar almost pierced through the wind and rain. “You dared to give that evidence to the police! Do you know how much Payton Corporation’s stock price dropped today!” “Isn’t this what you wanted?” Facing the violent wind pouring into the cabin, my voice was oddly calm. “You broke the law for Sophia’s sake. I just helped you wake up.” “Come back right now! Tell the media that evidence was forged by you! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never touch a parachute again in your life!” “Payton.” I interrupted his ranting. “Do you remember what you said to me seven years ago? You said I belonged to the sky, that I shouldn’t be held back by mud. But these seven years, you personally dragged me into the filthiest swamp.” “What do you mean? Lily, don’t change the subject!” “Payton, let’s divorce. I’ve already signed the agreement and mailed it to your lawyer.” “No way! You can’t just leave me, Lily. You owe me…” “I owe you nothing!” I screamed into the phone. “I paid for my mother’s life with seven years of my youth. With all my championships. I even got revenge for the facility. Payton, after today, we’re done. Forever.” I violently threw my phone out of the cabin, watching it tumble through the air, finally disappearing into the rainstorm. “Open the door!” The cabin door opened. The violent wind instantly enveloped me. Without a moment’s hesitation, I leaped into that pitch-black thunderstorm. The moment the weightlessness hit, I closed my eyes. My body tumbled violently in the strong air currents, completely losing control. I didn’t pull the main chute. Memories of these seven years flashed through my mind. The altimeter was frantically alarming: 1000 meters… 800 meters… 500 meters… Just as I was about to give up struggling and let myself fall, a dark shadow suddenly swept down from above at high speed, breaking through the rain curtain, precisely grabbing my reserve chute ripcord. “Bang!” The reserve chute was forcibly deployed. The massive pull made my vision go black, my shoulder sending tearing pain. Two bodies collided violently in the strong wind. I barely opened my eyes. Through my blurred goggles, I saw a pair of deep, anxious eyes. It was Jace. He’d actually jumped down after me. “Lily! Do you have a death wish!” He roared at me through the wind and rain, holding me tightly, using his own body to shield me from the raging wind. We glided with difficulty through the strong wind, ultimately deviating from the landing point and crashing heavily into a muddy forest. The massive impact made me completely lose consciousness. When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed. My right shoulder was in a thick cast. The hospital room door opened. Jace wore a black shirt, his face somewhat pale, his left arm also wrapped in bandages. Seeing me awake, joy flashed in his eyes. He quickly walked to the bedside. “Lily, you’re finally awake.” I looked at him, my voice hoarse. “Why… did you jump after me?” “Because I can’t lose you again.” Jace gripped my uninjured left hand tightly, his gaze intense and stubborn. “Seven years ago, I was one step too late and let Payton take you away. You suffered for seven years. This time, I absolutely won’t let go.” I was stunned, my eyes gradually reddening. Just then, the hospital room door was violently kicked open. Payton charged in, his eyes bloodshot like a crazed beast. When he saw Jace holding my hand, his rationality seemed to completely snap. “Jace! Let go of her!” Payton rushed over and grabbed Jace’s collar. “You dare touch my woman!” Jace sneered and pushed him away. “Your woman? Payton, do you deserve that?” He pulled out a stamped document from his pocket and threw it in Payton’s face. “Look carefully. The court has officially accepted the divorce lawsuit. From now on, Lily has nothing to do with you.” Payton stared at the document, his face deathly pale. He turned to look at me, his voice trembling with a hint of panic. “Lily… is this true?” I looked at him, my gaze as calm as if looking at a stranger. “Mr. Payton, please leave now. I need to rest.”
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