Category: English

Just because she lost a game of Truth or Dare, my wife was passionately kissing her assistant in my car. The moisture even soaked my son’s car seat. The male assistant sent me the video, and I immediately forwarded it to my wife. “Going broke, Seraphina? Cheating in *my* car now?” She sent a voice message back, her tone laced with drunken charm. “This was an arranged marriage, Julian. Did you actually think I was *your* wife? It was just a dare! Are you seriously that petty?!” I scoffed. It was time to make her understand. You do something you shouldn’t, you pay the price. I immediately halted the Miller Group’s major overseas deal, scheduled for signing next week. The next moment, my wife, Seraphina Miller, started bombarding my phone. But my secretary, Sarah, blocked every call. “I’m sorry, Ms. Miller, Mr. Thorne is currently in a meeting.” Playing the silent game? I could play too. Not long after, Seraphina stormed into my office, heels clicking furiously, and slammed her palm onto my desk. “Julian, have you lost your mind? That was a $300 million deal! You’re going to destroy my company over a stupid dare?!” Seraphina, who always carried herself with such elegance and composure, was now acting like a raging lunatic, all for another man. I put down my report and looked at her enraged, contorted face. “You have fifteen minutes, starting now.” Ten minutes later, Seraphina sent a photo. The Maybach’s interior was back to pristine condition, undergoing a professional cleaning. I immediately notified my overseas department, “Proceed with the signing as planned.” Then, I sent Seraphina a photo. Her cherished designer gown was trampled on the floor, and her beloved custom-made shoes were soaking in a filthy mop bucket. “Seraphina Miller, this was also a dare. Remember my bottom line. This is just a warning. Cross me again, and the consequences will be beyond what you can handle!” Silence from Seraphina’s end. I knew she was furious, probably boiling with rage. But I was even angrier. Our family alliance had been orchestrated by her back then, and it was *her* who rejected the option of us leading separate lives after marriage. For six years, we went from a formal, polite relationship to one where we truly supported each other. Especially after our son was born, I poured all my energy into our family, ensuring both the Thorne and Miller families flourished and prospered. I thought we would stand by each other until we were old and retired. But she shattered our happy, stable life. That brief pause on the $300 million deal? It was just a warning shot.

That day, Seraphina didn’t come home for the first time. The next morning, I walked straight into the Miller Group, taking the internal elevator directly to the executive floor. It was completely empty outside. Our assistants should have been on duty. I hadn’t brought mine today, but where was *her* assistant? Loud laughter drifted from her office, seeping through the blinds. I caught a glimpse of her assistant, Kai, holding a hairdryer, solicitously drying her hair. Seraphina lounged casually in her office chair, chatting and smiling with him. Seraphina used to be very strict about personal space. No one, except me, was allowed to linger in her office for long. But her tenderness towards Kai now felt like a sharp blade piercing my heart. Even more glaring was the cold glint of the high-end watch on Kai’s wrist. That was clearly the watch she had carefully chosen and bought abroad as my birthday gift! Kai was just an intern assistant; he couldn’t afford a single screw on that watch even if he sold everything he owned! I pushed the door open. Kai dropped the hairdryer as if electrocuted, forcing out a sycophantic grin. “Mr. Thorne, what brings you to the Miller Group offices?” I looked at him coldly. “I’m a director and general manager of the Miller Group. It’s not for an intern to tell me where I can be!” “Go fetch HR. I want to ask her if the company’s hiring standards have fallen this low.” Kai looked to Seraphina for help, and she gestured for him to step out and let things blow over. Just as Kai was about to leave, I spoke, my voice chilling. “Take off the watch!” He froze, his hand covering the watch, looking pitifully at Seraphina. I stared intensely into Seraphina’s eyes. “Explain this. Why is my birthday gift on *his* wrist?” “The order receipt for that watch is still in my drawer!” Seraphina’s expression turned impatient. “He’s my assistant. He reflects on me.” “Just because you insisted on cleaning the car he sat in, making him look bad, what’s wrong with me giving him a watch to keep up appearances?” “Your assistant’s wardrobe, wasn’t that also bespoke that you shelled out for?” I scoffed. “My assistant is a man who earns his pay through his own merit. That good-for-nothing, why does *he* deserve it?” I pointed a finger at Kai. “Is it because he knows how to ‘serve’ you?!” Seraphina’s face instantly turned ashen, and fury boiled in her eyes. “It’s just a watch! Consider it compensation for his ‘suffering’!” “I’ll get you a better one for your birthday, alright?!”

I sneered. “A limited-edition watch? Who is *he* to even be seen with something like that?” “Seraphina Miller, people should act in accordance with their standing.” I took a step closer, my voice icy. “Mrs. Thorne wears limited-edition jewelry, custom-made gowns, and global limited-edition heels. That’s only natural.” “But for Ms. Miller to enter the exclusive world of haute luxury… money alone won’t get you in.” Seraphina exploded in rage. “Julian Thorne, we have important work to discuss! Assistant Kai has put in tremendous effort for this deal, please leave immediately!” She actually dared to yell at me for that useless piece of trash. I chuckled coldly. “Then let me see Assistant Kai’s *real* capabilities!” In a fit of pique, Seraphina hurled her bag at Kai and stomped out. Kai shot me a smug, sleazy grin, then scurried after her. Before the sound of her heels completely faded, I made a call. “As planned, have Mr. Thompson give them a proper welcome.” Then I ordered a coffee and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window. I’d only taken a couple sips when Seraphina called. Her voice was so shrill I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Julian Thorne, you despicable schemer!” “Mr. Thompson publicly ripped up the contract, calling Kai a gold-digger who ‘sucks up’ to rich women!” “He even mocked me, saying I slept my way to the top, always wanting more and more!” “You orchestrated this! I must have been out of my mind to marry you!” I calmly set my cup down. “People will say what they want. How can I control that?” “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.” Before I could finish, Seraphina screamed hysterically. “The deal’s off, Kai ran off humiliated—are you satisfied?!” My lips curved upward. “Satisfied? I’m just putting things back where they belong.” Seraphina, seething, hung up. I called Ms. Davies from HR and had every trace of Kai purged from the company records. At this point, I felt I had given Seraphina enough dignity and leeway. As long as she behaved herself and returned to being Mrs. Thorne, we could continue. But I never imagined she wouldn’t cherish the chance I gave her.

That day, Leo had a fever of 101.3°F and was particularly clingy. I stayed home, giving him IV fluids and playing with him. Seraphina, in her heels, was about to leave again when Leo called out in his tiny, milky voice. “Mommy, don’t go!” She hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down. Seeing Leo’s contented smile, I felt confident that giving her that chance earlier had been the right decision. But her jarring ringtone tore through the tender moment. Kai’s voice, laced with tears, rang out. “Ms. Miller, someone’s following me! Everyone online is calling me a sugar baby, a bootlicker, and a home-wrecker!” “Is Mr. Thorne trying to drive me to my death? Ms. Miller, please tell Mr. Thorne I won’t go near you again. Please beg him to let me go!” I didn’t even lift an eyelid, continuing to play with Leo. Kai being harassed was expected, but it wasn’t as bad as he claimed. Seraphina, however, reacted as if she’d been stepped on, slamming her phone onto the coffee table. Leo, startled, burst into tears. Instead of comforting our son, she pointed a finger at me, ranting like a wild banshee. “Julian Thorne, that’s enough! I’m sick of your smug, manipulative face!” “Kai’s already gone, why won’t you leave him alone?” “I married you, Julian Thorne, I didn’t sell myself to you! What right do you have to control everything I do?!” My patience snapped. I pointed outside. “If you want to argue, get out! Don’t scare our son!” She scoffed. “Julian Thorne, you want to hurt him? Well, I’m going to protect him!” With that, she ignored Leo’s cries and stormed out, slamming the door shut! I watched her retreating back, my gaze darkening. She’s truly lost her mind! After putting Leo to sleep, I opened my laptop. The scandal of Kai’s illicit affair and sudden promotion, which had been all over the internet that morning, had mysteriously vanished by afternoon. For that useless piece of trash, Seraphina had actually used the company’s PR team! Utterly pathetic! I tried to ignore it, but then I noticed Seraphina had issued an official company statement. The statement lauded Kai’s exceptional professional abilities, sternly rebuking malicious rumors and threatening legal action. A message from Ms. Davies from HR simultaneously landed on my phone: Seraphina had officially appointed Kai as Operations Manager, granting him an independent office on the executive floor and副总经理 (Vice President) level privileges. My assistant also sent me photos from Kai’s SnapChat, snaps of him looking ridiculously smug about his newfound ‘success.’ He was decked out in custom-tailored suits, proudly displaying that gleaming watch. I looked at the messages on my phone and let out a cold laugh. Seraphina Miller, if you insist on promoting this parasite, don’t blame me for showing no mercy! After dealing with everything concerning the Miller Group, I rushed home, only to find Leo gone! I anxiously questioned Maria, the nanny, who stammered, “Ms. Miller came back… and took the young master with her…” The rage in my heart could no longer be suppressed. After learning from my assistant that Seraphina was at the amusement park, I rushed there without delay. But I saw Seraphina and Kai whispering intimately ahead, completely unaware of Leo stumbling and struggling to keep up behind them. His little face, flushed with fever, was slick with sweat, and he pleaded in a teary voice. “Mommy… slow down… it hurts… wait for me…” Kai’s lips curved into a malicious smirk, and he casually extended his foot. *Thump!* Leo fell heavily to the ground, stunned for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable wails. Seraphina instinctively reached out to help, but Kai suddenly spoke, feigning hurt. “Ms. Miller, is the little master perhaps annoyed with me? Did he intentionally fall to fake cry?” Hearing this, Seraphina abruptly withdrew her hand and looked at Leo with a scolding expression. “Uncle Kai was kind enough to play with you, and you’re faking a fall? Why are you so naughty?” I lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow, scooping up Leo, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Rage threatened to consume me. Seraphina’s expression flickered, and she rushed to explain, “Kai said I shouldn’t have left Leo when he was sick, so he suggested I bring him to the amusement park to make it up to him…” I looked at her coldly. “What can a two-year-old child do at an amusement park?” “Watch you two pathetic excuses for a couple put on a show? Or get deliberately tripped by him?” The air was dead silent. Kai’s smug smile froze on his face. Seraphina’s pupils constricted abruptly, and then her face hardened with anger. “Julian Thorne, you’re so ungrateful! We were…” I held my shaken son and cut her off. “Seraphina Miller, we’re getting a divorce!”

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To leave an heir for my childhood friend, who was terminally ill, my three-month pregnant wife ignored my pleas. She went ahead with the surgery, taking out our baby, just to make room for his. Afterward, she just said blandly: “Julian doesn’t have much time left. Why argue with a sick man? I promise you, once I’ve had Julian’s baby, we can have another one together.” Everyone thought I was completely infatuated with my wife, convinced I wouldn’t refuse, that I’d eagerly step up and be a total doormat. But this time, I decisively signed the divorce papers. The very next day, I bought a plane ticket and left the country. I saw my ex-wife again two years later at a high school reunion. The moment I walked into the private room, she shoved her two-year-old child into my arms, a haughty look on her face. “Liam, you’ve been throwing a tantrum for two years, aren’t you over it yet? Just apologize to me publicly, and I might give you a chance to take care of our mother and child!” Everyone stifled their laughter, saying I’d hit the jackpot, a “two for one deal.” But I just casually flashed the wedding ring on my left hand. “No thanks. I already have a wife and kid of my own. No need to be a pathetic sap!”

The moment the words left my mouth, everyone in the room froze, their shocked gazes fixed on me, before erupting into snickers. “Oh, come on, Liam! Who doesn’t know you loved Scarlett more than life itself? When Scarlett had kidney failure, you gave her one of your own kidneys! Would someone like you really marry someone else?” “Exactly! Can’t you think before you speak? That’s so ridiculous, who’d believe it?” I sneered inwardly at their chatter. No wonder they were shocked; I *had* loved Scarlett desperately once. When she was diagnosed with kidney failure, I didn’t hesitate, giving her one of my kidneys. Now, every time it rains, my left side aches with a dull, constant throb. I always gave her the sweetest part of the watermelon, and knowing she didn’t eat dragon fruit seeds, I’d meticulously pick out every single one with a toothpick. Because I loved her, I even tolerated her going on dates with my childhood friend, Julian, again and again. I tolerated her tying Julian’s tie right in front of me, gently wiping his mouth. As long as she came home, as long as she still remembered me, her husband, that was enough. Everyone knew I was blindly devoted, and they all instinctively assumed I was just talking out of anger earlier. Coming back to reality, Julian, who had been quiet, picked up a bottle of wine from the table and came over to me, saying casually, “Liam, I know you’re still upset about what happened two years ago. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been diagnosed with a terminal illness, Scarlett wouldn’t have had to get rid of your baby just to leave an heir for me. Since everyone’s here today, I’ll down this bottle as a public apology to you!” He chugged the bottle, the burning alcohol making him cough repeatedly. Scarlett immediately couldn’t sit still. She handed her child to a colleague nearby, rushed forward, snatched the bottle, and said, angry and heartbroken, “Julian, are you crazy, daring to drink this much? Even if your condition has been under control all these years, you’re still a patient!” After comforting Julian, Scarlett shot me a haughty glance and said coldly, “Liam, you’ve been throwing a tantrum for two years, that’s enough! Julian and I just did IVF; we didn’t actually have sex. You’re still being petty about such a small thing, after all this time? Is it really necessary?” Everyone started murmuring. “Liam’s so stubborn! It’s a two for one deal, he actually came out ahead!” “Plus, Scarlett’s been looking for him all these years. He left for two years, and she looked for him for two years. It’s time to move on from the past.” So, taking out our baby to have Julian’s was just a “small thing” in Scarlett’s eyes? But what surprised me was that Scarlett had actually been looking for me? Why would she be looking for me? Lost in thought, I heard Scarlett continue, talking to herself, “Alright, Liam. Little Julian is at an age where he needs a lot of care. Since you’re back, you can take care of him from now on. Even though he’s not your biological son, you’re his nominal father, and you should be responsible for him.” I actually laughed. Two years later, Scarlett was still high and mighty, ordering me around as if it were her right. But I wasn’t the Liam she could manipulate so easily anymore. Ever since Scarlett got rid of our baby two years ago, my heart died for her, and I decisively left the country. And what I said earlier wasn’t out of anger; I truly was married with a child. After I left, I found a new job. Not long after, I met my wife, Vivian. She helped me through that dark period. Soon, we got married and even had a beautiful daughter. Just thinking about my wife and daughter, a wave of warmth washed over me. Snapping back to reality, I coldly refused, “No thanks. I have my own child to take care of. As for your ‘Little Julian,’ let his biological dad take care of him.” Hearing that, Julian’s eyes welled up. “Liam, I know you resent me for causing your child to be aborted, which is why you won’t take care of mine. I want to raise Little Julian myself, but my body won’t allow it… I’m trusting you, that’s why I’m asking you to take care of him. Little Julian is very well-behaved; he doesn’t cry or fuss, so he won’t be too much trouble. Please, I’m begging you, take pity on me, a father, and take care of Little Julian…” Julian made a show of kneeling towards me. Scarlett quickly helped him up and comforted him. Then she turned, giving me a cold glance. “Many people would beg to take care of Little Julian, but I wouldn’t let them. It’s an honor for you to take care of him; don’t be ungrateful!” Her gaze landed on my clothes, and Scarlett scoffed. “Liam, you must not have had it easy these past two years abroad, huh? You didn’t even bother to wear decent clothes to a class reunion. At this point, don’t be so snobby when you’re broke. If you take good care of Little Julian, I can give you ten thousand a month in spending money. That’s way more than you’d make working a regular job.” Julian, acting like the man of the house, added, “That’s right. You take good care of Little Julian, and Scarlett and I won’t treat you badly. With us, you won’t have to wear cheap knock-offs at least.” It was then that everyone noticed my casual attire. Instantly, mockery erupted. “How did Liam fall so low? He doesn’t even have decent clothes!” “If only he’d known this would happen. I heard Scarlett’s company soared after he left. If he hadn’t left the country out of spite, he’d be living a life of leisure now.” I just smirked. They had no idea. The clothes I was wearing weren’t cheap knock-offs. They were custom-made by a master designer, pure silk, worth hundreds of thousands. Seeing me smile, Scarlett thought I’d agreed to take care of Little Julian. She pulled out her phone, ready to transfer money to me. “Here’s ten thousand. Go buy some decent clothes later, so our Little Julian doesn’t catch your cheapness.” But as soon as she sent the message, she received a glaring red exclamation mark!

Scarlett’s eyes widened. “Liam, you blocked me?!” I found it amusing. I had already blocked and deleted her two years ago. Was she just realizing it now? Scarlett’s pride took a hit. She told me to add her back right away. But I said coldly, “Just an ex-wife, what’s there to add? Besides, my wife doesn’t let me add other women. She gets jealous.” Seeing me repeatedly refuse to give her face, Scarlett finally got angry. “Liam, are you done acting? I’ve given you an out. If you insist on making a scene, we’ll get a divorce!” In the past, Scarlett would threaten me with divorce whenever she was slightly displeased, forcing me to give in. She thought she could manipulate me as always this time. But I just sneered. “Scarlett, did you forget? We already got divorced two years ago.” At that, the entire room fell silent. Scarlett was stunned for a moment. “Divorce? When did we get divorced?” Then, as if something clicked, she sneered, “I know! This is your little game, isn’t it? Playing hard to get? You’ve certainly grown more cunning in two years!” I rolled my eyes in exasperation. “Scarlett, didn’t you see the letter I left you two years ago?” Scarlett looked confused. “What letter?” Before I left the country, I’d left Scarlett a letter. Inside the envelope, there wasn’t just the wedding ring I’d taken off, but also a signed divorce agreement. I’d made her sign that divorce agreement the day she insisted on getting rid of our baby, despite my pleas. She’d always been dismissive of me, signing without even looking. She probably hadn’t bothered to properly check the contents of the envelope two years ago. That’s why she didn’t know we were already divorced and thought I was just throwing a tantrum. Thinking of this, I scoffed, then pulled out my copy of the divorce agreement, which had been made in duplicate, and shoved it in front of Scarlett. “Scarlett, the envelope I left you back then contained the signed divorce agreement. I made two identical copies; this is the other one. Look closely. We’re already divorced.” Scarlett’s beautiful eyes widened. She was about to say the divorce agreement was fake, but when she saw her own signature clearly on it, she froze. “This… this really is my handwriting? How? I clearly never signed…” “No, you did sign. Remember the document I handed you that day you scheduled your abortion procedure?” My reminder made Scarlett finally realize that what I’d had her sign that day was the divorce agreement. Her face turned ashen. Everyone else was surprised too. “Liam really filed for divorce? His infatuation finally wore off?” “If they’re divorced, why is he back? I bet he still can’t let go of Scarlett.” Hearing that, Scarlett lifted her chin, confidently believing I still had feelings for her. Little did she know, my main reason for returning to the country was to accompany my wife and daughter. Vivian was coming back for a business gala, and our daughter wanted to visit Adventureland during her vacation. I just happened to receive the reunion invitation right after we arrived, so I decided to drop by. I was about to shatter Scarlett’s fantasy when her phone rang. It was her assistant. “Ms. Scarlett, we just got word that Ms. Vivian from the Sterling Group is back in the country with her husband and child. They’ll also be attending the business gala tonight. The board wants us to add a seat and make sure they’re well taken care of. The board specifically emphasized treating Ms. Vivian’s husband exceptionally well, as Ms. Vivian is fiercely protective of her husband. If we keep him happy, future collaborations will be guaranteed.” I only then realized that the host of this business gala was Scarlett’s company. After Scarlett hung up, everyone started fawning over her. “Scarlett, the Sterling Group is a leading national corporation! Your company actually managed to partner with them; your future is limitless!” “I heard all the big names in business will be at this gala. Can you help us old classmates make some connections?” Scarlett cast a triumphant, condescending glance at me. “Liam, are you regretting divorcing me out of spite now? If you agree to take care of Little Julian, I might consider remarrying you…” I sneered inwardly. The Sterling Group? That was my wife’s company. And I was the husband they wanted to win over. Without waiting for Scarlett to finish, I cut her off coldly, “The Sterling Group wouldn’t even *look* at your company.” Julian, who hadn’t spoken for a while, scoffed and shot me a disdainful look. “How would *you* know?” I articulated each word clearly, “Because I *am* Ms. Vivian’s husband.” At that, everyone thought I’d lost my mind, staring at me like I was an idiot. Julian even burst out laughing. “If you’re Ms. Vivian’s husband, then I’m her father! Who doesn’t know Ms. Vivian adores her husband? She once publicly splashed out three hundred million to buy him a watch! Ms. Vivian’s husband is incredibly valuable, worth hundreds of millions. How could a hick like you impersonate him?” “Look at yourself! What part of you is anything like Ms. Vivian’s husband?” I leisurely rolled up my sleeve, revealing the diamond-encrusted gold watch on my wrist. “Are you talking about *this* watch?”

Everyone was stunned. “The news about Ms. Vivian making headlines buying that watch was everywhere! That watch looks exactly like the one Liam’s wearing!” “So… Liam really is Ms. Vivian’s husband?” Julian’s eyes flashed with jealousy and malice when he saw the watch on my wrist. The next second, he took advantage of my distraction, yanked off my watch, and said sarcastically, “Liam, how dare you try to fool everyone with a fake watch! How could you impersonate Ms. Vivian’s husband?” “Don’t get me wrong, this fake is pretty good, but a fake is always a fake. It can’t be the real thing. Scarlett is about to partner with Ms. Vivian. Are you trying to ruin Scarlett by impersonating Ms. Vivian’s husband right now?” I glared at him coldly. “Who told you this watch is fake? This watch is the real deal! Give it back!” But Julian refused, deliberately tucking the watch into his pocket. I stepped forward to grab it back, but he stumbled to the ground, his eyes red as he looked at me. “Liam, I can’t believe you hate me so much. Not only did you push me, but to get back at me, you’re dragging Scarlett down too. Since that’s how it is, I’ll just leave with Little Julian, so we don’t bother you…” Julian started whining, trying to leave. Two years, and he was still using the same old playbook. And Scarlett fell for it every time. This time, she protected him as always, snapping at me. “That’s enough, Liam! Julian is a patient; are you trying to kill him?” “You were in the wrong first! You impersonated Ms. Vivian’s husband; are you trying to ruin our company’s partnership? Two years, and you’ve become so malicious!” Meeting Julian’s challenging gaze, I scoffed inwardly. He wasn’t sick at all; his terminal illness was fake, and his medical records were forged. I had told Scarlett before, but she didn’t believe me, accusing me of making baseless accusations instead. Even now, she still didn’t believe me. I couldn’t be bothered to argue, assuming Scarlett would continue to lash out at me as in the past. But she sighed helplessly. “Alright, Julian seems to like this watch, so just give it to him as an apology. Let’s drop this whole thing. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything earlier.” That watch was a special gift from Vivian. Give it away? No way. I snatched the watch back, saying coldly, “This is a gift from my wife. You have no right to touch it!” The sharp watch strap cut Scarlett’s finger, drawing blood. Seeing I wouldn’t back down, Scarlett’s face darkened. “Liam, it’s just a cheap watch. If it weren’t for me giving you an out, do you really think we’d care about it?” “Julian, it’s just a watch! I’ll buy you a more expensive, better one, and make *some people* regret it!” I ignored them, turning and leaving the private room. Afterward, I went back to the hotel where we were staying to rest. In the evening, I freshened up and headed to the business gala. Before leaving, Vivian sent me a message, telling me that Adventureland’s show had just ended, and she was bringing Ellie over. She told me to go in first and wait for them. Knowing my wife and daughter liked cake, I took a plate of mini cakes, planning to find a seat and wait for them. The moment I turned, I ran into Scarlett and Julian, both dressed elegantly for the event. Seeing me, Scarlett’s eyes flashed with disdain. “What are you doing here? What, did you come to beg me to remarry you? You were so tough earlier; turns out you’re just talk!” Seeing me holding a plate of cake, Julian scoffed, “Liam, you’re not a server here, are you? I heard servers here only make four thousand. That’s not even as fast as taking care of our Little Julian!” Scarlett, too, wore a haughty expression. “Liam, if you beg me, I might make an exception and let you take care of Little Julian, for old times’ sake.” I said calmly, “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not a server. I’m here to wait for my wife and daughter.” Julian, however, looked as if he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “Liam, only Ms. Vivian is bringing her child to this gala today. You’re not going to try and say you’re Ms. Vivian’s husband again, are you?” “But I am.” Hearing me say that, Julian crossed his arms and sneered. “Liam, you’re addicted to lying! How dare you talk nonsense and try to claim connections at such an important event? And you’re even wearing that fake watch!” “If Ms. Vivian and her husband found out about this, we’d all be in serious trouble!” Before I could react, Julian rushed forward, ripped the watch off my wrist, and smashed it hard on the ground. The sharp watch strap cut my wrist, drawing bright red blood. Before I could even cry out in pain, Julian shoved me to the ground, grabbed a nearby cake plate, and smashed it onto my face, snarling, “I’ll teach you a lesson for Ms. Vivian, you imposter!” Cake splattered all over my face, the sticky cream clogging my nostrils, nearly suffocating me. I reached up to wipe away the cream, but Julian pressed his hard leather shoe heel onto my hand, grinding it repeatedly. Excruciating pain shot through my entire body. I could almost hear my bones shattering. When the people in the hall realized I was an imposter, they all started laughing at me. Scarlett just watched, her expression cold. At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, “Ms. Vivian’s here!” Everyone immediately looked towards the entrance. I waved my arms, trying to get Vivian’s attention. But Scarlett grabbed my hand and whispered, “Liam, stay put! I know you deliberately chased me here because you’re jealous. If you don’t cause trouble, after the gala, I might consider remarrying you, and I can even have another child for you…” She tried to pull me up, but I pulled my hand away in disgust. Vivian still noticed me. Holding Ellie, she walked towards me, her brows furrowed. “What happened?” Julian’s face was full of flattery. “Ms. Vivian, this man is a fraud, impersonating your husband! I’ve already taught him a good lesson for you!” Scarlett echoed, “Yes, Ms. Vivian, you don’t need to bother with him.” The next second, Ellie let go of Vivian’s hand and ran towards me. Seeing my pathetic state, her eyes welled up with tears. “Daddy, why is your face covered in cream? And your hand, it’s bleeding…”

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My husband and I were on a business trip in Paris when he suddenly got a call from his childhood friend, Chloe Davis. She told him she was being abused by her husband. Blake booked a flight that very night, leaving me alone in Paris. Later, at the contract-signing gala, I was drugged and brutally attacked by executives from the opposing company. They dragged me into a room, assaulting me until I was left with multiple fractures and internal injuries. After 24 hours fighting for my life in the ICU, I looked at my phone. Dozens of missed calls from Blake. I called him back, only to hear his accusatory voice on the other end: “Aurora Hayes, what’s taking you so long to close a deal?” “Chloe’s been abused, she’s really unstable. I have to stay with her. Just sign the contract and come back yourself.” My voice was raw, rasped out: “I was assaulted by those bastards.” His tone immediately bristled with impatience. “It’s just a contract. What could possibly happen? Don’t start with your drama here.” “I usually tolerate it, but with Chloe like this, how dare you try to compete with her for attention!” The police sent him my injury report. But all I got back was a cold, automated reply: “I’m unavailable right now. Will contact you later.” I never thought he could be so heartless. Since the contract was signed, there was no need to keep this man around anymore.

Three months later, dragging a leg that still wasn’t quite right, I opened the door to our home. Chloe Davis stepped out of the master bedroom, wearing a silk slip. Seeing me, the smile on her face froze for a second. Then, it melted into an expression of pity: “Aurora? Why didn’t you say you were coming back?” “What are you doing here? Where’s Blake Harrison?” I cut her off, my voice hoarse from disuse. “Oh, Blake went to get me some fruit.” Chloe caressed her slightly swollen belly, her eyes deliberately sweeping over my flat stomach. “I haven’t been feeling well lately. The doctor said the pregnancy isn’t stable.” “He was worried about me being alone, so he had me move in. It’s easier for him to take care of me.” That’s when I noticed her belly. By the looks of it, she was only two or three months along. That perfectly aligned with the time I’d spent recovering abroad. Could it be… “Whose child is that?!” I demanded immediately. The moment my words left my lips, Chloe immediately dropped to her knees. “Aurora, please don’t be angry. Blake and I are just friends, don’t misunderstand.” “Blake only took me in out of kindness after I was abused and had nowhere to go. If you don’t like it, I’ll leave right now…” She spoke, her eyes reddening, as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice. Blake happened to walk in with a bag of fruit. Seeing the scene, he didn’t hesitate, rushing forward to shove me aside. “Chloe! You’re pregnant, how can you be kneeling?!” He turned his head, looking at me as if I were a hardened criminal. “Can’t you see Chloe’s pregnant?! How could you make her kneel? You’re absolutely vicious!” I hadn’t done anything. She’d knelt on her own. But in Blake’s eyes, it was all my fault. He didn’t even ask where I’d been for three months or how I was doing. “Blake, Aurora… she seems to have misunderstood us.” Chloe buried her head in his chest, her shoulders subtly shaking. Blake’s face instantly darkened. “Misunderstand? What’s there to misunderstand?” “Aurora Hayes, let me tell you, Chloe is pregnant with my child. If you dare to bully her, I swear I won’t let you off easy!” I laughed. How could a man be so self-righteous about his affair? “Blake Harrison, this is adultery. She’s the other woman—” “You have the nerve to say that!” he roared, cutting me off. “If you hadn’t been playing around abroad for three months, how would I have ever touched Chloe? She wouldn’t be pregnant with my child!” I couldn’t believe he could utter such disgusting words. He was actually pinning the blame for his infidelity on me. I’d been drugged and left for dead at a Paris client dinner, enduring hellish torment, all for his career. And he, meanwhile, had been sleeping with another woman in our home, getting her pregnant. In that moment, my disappointment in him reached its absolute peak.

Chloe cried even harder in his arms: “Blake, don’t scold Aurora. It’s all my fault…” “No, it’s not your fault. It has nothing to do with you,” Blake said, comforting her softly. I took a deep breath, pointed at Chloe, and told Blake, “Get her out of my house.” “Aurora Hayes, don’t go too far!” Blake’s anger reignited. Chloe immediately pulled on his arm. “I’ll go, I’ll leave right away. Don’t fight because of me.” She started to walk out, but suddenly her legs buckled, and she cried out, about to fall. Without thinking, Blake darted forward and caught her. His arm slammed hard into my chest, shoving me ruthlessly to the ground. My head hit the floor with a sickening thud, and the world spun. I heard Blake, holding Chloe, anxiously call out, “Chloe, are you okay? Is the baby hurt?” He didn’t even glance back at me. I lay on the cold floor, staring up at the crystal chandelier we had chosen together. Suddenly, I felt like the three months I’d spent fighting for my life in the ICU had been an absolute farce. The intense pain made my vision swim. I struggled to get up, but my bones felt shattered, leaving me utterly immobile. Blake carefully settled Chloe on the sofa, fussing over her with water and leg rubs, as if she were a precious artifact. “Blake, quickly check on Aurora. She seems to have fallen quite hard.” Chloe prompted him feebly from his embrace, her eyes casting a triumphant glance at me. Only then did Blake reluctantly walk over. “Stop faking it. Get up.” Faking it? The police in Paris sent him my injury report. It clearly stated: “Multiple fractures, ruptured organs, severe concussion.” He knew. He just didn’t care. It took all my strength to lean on the edge of the coffee table and slowly stand up. He didn’t even offer to help me. “Blake Harrison, this is my parents’ house. Please leave immediately, both of you.” Blake instantly flushed with rage. “Aurora Hayes, will you be reasonable?” “Chloe is a pregnant woman, with no family here. Where do you expect her to go? How can you be so heartless?” I looked at his face and suddenly smiled. “Yes, I am heartless.” “Not only do I want her out, I want you out too, Blake Harrison. We’re getting a divorce!” The word “divorce” hit like a bomb, freezing the air in the living room. Blake’s face turned ashen. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he was trying to crush my bones. “Say that again?” “I said, we’re getting a div—” *Smack!* A stinging slap landed hard on my face. My head snapped to the side, my ears ringing. “Aurora Hayes, I’m warning you, don’t test my limits!” “Even though Chloe is pregnant with my child, you’re the only one in my heart. Once her baby is born, you can raise it.” “It’s not like you can have children anyway.”

His gaze fell to my stomach, where a life once bloomed. But to push Blake away from an oncoming car, I fell in that accident. When I woke up, the doctor told me I would never be able to have children. At the time, Blake had gently cared for me until I emerged from the shadow of losing our child. He even got a vasectomy. He told me, “Aurora, I won’t let anyone else carry my child but you.” Turns out, it was all a lie. A malicious glint flickered in Chloe’s eyes. She walked over, feigning concern as she pulled Blake’s hand away. “Blake, don’t be like that…” Her gaze, however, fell on a painting in the corner of the room. It was my father’s last work, the only keepsake my parents left me. “Oh, this painting is beautiful! Is it an original?” Chloe sounded like she’d discovered treasure, reaching out to touch it. “Don’t you dare touch it with your filthy hands!” I snapped, my voice sharp. Chloe flinched, startled by my outburst, and looked at Blake, wronged. “Blake, I… I just wanted to see it.” Blake lovingly wrapped her in his arms, then glared at me. “What’s wrong with looking at it? It’s just a worthless painting, isn’t it?” “Chloe likes it, so I’ll give it to her!” “You wouldn’t dare!” My blood boiled instantly. “Watch me.” Blake sneered, telling Chloe, “Chloe, look all you want. If you like it, take it.” With Blake’s silent permission, Chloe’s boldness grew. She walked up to the painting, extending her hand with its bright red nail polish, and lightly dragged a finger across the face of the main figure in the artwork. I watched, horrified, as a glaring white scratch appeared on the precious canvas. “No—!” That was the last memory my father left me, the most precious treasure in my world. Now, it was ruined. Ruined by the man I loved most and the woman I hated most, working together. I rushed over, kneeling before the painting, stroking the wound. Tears streamed down my face, and my heart shattered completely in that moment. “It’s just a painting. Is it really that big of a deal? I can always buy you another one.” “Buy? With what?” Seeing my endless tears, Blake lost his patience. “You’re acting crazy. Crying over a broken painting like this.” “I think you’re just intentionally trying to keep Chloe from staying here…” He checked his phone, seeing a newly received message. The next second, his face instantly turned dark. Lewd, disturbing audio blasted from his phone. He glared furiously at me, then slammed his phone down in front of me. The screen was playing a video. It was footage of me being drugged and assaulted in Paris. In the video, my clothes were disheveled, my eyes glazed over, surrounded by several men whose faces were blurred. They were touching me inappropriately, and I seemed to not resist. The video had been maliciously edited, with the beginning and end cut out, leaving only the most suggestive clips. My original struggles and screams were replaced with seductive music. My pained, distorted expressions, in the dim light, were twisted into a perverted scene of supposed pleasure. My brain buzzed, turning blank. This was my deepest nightmare, a hell I would rather die than revisit. How did Blake get this video?! “Aurora Hayes! You absolute slut, how could you do something like this behind my back?!” My lips trembled, but not a single word came out. How could I explain? Say it wasn’t real? Say I was framed? Would he believe me?

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I woke up to my boss handing me half a billion dollars. In a rush of adrenaline, I blurted out, “Hubby!” He just chuckled, a glint in his eye. “Only half a billion and you’re calling me ‘hubby’? What if it was five billion, would you marry me then?” My eyes widened. “Is that even an option?” **1** Early that morning, a text notification jolted me awake. Still half-asleep, I picked up my phone, then practically shot up from bed the moment I saw it. My bank account. Half a billion dollars. The sender? My boss, Damon Thorne. Was my boss kidnapped? Did he lose his mind? Why would he randomly send me half a billion? My hand trembled as I dialed Damon Thorne’s number. The second he picked up, my nerves got the best of me, and I stammered, “B-b-b-boss… hubby…” The moment the word left my lips, I wanted to bite my tongue off. Just because half a billion landed in my account didn’t mean I could abandon my principles and call my boss “hubby.” There was a long silence on the other end. “What? I just gave you half a billion and you’re calling me ‘hubby’ already?” Me: “…” My bad, sir! My bad! “Five minutes. I’m waiting downstairs.” Classic domineering CEO vibe. I rushed downstairs. A Rolls-Royce was parked by the entrance—the same car I’d helped him choose. I stood in front of the car, bowing slightly. “Good morning, Boss.” Inside, a man with sharp features and an undeniable aura of power sat. He gave me a cool glance, then his thin lips parted. “Get in.” My heart hammered in my chest as I cautiously slid inside. “Starting today, until midnight on the 10th of next month, you must spend all half a billion dollars I’ve given you.” His words were concise. Me: “?” He added, “Don’t ask why. Just spend the money. If you fail to complete the task…” His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ll have hell to pay.” I instinctively touched my neck, a shiver running down my spine. Half a billion dollars! This wasn’t just a few thousand. I was just an average person; I’d never seen so much money. How was I even supposed to spend it all? I had absolutely no clue. “Can I buy a house?” I asked cautiously. He shook his head. “No. Property purchases are invalid.” “Then, stocks?” “Stock purchases are invalid.” “What about—” My boss seemed annoyed by my questions. He simply tossed a document at me. I opened it and my face just fell. It was full of legal jargon, but the gist was clear: “I cannot use this half a billion to generate personal assets, nor can I donate it…” This was impossible! “Boss, what am I supposed to do then?” Damon was ruthless. “I’m only responsible for giving you the money. The rest is up to you.” He gave me a month off from work. My sole task for that month was to spend all half a billion. Not a single cent could be left in the account. I sent a SnapChat to my best friend, Chloe, asking for help: *Hey, girl, how do I spend money?* *Spend what money? You’re the kind of person who only has five bucks and change in your account, can’t even get extra cheese on your bagel!* I paused for a moment: *Actually, I probably have enough money to buy every bagel shop in the world now. Chloe, calm down. I need to tell you something. I have half a billion dollars.* Chloe: *What kind of dream are you having in broad daylight?* I screenshotted my bank balance and sent it to her. Five minutes later, Chloe replied. *Alright, smarty pants, you’ve learned to Photoshop. And it’s not April Fool’s Day, sis.* *I’m not lying! I really have half a billion.* Chloe rushed over to my place. After calling the bank and confirming I wasn’t joking, her eyes looked at me differently. Her eyes practically screamed, “Sugar Mama, feed me!” “There’s a job for you. Are you interested?” I asked. I raised my hand. “I’ll pay you this much.” Chloe: “Five thousand a month?” I replied, “Five million a month.” Chloe nearly fainted. When she came to, she grabbed my hand. “Girl, from today on, you’re my breadwinner, my lifeline!” **2** I immediately transferred five million to Chloe and had her sign a contract. Because every dollar I spent, and how I spent it, had to be accounted for. After Chloe left, I was about to take a shower and get into bed to figure out my next spending strategy when Damon called. “How come you only spent five million today?” *Only!* “Boss, I’ll try harder tomorrow.” He was silent for a moment, then patiently asked, “What did you do today?” I dutifully explained everything. His tone on the other end seemed to relax. “Looks like you haven’t become completely brain-dead from following me around all these years. You know how to think outside the box. Keep it up.” The next day, Chloe excitedly called me. “I’ve thought of a great way to spend money!” “What is it?” “Rent a yacht.” Have you ever been on a luxury yacht? I have. With my boss. He was invited to some yacht party, and I went with him. Looking at the incredibly lavish yacht, my mouth hung open wide enough to fit a golf ball. I casually asked my boss, “How much does a yacht like this cost?” He replied indifferently, “Probably over a hundred million.” If buying a yacht cost over a hundred million, how much would renting one cost? The yacht manager looked me and Chloe up and down, a hint of disdain in his eyes. “Our yachts, even if we rent them out, have a strict vetting process.” “What’s the vetting process?” Chloe asked cautiously. The manager snorted. “Minimum capital verification of ten million dollars.” I handed him my phone. The yacht manager’s face instantly went green. His attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. “Oh, my! You’re clearly a young lady from a prominent family! Such elegance! You want to rent a yacht for a birthday party, right? I can arrange it for you.” I waved him off. “No need. What’s your highest daily rental fee?” “Three hundred thousand a day.” “That’s too little. How about five hundred thousand a day, and I’ll rent it for ten days?” The yacht manager looked incredulous. “Five hundred thousand?” “Do you think it’s too little? Then I’ll add another hundred thousand a day.” The deal was smoothly closed. After signing the rental agreement, I held the contract, deep in worry. “Spending money is exhausting.” Chloe gave me a thumbs-up. “I used to think you were timid and meek, like a frightened little bird. I never expected you to be so domineering when spending money!” I didn’t want to be. Last night, I had a nightmare. I dreamed I hadn’t spent the half a billion in a month, and my boss was looking at me with a sinister glare, holding a cleaver, saying he’d chop me into a million pieces if I didn’t spend the money. I woke up crying. Then I checked my bank balance and cried even harder. I had to speed up my spending. The moment I transferred the money, my boss called. “What have you done?” Ugh. I suspected my boss had nothing better to do all day than watch my account. “N-nothing, I promise. I’ll spend the money strictly according to the rules in the contract. Don’t worry.” I told Chloe to contact our high school classmates to prepare for the party. Chloe contacted a bunch of people, but they all thought I was joking. Chloe asked me what to do. I pondered for a moment. “Just tell them that everyone who comes will get a one hundred thousand dollar gift envelope.” Chloe didn’t understand my logic. She was supposed to be my assistant. I explained, “It’s my birthday today. They’re coming to my birthday party. If they give me a fifty-dollar gift, I should give them something back, right?” Chloe gave me another thumbs-up. “Your way of thinking is truly bizarre.” The next day, looking at the overwhelming crowd, I twitched my lips. “I remember our class only had fifty people, right? Isn’t this a bit too many?” **3** Chloe laughed. “It’s fine if they’re from the same school!” I nodded. “Whatever. The more, the merrier. One more person means I can spend another hundred thousand. Worth it. Count the number of people, and we’ll hand out the gift envelopes later.” Chloe thumped her chest. “With that humble-bragging tone, consider it handled!” That evening, the yacht was brightly lit and buzzing with activity. I stood on the deck, holding a glass of champagne, gazing into the distance, and sighed deeply. “I used to only think making money was hard. Now I realize spending money is even harder.” A sarcastic voice drifted over. “A country bumpkin, no matter how dressed up, is still a country bumpkin. What are you trying to prove?” That familiar voice. I turned around and saw my high school nemesis, Tiffany Woods. Tiffany came from a wealthy family and was always the center of attention in class. She looked down on “poor people” like me, so she’d bully me constantly. Sometimes she’d corner me in the restroom, sometimes she’d rip my test papers, sometimes she’d throw my backpack in the water. I always—endured it. Because my mom used to say, “Child, our family has no backing. We came from the countryside. Just bear with it. Studying hard is the most important thing.” What could I do? When I couldn’t bear it anymore, I just endured it more. But my endurance only led to Tiffany’s bullying escalating. How did Chloe invite that menace? “What’s wrong? Did you win the lottery?” I eyed her. “Yeah, are you jealous?” I subtly looked her over, then casually remarked, “Your bracelet looks pretty expensive, doesn’t it?” She preened like a peacock. “Of course! This bracelet is a limited edition.” My bad, I had one too. Just the genuine article. Of course, I rented it. But the cost of renting it for one day was enough to buy that bracelet. My heart squeezed, like taking a sip of soda straight from the fridge. A sharp pang hit me, then a wave of pure relief. But then I thought, this isn’t my money. Why should I feel a pang? I deliberately rotated my wrist. “Ugh, why does my hand feel so sore?” Chloe appeared at just the right moment. “Oh my god, why are there two identical bracelets?” Chloe’s loud voice attracted a crowd. I put on an innocent act. “I don’t know! Maybe mine’s a fake? When I flew on a private jet to pick it up a while ago, the sales associate told me it was one-of-a-kind in the world.” Chloe and I played along. “You know, high-end knock-offs are getting really good these days!” Everyone’s eyes weren’t blind; they could tell the real thing from the fake at a glance. Under everyone’s scornful gazes, Tiffany ran away with her tail between her legs. I figured she wouldn’t dare show her face in public for a long time. Spending several million to get my revenge was definitely worth it. As for why I was wearing *that* bracelet? Coincidence? No way. If I hadn’t done my research beforehand, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for this stunt. The way she humiliated me back then, I was going to make her embarrass herself in front of everyone now. “Smiling so happily? Did you find some money?” A familiar voice came from not far away. That voice. My scalp tightened. Damon Thorne emerged from the shadows, looking at me with a half-smile. “You spent millions renting a bracelet just to show off?” Oh, crap. Was he here to settle accounts? Didn’t he say I could spend the half a billion however I wanted? Why was he coming back to haunt me now? “Good evening, Boss.” He glanced around, a slight curl of his lips. “So this is how you spend money, Riley Morgan. I’m impressed. You used to be so timid and frugal, and now with half a billion, you’ve completely let loose.” My tongue slipped. “It’s all thanks to you, Boss!” He shot me a side-eye. I quickly corrected myself. “No, no, Boss, I’m just diligently spending money to meet your expectations!” He looked at me quietly, then said, “Just be careful with that bracelet. Don’t scratch or bump it. And remember to return it when you’re done.” “Yes, sir!” Seeing that Damon wasn’t leaving, my smile became a little strained. “Boss, it’s getting late?” **4** He nodded. “I know.” You know? Then why aren’t you leaving? Do you want me to invite you to stay the night? “So, Boss, good night?” I was already hinting so obviously. My boss let out an exaggerated yawn. “It is late. Take me to my room.” I was completely petrified. “You’re staying overnight on the yacht?” He smiled. “What’s wrong? I contributed fifty dollars for your birthday, and I even brought a gift. Don’t I have the right to stay overnight on the yacht? Oh, and don’t forget to send me my hundred thousand dollar gift envelope later.” I wanted to cry. Goodbye, my cute younger guys. I had planned to party all night with them. Now, they had all turned into sea foam. “Why do you look a little disappointed?” Damon watched me with amusement. I gave a dry laugh. “Haha, not at all, not at all! Boss, it’s an honor to have you at my birthday party!” “Flatterer.” He rolled his eyes at me. I rented the yacht for ten days, but I couldn’t party all night, every night. Because I had to spend money quickly. After Chloe handled the yacht arrangements, she followed me onto a private jet, loaded with bags. It was Chloe’s first time on a private jet, and she was as excited as a giddy ape. I, however, had grown accustomed to it. Before, I was serving my boss. Now, others were serving me. For the first half of my life, my travels were limited to company team-building trips. Bali, Maldives, Provence—to me, they were just names associated with money. But now, we chartered a private jet and visited every place we wanted to see. We enjoyed the highest level of luxury. We stayed in presidential suites. We ate gourmet food. But after all the fun, a deep sense of emptiness settled in. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way. When you were a kid, you craved ice cream. You’d think about it constantly, even study incredibly hard to get a perfect score just to earn it. But once you finally had it… It just felt… average. I lay on the soft bed and asked Chloe, “How much money have we spent so far?” “All in all, about twenty million.” I covered my face and sighed deeply. “Why is spending money so hard?” Damon also came to check on my progress. And he didn’t just call; he came in person. I couldn’t sleep that night, planning to use the moonlight to seriously brainstorm how to spend more money. But then, my boss already occupied the best spot. Seeing his tall, slender figure, I froze. “B-b-b-boss?” He turned around, moonlight falling on him. In the shadows, his dark eyes seemed to absorb the night, making his emotions unreadable. “I’m only thirty. Not old yet.” he said. “You’re not… stalking me, are you?” He said indifferently, “I’m not that bored. I’m here on a business trip, and I thought I’d observe your spending progress. But your spending speed is really too slow. You have less than twenty days left, and you still have over four hundred million to spend.” My head ached. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Boss, why do you insist on giving me half a billion and making me spend it in a month, with so many rules? Are you playing some kind of game?” He pursed his lips. “Don’t ask too many questions. In short, the money I gave you is clean. Spend it without worry.” Well, that put my mind at ease. He was so rich, half a billion was probably a drop in the ocean to him. “Boss, spending money is so tiring.” I complained to him without thinking. His eyes seemed to hold starlight, and he wasn’t as strict as usual. “You seem to be having a lot of fun spending it.” “Think bigger.” He patted my shoulder. “Besides having fun, you can do other things.” A thought sparked in my mind. “Boss, do you mean I can get some boy toys—” His eyes instantly became extremely dangerous, his voice like it was forced out through gritted teeth. “You can try.” I instinctively shrank my neck. I was just joking. Why did he look like he was about to chop me up and feed me to dogs? What was he so jealous about? But his words gave me an idea. Eating, drinking, and playing—even if I burned through money, it would be too slow. Why didn’t I invest in a movie? A single investment of several hundred million. Wouldn’t that be fast? The next day, I headed back, bringing my party-crazed best friend with me. Knowing I wanted to invest in a movie, Chloe was a little worried. “Didn’t your boss say this half a billion couldn’t generate personal assets?”

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In the midst of a zombie outbreak, my girlfriend insisted on delaying our evacuation. All for the sake of her cowardly, useless childhood friend to catch the last rescue helicopter. This was the final evacuation operation after the zombie outbreak, and our only chance of survival for our group of survivors. Seeing that her friend wasn’t coming, I had no choice but to knock my girlfriend unconscious and carry her onto the plane. Her precious childhood friend ultimately died in the zombie horde. I, however, managed to survive thanks to this opportunity and lived a happy, peaceful life with my girlfriend in the safe zone. But on the eve of me taking control of the district and preparing to lead the human army in a counterattack… My girlfriend drugged my water and threw me into a horde of zombies. She stood on the wall, sneering: “If it weren’t for your selfishness, Jake should have had a chance to live too.” “The pain he suffered, you must experience it yourself, and pay for it with your life!” Given another chance at life, I returned to the day my girlfriend insisted on delaying the evacuation. Since she’s so eager to live and die together with her childhood friend… I’ll send her to feed the zombies along with him!

“This is our last chance to evacuate. If we don’t leave now, we’ll all die here!” Several team members were shouting themselves hoarse trying to persuade Mia, who was blocking the exit with her body. “Jake hasn’t arrived yet. What’s wrong with waiting just five more minutes?!” Mia’s face was cold as ice, refusing to budge an inch. “You want to risk all our lives just to wait for him?! Mia, don’t be so selfish!” The team members were anxious to the point of panic. Someone who couldn’t stand it anymore rushed forward to pull her away. But in the next second, Mia raised her gun and fired. The bullet grazed past everyone’s scalps, instantly causing a chorus of shocked cries. “Are you crazy?!” Faced with everyone’s condemnation, Mia snapped back: “You’re despicable! Shameless! Selfish!” “Jake hasn’t arrived yet, so no one’s getting on that plane today! You cowards who are afraid of death, how can you bear to abandon a comrade at the critical moment? Do you even deserve to live?” Hearing this, the deputy commander looked at me with a troubled expression: “Alex, the military chopper is about to close its doors. If we delay any longer… I’m afraid we might…” I smiled slightly, gesturing for everyone to calm down. Then I walked over to Mia’s side and gently put my hand on her shoulder: “Mia’s right. Our team has always upheld the principle of never abandoning anyone. Although Jake didn’t make it to the meeting point on time, how can we just leave him behind?” Hearing these words, everyone present was dumbfounded. They couldn’t believe I would say such a thing. “Captain, what… what are you saying? How can you side with Mia just because she’s your girlfriend?” “Shut up!” Mia raised her gun and fired another burst into the air. “Alex has spoken. We must wait for Jake to arrive before evacuating together. Why are you all talking so much?!” Armed with the truth and my support, Mia was unbearably smug at this moment. She leaned close against my shoulder and said in a soft voice: “Alex, I knew you were different from those guys. You always stick to your principles no matter what.” I smirked and patted her head. “Jake and I are brothers who’ve been through life and death together. How could I possibly abandon him?” But Mia didn’t know that I actually didn’t need to squeeze onto this helicopter at all. As a top virologist, I only needed to make one phone call, and the military would send an armed force and a private plane to pick me up at any time. And in my team, except for Mia and Jake, everyone else was a top talent in their field. If it weren’t for wanting to bring the weak and incompetent Mia along to evacuate in my previous life, I could have easily chosen a safer private plane and gone to the camp with my teammates. In this life, I want to make her pay the most brutal price for her stupid and selfish decision. Let her be dragged down to hell along with her precious childhood friend, whom she kept thinking about but who repeatedly almost caused the team’s downfall. Seeing that no one dared to rebel, Mia became even more smug. And so, time ticked by minute by minute, as the dark mass of the zombie horde gradually approached in the distance. Until Jake finally arrived late. “Mia, I knew you’d wait for me!” Jake was panting heavily, his eyes full of excitement. Given his physical condition, it was almost a miracle that he managed to run from the east side of the city to the helipad. Mia let out a long sigh of relief and smiled. However, at that moment, a deafening explosion came from the distance — the last line of defense had been breached by the zombie horde.

The rescue helicopter also closed its doors at this moment, flying away from the helipad with some of the evacuees on board. The team members left behind cursed loudly in anger. “Mia, you f*cking psycho! You’ve cut off our last chance of survival!” “And that good-for-nothing! Why the hell did you have to run back home to grab a guitar the night before evacuation? Who were you planning to play for, the Grim Reaper?!” A chorus of curses filled the helipad. Jake was so frightened his face turned ashen. “I’m… I’m sorry, this guitar is my most treasured possession. I didn’t think it would delay everyone’s evacuation…” Seeing the hateful glares from everyone around, he quickly hugged his guitar and hid behind Mia. The team members were also quite dissatisfied with me at this point, giving me looks of disapproval. “Alex, you’ve led us through life and death situations so many times before. We trusted you as our leader, but how… how could you be so foolish?” I put on a guilty expression and patted the team members’ shoulders: “This time it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let emotions cloud my judgment. But there’s no use talking about this now.” “Don’t panic everyone. I know of a temporary shelter nearby where we can take refuge for now.” Mia, arm in arm with Jake, snorted disdainfully: “Bunch of cowards. Isn’t Alex still here? He’s the one who’s led us through three zombie hordes before. So what if we missed this evacuation? There’ll be another one next time.” Hearing this, the team members became even more furious. But given the current crisis, they had no time to waste words arguing with Mia. Half an hour later, our group finally reached the temporary shelter. As the heavy blast doors slowly closed, the roars of those zombies were shut out. “Finally safe…” Everyone let out a long sigh of relief, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. But at this moment, one team member suddenly cried out: “This is bad! I just received news that today was the last batch of evacuation helicopters. The military… the military is abandoning this area!” “Does that mean the military’s evacuation operation is completely over and we’re trapped in this godforsaken place forever?!” The team members’ faces turned pale, their voices trembling. At this point, Mia dismissively pursed her lips: “Look at how pathetic you all are. The shelter’s food supplies are sufficient to last us at least three months. Even if the military doesn’t come to rescue us, we can always migrate on our own later.” I opened the military communication device and skillfully entered the password: “Everyone, don’t panic. I’ve already contacted the military high command. They’ve promised to send special forces to pick us up in three days. Let’s all rest up and adjust our condition these few days.” Hearing this news, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Mia was also beaming with joy, holding Jake’s hand excitedly: “Jake, that’s great! We’ll be rescued in three days!” Seeing the two of them cheering jubilantly, the team members’ faces all darkened. “Alex.” The deputy commander lowered his voice and pulled me to a corner, “Is the number of rescue spots you applied for from the military enough? Including those two, we have a total of eight people.” I nodded slightly: “That’s right, but I only applied for seven spots.” Hearing this, the deputy commander first looked confused, then seemed to understand something. He probed in a low voice: “Then doesn’t that mean one of us won’t be able to get on the plane?” I glanced at Mia, who was feeding water to Jake, a cold smile tugging at my lips. “Don’t worry, your spots are secured. As for this extra person, we’ll see how she chooses when the time comes.” We exchanged knowing looks, while the oblivious Mia was gently wiping the sweat from Jake’s forehead: “Jake, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get to the safe zone safely.” Watching this scene, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anticipation. When the new round of rescue arrives, how will Mia choose? Will she keep her promise to Jake as she swore? Or will she expose the ugliest side of human nature when faced with a life-or-death decision?

With rescue on the way and ample supplies in the shelter, Mia completely let her guard down over the next few days. She started wasting resources recklessly with Jake. Using purified water from the water purifier to wash clothes, taking antibiotics meant for emergencies as health supplements, and even dismantling electronic equipment for batteries to power a music player. Until the evening of the third day, just half an hour before rescue was due to arrive. Mia suddenly barged in, interrupting my meeting with the team members. “Alex, give me the serum quickly.” She ordered bluntly. I frowned and looked up: “What do you need the serum for? Has someone been infected?” But Mia’s answer made everyone’s jaws drop. “No! But Jake has a fever. It’s up to 102°F now. I gave him fever reducers but they didn’t work!” “Stop wasting time and give me the serum. I need to inject it into him.” I slowly stood up, my voice turning cold: “Do you know what this serum means? I spent three years developing it. It can stop the zombie virus from spreading within five minutes of infection.” “Although it’s still in the experimental stage, it’s humanity’s last hope right now, and I only have one dose left.” “Oh come on, I know!” Mia waved her hand impatiently. “But the anti-virus serum can kill all viruses, right? Jake is in a lot of pain right now. Stop dawdling, will you? Hurry up!” The entire meeting room suddenly fell deathly quiet. The deputy commander couldn’t bear to watch anymore and slammed the table as he stood up: “Mia, did you lose your mind? You want to waste such precious serum on a mere fever?!” “What do you mean waste?!” Mia shrilly retorted. “Jake has always been weak. What if the fever causes complications? Besides… isn’t the serum meant to save people?” Seeing that I remained unmoved, Mia’s eyes suddenly turned vicious. She actually raised her gun and aimed it at my forehead. “Hand it over. Don’t make me do this!” “Mia, have you gone crazy? How could you…” Just as a teammate was about to step forward to stop her, he was nearly shot by Mia. Looking at this woman I once loved deeply, I suddenly felt incredibly absurd. In my previous life, I had escaped death so many times to protect her. And now, she was actually threatening my life for the sake of Jake. As unwilling as they were, my teammates had no choice but to hand over that sole dose of serum. We watched helplessly as Mia injected it into Jake.

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“Sweetie, I’ve picked two game scenarios for you. You’ll be playing guiding NPCs, so you won’t have to do any killing or arson. Just give players some hints at the right moments,” my father said, his towering 6’6″ frame looming over me with a kindly expression. I nodded helplessly, indicating that I understood. At this point, I’d take any job he offered, even if it meant being the horror boss myself. “Remember, no workplace bullying, alright? Get along well with those boss colleagues of yours,” my dad reminded me as he pressed the transfer button, still reluctant to let me go. [Welcome to Naranmud Academy] [Naranmud is a renowned international high school where you can gain knowledge, broaden your horizons, and enter your dream university.] [However, the school has strict rules. Please follow them carefully.] […] I stared at the professional broadcasting equipment before me, utterly confused. What was going on? A sweet system voice chimed in the room: “Welcome to the NPC team for this horror game! Let me introduce you to your job responsibilities.” Still bewildered, I sat down in the chair and was about to pick up the work manual on the desk when a low, slightly hoarse voice sounded behind me. “Bootlicker.” Huh? Who’s he calling a bootlicker? A tall, muscular figure cast a looming shadow over me. Golden-brown hair, steel-blue eyes, and a face hidden behind a mask. He licked his pale red lips, staring at me unblinkingly as he asked, “Nepotism hire? Pretty gutsy.” “How can you tell I got in through connections?” He jerked his head towards the system that had just spoken. “I’ve been here five years, and this is the first time I’ve heard it speak in that sickeningly sweet voice instead of its usual robotic tone.” Oh, so he was calling the system a bootlicker. I laughed awkwardly, making a mental note. This must be the boss of this game scenario, my first workplace colleague. I had to make a good impression! I extended my hand towards him. “Hi, I’m Lily. I’m new here, please take care of me.” His large, calloused hand enveloped mine, sending an instinctive shiver through me as he rubbed his fingers together. His lips moved slightly as he uttered a name. “Anderson.” He sat down in another chair and began adjusting the broadcasting equipment. “Your job is to read the text from the manual over the PA system, guiding players to the next plot point when they reach certain triggers. It’s safe here; no one can harm you. The game starts in ten minutes, so get ready.” His steel-blue eyes glanced over at me. “Any questions?” I scratched my head. “Actually, yes.” I pointed at his eyes. “Do they make colored contacts in horror games?” Anderson paused for a moment, then a hint of resignation appeared in his eyes. “I’m mixed-race. This is my natural eye color.” The crimson doors swung open with a bang, and a group of people cautiously peered inside the school. A clear voice came over the PA system. [Welcome to Naranmud Academy.] [Naranmud is a renowned international high school where you can gain knowledge, broaden your horizons, and enter your dream university.] [However, the school has strict rules. Please follow them carefully, or terrible things may happen.] [Rule One: No dating allowed on campus.] [Rule Two: The infirmary is off-limits after midnight.] … The group’s expressions grew increasingly grim. Invisible to the players, blood-red comments floated through the air. [Finally, the Maddog’s stream is here!] [He may be crazy, but his sex appeal is off the charts. Sigh…] [Hey, the broadcast voice changed. It sounds pretty nice.] [Hurry up and start! I want to see Maddog kill someone already.] … In a dark, dilapidated hallway, a group stumbled along, their ragged breathing and muffled curses mixing to create a heart-pounding escape scene. “Damn, this madman just won’t give up!” “How unlucky can we get? We’re going to die in this scenario today.” The tall, muscular man maintained a constant distance behind them, like a cruel cat toying with fleeing mice. I watched this scene on the large screen before me, unsure how to feel. Anderson had shed the calm facade I’d seen earlier, revealing a bloodthirsty interior. The massive saw that looked impossibly heavy seemed like a toy in his hands. He excitedly revved it up, the sharp blade striking sparks as it touched the ground. The leader of the escapees gritted his teeth, suddenly stopping to throw back an item. A cloud of smoke billowed out, and Anderson disappeared. The leader smirked triumphantly, turning to continue his escape—only to freeze as his gaze met the tall man’s. The hunter, bored with this game of cat and mouse, brought down his gleaming saw in an unavoidable arc. [That was awesome!] [As expected of Maddog. I’d call this the art of violence.] [Hubby is so cool! I want to discuss some human reproduction knowledge with him.] [To the person above, I’ll say it again: fangirls shouldn’t watch these streams.] … The 3-day scenario ended in less than 2.5 days with all players dead. The stream closed. Anderson wiped down his saw blade and spoke up: “Leaving already?” I glanced at him and sighed. “Yeah, us working stiffs have no rights. Gotta go slave away for the capitalists at my other job.” I work seven days a week—Monday to Wednesday here in Anderson’s scenario, Thursday to Saturday in another, with Sunday off. I trudged out with heavy steps, completely missing the look Anderson gave me. A dangerous, meaningful gaze that licked from head to toe over my gradually retreating figure. The pale neck, the waist hidden under clothes, down to the ankles that could be grasped in one hand… “Lily…” he murmured. [Welcome to The Shining] [You’ve checked into the Farview Hotel. The facilities are excellent and the environment is cozy. You like it here, but soon you notice something’s not quite right.] [Try to survive for 72 hours, dear player.] As the white light faded, I recovered from the dizziness of spatial transfer and looked down at my uniform. Lace trim, a black and gold belt, an elegant uniform that clung to my body, and snow-white gloves that fit my hands perfectly. I glanced at the cocktail glass on the bar. So my NPC role this time is a bartender? Just then, I heard a rustling sound nearby. It seemed to be… coming from under the bar. I bent down to look. A young man was curled up there, his chest heaving slightly. He looked extremely uncomfortable. I reached out to pull him up. “Are you okay? Not feeling well?” Unexpectedly, a pair of slender hands grabbed my wrist, holding it in mid-air. The young man’s face was flushed, his eyes brimming with moisture as he gazed at me longingly: “Big sis, I feel so awful.” He tilted his head towards my wrist, his bright red tongue darting out to lick along the edge of my glove and slip inside, caressing my skin. My pulse quickened slightly, as if welcoming the teasing of his lips and tongue. As he licked, he raised his pitch-black eyes to look at me, greed and madness on full display. My heart skipped a beat. “Aiden, let her go.” A mellow voice sounded behind me. I jumped, hurriedly pulling my hand away. Another young man stood there, tall and handsome with black hair and eyes. He frowned at me. “I’m sorry, miss. He’s my brother. Please excuse his rudeness earlier.” I shook my head to indicate it was fine. He walked over and roughly yanked Aiden up. Aiden’s expression gradually shifted from infatuation to clarity. “My name is Ethan. We’re the bosses here. You must be the new NPC, right? Let me explain your job to you.” He pulled out a bar stool and gestured for me to sit. When both brothers stood before me, I was surprised to find they looked extremely alike—same height, same face, same clothes, like mirror images of each other. But despite their similarity, they were easy to tell apart. The one with a gentle, non-threatening aura was the older brother Ethan. The one with an obsessive, predatory gaze was the younger brother Aiden. “Your bar will only appear when players trigger certain quest points. You just need to give them clues to guide them along. It’s very simple and completely safe,” Ethan said with a slight smile. “Well, if you don’t have any questions, we’ll be going now. The game is about to start.” They gradually disappeared down the hallway. In the darkness, the twins’ footsteps were eerily in sync. Aiden rapturously sniffed the hand that had touched the new bartender, a dissatisfied whine escaping his throat: “I want… I want to eat big sis up…” Ethan licked his canine teeth, also struggling to control himself as he reassured his brother: “Wait a little longer. We’d scare her off now. Just wait…” The crimson carpet was like thick blood, countless branching corridors resembling spreading veins. A player huddled in a hidden corner, body trembling almost imperceptibly. He was the last player left. If he could just avoid detection for five more minutes, he would survive. He kept reassuring himself. “Bingo, found you.” An amused voice sounded by his ear. The player looked up in panic, eyes filled with disbelief and despair. Vines burst forth, tearing his body apart before he could even scream. [Yay! Congrats to big bro on getting the final kill.] [What? I lost my bet. Can’t believe little bro got so many fewer kills!] [That guy was so close, the scenario was about to end.] [You clearly don’t know, newbie. This is big bro’s signature move—letting people see a glimmer of hope, then crushing it before their eyes.] … Before closing time, Ethan came to me looking a bit embarrassed. “Aiden got hurt and wants you to bandage him. He won’t let me touch him. Could you help, miss?” “Of course.” I poured disinfectant over the gruesome gash on Aiden’s arm. It must have been extremely painful, but he didn’t make a sound, just stared at me with blatant, feverish eyes. I finished bandaging under that gaze, sweating profusely. After tying a neat butterfly knot, I tried to stand up. Aiden suddenly flipped his palm over, loosely grasping my wrist for a moment before letting go. His beautiful lips curved into a smile, his slightly lowered voice thick with desire. “Thank you, big sis.” I quickly grew accustomed to this kind of work. Monday through Wednesday, I was the broadcaster at Anderson’s place, guiding players to the next quest point and occasionally oiling Anderson’s saw. Out of courtesy, Anderson would sketch portraits of me in return. He was an excellent artist. On many warm afternoons, we’d sit in the empty, blood-stained playground. I’d doze off as I posed, while his pencil flew across the paper, his steel-blue eyes peering at me over the easel. Thursday through Saturday, I was the bartender for the twins, providing clues to players who triggered plot points and sometimes bandaging Ethan or Aiden’s wounds. They’d beg me to mix them drinks, listening to stories about the odd things I encountered outside the game as we waited. On Sundays, I’d go home to eat the meals my dad cooked, listening to his worried questions about whether my job was going well or if my colleagues were bullying me. I’d think of my coworkers’ smiling eyes and shake my head, telling him not to worry. Another Monday arrived. The broadcast announced, [Will the two students please report to the administration office immediately.] My melodious voice did nothing to ease the players’ terror. In fact, it seemed to make them even more frightened. Behind the microphone, I also frowned. In all my time here, this was the first hidden plot point to be triggered. The two players were a couple—the man a high-level medium, the woman a healer. Working in perfect sync, they had narrowly escaped Anderson’s pursuit, triggering the first school rule: [No dating allowed]. A large black door slowly materialized behind them, emanating an ominous aura. A gilded plaque hung on it, bearing three words: [Administration Office]. They approached uncertainly. Through the door, the man timidly activated his medium abilities. Moments later, he suddenly clutched his chest and coughed up blood. “What’s inside?” the woman asked, supporting him anxiously. “Fire… a huge fire…” “Fire?” [Will the two students please report to the administration office immediately.] The broadcast repeated its urgent summons. The woman bit her lip and, supporting the man, pushed open the door. The door slammed against the wall, stirring up a thin layer of dust. Surprisingly, there was no fire as the man had sensed. The small room was filled with dust, its contents visible at a glance. A row of bookshelves stood at the far end. The woman slowly walked over. I stared intently at the woman’s actions on the screen. She flipped through the messy books and papers on the shelf, pulling out a file folder. The moment my eyes fell on the folder, my pupils constricted. There in the name field was clearly written: Anderson. Followed by the enrollment date: May 1, 20XX. The woman on screen froze. She turned back in horror to find Anderson standing in the doorway, his steel-blue eyes filled with violent killing intent, a glimpse of sharp white teeth visible like a wild beast’s fangs. “Ladies and gentlemen, game over,” he said.

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Two months after my facial reconstruction surgery following a car accident, my husband Jack Young got together with my well-mannered sister Emily. When our parents found out, not only did they not blame them, but they actually persuaded me to step aside voluntarily. Even my own daughter showed nothing but disgust towards me. “I don’t want this ugly freak as my mom. I want Aunt Emily to be my mom,” Lily said coldly. I calmly agreed and chose to leave the Young family, cutting ties with them completely. After years of hard work and struggle, I finally achieved financial freedom. Later, I adopted two children from an orphanage. Under my careful nurturing, they became a rising star in the tech industry and a business tycoon worth billions respectively. Watching them succeed, I decided to go crazy once and take an aimless budget trip around the world. Halfway through my journey, Jack Young and our daughter found me. Looking at my weathered appearance from sleeping rough, their faces were full of mockery. “Looks like we were right. After leaving the Young family, you can only live like a beggar, barely scraping by,” Jack sneered. “Now our parents want to see you. We’re giving you one last chance to come back with us,” he continued. “It’ll also let you experience the wealthy lifestyle our family enjoys now, you beggar,” Lily added with a smirk. 0

Our daughter Lily also looked at me smugly. “You left the Young family so decisively back then. I thought you had some special skills up your sleeve. Turns out you’ve just been wandering around homeless all this time!” “If I were you, I’d find a block of tofu and smash my head against it. Save everyone the oxygen you’re wasting.” I paused for a moment, looking at Lily with a complex gaze. I couldn’t believe that after all these years, she still hadn’t changed her disrespectful ways. But I wasn’t angry. Instead, I looked at them calmly. “What does this have to do with you?” I asked coolly. From the moment they kicked me out of the Young family, I had no connection to them anymore. “Your family may be better off now, even comparable to one of Lucas’s subsidiaries,” I said. “But that’s your own business. No need to brag about it to me.” Seeing that I didn’t react the way they wanted, father and daughter were both stunned for a moment. After a while, Jack looked at me with disdain. “You’ve been reduced to wandering the streets, yet you’re still so stubborn?” he scoffed. “If it wasn’t for Dad wanting to see you for his 80th birthday, we wouldn’t even bother looking at you.” “But since Dad asked, whether you agree or not, you have to come back with us.” Jack’s tone was full of determination, just like years ago. I still shook my head. “Those are your parents!” he insisted. “From the moment I left, I no longer had parents,” I replied firmly. They may have raised me, but when I left empty-handed years ago, leaving all the assets to them, I had already repaid that debt. Seeing me still so stubborn, Lily’s face became even more contemptuous. “You’ve been reduced to wandering the streets. No need to put on an act in front of us,” she sneered. “Us bringing you back is a blessing for you, understand?” “But just because you’re coming back doesn’t mean you can have any ideas about Aunt Emily. We’ll never let that happen.” Looking at her increasingly twisted expression, my heart sank. She had always been cunning, even as a child. At just seven or eight years old, to stay with her aunt forever, she deliberately ran into the middle of the road to lure me over. When a speeding car approached, she suddenly dodged aside. I was so focused on saving her that I was thrown seven or eight meters by the impact. While I was seriously injured in the hospital, she even slandered me, saying I was trying to take her to commit suicide together, just so Emily could smoothly enter the Young family. Later, when I told Jack about this incident, he just scoffed dismissively. “She was only eight years old. How could she have such vicious thoughts?” he had said. “I think you’re the truly vicious one, framing your own daughter for your own benefit.” What he said wasn’t wrong. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t have believed an eight-year-old could have such malicious intentions either. But that was the reality, no matter how unbelievable. The flesh and blood I once cherished more than my own life turned out to be the one who hurt me the deepest. Looking at Lily before me now, I had completely written her off as a stranger in my heart. Just as I was lost in thought, Jack and Lily kicked aside the dog that had accompanied me for years, roughly dragging me into their car. I struggled desperately, wanting to check on my dog’s condition, but I was no match for the two of them. Lily even took out a fruit knife from the car and waved it in front of my face. “You’d better behave, you ugly freak. Otherwise, I’ll disfigure the other side of your face too!” she threatened.

Even though I had long decided to cut ties with her, seeing her vicious expression still made my heart ache. After all, I was the mother who had given birth to her and raised her. Yet she treated me like this. I obediently stopped struggling and sat quietly in the car. Because I knew Lily wasn’t simply threatening me. If I continued to make a fuss, she would really follow through on her words. After all, in her eyes, her birth mother had long been no different from a beggar on the street. “That’s better. As long as you obey us, we won’t let you wander the streets. We’ll keep you in the Young house like a pet. After all, Grandpa still needs you,” Lily said. “You probably don’t understand our family’s wealth now.” She raised the Cartier watch on her wrist, waving it in front of me to show off. “Aunt Emily gave me this watch. It cost over $70,000. You could never afford it in your lifetime.” “As a pauper, you need to know your place. Don’t put on airs in front of us. It won’t do you any good.” Even though I was Lily’s birth mother, it didn’t stop her from lecturing me with the air of an elder. Listening to her words, I started trembling with anger. I really didn’t know what kind of environment the Young family had raised such a failure like Lily in, to make her so utterly disrespectful. Arriving at the Young family’s gate, I immediately sent a message to my two adopted sons, asking them to come pick me up from the Young house right away. I didn’t want to stay in this place for another second. Just as I sent the message, a familiar figure walked out of the house. “Sister, it’s been so many years. How did you end up in such a sorry state?” Emily said mockingly. “You’re bringing shame to our whole Reed family!” Emily’s eyes were still full of disdain for me, just like before. She even unconsciously raised her chin slightly as she spoke. She seemed to have forgotten that she only got everything she had now because of my generosity. “Emily, let me go. Let yourself go too,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. She had always been strong-willed since childhood, always trying to compete with me on everything. For her sake, I had already given up too much. My education, my family, even half my life I had given to her. But she didn’t seem to appreciate my good intentions at all. She was still as arrogant as before. Emily looked at me mockingly. “Let you go? Do you even deserve to say such things now?” “Know your place. You’re no different from a beggar now. From now on, as long as you behave like a good dog in our Young family, you can still enjoy some of the family’s glory and wealth.” As she spoke, Emily clapped her hands lightly, calling a servant to bring an exquisite gift box and place it in front of me. “This is the birthday gift I prepared for Dad. It cost over $300,000. I’ll let you see it today to broaden your horizons.” Emily took out a jade pendant from the box and held it out in front of me. Just as I was about to reach for it, she suddenly slapped me hard across the face. “Something like this is just for you to look at. Is it something someone of your status can touch? You may not mind the dirt, but I’m afraid Dad will!” I was stunned by her sudden slap, frozen in place. After a long while, I finally held back my tears and looked at her. “If you didn’t want me to touch it, why did you hold it out in front of me?” Emily chuckled. “I just wanted to humiliate you properly. Is that not allowed?” My heart sank as I realized she was simply trying to humiliate me. Jack, who had been watching all this, showed no signs of wanting to intervene. There was even a hint of amusement in his eyes. I seemed to have gotten used to such scenes many years ago. In their eyes, Emily was not only beautiful but also cultured. She could do no wrong. No matter what she did, they would unconditionally shield her. And I would always be the one to swallow my anger and grievances. Most of the time, I didn’t even have the right to argue with her. Just then, the roar of car engines sounded outside. My parents also arrived at the Young house, led by Jack’s driver. Emily and Jack immediately walked over excitedly to help my parents out of the car. “Dad, Mom!” they called out warmly. When they walked up to me, I softly moved my lips and called out to them too. But they just glanced at me coldly before walking into the house with Emily and Jack. It seemed they were too ashamed to even speak a word to their daughter. I stood there watching their receding figures enter the house, feeling as if my whole being was being torn apart in pain.

“Grandpa and Grandma are calling you inside,” Lily finally came out and said to me in an unfriendly tone. I nodded and followed behind Lily into the house, my face pale. “Olivia, after all these years, you still can’t let go of what happened?” my father immediately questioned me sternly as soon as I walked into the living room. I shook my head, looking at him uncomprehendingly. “Do you think this is something easy to let go of?” I asked. Back then, Emily not only took over my family but also guided young Lily to push me into the abyss. Yet they didn’t see any fault with Emily. Instead, they all pointed their fingers at me. How could I possibly let it go so easily? My mother snorted coldly as she looked at me. “Even if Emily hadn’t married Jack, do you think you’d still be worthy of him?” “A woman like you with no education and a disfigured face – Jack would probably be laughed at just for taking you out in public. How did I give birth to such an ungrateful daughter?” Hearing my mother’s words, I once again felt as if my whole being was being torn apart. During my school years, my grades were actually quite good, even better than Emily’s. But at that time, our Reed family wasn’t well-off. It was already a struggle to support one child through college, let alone two. After their constant persuasion, I had no choice but to give up my studies and start working to support Emily through college. Later, with our family’s all-out support, Emily not only went to college but also got into graduate school. Emily naturally became their pride and joy. And I, the sister who had given up everything for her, not only didn’t receive their gratitude but was belittled to the core. In their words, it seemed everything had become my fault. I could no longer control the emotions in my heart and shouted at them. “Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself – is this really my fault?” The room fell into a brief silence. My father finally sighed and spoke again. “Emily is the younger sister. As the older sister, shouldn’t you have given in to her a bit?” “Everything is in the past now. There’s no use dwelling on these things anymore. I just hope you can let go of all grudges and stay by our side to take care of us. Jack’s business is growing bigger now. We can’t let them be distracted.” Hearing his words, I laughed coldly in my heart. Now I finally knew their purpose for calling me back – they needed a housekeeper at home and wanted to call back their obedient daughter to be their caretaker. If it wasn’t for this, they probably wouldn’t have even remembered my existence as their daughter. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried hard not to feel too hurt. “I can only stay here for one day. I can’t stay by your side forever,” I said firmly. Even if they had spoken a bit more tactfully, or shown a little more warmth towards me, as their daughter, I would have stayed by their side without hesitation. But their words and actions were too hurtful, completely extinguishing the last bit of hope I had for them in my heart. “You think you still have a choice in this matter? Olivia Reed, let me make this clear to you today – no matter what, you must stay by Mom and Dad’s side to take care of them,” Jack said, his tone full of arrogance, leaving no room for argument. I looked at him in disbelief. “Do I not even have the right to choose my own life anymore?” Jack snorted coldly. “Isn’t staying with our family better than begging everywhere? We’re all doing this for your own good.” Before I could react, Jack waved his hand. Several Young family servants rushed over, roughly tying me up, gagging my mouth, and locking me in a guest room nearby. The guests watching this scene had long become used to it. They all knew that Jack had abandoned a previous wife before. And I didn’t need to guess to know that I was Jack’s ex-wife. My facial features were too distinctive after all. “Olivia Reed, I think you have too many problems now. Today I’ll let someone help you correct this bad attitude first,” Jack said to me before locking the door. Several servants holding clubs were eyeing me menacingly in the room. Before I could react, those servants had already started beating me viciously with their clubs. The intense pain made me curl up and struggle constantly. Soon, my whole body was covered in blood. However, those servants seemed to have received Jack’s instructions and showed no signs of stopping. Gradually, my consciousness became fuzzy, and I felt like I could barely breathe. Only then did Jack walk in again, looking at me with a twisted expression. “If you don’t agree to stay, I’ll beat you like this every day until you agree!” Hearing Jack’s words, my heart was filled with despair. Was I really going to be trapped here like an animal for the rest of my life? Tears mixed with blood kept sliding down my cheeks. I felt like I had fallen into a bottomless abyss once again.

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I loved Blake for ten years, and finally, after his first love dumped him, I became his wife. I overestimated Blake’s love for me, and I underestimated the devastating impact of the woman who still held his heart captive. When I was pregnant, he was accompanying her to prenatal check-ups. When the doctors gave me a death sentence, he was taking care of her, ensuring her pregnancy was safe. When I miscarried, he was by her bedside, waiting for her to give birth. But when I wanted a divorce, he regretted it! Mia Thompson’s giggling on my phone was jarringly loud in the hands-free clinic. Mia was the one Blake had always held a torch for, the one he could never truly have. I was just the desperate wife who had practically begged him to marry her when he was down on his luck. Blake’s tone, as always, was impatient. “You’re already at the hospital, what are you stirring up now? You know Mia’s pregnancy is delicate and she needs someone to look after her. If you’re sick, go see a doctor. Can I cure you? I’m hanging up, bye!” Before the dial tone, I heard Mia’s voice, sweet and faint: “Blake, I’m not feeling well…” A chill swept through my entire body. I put my phone away and looked at Daniel Davis, whose brows were tightly furrowed across the desk. “I’m keeping this baby,” I said. Professor Daniel, looking grim, was my childhood best friend and now a renowned OB/GYN specialist at this hospital. Daniel held my report, his face somber. “Stomach cancer. If we terminate the pregnancy now and pursue aggressive treatment, there’s still hope…” I cut him off before he could finish. “No! No termination. I’m giving birth to this child.” I was terrified of dying, but I couldn’t bear to give up the child in my belly, Blake and my child. When I got home and pushed open the door, I saw Blake massaging Mia’s legs. Watching the two of them, a picture of domestic bliss, it hit me. He’d merely claimed he wanted me to go stay at his family’s estate for my pregnancy so I’d vacate the space. “Don’t overthink it, she’s just staying for a little while,” Blake explained dismissively when he saw me suddenly return. The discomfort in my stomach made me nauseous again. Seeing me clutch my chest, my face pale, Blake’s movements as he propped a soft pillow under Mia suddenly faltered. Maybe it was my imagination, but for a split second, I thought I saw a hint of concern in his eyes. “Serena isn’t that petty, Blake. Saying that makes Serena sad!” Mia’s sweet, teasing complaint made him quickly adjust the pillow for her again. Watching his careful attentiveness, my heart twisted painfully. It felt like ages since he’d been that gentle with me. Mia, who had left Blake to impulsively marry a wealthy man years ago, hadn’t had an easy life. Her husband was known for having multiple mistresses. Every time they argued, she’d call Blake, pouring out her heart to him, tearfully claiming she’d sacrificed her feelings back then just to ensure Blake and I could be happy. No matter how I explained, Blake never believed me. Every time Mia called, Blake would rush to her side without hesitation. In this marriage, I gave everything, yet I still loved him so pathetically. My gaze fell on the pillow in Blake’s hand. It still had our sweet wedding photo printed on it, now propped behind another woman by the very man in the picture. A dull ache settled in my chest. Mia, meanwhile, was delicately holding Blake’s arm, her eyes meeting mine with a triumphant, challenging smirk. “Oh, Serena, I’m so sorry. I just asked Blake to pick you up from the hospital, but he was worried about my health and couldn’t leave me alone. It’s all my fault, don’t be angry with him…” It was laughable. Mia was acting like she was fighting over a man with someone on her deathbed. Her voice was still so sickeningly sweet, exactly as hateful as I remembered. “Why bother with her? Can’t a grown woman get home by herself?” Blake snapped. Mia’s smirk widened. “I need to talk to you. Come up when you’re done.” I bypassed the two on the couch and headed straight upstairs. This marriage, tainted by a third person, had dragged on for too long. I was dying soon, and stubbornly, I wanted an answer. An answer about me, Mia, and him.

Mrs. Jenkins brought up some chicken soup. “Mrs. Stone, please have some chicken soup first. Mr.—Mr. Blake will be here in a moment.” Mrs. Jenkins was an excellent cook; I loved her chicken soup most, but now my body couldn’t even enjoy it. The oil on top of the soup slowly solidified, and I watched it, lost in thought. The door opened. “What can’t you say downstairs? Mia isn’t an outsider.” Blake’s tone was impatient, his face showing clear disdain. “Blake, did you ever love me?” I gently asked, clutching my stomach, trying to suppress the nausea. “Oh, here we go again, being unreasonable. Serena, when did you become so heartless? Mia just got divorced and has nowhere to go; I’m just taking care of her for a while!” “A while? How long? Six months? A year?” I met his gaze, pressing him, question after question. *You know the doctor said I have less than six months left.* I didn’t voice that last part. “You weren’t like this before, what happened to you?” “Can’t you be more understanding, like Mia? Stop making a big deal out of nothing. You’re both pregnant women, wouldn’t it be better if you were considerate of each other?” It was always like this. Whenever Mia was brought up, I was the unreasonable one. Five years ago, when his company faced a crisis and was on the brink of bankruptcy, Mia abandoned him and impulsively married some rich guy. He spiraled into despair and self-harm, and I stayed by his side day and night, caring for him, and he never said I was unreasonable. When I pleaded with my father for three days, risking his disapproval, to get the funds to help Blake through his crisis, he never said I was unreasonable. Now, I was dying, and he brought Mia, the woman who had abandoned him, back into *my* home, letting her stay in *my* bedroom. I hadn’t even shown any anger, and he was calling me unreasonable! The thought sent a chilling realization washing over me, making me tremble all over. The pain in my body made it impossible to stand upright. “Blake, did you ever love me?” I curled up by the desk, large beads of sweat beading on my forehead. “That’s enough! Are you always going to use these pathetic tricks to get my attention?” With that, he turned to leave. My vision swam, and I collapsed to the floor. “Are you serious?” Seeing my pained face, he rushed over and scooped me up. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought I saw a flicker of concern on his face. “Blake, did you ever love me?” I touched his face, asking one last time, waiting for an answer. “I—” Suddenly, an urgent cry for help interrupted his words. “Blake, my stomach hurts so bad! Come quickly!” Mia’s shriek echoed from downstairs. I saw Blake’s half-opened mouth tighten instantly. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dropped me and rushed downstairs, leaving only a panicked glimpse of his back. Lying on the floor, feeling the waves of excruciating pain in my stomach, my heart felt hollow. Blake’s words were unfinished, but I heard the answer. Between Mia and me, I was never even an option in his mind. I never had a chance to be chosen. Not then, not now. 4 The three of us were high school classmates. If there was a first in line, it was definitely me who noticed Blake first. Mia was the daughter of Mrs. Jenkins, our housekeeper. My parents felt sorry for her, so they arranged for her to attend the same school as me and covered all her tuition. She was beautiful, outgoing, and wildly charismatic. She attracted the attention of many boys the moment she enrolled, and Blake, who always had a high opinion of himself, was no exception. Standing next to Mia, she looked more like the pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Blake used to always say, “Serena, can’t you be more outgoing and lively, like Mia? Who would like someone so quiet and withdrawn, always lost in thought?” He was right. Quiet and withdrawn me couldn’t express my feelings, and I didn’t win his affection. Later, Blake always insisted on walking to and from school with Mia and me. The three of us walked together, but each of us held our own silent thoughts. On the day of high school graduation, Mia became Blake’s girlfriend. It was an August evening, with a gentle summer breeze. Under the maple tree, the young couple passionately embraced, their kiss lingering. That night, two hearts were stirred, but three people suffered from insomnia. After that, I faded from their sight, only hearing updates about them during summer and winter breaks from Mia. Then, one day, Mia suddenly asked, “Serena, do you like Blake?” My face burned crimson, all the way to my neck, but I flatly denied it. “No, you’re overthinking. You two should stay together. High school love is rare and precious.” “Love? My mom says love is the cheapest thing there is. You have to find a rich man. I don’t want to be a housekeeper my whole life like my mom!” Mia said, looking at her new phone, engrossed in her own thoughts. My face stiffened. “Then you and Blake…” “Blake used to be the richest person I knew, so of course I was with him. But now I’ve seen a wider world, and I should have better options!” “Look how nice this phone is, it’s the latest model! My friend gave it to me!” “Friend?” I looked at her in disbelief. The Mia I knew before wasn’t like this. Mia’s words pierced my heart like a thorn. I didn’t want Blake to be kept in the dark, and I worried about him getting hurt. After tossing and turning all night, I tapped on Blake’s SnapChat icon and subtly hinted at what was happening. But the next day, Blake called me out. In front of a dramatically sobbing Mia, he loudly reprimanded me: “Serena, how could you be so vicious? I won’t allow you to slander Mia. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being unkind.” Mia leaned into Blake’s embrace, feigning distress, but shot me a triumphant look as she choked back her “tears.” Watching those two, I honestly wanted to slap myself. Later, after college graduation, Blake, despite his family’s objections, defiantly got engaged to Mia. However, when Mia learned that Blake’s family business was facing a financial crisis, she abandoned him alone at their wedding venue. The very next day, she had a lavish wedding with a wealthy man. The man who had lived in my heart for ten years was discarded by the woman he loved most. I couldn’t bear to see him wallow in despair and self-pity. I was constantly by his side, working tirelessly for him. Perhaps it was his disillusionment with Mia, perhaps his gratitude for my unwavering presence, or maybe he truly fell in love with me. A year later, he proposed to me. After marriage, I didn’t hold high hopes for Blake’s love, after all, my feelings for him had always been unrequited. But he was gentle and attentive towards me, meticulously thoughtful. He remembered my period dates every month and had small surprises for me. When my parents passed away, he worked during the day and stayed by my side at night, barely sleeping. If it weren’t for Mia constantly calling him out, I might have truly believed he had fallen in love with me. Then, three months ago, Mia, freshly divorced, appeared at my doorstep. That night, Blake slept with his back to me for the first time, tossing and turning all night. I knew my happiness was about to be snatched away. After that, he grew increasingly distant. He couldn’t even be bothered to make excuses when he went to see Mia. He came home later and later each day, carrying the scent of Mia’s favorite perfume. 5 I woke up on the floor to an empty upstairs. Perhaps Mrs. Jenkins heard my movements, as she came into the study. “Oh, Mrs. Stone, you haven’t had a drop of this chicken soup. Mr. Blake truly… he doesn’t even care about you. Look how thin you’ve become, sigh…” I offered a bitter smile. Even Mrs. Jenkins noticed I’d lost weight, but the man who slept beside me didn’t. I leaned against the wall, intending to rest, but after only a couple of steps, my vision went black, and I passed out. When I woke again, I was in a hospital bed. “What drama are you stirring up now?” Blake’s voice cut through the air. “Do you have any idea that because of picking you up, Mia was alone doing her check-up? What if something happened?” I collected myself and saw Blake by my bed. My heart ached as I then noticed Mia standing by the foot of it. So, Blake had left me to take Mia to the hospital. He was worried about Mia doing a check-up alone, but it never occurred to him that I might die alone at home at any moment. “Blake, you mustn’t speak to Serena like that. She cares about you too!” Her words were laced with feigned concern; I couldn’t even be bothered to respond. Now that I had my answer, I no longer held any illusions about the man before me. “Let’s get a divorce,” I said, looking out at the birds flying past the window, my voice weak. “Serena, do you always have to compete with Mia? Do you know there are no beds available in the hospital? This bed you’re lying in, Mia gave it up for you! When will you ever be considerate?” I painfully propped myself up and got out of bed. “Doctor, I want to be discharged!” “Serena!” Blake roared. I stared blankly at the man before me, whose veins were bulging in his neck from anger. He never used to yell at me like this. Even when I angered him, he would just gently touch my forehead and say, “My dear Serena is being naughty again. You need to be a good girl.” But now, ever since Mia returned, all his tenderness was for her. I was like a shameless, ungrateful shrew. “Yes! This bed was hers, and now I don’t want it! I’m giving it back to her!” “My husband was also someone she didn’t want, and gave to me. Now, I don’t want him either! I’m giving him back to her!” “Is that enough?!” I screamed, using every last ounce of my strength. The commotion in the room drew Daniel, who was doing his rounds. When he saw me, his brows furrowed even deeper than they had that morning. “You shouldn’t get agitated now. Your condition—” “What condition? What condition could she possibly have, being pregnant?” Blake interrupted Daniel. He glared at me, his eyes blazing. “Serena, you’ve really improved, haven’t you? First, you lied about Mia being a gold-digger, and now you’re dragging a doctor into your lies to deceive me. Are you really that unloved?!” Yes, I was that unloved. Years ago, to revive his failing business, I pleaded with my father for three days and nights, risking his disapproval. I secured ten million dollars for Blake’s working capital. That ten million dollars, however, severed my last connection to my parents in this world. After my parents gave me the money, I was constantly by Blake’s side, working tirelessly for him, being a supportive wife and partner, helping him get back on his feet. But my parents, due to the sudden withdrawal of capital, had their financial chain broken. Unable to withstand the pressure from their investors, they both jumped to their deaths. By the time I rushed there, I only saw their cold bodies. At the time of the incident, Blake’s company was at a critical juncture, and I didn’t want to distract him, so he knew nothing of this. He only knew my parents had passed away, and I handled their funerals alone. In this world, apart from the child in my womb, I had no family left. Daniel was enraged by Blake’s attitude. He sharply said, “Her condition is very—” Mia’s wail interrupted Daniel’s unfinished sentence. “Ah—ah—Doctor, my stomach hurts so bad! Come quickly, please! Did giving up the bed just now stir things up and cause early labor?!” Blake strode towards Mia, glaring at me. “If anything happens to Mia, I won’t forgive you!” With that, he picked her up and rushed towards the doctor’s office. Even though my heart was completely cold towards this man, seeing my unborn child’s father abandon him for someone else’s child, I couldn’t help but feel an agonizing pang. As soon as Blake left, a warm gush flowed down my legs. I looked down. It was blood! “Daniel, Daniel, save my baby!” As the blood gushed out, searing pain ripped through my stomach, and I panicked. In the emergency room, machines beeped and whirred. I felt like I was losing so much blood.

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After showering, I lit a cigarette. Halfway through it, the hotel room door pushed open. I looked at the man in the doorway, startled and panicked. My twenty-eighth john was my husband. I finished my cigarette, stubbed it out, and calmed down. Getting up, I switched the mood lighting to purple. Then, a thought struck me, and I smiled, looking at my husband still standing in the doorway. “Maybe we should change the mood lights, since you’re already here… indulging.” Brandon’s face hardened with rage. He slammed the door shut, stormed over, and clamped his hands around my throat, pinning me to the bed before he slapped me hard. “Chloe Peterson, how *dare* you!” My head swam with stars, but I didn’t resist his furious accusation. Instead, my whole body relaxed, and a laugh bubbled out of me. For three years, they’d called me a shrew, a psycho. I’d almost forgotten. I still had a name. Chloe Peterson. I grew up in a small town. My parents, despite their modest incomes, barely scraped enough together to put me through college. The year I graduated, my parents set me up with Brandon. Brandon was a good catch. Tall, handsome, fair-skinned. His family was well-off, owning a couple of properties, and he was their only child. My mom always said meeting Brandon was like hitting the jackpot – a cosmic gift I’d earned in a past life. I was twenty-two then, Brandon was twenty-four. He was still the young man who’d brave the cold wind to bring me warm coffee and pastries. He’d never dated, and neither had I. Two clueless virgins crashing into each other, yet somehow, we ignited a fierce passion. Soon after, we walked down the aisle. I thought it was the beginning of a blissful life, but it was just the first step into hell. The very night our wedding ended, his family not only confiscated the cash gifts my family had brought but then demanded a dowry from me. I stood my ground, refusing. His mother started wailing. In the midst of the argument, Brandon slapped me. The force of it sent me sprawling to the floor, my mind a blur. That year, I was twenty-three, and two months pregnant. Afterward, I insisted on a divorce. My parents pleaded with me, begging me to forgive Brandon, for the sake of the tiny life inside me. A two-month-old fetus might not be considered a ‘person’ by some, but I could feel its presence, so vividly real. In the end, I softened. I didn’t terminate that little life, and I went back home with Brandon. * “Chloe Peterson, I’ll kill you!” “Kill your cash cow? Would you really dare?” Brandon’s anger intensified, and his grip on my throat tightened. I didn’t fight back, just stared coldly at his face. Under the purple mood lights, his furious face twisted, becoming grotesque, like a devil’s. No, Brandon *was* a devil. “Chloe Peterson, you overestimate yourself! Without you, I’ll find another!” He wasn’t falling for my taunts. He grabbed a pillow and pressed it down hard over my face. The air was instantly sucked out of my lungs. I started to suffocate, a terrible, desperate struggle. Just as I felt I was dying, I heard a rough kicking at the door, followed by chaotic footsteps. “Police!” “Get up! Hands on your head and down on the floor!” The pressure on the pillow vanished, and it puffed back up. I pulled it away, the purple ambient light blurring my vision. “Are you okay?” The officer in uniform was young, looked about twenty-three or twenty-four, and spoke with a gentle voice. I glanced at her outstretched hand but didn’t take it. Instead, I pushed myself up from the bed, tying my loosely opened bathrobe. “Officer, I’m a sex worker. You don’t have to be gentle with me.” Watching Officer Sarah’s startled expression, I smiled, even as my eyes pricked with tears.

When I was twenty-four, I lost the baby and had my uterus removed. I’d never be a mother. In the ICU, my mind was clear, but my body was completely numb, hooked up to various machines. My mom came in and didn’t say a word, just cried. Watching her, I also shed tears, struggling to push out the words, “I want a divorce.” “Child, you can’t leave him!” “You’re… different now.” My mom’s words were veiled, but I understood immediately. A fire of anger surged through me. “It was *them*! They did this to me!” I couldn’t scream; my throat was raw, my voice ragged, but the rage and despair were unmistakable. My mom wiped her tears and squeezed my hand. “This isn’t the time to be stubborn. You’re like this now; if you divorce, who will want you? Your mother knows best, Chloe. I wouldn’t lead you astray. Listen to me. When you get out of the hospital, go back to Brandon and live your life. You’re different now. You need to be even better to Brandon if you want to keep him.” I stared at her face, etched with what looked like concern, and the fury in my chest suddenly dissipated. She squeezed my hand tighter. “Did you hear me? For your sake, we even returned the dowry money to their family! Don’t make us worry anymore!” Her face was plastered with ‘I’m doing this for your own good,’ and as I watched, my tears stopped falling. All I wanted to do was laugh. I guess a woman just *needs* a man in her life, right? * “Young woman, with so many things you could be doing, why *this*? Can’t you live without a man?” The officer questioning me was an older man, maybe in his late forties or early fifties. He clanged his thermos loudly on the table the moment he walked into the interrogation room. I watched him the whole time, and when our gazes met, his filled with disgust. I just curved my lips into a smile. “That’s right. I can’t.” “Do you even realize where you are? Get serious!” Officer Miller wasn’t amused. He picked up his thermos and slammed it down again. I leaned back in my chair, getting as comfortable as I could. “Officer, I’m just answering your question. I *am* serious.” He looked about to slam the thermos down again when a younger officer called him out. I glanced over. The young officer had a good build, but I didn’t get a clear look at his face. Soon after, the young officer entered and took Officer Miller’s place. My gaze traveled from his long legs upwards, finally reaching his face. The moment I recognized him, I panicked, lowering my head and straightening up awkwardly. The handcuffs on my wrists glinted, and I frantically clasped my hands together to hide them. Ryan Stone. How could it be him? How could it be *him*?! * “Do you know who that is?” It was my freshman year of college. I was stumbling through my introduction during student government club tryouts when I heard the voice. I looked up, following the gazes of the other students. I noticed the young man sitting in the middle. He wore a dark trench coat, his posture casual, almost lazy, yet he exuded a cool indifference. When his eyes met mine, I panicked, looking down and shaking my head. I’d only been enrolled for a month; I barely knew my roommates. “That’s Ryan, our club president. You don’t know him?” “Don’t tease her! Hey, I’ve got a question for you: if Ryan broke a rule and you caught him, would you report it?” As the question hung in the air, someone else chimed in, egging me on. My mind went blank, but I nodded. “Yes. I’d report him.” They all laughed. I kept my head down, my palms sweating from nerves.

“Chloe Peterson.” Ryan’s voice was low and magnetic. I nervously looked up, met his gaze, and then quickly looked away. “She’ll do. She’s in.” “She’ll *do*? What do you mean?” I listened to the questioning, nervous but also eager for Ryan’s answer. “More straightforward than any of you.” I froze for a moment. I’d always been labeled ‘honest,’ but this was the first time anyone had ever called me ‘straightforward.’ I looked up, but Ryan had already gotten up. All I saw was his retreating back in the dark coat. * “Chloe Peterson.” Ryan’s voice was still low and magnetic, but his tone was strictly official. My gaze had nowhere to land, so it settled on my red painted nails. “Your husband claims he didn’t know you were prostituting yourself. He said he lashed out because he blacked out with rage. Do you agree with this statement?” I clenched my hands, my body trembling slightly before completely slumping, like a puddle, a deflated rag doll in the chair. “He knew. He was trying to kill me.” I looked up, but I didn’t have the courage to meet Ryan’s eyes. I just stared at the hand holding his pen. His hands were still as beautiful as I remembered. My resolve crumpled, and I shifted my gaze away from his hands. “He forced me into prostitution.” “Elaborate.” Ryan didn’t question me, which surprised me. Even my own parents didn’t believe me; they even cut ties with me. “I had a hysterectomy.” “Because of an infection from the stillbirth.” “My baby was just 97 days from being born.” I spoke with difficulty, my throat raw. As my emotions teetered on the edge of breaking, a cup of water appeared before me. The hand holding the cup had prominent knuckles. I looked up. My eyes were full of tears, and the overhead lights blurred through them, making everything swim, even Ryan, standing before me, appeared to have a double. Perhaps it was that blurred vision that gave me the courage not to look away. “They said since I couldn’t bear a son for their lineage, couldn’t give the ‘family name’ an heir, then I should earn money for their family instead.” “They forced me into prostitution.” Maybe my gaze made Ryan uncomfortable; he deliberately looked away, walked back, and sat down. “We will investigate and verify your claims. If they are true, we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law and get you justice.” Hearing his official tone, I lowered my head, no longer trying to hide my handcuffed hands. The silver surface reflected my face, heavily made up, like a ghost. I scoffed at myself. I couldn’t even remember what my face looked like without makeup in college, let alone Ryan. “Why did the baby… become stillborn?” Ryan’s voice had softened, but his question ignited my emotions. My body began to tremble uncontrollably. “They made me drink something.” “What kind of ‘something’?” Seeing the confused expression on Ryan’s face, my reason took control of my emotions, and my body stopped trembling. “Officer Ryan, do you believe in karma? In poetic justice?” Ryan paused, then his expression immediately turned serious. “I believe in the fairness and justice of the law.” I didn’t speak, just smiled. No wonder he switched schools and majors back then. But, is there any justice or fairness for *women* in this world? * “A girl? How could it be a *girl*?!” “You worthless jinx! You can’t even give birth to a son! What good are you anyway?!” When I was three months pregnant, my mother-in-law used every trick in the book to find out the baby’s gender from the doctor. Right outside the OB/GYN office, she pointed her finger in my face and screamed at me. It was a weekend, and the clinic was crowded. Everyone was staring. My face burned with shame. I tugged at my mother-in-law’s sleeve, trying to make her stop, but she just raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

“You’re a good-for-nothing, and you’re having another good-for-nothing! Don’t touch me! Such a jinx!” “What did our family ever do to deserve a woman like you?!” I covered my face, gritting my teeth, refusing to let the tears fall in front of everyone. “What are you standing there for? Aren’t you embarrassed enough? Get your worthless self home!” “I can’t stand the sight of you! Always that dead-fish face, it’s bad luck!” My mother-in-law ranted and raved, not waiting for me, and took a cab home. Penniless, I had to walk. By the time I got home, Brandon was already home from work. The moment he saw me, his face was a mask of irritation and disgust. “Where have you been so late? No dinner made.” “I worked all day and come home to no hot meal! What am I keeping you for?!” I hadn’t even had a chance to speak when Brandon grabbed my hair and dragged me into the kitchen, pressing my head against the counter. He picked up a cleaver and slammed it onto the cutting board, holding it menacingly close to my face. “If I don’t get dinner when I get home, I’ll chop your head off!” I shielded my stomach, staring at my reflection in the blade, biting my lip hard to hold back my tears. Out of the corner of my eye, Brandon’s parents sat in the living room, casually watching TV as if nothing was happening. This went on until I was four months pregnant. Just as I was about to go numb, my mother-in-law fell ill. My parents, with forced smiles, managed to get her a bed at one of the city’s top hospitals. My mom said that was all they could do for me. I wanted out, but my mom just told me I couldn’t escape anymore, not with a baby on the way. If marriage was a cage trapping me, then this child was the lock on that cage. After my mother-in-law recovered, her attitude towards me changed. Even my father-in-law and Brandon became kinder. When I was five months pregnant, my mother-in-law started preparing various nourishing soups for me. At the time, I truly believed the dark clouds had finally parted, until that night she brought me a bowl of special herbal tea, supposedly for the baby’s health.

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I saw an art class girl being assaulted by someone weirdly dressed. I stepped in, saved her, and called the police. The next day, she accused *me* of being the attacker. She even claimed I forced her to make a false statement the day before. Then, the police took me away, and I lost my guaranteed spot at a top-tier university. My dad, who had a disability in his leg, wrote a desperate letter in his own blood, pleading my innocence, then took his own life outside her house. With insufficient evidence, I was released, but I’d lost my university admission and missed the college application deadline. My life was pretty much over. I drifted aimlessly for six months, then saw the art class girl and her actual assailant walking hand-in-hand. Furious, I charged over, demanding why she’d betrayed me. The attacker shoved me, and I was hit by a speeding car, sent flying. When I woke up again, I was back to the night it all happened. “Don’t touch me, or I’ll scream!” “Help! Someone, help me!” “Is anyone out there?!” I should be dead. Why could I still hear those screams from six months ago? Not far away, hidden in the bushes, a man in strange clothes was assaulting a helpless woman. It wasn’t just familiar; it was exactly the same scene. I stood frozen on the sidewalk. A car flashed its hazard lights and honked, shaking me out of my trance. I quickly moved to the other side of the road. In my past life, I saw Tiffany, a girl from my art class, being assaulted. My sense of justice flared, and I rushed over, throwing my backpack at the attacker’s head. The man clutched his head with one hand, pulling up his pants with the other, swearing as he left, not forgetting to threaten me, “Alex Miller from Year 11, right? I’ll remember you. You’ll pay for this!” It was Blake, the school’s resident jerk. I didn’t take his threat seriously. I took off my shirt to cover Tiffany, comforted her as she reeled from the trauma, and even encouraged her to call the police. When I got home, I told my dad about my heroic act. Years ago, my dad had his leg broken stepping in to help someone, but he never regretted it. He patted my shoulder proudly. “That’s my boy. I’m proud of you.” But the next day at school, Tiffany showed up with the police to arrest me. She was an acting student, alright. The tears flowed like a faucet, and she looked utterly distraught, enough to fool anyone. “Alex Miller assaulted me yesterday, and he threatened to kill my whole family if I ever told anyone.” She wiped her tears, glaring at me with venom. “The worst part is, he played the victim, making me out to be the hero, demanding our family give him a commendation banner in front of all the teachers and students.” It was like I’d been hit by a truck, completely disoriented. It wasn’t until I was in the police car that I reacted. “That’s not true! I helped you! I got rid of that guy and even comforted you. How could you betray me like this?” Her eyes were red, and she started crying again. “A girl’s reputation is everything. I wouldn’t joke about something like this.” Everyone seemed to believe her.

I became a pariah, a public enemy. It didn’t help that most people sided with her, the ‘victim.’ The online mob attacked me, and they doxxed my dad. They even claimed my dad’s heroic act years ago was just because he knew the kid he saved was from a rich family and he was trying to get a payout. I lost my guaranteed spot at a top-tier university and was expelled from school. My dad wrote a desperate letter in his own blood, then took his own life outside Tiffany’s house. The news blew up, and public outrage reached a fever pitch. The police reopened the investigation, and I was released, innocent. But no university would accept me anymore, and more importantly, I’d lost my dad, the only family I had. I drifted aimlessly for six months. Outside an apartment complex, I saw Tiffany and her real attacker, Blake, walking hand-in-hand. Furious, I charged over, demanding why she’d betrayed me like that. “How could I, just a regular person, fight against the heir of the Blake Corporation?” “If I hadn’t done what he said, my whole family would have been killed. I had no choice but to accuse you.” I yelled, “Do you know you ruined my entire life?!” “You’re still alive, aren’t you? So what if you went to an Ivy League school? You’d just end up working for rich people anyway.” “But my dad died!” She showed no remorse. “Everyone dies eventually. Better off dead, honestly.” I was so angry I grabbed her by the throat. Blake, who had been silent, yanked my collar. “Loser, hands off my girl!” He shoved me hard. I was hit by a speeding car, sent flying, and landed on the curb, dying instantly. Now, hearing those screams nearby, a bitter smile touched my lips. Not this time. No way I’m making that mistake again.

I walked to the night market. My dad was calling out to customers for his hot dogs. I hurried over to help. My mom died when I was born, and my dad never found another partner. After his leg was broken, no company would hire him. He also refused help from the person he saved. So, every night, he’d come to the night market to sell hot dogs, just to put me through school. Seeing his lean, busy figure, my heart ached. In my last life, I ruined everything for you, Dad. Not this time. I’m going to turn things around. I’ll go to the best university, get the best job, and make sure you can enjoy a comfortable retirement. But things didn’t go as I hoped. The next day at the school gate, Tiffany grabbed me and slapped me hard. “Why didn’t you help me last night?” I took a deep breath, then slapped her right back. I’m a guy, so my slap had force. She was stunned, covering her face. “You… you dared to hit me back.” “I’m not a doormat. Why would I just take it if you hit me?” “Why didn’t you help me yesterday?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Class starts soon. Please stop bothering me.” My expression was cold and distant as I clutched my books and walked inside. She rushed at me from behind, snatched my books, and threw them on the ground, stomping on them. “Are you working with him? Were you a lookout for him?” “You’re a despicable, disgusting person for not helping me! You deserve to die, just like him!” I pushed her away, bent down, and picked up my books. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You ruined my reputation for life by not helping me! Don’t you know you’re wrong?” She unleashed all her frustration on me, like a madwoman. She lunged, pushed me down, and started clawing at my face. I wasn’t about to give her the chance. I used my hands and feet to push her away. Her face contorted in fury, and she rushed at me again. Other students who were passing by quickly intervened, pulling us apart, and then called Dean Miller.

Dean Miller was a big, imposing man with a stern look, and all the students were a little scared of him. He just stood there, and no one dared to make a sound. In my last life, everyone believed her, but he was the only one who comforted my distraught dad. His sharp eyes swept over us. “What’s going on? You have less than a month until exams. Do you want to disrupt everyone’s studies?” “Alex Miller has a guaranteed spot at a top-tier university. What about you? You, on the other hand, only qualified for some basic art program at a lesser-known college. What are you even making a fuss about?” Tiffany immediately got angry and said indignantly, “Dean, even though I’m an art student, I want to study hard too. Alex got into an Ivy League, but you can’t just cover for him because of that!” “Covering for him? I don’t cover for anyone. Come on, both of you. To my office, now, and explain everything!” In the office, Tiffany embellished the story of what happened last night. “So, you’re saying Alex Miller saw you being assaulted but ignored you. You were upset, so you confronted him at the school gate this morning, and a fight broke out?” Tiffany nodded. I said, “First, I didn’t hear any cries for help. Second, even if I did hear them and knew it was you, helping you would be an act of kindness, but not helping you is my right. Now you’re trying to twist the story and guilt-trip me? That’s messed up, isn’t it?” Thinking of what she did in my past life, I added, “You didn’t catch the real attacker, so you’re trying to blame the victim, aren’t you? Are you planning to say *I* was the one who assaulted you?” I wanted to cut off her escape route right then and there. Tiffany’s face turned bright red, and she shrieked, “You scumbag! How could you think that of me? And to think you’re a top student with a guaranteed spot at an Ivy League university! You’re worse than dirt!” “No matter how angry or upset you get, I can’t testify to something I didn’t see, and I won’t admit to something I didn’t do.” She was furious and lunged at me, trying to choke me… Dean Miller barked, “Enough! If you can’t sort this out, then call the police! You two are seriously wasting everyone’s time. What are you thinking, acting like this now?” Perhaps Dean Miller just said it casually, but Tiffany’s face immediately went pale, and her hands trembled. “If I call the police, my life will be over.”

I watched her coldly. “Since you don’t want to call the police, then deal with it yourself. High school students are busy; let’s not waste each other’s time.” Dean Miller nodded. “That’s right. You decide. Call the police or find another way to resolve this. It’s up to you.” Tiffany lowered her head, hesitant. She’d caused a scene at the school gate, and many students had seen and heard it. Word would spread like wildfire, and her story would quickly become public. In a small town like ours, news travels fast. And for a girl to go through something like this… people would talk, her reputation would be ruined, making it impossible for her to have a normal life or find someone to settle down with. But worse than any of that, the whispers and rumors are what truly destroy a person. After much thought, she nodded. “Alright. Call the police, then.” After an investigation, I was just a passerby, not even a witness, and was immediately released. But Tiffany screamed in the police station, “He must have seen the attacker! He didn’t help me; he just watched me get assaulted! He must be an accomplice; you can’t let him go!” The officers exchanged glances, clearly thinking she was out of line. “Alex Miller was just passing by, he wasn’t…” Tiffany interrupted the officer frantically, “Don’t think he’s a good person just because he got into an Ivy League. He might be the attacker’s accomplice! They might have teamed up to assault me together! People like him should be locked up!” She was completely irrational. The officers shook their heads repeatedly. “Don’t overthink this. This is a police station; it’s a place of fairness and justice. You can’t just falsely accuse people or make wild guesses. Based on your statements, this incident has nothing to do with Alex Miller. Unless you have evidence.” “I clearly saw him glance over at me! He must have seen it!” Dean Miller wanted to speak up for me, but I quickly gave him a look. If he spoke, Tiffany would surely think he was covering for me. My gaze was firm, and I said in a low voice, “I already told you I didn’t see anything. It was late at night; how could you possibly see that I saw it? Do you have telescopic vision?” “No, you definitely saw it! You’re an accomplice! An accomplice!”

The officers’ patience ran out. “Alright, that’s enough! Alex Miller, you can go. Tiffany, you stay here for further investigation.” Tiffany wasn’t happy. She sat directly on the floor, kicking her legs and waving her arms like a child throwing a tantrum, or a woman completely losing her mind. “You just think I’m an easy target because I’m a girl with no family or background! He clearly saw me being assaulted and just walked away! That’s wrong!” “He deliberately let me be humiliated! He deliberately wanted to see me embarrassed! People like him should go to hell!” “My life is ruined anyway, and even if it is, I’m taking someone down with me! Alex Miller, who did this, can’t get away with it!” … I rubbed my ears, watching her in exasperation. “I just passed by that road, and that makes me a criminal? That means I deserve to die? There must have been other people passing by that night; why don’t you go after them? Oh, I know! Because you and I are from poor backgrounds, with no one to back us up, so you just randomly accuse me?” The officer frowned, looking at the girl on the floor. “Tiffany, you’d better get up and cooperate with our investigation, or your behavior could constitute obstructing an officer in the line of duty, and the consequences will be severe…” Tiffany froze, then quickly stood up, embarrassed. “I… I was just angry and confused. I didn’t mean to obstruct you. Let’s continue, let’s continue.” I gave her a long, hard look, then turned and left. This time, things were already different from my last life. I hoped everything would continue on the right path. But the next day, right before school let out for lunch, Tiffany burst into the school with the police. I had just come out of the teaching building when I saw her approaching, and I froze. This scene was exactly like before. Was she going to put on another act? Sure enough, she and the police blocked my path. “Officers, this is Alex Miller, the man who assaulted me the night before last!”

I stood there, stunned. It had only been a day and a night since yesterday, and she had suddenly changed completely. In the crowd, I saw Blake, the person who had truly assaulted her that night. Someone nearby was holding a phone, starting to record. The more people there were, the straighter Tiffany stood, as if being assaulted wasn’t shameful now, but something to brag about. “It was him! That night, he had evil intentions towards me!” Besides the students leaving school, there were parents picking up their kids and passersby at the gate. Everyone leaned in, trying to catch what was being said. “Oh my god, Alex Miller, our class genius, is an attacker? That can’t be true!” “Yeah, he’s always so polite to girls. How could this happen?” “Some people just put on a holier-than-thou act, but deep down, their minds are rotten and their hearts are vicious.” “Tiffany is our school’s campus beauty; she was really… by her own classmate?” “Yesterday, Dean Miller took both of them to the police station; so that’s what it was about.” “I don’t believe Alex Miller would do something like this. He’s got a guaranteed spot at an Ivy League university, a bright future ahead of him. Why would he do something so disgusting? I’m with Alex Miller.” “Yeah, I also think Alex Miller is innocent. On the other hand, this campus beauty, Tiffany, has always used her looks to hook up with countless guys. Who knows who she was flirting with or who assaulted her?” … Everyone was chattering, but it was already different from my last life. In my past life, everyone watched as the police took me away. I was so nervous and scared that I didn’t know how to defend myself. Later, Blake even sent people to spread all sorts of rumors about me online, and all the students sided with her, convinced that I was the one who assaulted Tiffany. Actually, many people knew that Tiffany didn’t exactly have a clean reputation. Our families lived in the same complex, and on the way to and from school, I often saw her with different guys. So, I should thank her for throwing that tantrum at the school gate yesterday; it gave the students room to think. Plus, I was much calmer than in my last life. I knew how to explain and refute, and everything was slowly changing. I calmly looked at her. “Is the police station yours to command? Yesterday, your statement was that I was just passing by. How did I suddenly become the attacker today?” “You threatened me and made me say that.” Tiffany said it without batting an eye, looking at the officer beside her. “Quick, arrest him!” The officer took out handcuffs, ready to cuff me. Before I could speak, a tall, dark figure rushed over and blocked the officer. “I was at the police station yesterday too. Tiffany clearly stated then that the attacker was someone else. Why has she suddenly changed her story today? And you’re just going to put handcuffs on him, without any concrete

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