Category: English

After the zombie virus outbreak, my boyfriend of six years traded me to a shelter just to get himself in. Just as despair consumed me, a cold voice echoed in my mind. “Ding! Host, you have successfully bound to the Apocalypse Spa System. Please actively complete tasks to redeem rewards.” Six months ago, the zombie virus swept across the globe. Communication networks crumbled, resources dwindled, and the human living environment became severely polluted. Due to the initial outbreak, I had a habit of stockpiling supplies. My boyfriend and I survived the early days of the apocalypse thanks to my stash. Once our last bit of supplies ran out, we had no choice but to venture out in search of a shelter. I thought we’d found hope, but it turned out to be a trap. As a condition for entry, my boyfriend, Caleb, didn’t hesitate. He traded me. I heard stories. Before me, that “shelter” had already discarded over a dozen women, their bodies battered and bloody, after they’d been… used. I frantically escaped the shelter, hiding in an abandoned factory. Caleb and the shelter’s people searched relentlessly for me. “Boss Victor, don’t worry. She’s just an ordinary girl, no powers. She can’t have gotten far.” I huddled inside a discarded paint drum, biting my lip hard, my body trembling, not daring to make a sound. Tears streamed down my face. Six whole years. From college sweethearts to building a life together. The man who swore to protect me forever was now dragging me straight to hell. I couldn’t even feel the heartbreak anymore. My immediate problem was figuring out how to survive. I was terrified of being found by the shelter’s people, and equally terrified of the zombies roaming outside the factory. I could only curl up, frozen in place. As my consciousness faded, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in my mind. “Ding! Host, you have successfully bound to the Apocalypse Spa System. Please actively complete tasks to redeem rewards.” I was completely dumbfounded. “What system did you say?” The mechanical voice in my mind spoke again: “Host, it’s the Apocalypse Spa System. In short, you will operate a spa in the apocalypse with the assistance of this system.” “Now, please name your spa.” A spa? Those words felt both intimately familiar and utterly alien. In the apocalypse, when even basic necessities like food and clean drinking water couldn’t be guaranteed, taking a bath was an unbelievable luxury. Just staying alive was a miracle. Who would dare to dream of quality of life? “Then let’s call it Utopia Spa.” If I could truly operate a spa in this apocalypse, for someone like me, who grew up loving those big, luxurious spas, it’d be my personal paradise. “Ding! Utopia Spa successfully named. Now issuing Host a Newbie Welcome Pack: Administrator Room and First Floor Spa Area unlocked.” As the system’s voice faded, a magnificent, golden building suddenly rose from the ground in the heart of the city. A flash of white light blinded me. When I opened my eyes again, the stench of decay was gone. Before me was a lavishly decorated lobby. A glittering crystal chandelier, opulent leather sofas… I instinctively pinched my thigh. *Ow!* Not a dream! The decor, the vibe… it screamed luxury spa. A *super* luxurious one! “All supplies within Utopia Spa are unlimited. The Administrator has permanent free access. Please proceed to the Administrator Room to verify your identity.” I followed the system’s prompts and found the Administrator Room. Pushing open the door, I saw a spacious, brightly lit room. The closet was stocked with all sorts of daily necessities. Before I could even be surprised, the voice in my mind spoke again: “Administrator identity verification successful. Utopia Spa is officially open for business. Utopia Spa offers absolute safety, capable of shielding against all natural and man-made disasters. Now granting the Administrator a five-consecutive-draw grand opening bonus. Please accept.”

“Congratulations, Host! You have drawn: one automatic bread vending machine, one automatic beverage vending machine, one automatic instant noodle vending machine, one medical kit, and ten sets of clean clothes.” As soon as the system finished speaking, I rushed to the vending machine, scanned my face, pulled out a loaf of bread, and devoured it. I was starving. I hadn’t eaten a single bite since escaping the shelter. After quickly filling my stomach and chugging a bottle of water, I finally felt human again. “Ding! Host task: Please serve one guest and successfully persuade them to purchase a membership card. Task reward: First Floor Fruit Buffet and Second Floor Sauna & Hot Stone Bath areas unlocked.” The system’s voice rang out. I froze. This was the apocalypse. Where was I supposed to find a guest who’d want a membership card? But then I thought of the fruit buffet and the hot stone bath… A membership card. I *had* to get a membership card. My KPIs had to be met! Before that, though, there was one other thing I needed to do. I wrinkled my nose, smelling the paint fumes still clinging to my hair, then glanced at my clothes, so dirty their original color was unrecognizable. I decided a shower was in order. Just like the luxurious spas I remembered, the shower area was stocked with all sorts of free toiletries. The moment the showerhead sprayed hot water, I closed my eyes in pure bliss. A *hot* shower! Such a luxury was unimaginable in the apocalypse. A moment later, I spoke, a little shyly, “System, do you have a scrub mitt?” “Yes, Host. Would you prefer the gentle type, regular type, or heavy-duty type?” I looked down at myself, feeling my face flush. “Uh, let’s go with the heavy-duty one.” After changing into clean clothes, I leaned against the front desk, waiting for my first guest. Sometimes, a few zombies would shuffle past the door outside. At first, I was terrified. But gradually, I realized those zombies acted as if they couldn’t perceive the building at all; they didn’t even glance its way. Filled with relief, my courage grew, and I even pulled a stool right up to the door for a closer look. It wasn’t until nightfall that a figure finally stumbled towards the entrance. I focused my gaze. It looked like a person. He paused, startled, when he saw me through the glass door, then his eyes widened in shock as he scanned the building up and down. He seemed unable to believe such a place could exist in the apocalypse. The situation was urgent; the zombies behind him were closing in fast. He had no time to hesitate, rushing up the steps. “Please, open the door!” I snapped my fingers in the air. The door opened automatically. He lunged inside just a second before the zombies could grab his clothes. Strangely, the zombies didn’t follow him in. They simply stiffened for a moment, then mechanically turned and shuffled away. He stared, wide-eyed, almost convinced he was hallucinating. Even though it was all a bit bizarre, he knew he was safe for now. The tension drained from his body, and he collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath. My gaze fell on him. He was covered in dust and bloodstains, his face obscured, but from his build, I could tell it was a man. Oh no, it was a *guest*! I immediately put on my best smile and stepped forward. “Hey there, handsome. Want to sign up for a membership?”

“Where is this place?” Jax looked around, his gaze finally settling on the beautiful woman in front of him. She was tall and strikingly pretty, her red dress making her skin appear as white as snow. He could even catch the faint scent of shampoo from her hair. In this apocalypse, where everything else was ruins, this place defied all logic. They said the prettier the woman, the more dangerous. He instinctively clutched the zombie core in his pocket. He’d risked his life for this; he couldn’t let this woman trick him out of it! “This is Utopia Spa, and I’m the sole Administrator here,” the beautiful woman said, her voice equally pleasant. Utopia Spa? Was it the kind of spa he was thinking of? Jax found it hard to believe. Water and electricity had been cut off a week after the apocalypse began. But this brightly lit, spotless lobby, wasn’t it exactly how he remembered a spa looking? The Administrator seemed to sense his doubt and slowly explained: “That’s right, this is exactly the kind of spa you’re thinking of. We’re open 24 hours. Just one zombie core makes you a lifelong VIP. Zombie cores can be exchanged for points on your membership card, which can be used for all services and products here. One zombie core equals ten points, and the daily entry fee is two points.” He knew that outside, a single zombie core barely bought a stale biscuit. Jax didn’t hesitate. He immediately pulled a zombie core from his pocket and declared, full of swagger, “Sign me up for a card!” He placed the zombie core into the machine at the front desk, then pressed his fingerprint according to the prompts on the electronic screen. The membership card was processed. As the machine spat out the card, a notification sound played. “Beep! Activation successful. Cardholder: Jax, Current Balance: 10 points.” “This facility operates on a self-service model. This card allows you to make purchases at any self-service machine within the spa. This card is for the cardholder’s personal use only and cannot be transferred. Lost cards can be reissued.” “Entry fee: 2 points deducted. Current balance: 8 points. Towels, bath supplies, and toiletries are all included in the entry fee and do not require additional purchase. Please feel free to retrieve them from the sterilization cabinet in the spa area.” Jax clutched the small, golden card in his hand, a wave of emotion washing over him. He’d been so busy surviving and fighting zombies. How long had it been since he’d had a proper bath? “Welcome to Utopia Spa! VIP card in hand, sir, right this way! One gentleman!” The Administrator’s voice suddenly boomed. The loud announcement startled Jax, and he nearly dropped the card.

“System, those lines are so cheesy. Can we stop saying them?” “No, Host. This is standard procedure. Only by actively operating Utopia Spa can you unlock more areas.” This damn system was a pain! “Congratulations, Host, you have completed the task! Task rewards: Fruit Buffet and Hot Stone Bath areas are now unlocked.” All my earlier annoyance vanished. “You truly are the best system ever!” Since the zombie outbreak, I hadn’t eaten fresh fruit. God, I was *so* craving fruit. Tears of pure longing *might* have just started streaming from the corners of my mouth. *Mmm, mmm, mmm…* I was about to tell Jax about the newly unlocked areas, but when I turned around, he was already gone. Whatever. He’d probably see it himself once he went in for his shower. I strode straight to the Fruit Buffet. The buffet counter had a row of windows, each labeled. Watermelon, strawberries, apples, bananas, oranges… and more. Just press a button, and a portion of machine-cut fruit would come out of the corresponding window. All free. A moment later, I was lounging in a massage pool, a fruit platter in hand. I ate watermelon while enjoying the water jets massaging my back. Each piece of watermelon was perfectly cut into bite-sized portions. Eating them with a fork, one by one, was incredibly convenient. (There were special trays by the pool edge to keep things from getting into the water.) I squinted my eyes, every fiber of my being radiating pure bliss. “Ding! Host task: Please serve three guests and successfully recruit two scrubbers. Task reward: Second Floor Buffet Restaurant area unlocked.” The system’s voice suddenly announced. What?! A buffet restaurant area? I was instantly energized. I scrambled out of the massage pool, shoving the remaining watermelon from my plate into my mouth. Used fruit platters went right onto the fruit buffet counter, where a machine automatically cleaned them. At my strong suggestion, the system put up a large sign by the spa entrance. “Huh, your spa is hiring scrubbers?” Jax had just finished his shower, his hair damp, wearing a bathrobe with the “Utopia Spa” logo, and carrying a platter full of various fruits. He looked completely different from when I first saw him. I blurted out in surprise, “Whoa, you’re actually that pale?” Jax froze for a second, then his face instantly flushed bright red.

This was my first time being an HR manager, and I honestly had zero experience. I fumbled for a moment before asking my first question: “Do you have any prior experience as a Human Epidermal Debris Removal Specialist?” Jax stared blankly. “A what now?” He’d never heard of that job before. I calmly explained, “You know, a scrubber. Have you ever done it before?” Jax’s mouth twitched. “No.” I frowned and let out a soft “Tsk.” “But I can learn!” Good. Teachable. “Congratulations, you’re hired.” Jax blinked, surprised. This was the fastest job interview he’d ever had; he got hired after just one question. “So, what’s the salary and benefits like?” He rubbed his hands together, eyes full of anticipation. Such a luxurious place, the pay must be great, right? He’d hit the nail on the head. I gave a dry, awkward laugh. “System, how much should we pay our employees?” The system was silent for two seconds. “Host, please pay attention. We’ve only earned one zombie core since opening. We don’t have money to pay anyone yet.” My words caught in my throat. It made perfect sense. I couldn’t argue with that. “Well, about the salary… we won’t have it in the beginning, but later… Hey, don’t leave!” Jax’s voice was full of resentment. “Boss, do I look like an idiot?” I pursed my lips. “Even if there’s no salary, our employees get free food and lodging here…” Jax immediately slid back on his knees. “Boss, I think I’m perfectly suited for this job!” Right now, countless people couldn’t even get a hot meal or a safe night’s sleep, and who knew when they’d die? To find such a clean, safe job with free food and lodging in this apocalypse? It was beyond amazing. I was a bit surprised by his rapid change of heart. Jax, however, mistook my hesitation and quickly rolled up his sleeve to show me his biceps. “Boss, I might look thin, but I’m an A-rank strength ability user. Scrubbing will be no problem.” I took the hint. “Take a day off. You start work tomorrow.” Great. Half of the scrubber recruitment task was done. Though, a strength-based ability user as a scrubber… I silently lit a candle for the future male guests. To complete the system task faster, I sent Jax out to the nearest base on his first day to drum up business. Just as I thought I’d have to wait a few more days for guests, the main door suddenly rattled with frantic banging. “Is anyone inside?!” “Open up! Help us!” Through the glass door, I saw five people. They were all injured to varying degrees, one of them the worst, leaning on another person, barely able to stand. Blood dripped steadily from his wound. It was an emergency. I quickly opened the door to let them in, then found some medicine from the medical kit I’d received from the system’s lottery, and handed it to them. They gratefully accepted the medicine, thanking me profusely. “You can recover here. There are vending machines over there if you need water and food, you can buy it yourselves.” They had been so focused on treating their wounds that they only now looked around their surroundings. “There are actually vending machines!” “They even have instant noodles here! Hey, how do I open this machine?” I explained the spa’s facilities to them. After a brief discussion, they decided to each get a membership card and immediately bought five days’ worth of entry. I thought the next few days would be peaceful. But I underestimated the ugliness of human nature.

Lying in my Administrator Room, under a blanket and enjoying the AC, I suddenly heard the system’s alarm blare in my mind: “Alert! Detecting malicious resource waste within the establishment. Administrator, please proceed to the lobby immediately to handle the situation.” I arrived in the lobby, shaking with fury at the sight before me. Half-eaten fruits were discarded everywhere on the coffee tables and the floor. Strawberries were missing their tips, watermelons had only their reddest parts eaten… all the fruits were gnawed on for their sweetest bits then tossed. Some fruits had only a single bite taken out of them before being thrown onto the floor. Empty instant noodle cups and bread wrappers were scattered everywhere. There was a large puddle of spilled instant noodle broth on the floor tiles, mixed with banana peels, giving off a strange odor. And the culprits were sprawled out on the sofas. “What are you doing?!” I roared, my voice thick with anger. They merely glanced up at me, not seeming to think they’d done anything wrong. “Just relaxing, what else?” “I’m talking about all this on the tables and the floor! Do you know how many people out there can’t even get a meal, can’t even get a drop of clean water? Why are you wasting food?” I was livid, but they just shrugged it off. “Whether they eat or not, what’s it got to do with us?” “Besides, aren’t these fruits provided free to customers? We like eating them this way, so what?” “We’ve already paid our entry fee. The customer is king! Do you even know how to run a business?” How could people be so shameless? I actually laughed, a cold, angry sound. “This establishment provides free fruit for customers to *eat*, not for customers to *waste*.” “What do you mean?” I pointed at the discarded fruits. “It means exactly what it sounds like. What you *eat* is free. What you *waste*? That’s going to cost you.” As soon as they heard “cost,” they instantly bristled. “You say it costs, and it costs? Why?!” I said icily, “Because this spa is mine. You trashed my property and wasted my food. You’ll compensate me for it.” But they laughed, as if they’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “This is the apocalypse! We’re not paying, what are you gonna do? Call the cops? Hahahaha…” I wasn’t angry at all, because I had the system. “No worries. Your card balance has already automatically paid for your damages. Now, you actually owe me 500 zombie cores. That 500 zombie cores is for medical fees. Based on current prices outside, you’re getting a deal.”

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At 00:45 AM, a woman with a knife appeared in our dorm room, killing my roommate on the bunk below. The police investigated, but strangely, they declared there was “no such person.” It was like the killer was an invisible ghost, utterly untraceable. It was 0:45 AM. I was still scrolling through videos in our dorm when I got a text from my roommate, Brianna. * “Don’t make a sound. There’s a woman with a knife right outside our dorm room!” I thought Brianna was just messing with me, so I didn’t reply, intending to go back to my videos. But then, the next second, I heard the old wooden door creak open. A chill shot down my spine. I immediately turned off my phone, even muting it to avoid any noise. Then, I heard slow footsteps coming further into the dorm room. In the dead silence of the early morning, those footsteps echoed on the floor, sounding incredibly eerie. * *Tap… tap… tap…* Every step made my heart pound. How could a woman get into the school? The campus gates had security, and RA Lopez was downstairs in the dorm building. How did she even get in? I clamped my mouth shut, terrified to make a sound, my breathing turning shallow and careful. I wondered what her purpose was in coming into our dorm, but before I could think of anything, the footsteps stopped. Through a tiny gap in my bed curtain, I could see her. She had stopped right in front of my bed! Her head was bowed, looking at Brianna’s bed. Her long hair hung over her face, and she wore a red dress. The gap in my curtain was too small, so I couldn’t make out her features. She was holding a fruit knife. Suddenly, she looked up towards my bed. I quickly slammed my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep, terrified she’d see me. Several minutes passed with no movement. I forced myself to open my eyes again, peeking through the gap. The woman stood in front of Brianna’s bed, staring for a long time, muttering something under her breath… Maybe it was just the profound quiet of the early morning, but I could barely make out a few words. * “How… not enough… kill you…” Just a few fragmented words. I had no idea what she was talking about. But I could tell she was here for Brianna. Yet Brianna usually got along well with everyone. I’d never heard anyone badmouth her or mention her having enemies. I didn’t dare call the police. I was afraid the woman would hear me. And I certainly didn’t have the courage to stop her. My heart was racing, hammering against my ribs. Then, I heard a sharp gasp from the bunk below. I watched as the woman with the knife started stabbing Brianna, over and over again. In just a few moments, the gasps died out. I heard the woman’s footsteps as she left. Shaken to my core, I tried to compose myself. After two hours, once my emotions had somewhat settled, I called Professor Miller. Our advisor was terrified and rushed to the dorm, immediately calling Dean Harrison and RA Lopez. Professor Miller and Dean Harrison stared at the blood pooling on the floor from Brianna’s bed. They didn’t even dare pull back Brianna’s bed curtain, calling the police directly instead. Police sirens wailed outside the campus gates soon after, and officers quickly arrived at our dorm. The sirens woke up a lot of students. Some, still in their pajamas, rushed out of their rooms, curious to see what was happening at our dorm. But Professor Miller quickly herded them back inside. Seeing Professor Miller and Dean Harrison arrive, I finally dared to get out of bed. My legs were shaking so badly I could barely stand. Professor Miller woke up our other two sleeping roommates, Lillian and Harper. I was still in shock, but they were barely awake. But when they heard Brianna was dead, they both sobered up instantly, horrified. The police pulled back Brianna’s bed curtain. Everyone gasped at the sight. Before she died, Brianna looked like she’d seen something truly terrifying. Her eyes were wide open, staring forward, never closing. Her neck had several deep cuts, almost severed. Her entire bed was soaked in blood, which had already flowed onto the floor. Aside from the body, no murder weapon was found at the scene. Not even a single fingerprint of the killer was discovered. I turned away and dry-heaved a few times, forcing myself to look at Brianna despite the nausea. The police quickly removed Brianna’s body and took the three of us from our dorm to the police station. The police questioned us separately. Here’s what we each said: **Police:** “Were you the one who called your advisor to report Brianna’s death?”

I nodded, then told the police everything I knew about that night. **Police:** “Why didn’t you call the police or your advisor immediately after the killer left?” **Me:** “I was just so scared. I was afraid the killer might still be outside, and I was too terrified to even know how to explain it to Professor Miller.” The officer looked into my eyes with an expression I couldn’t quite describe. **Police:** “We checked the surveillance cameras. No woman entered your dorm room.” That statement sent chills down my spine. It meant the killer was one of us, already inside our dorm. **Me:** “Are you saying… the killer was inside our dorm?” The officer looked at me with suspicion, as if I was the killer. **Me:** “No, Officer, why are you looking at me like that? You don’t think I’m the killer, do you?” **Police:** “According to your description, if this woman truly existed, there’s a strong possibility she was already inside your dorm room.” **Me:** “But it couldn’t be me, right? If it were me, why would I call our advisor? Wouldn’t that be walking straight into a trap?” **Police:** “It’s not unheard of for the killer to try and play the victim.” **Me:** “Brianna was the one who texted me about that woman. And I don’t know if she only sent it to me, because Lillian and Harper were both asleep. You can ask them if they got the text too, right? Besides, that woman had long hair, almost down to her waist. Look at me; I have short, dyed hair.” I showed the officer my phone, and he confirmed that the text message had indeed come from Brianna. I still couldn’t understand why the killer targeted Brianna, yet Brianna still texted us to warn us. What truly scared me was the officer saying the killer was in our dorm. The officer then asked about Brianna’s usual behavior at school. I told him everything I knew honestly. Meanwhile, in another interrogation room, the police were questioning Lillian. Lillian was typically very timid, sitting there without daring to look up, answering only when asked. **Police:** “While you were asleep, did you hear anything?” Lillian shook her head. **Lillian:** “I usually sleep very soundly, it’s hard to wake me up. But I did hear some noise, like someone rummaging through things. I wasn’t sure. I thought maybe they were getting up to use the restroom, so I just went back to sleep.” **Police:** “And then?” Lillian shook her head again, adjusted her glasses, and looked timidly at the questioning officer. Harper, on the other hand, was yawning, looking utterly impatient in her interrogation room. She sat cross-legged, leaning back casually in her chair. **Police:** “Sit up straight!” The officer barked, and Harper finally sat properly. Harper was always very blunt and carefree. **Police:** “What were you doing on the night of the incident?” **Harper:** “I was definitely sleeping, duh?” **Police:** “Did you hear anything while you were asleep?” Harper hesitated, then shook her head. **Harper:** “Not really, I guess. I was so tired that night, and when I’m out, I’m out. I don’t know anything.” The officer looked at Harper with a questioning gaze, making Harper visibly uncomfortable. **Harper:** “What are you looking at me for? Brianna’s dead. Aren’t you supposed to find the killer? Why are you dragging us here in the middle of the night for questioning? Are you suggesting someone in our dorm killed Brianna?” The officer slapped the table hard, startling Harper into silence. **Police:** “We currently suspect the killer was in your dorm room!” Harper’s eyes widened at that statement, and she didn’t say another word. Both Lillian and Harper confirmed that they had also received the text message from Brianna. The police kept us for a long interrogation, not letting us go until morning. When we got back, I was exhausted from not sleeping all night, but the thought of someone dying in the bunk below kept me awake. Plus, the dorm was sealed off by the police, so we couldn’t go in. We had to find Professor Miller. It wasn’t until past 8 AM that Professor Miller arranged a new dorm for us. He also demanded we keep everything confidential and even promised us guaranteed admission to a prestigious graduate program. It turned out Dean Harrison had immediately suppressed the incident. All posts about it on campus forums were deleted by administrators. But it didn’t stop the whispers among students. Everyone talked about it privately, knowing that if Professor Miller or the school leadership heard them discussing it, they would be disciplined. Hearing about the guaranteed grad school admission, and then recalling the police saying the killer might be in our dorm, I couldn’t help but feel a prick of fear. I had previously read news about people killing roommates for a guaranteed grad school spot. And our school had been fiercely competing for those spots recently. I looked at Lillian. She was lying on her newly assigned bed, her bed curtain tightly drawn. I wondered what she was doing in there. Harper was already fast asleep. I was too tired to think much more, so I lay down and drifted off. When I woke up, it was already past 5 PM. I sat up, feeling hungry, and decided to go to the dining hall. When I brought food back from the dining hall, Lillian and Harper were already awake. Lillian was reading, while Harper was casually scrolling through videos on her phone. I ate my food, my mind wondering why these two could be so calm. If the killer was one of us three, would it be Lillian or Harper? I looked at Harper, then at Lillian, and suddenly something clicked. **Me:** “Lillian, weren’t you planning on applying to grad school recently?” Lillian looked up at me when I spoke. For some reason, I saw a flicker of panic in her eyes. **Lillian:** “Yeah, but my mom wouldn’t let me. She said it was enough that she put me through college and told me to get a job after graduation.” **Harper:** “Well, you don’t have to worry anymore, do you? Brianna just did you a huge favor!” Harper said it, her tone so casual, it made me angry. That guaranteed grad school slot came at the cost of Brianna’s life, and she was making jokes about it as if nothing had happened. I knew Lillian’s family didn’t want her to pursue grad school, so she was incredibly driven to get that guaranteed spot. That’s why I suspected she might have had a twisted motive, especially since she and Brianna weren’t usually on good terms. But Harper’s tone made me wonder if they were in on it together. Yet Harper and Brianna usually had an okay relationship, like fake friends, otherwise Harper wouldn’t joke like that. The thought of living in the same dorm as them filled me with dread, but the holidays were approaching, so I just had to endure it. At 9 PM, we got a call from Professor Miller. The police had found us again and taken us to the interrogation room. **Me:** “Didn’t you already question us?” I asked the officer in the car. **Police:** “We’ve made some new discoveries. We need to talk to you about some new developments.” Harper looked impatient. **Harper:** “Can’t you just ask us in the dorm? Are you going to keep us until morning again?” **Police:** “This is a matter of life and death. Please cooperate with the investigation!”

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I used to confess my feelings to my crush all the time, thinking he couldn’t hear me. Today, after learning a few sassy lines, I was ready to go all out. “Hey, big guy, I was just thinking… wanna hop on a ‘rocking horse’ with me?” The guy, who usually didn’t react, suddenly scooped me up. His voice was husky: “Sure.” “That guy by the window is so hot.” “Yeah, but he’s so cold. He never talks to anyone.” The guy with sharp, clear eyes sat by the window, his slender, pale fingers slowly turning the pages of a book. Countless girls had already fallen for his good looks, trying to get his contact info, only to be silently rejected. But would a small setback like that deter a genius like me when it came to dating? I swaggered over, book in hand, and sat right next to him, trying to strike up a conversation. “Hey, what year are you, and what’s your major?” He didn’t answer, just tilted his head, avoiding the sunlight streaming through the window. His perfect profile looked even more aloof, like a painting. While drooling over him, I suddenly had an epiphany. “No wonder so many people talk to you and you don’t answer.” “You’re deaf!” The hand holding his pen tightened slightly, then quickly relaxed. He just quietly moved his chair further away from me. Of course, I didn’t think he was annoyed. Based on my decade-plus history of reading web novels in elementary school, this classic ‘gorgeous, brilliant, and tragic’ type – you know, the kind who’s got it all but is always suffering – usually gets weird looks from people. So when I tried to be nice, he must have felt uncomfortable and instinctively moved away. Poor little thing! Channeling my inner simp, I scooted even closer to him. Our breaths mingled softly. I pretended not to notice his ears faintly reddening, and instead, pressed down on his notebook, slowly enunciating his name: “Ju-lian Ha-yes.” Then I turned my head, looked him straight in the eyes, and smiled sweetly. “Your name sounds so good.”

Julian Hayes’ amber eyes reflected my image. As if unused to such closeness, he sharply recoiled, gathering his things and getting up to leave. He looked like he was fleeing for his life, as if from a monster. But that’s okay. He hadn’t rejected me outright, so it probably meant he didn’t dislike me. Tomorrow, I’ll come back to harass… oh, I mean, care for him. Hehe. The next day, same time, same place. Julian Hayes showed up promptly at his usual spot. But this time, he didn’t sit down immediately. He looked around, as if searching for something. Only after confirming that the seat I’d occupied yesterday was empty did he slowly relax, pull out the chair, and sit down. Bright sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting his white shirt and outlining his lean, strong waist. Julian Hayes bowed his head, earnestly flipping through his book, the scene looking peaceful and beautiful. I quietly admired him for a while before emerging from behind the bookshelf with a thick stack of textbooks. Ignoring his ‘saw a ghost’ expression, I sat down next to him. “Were you waiting for me?” Julian Hayes didn’t speak, just averted his gaze. His pale pink lips were pressed into a thin line, a silent rejection. But I’ve always been shameless, so I just pretended not to notice. “Julian Hayes, I don’t understand these few problems. Can you teach me?” His books on the desk were covered by my textbooks. Julian Hayes turned his head, silently staring at me. I slapped my forehead, realizing he couldn’t hear. “My bad, my bad, I completely forgot you can’t hear.” As soon as the words left my mouth, before Julian Hayes could react, I suddenly took his long, pale hand gently. I slowly traced out words on his warm palm: “Teach me.”

The touch of our skin was incredibly clear. My sudden action made Julian Hayes stiffen. When he came back to his senses, his first instinct was to pull his hand away. My fingertips slid lightly along his palm, but just as he was about to fully withdraw, I suddenly grabbed his fingers tightly. As I held his hand firmly, I deliberately looked into Julian Hayes’ eyes. I slowed my words, mouthing to him: “Hey, you haven’t agreed to teach me yet.” Julian Hayes’ ears were so red they looked like they could bleed, and his gaze visibly flitted around in panic. After a long moment, he pulled out a pen, put it in my hand, and gestured for me to write on a notebook. His eyes, so close, watched me intently, as if silently pleading. I blinked, suddenly feeling guilty for bullying the poor guy. Since my trick had worked, I released his hand. “Thank you!” The distance between us returned to normal. Julian Hayes subtly let out a breath, took the notebook that was in front of me, and wrote neatly. [Which one don’t you understand?] His handwriting, like him, was elegant and beautiful. Julian Hayes finished writing and pushed the notebook back to me, looking earnestly at me, waiting for my answer, incredibly well-behaved and serious. But to his surprise, I directly rested my arm on his and used his notebook to reply. [All of them.] Our breaths once again drew infinitely close. The sweet scent of my shower gel and Julian Hayes’ cool, pleasant scent slowly mingled. His pupils trembled, boundless emotion flickering, which instantly turned into deep exasperation when he saw my answer.

His slender fingers delicately hooked my sleeve, pulling me back as I tried to escape. Julian Hayes used his elegant handwriting to write over my words. [I’ll wait for you at the library at this time every day from now on.] And just like that, I gained a free private tutor, and a very dedicated one at that. When Julian Hayes said he’d teach me problems, he taught me problems. He didn’t do anything extra. After our fixed study time each day, he’d go about his own business. But I couldn’t bear to leave after such a short time, so I’d just stick around, reading and reviewing, occasionally chatting with him by writing notes. All my unspoken thoughts finally found a home; Julian Hayes was like my personal trash can. And one with top-notch confidentiality. Though he rarely paid attention to me and his replies were few, his notebook gradually became filled with my handwriting. As time passed, I started wanting to tease Julian Hayes again. While he was reading, I’d slowly write on the notebook. [Even if you can’t hear me, it’s okay. Being deaf isn’t your fault.] [You have me. I’m willing to be your ears for life.] Julian Hayes glanced at me, then lowered his head to continue reading. But his handsome face was clearly flushed. His reaction was so cute that I buried my face on the desk, giggling for a long time before stopping. From that day on, I started paying attention to Julian Hayes outside the library. His daily routine was simple: classes, library, eating, sleeping. So I easily figured out his movements. After staking him out for a few days, I found that he didn’t seem to have many friends. He was always alone, even when he went to eat. He felt even more pitiful. So I deliberately went to the cafeteria to “accidentally” run into him.

Ignoring the surprised looks from passersby, I carried my tray and sat across from Julian Hayes, giving him a bright smile. “What a coincidence.” Julian Hayes glanced at me, then acted like he hadn’t seen me, lowering his head to quietly eat his meal. Even though he didn’t acknowledge me, he clearly didn’t reject me either. How does that saying go? Silence is the best permission. The cafeteria food was just okay, barely edible. But to test Julian Hayes’ limits, I deliberately picked a piece of sweet and sour pork from his tray and popped it into my mouth. Then I narrowed my eyes in a smile, praising it without reservation. “So good.” Julian Hayes’ chewing paused. He was clearly startled by my outrageous behavior. He covered his mouth, coughing for a good while, unable to stop. I smoothly handed him a bottle of water, silently wondering: *Is he going to hate me now? Is he finally fed up with my harassment and about to publicly reject me?* I waited for a full thirty seconds before Julian Hayes finally put down the water bottle. Then, he picked up his forks and continued eating. At the same time, he silently pushed the side of his plate with the sweet and sour pork towards me. At that moment, my heart started pounding uncontrollably. I already knew Julian Hayes was a good student. Now, his charm level just shot through the roof. I’m never one to be shy. Since my heart was racing, I decided to go for it. Julian Hayes paused his eating, looking down at my foot lightly kicking his shin. Then he opened the notes app on his phone, typed a line, and showed it to me. [What’s up?] I didn’t take his phone, but deliberately looked into his eyes and said: “Wanna add me on SnapChat?”

Even though I wanted to flirt with him, I didn’t have high hopes. After all, Julian Hayes was known as the hardest guy to get in school. But to my surprise, the moment he clearly understood my lip movements, he nodded in agreement. Then he switched to the scan interface, silently urging me with his eyes. I opened my mouth, swallowing the words I’d planned to say to save face. Just like that, I confusingly added Julian Hayes on SnapChat. Back in my dorm, my roommate looked at my dazed expression and asked, confused: “You’ve been running out all the time for days, and then you come back smiling like you just won the lottery. Spill it, did some hot guy steal your soul?” That girl, she guessed pretty accurately. I looked at her with admiration and sincerely asked: “Babe, can you teach me how to date?” Although I usually called myself a dating expert, I’d never actually been in a relationship; I was a blank slate in that department. I was so afraid of doing something wrong and scaring off the hot guy I was about to get. My roommate was so shocked she almost fell off her bed. While imparting her wisdom, she also pressed: “Which guy in school is so charming that he managed to capture the heart of our department’s beauty queen?” I feigned modesty and waved my hand. “It’s my crush, and it’s still early days. I’ll definitely tell you the moment I officially get him.” I’d heard my roommates gossip about Julian Hayes before. They said he was nicknamed ‘Ice Prince’ and rarely spoke to anyone. If I told them I had a crush on Julian Hayes, they definitely wouldn’t believe me. It was better to wait until we were officially together before sharing the good news. Speaking of which, Julian Hayes was quite pitiful. He was deaf and couldn’t hear, so of course he couldn’t talk to people. The poor guy was already struggling, how could people misunderstand him?

To comfort Julian Hayes, the first thing I did after getting into bed was to send him a SnapChat message. [Hey, quick question, what time is it?] [I don’t mean anything else, just reminding you it’s time for us to be together.] [A little cat goes: Meow meow meow.] [A little dog goes: Julian Hayes, I’m your dog, I’m only loyal to you for life!] Julian Hayes replied quickly, almost instantly. But no matter what I sent, he only replied with six dots. […] I stared at the chat box, brewing for a long time, deeply understanding my shortcomings. It seemed that flirting online was really not my strong suit. After all, with a screen between us, Julian Hayes couldn’t fully feel my overflowing emotions. So I decided to change tactics and ask him to meet offline. [I heard amusement parks are the best date spots for couples.] [And tomorrow’s my birthday, so how about it, wanna go together?] Julian Hayes still replied quickly. […Okay] If I hadn’t been sharp-eyed, I would have almost missed his reply. I didn’t expect Julian Hayes to be so easy to ask out! I was so happy, I wanted to run laps for the entire dorm, or maybe even the whole campus, just to burn off all that excitement. My roommates, hearing that I was going on a date with my crush tomorrow, happily started scheming for me. “Remember to bring your ID and charger. I’ll send you the link to that super nice hotel near the amusement park.” “This lingerie set is so innocent-sexy. Wear this tomorrow and I guarantee you’ll hit a home run!” Huh? Was this really something I should be hearing at my age? My face burned red, and my mind raced with all sorts of ‘dirty’ thoughts as I spent a night filled with sweet anticipation. By the time my roommates had picked out my outfit and done my makeup, Julian Hayes was already waiting outside when I went downstairs.

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The guy I’d been crushing on for ages, the class president, finally went public with his relationship. At a party, his girlfriend, Chloe, deliberately asked me, “What’s your ideal type?” I looked at Liam’s face and described a type that was the complete opposite of him. I never expected that the next day, his best friend, Julian, would show up at my door, holding a video from the party. As I stared at him, confused, he slowly said something that left me stunned for the entire day. “You’ve been crushing on me? Why didn’t you say something sooner?” 1 After Julian’s words, the bubble tea I’d just sipped went down the wrong pipe, and I choked for a full minute. He sat across from me, looking completely smug, and shoved his phone into my face. “What are you shy about? Didn’t you say it yourself? Your ideal type? It matches me word for word.” In the video, I was staring at Liam, the class president, speaking each word clearly. “My ideal type is someone outgoing, confident, and humorous.” He slowly lowered his phone, a triumphant grin on his face. “Though I have a lot of people chasing me, I guess I can reluctantly let you cut in line.” “Just chase me for a month, and I’ll consider saying yes. But…” I watched the non-stop chatterer in front of me, emotionlessly closing the door on him. Julian’s sports car was flashy. Me, riding my bicycle next to his sports car, was even flashier. Through the lowered window, Julian’s mouth never stopped moving. “A month might be a bit long, but you need patience when you’re chasing someone, right?” “I’m a perfectly good guy, you know, not just anyone gets my attention.” My head was pounding from the noise, so I stopped and flipped him off, twice. Just as I was about to turn and pedal furiously away, the last voice I wanted to hear chimed in. “Aubrey? Why are you riding your bike to school today?” Liam walked up from behind me, hugging a stack of books. His expression turned a little unnatural when he saw Julian’s sports car. “Hey, buddy, why aren’t you in class yet?” Liam was the class president, always the first one there for our 8 AM classes. Everyone called him the straight-A student. “Something came up.” I used to wait for him at the cafeteria entrance every morning, and we’d walk to class together. He was never late for school. Today, he was probably having breakfast with Chloe. A knot of unease tightened in my chest as I slowly pushed off on my bike. Liam walked beside me, frequently turning to look at me. “Aubrey, why are you with Julian?” Though he asked quietly, Julian still heard him. “She wants to chase me. I’m teaching her how to win my heart.” In my peripheral vision, Liam’s hand crumpled the corner of his book. I glanced at Julian under Liam’s scrutinizing gaze but said nothing. Julian saw I didn’t object and got even more hyped up. He practically leaned half his body out of the car window. “She just insisted on buying me rings, saying I should wear one on both middle fingers.” “Honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary, right, buddy?” “Rings, at this point, giving them as a gift…” CRASH! A loud crash, mixed with Liam’s startled cry, rang in my ears. The moment that power pole bent sideways, I just wanted to close my eyes and pretend I hadn’t heard anything. 2 After paying at the front desk, I walked back. Julian was clutching his leg, complaining to the doctor. “Aren’t you embarrassed enough?” He heard my voice and instantly turned, pointing at his leg, tears silently streaming down his face as he looked at me. Just as a tear was about to trickle into the corner of his mouth, I rushed over and wrapped his head in my jacket. “Doctor, quickly!” After a round of wailing, I sat on the exam bed, cold-faced, waiting for the doctor to disinfect the bite marks on my arm. “Julian, why didn’t that power pole just crush you?” He rubbed the cast on his leg, wiping away tears. “Don’t say such mean things. I promise I’ll be with you, okay?” So I brought up the topic of buying him rings again. It was already afternoon when everything was finally over. Watching him flit around my apartment like a hummingbird, I couldn’t help but frown. “When are you finally leaving?” He tore open a bag of chips, shoved them into his mouth, and shook his head. “If I don’t leave, then pay me back. Towing fee, medical expenses, travel costs. SnapChat or PayPal?” “Physical payment.” He then opened a carton of milk and covered his face, feigning shyness. Just looking at him made an irrational anger flare up in me. I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed 91

Only then did he hastily hobble over on his cast, looking at me with pleading eyes, “Is a bank transfer okay?” After tearfully transferring a four-figure sum, he was finally allowed to stay. After all, he’d crashed his sports car and broken his leg; going home could be life-threatening. But I didn’t know my kindness would lead to my own suffering. It wasn’t until I’d showered and was about to go to bed that night that I truly realized. “Julian, open this door right now!” I pounded on the door until my palms were numb before he finally spoke. “No way. I’m a pure, innocent young man. How can I sleep in the same room as you?” From his broken, muffled voice, I knew he was stifling laughter. I kicked the door once, then resignedly trudged towards the living room sofa. The cheap sofa I’d bought was narrow and hard. I didn’t fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. Julian drifted out like a ghost and stood in front of the sofa. He startled me. “What are you doing?” “Your room is too hot, my allergies are acting up, I can’t sleep.” His voice sounded muffled. “So what do you want me to do? Do you expect me to go out and buy you medicine right now?” “I want to sleep here.” Suddenly, for no reason, the sofa became prime real estate. I bundled my blanket around me and got up, heading into my room. Instead of going straight to my pillow, I first glanced at the notebook on my desk. In the moonlight, I felt like something was off about it. But it was definitely still in its original spot. After struggling for a bit, I finally locked it in the drawer before feeling safe enough to sleep. 3 Julian no longer had his sports car, so he had to ride my bicycle to school every day. “Why don’t you take a cab?” “All my money went to you, how can I afford a cab?” He sat on my back seat, carrying my backpack, applying an egg to his eyes, and instantly sounded aggrieved. All I could do was channel my speechless frustration into furiously pedaling the bike. The moment we entered the classroom, I felt Liam’s scrutinizing gaze. I had planned to ignore him and sit in the back, but Julian pulled me to the front row. “My leg hurts; I can’t hop that far.” He sat between Liam and me, constantly yawning. I wasn’t doing much better; I was incredibly sleepy. I had barely fallen asleep in the early morning, and at 6 AM, he was already standing by my bed, eyes swollen. He complained that the wind chimes in the living room kept ringing and wouldn’t let him sleep. Unable to stand his constant nagging, I had to get up and throw the wind chimes into the trash. Those wind chimes, Liam had given them to me. Anyway, there was no reason to keep them anymore. I scoffed internally. They were just leftovers that Chloe didn’t pick. Why was I still keeping them like they were precious? As if sensing something, Liam suddenly turned to look at me. He was trying to pass something to me over Julian. Before I could even see what it was, a weight settled on my shoulder. Julian had slumped onto my shoulder, fast asleep. I immediately straightened my head. Phew, that was close. I almost kissed his forehead. If I woke him up, who knew how he’d try to gross me out? He’d probably start yelling about crushing on him, or physical payment, and charge at me. Who could handle that? The teacher’s palpable stare from the podium made me squirm. While she turned to write on the board, I nudged Julian’s head. But not only did he not move, he actually rubbed his head against my shoulder. Damn it, I wondered if his bright blond hair would bleed onto my shirt. It definitely would, otherwise why was my face flushing so unbelievably red? “Admit it, Aubrey, you’re totally smitten with me, aren’t you?” Julian once again held up his phone, a triumphant expression on his face. On the campus gossip page, a photo of me, red-faced, holding Julian’s head while taking notes, had gone viral. The photo was cleverly taken; not even a corner of Liam’s clothing was visible. I stared at it for a few seconds, not taking his bait. But then he suddenly put down his phone and twisted himself into a pretzel. “But you’re being way too obvious! Now everyone in school knows you like me.” “You’re making it impossible for me to refuse you, you sneaky thing.” Watching him bury his face in his hands, I silently picked the hotdog out of his bowl. 4 Actually, everyone knew I liked Liam. Because no matter the event, if I was told Liam would be there, I’d join. What I said at that party was just my childish way of fighting back. So I didn’t quite understand why Julian was so certain I had a crush on him. But undeniably, Julian had managed to distract me. He was there when I had class, followed me when I studied, and waited for me when I worked. When I was with him, I rarely thought about Liam. “Aubrey, do you think I’d look better with golden hair?” “Hmm.” I was busy with my part-time job, answering out of habit. “You’re so perfunctory! I’m such a handsome, gorgeous guy, and you don’t cherish me.” Julian was really good-looking. Golden hair would probably look great on him. He complained, but the next day, his hair was indeed a different color. After I got my paycheck, I took him to the orphanage. This was something I had promised him. He always ate the snacks I stockpiled at home. I told him those were for the kids at the orphanage. As soon as he heard that, he clamored to come along and even filled up a bunch of toys himself. With free labor and the kids getting toys, I had no reason to refuse. But when we arrived at the entrance, he hesitated, carrying two large bags of snacks and toys. “Aubrey, should I have dyed my hair black before coming?” I looked at his shimmering golden hair under the sun and nodded. Because the kids here loved new and exciting things. Once inside, his bright blond hair might be in trouble. Ms. Eleanor was delighted to see me back. She pulled me aside, saying I’d lost weight, telling me to eat more, not to stress too much about studying, and that my health was most important. I promised her everything, and also told her not to work too hard. She looked at Julian, who was distributing snacks to the children, and whispered to me, “Girl, this boy is quite nice, but why is his hair still so yellow?” Ms. Eleanor adjusted her glasses, a look of profound confusion on her face. In the warm autumn sun, Julian held a child in one arm and read a storybook. I stood beside Ms. Eleanor, watching him from afar through the window. A warmth inexplicably bloomed in my heart. During dinner, Julian sat next to Ms. Eleanor, looking very respectful. Although everything seemed peaceful, I felt like something was off. I couldn’t help but ask him if he was uncomfortable. He straightened his back, “No, it’s great here, very comfortable.” “Then why are you acting so strange?” He eyed Ms. Eleanor, then secretly asked me, “Strange how?” “You usually eat like you’re trying to win an eating contest, but today you only ate one bowl.” Ms. Eleanor chuckled upon hearing that and immediately sent a child to get him more rice. He buried his face in his bowl, muttering through clenched teeth, “Aubrey, don’t I have any dignity?” 5 From the day we returned from the orphanage, the notebook in my bedroom drawer started getting thinner day by day. The weather also grew colder. I wanted that failed crush to fall away from me like autumn leaves. But things rarely go as planned. Someone posted photos of Julian and me entering and exiting the hospital together on the campus gossip page. There was also a related post. The title was scandalous enough to match the big ‘HOT’ icon in the bottom right corner. *The Scandalous Link Between a Broke Genius and a Rich Heir* It contained photos of Julian and me appearing together. Every line questioned our relationship. The conclusion was that I was pregnant with Julian’s child, and he accompanied me to the hospital for an abortion. Although many people below didn’t believe it, saying the person I liked was clearly Liam. “The only difference before and after entering the hospital is Julian’s cast is gone. Is the poster saying that cast was their child?” “And anyone with eyes knows Aubrey has always liked Liam.” But the internet went wild, of course. “What’s the point of liking him? Liam doesn’t like her back.” “Yeah, Liam and Chloe are all lovey-dovey, why would they get involved with her?” “I’m not surprised by this at all. You haven’t seen the way Julian looks at Aubrey…” “I just can’t believe Aubrey is like that, she always acted so high and mighty before.” I was immediately called in by the Dean of Students and received a full afternoon of lectures in her office. When I came out, I ran into Liam standing at the door. “Aubrey, are you okay?” I didn’t respond, just stepped aside to let him pass. “I believe you’re not that kind of person.” That night, when I opened my front door, Julian was nowhere to be seen. I numbly went back to my bedroom and took out the notebook, preparing to tear off a page as usual. But looking at the blurred words, I found it strange. Every page I flipped to had them. Yet, I had never spilled water on it. I rummaged through the trash for the page I had torn out yesterday, and sure enough, the handwriting was also blurred by water stains. Before, when Julian was here, I always tore pages in the dark at night, so I had never noticed. This notebook contained the record of my crush on Liam since high school. From the first time I realized I liked Liam, to Liam officially starting a relationship. Every single word was about Liam. My mind was a mess. As I slowly searched for memories related to the notebook, I suddenly thought of the night Julian first came to my place. His broken, muffled voice, his sneaking out in the middle of the night, his swollen eyelids the next morning. And his complaints about the wind chimes Liam had given me in the early morning. Moment after moment flashed before my eyes. I touched those circular watermarks, and a faint guess began to form in my heart. 6 The post was deleted, but I hadn’t seen Julian for a week. After that campus post came out, I hadn’t seen him since. He hadn’t replied to any of my texts either. Instead, my contact with Liam involuntarily increased. I don’t know why, but I always seemed to run into Liam everywhere. During class, he no longer sat in the front row, nor was he the first to arrive. Instead, he’d wait for me downstairs, follow me to school, and then sit in the back of the classroom with me. “Liam, you have a girlfriend now. Please be more mindful.” “Aubrey, Chloe and I aren’t what you think. I have my reasons.” But I didn’t have time to listen to his troubles. “Don’t you want to know why someone like Julian would be friends with me?” Liam and I sat on a bench in front of the school’s artificial lake. I was indeed curious why Julian would be friends with Liam. Because I had known Liam since high school, and had a crush on him. Julian, I met him after I started college. One day, he just suddenly appeared by Liam’s side, calling him his best buddy. Back then, I thought male friendships just formed that quickly. But now, Liam and Julian were completely opposite personalities. And Julian’s family background was also different from ours. I was an orphan. Liam lived with his grandma. Aside from our grades, we were at the bottom rung of the school’s social ladder. Liam was a bit better off than me, though. He was nice to everyone, and with his handsome face, many people liked him. As for me, I was busy working part-time every day and was indifferent to everyone. Even if I was pretty, people would just say I was acting high and mighty. But I didn’t care what others thought. Because I knew no one else could help me live my life. But Julian, I didn’t know why he was different from everyone else. From the very beginning, he showed me a lot of enthusiasm. Even when I ignored him, he would still come and talk to me. Before this incident, I hadn’t even truly looked at his face. “He and I aren’t close at all.” “He just attached himself to me. You know, he’s different from us, people are willing to believe them.” Seeing I wasn’t looking at him, he continued. “I inexplicably became his best friend, and then inexplicably watched him get close to you.” “Only now do I understand that he was trying to get close to you from the very beginning.” “Actually, I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time, Julian isn’t a good person. Don’t let him trick you.” 7 I became the protagonist of a campus post again. This time, it was with Liam. The photo showed us sitting on a bench, heads down. The title: *Shocking! Broke Girl Steals Another’s Boyfriend After Her Man Dumps Her.* After twenty years of being invisible, I never thought I’d become a campus celebrity overnight. Three days after the post came out, Julian finally reappeared. He looked a lot thinner, and his hair was dyed black. He seemed like a different person, no longer as flamboyant as before.

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My fiancé, Julian, hired a new assistant while I was away on a business trip. She was his junior mentee from college, a classic sweet-faced nuisance. She swapped Julian’s black coffee for a sugary kiddie drink and decorated our professional conference room with giant cartoon pillows. I tried to tell her how unprofessional that was. But Julian frowned, his voice laced with an indulgence I’d never heard directed at me. “Skylar is still just a kid, with a pure heart. You’re older, Anya, be more understanding, don’t be so harsh.” My fingertips went instantly cold. Ten years of dating, seven years building this company side-by-side. I thought we were equals, soulmates, building an empire together. He saw me as a bitter old woman. Fine. A kid, is she? Then I’ll spoil her with you. I swallowed all my advice and just watched Skylar’s little performance unfold, a smile plastered on my face. Until that day, when I watched her personally escort a client, dressed in a bespoke suit, into a rustic farm retreat’s goose pen…

The second round of financing was finally done. I had just landed when my assistant, Chloe, called. “Ms. Stone, Mr. Hayes fired me. He said I was incompetent.” I was stunned. Chloe had been my assistant for three years, always my right hand. Julian, as the company’s co-founder and my fiancé, knew this better than anyone. Why would he suddenly make such a decision? “Chloe, don’t panic. Tell me clearly, what exactly happened?” On the other end, Chloe’s sobbing choked, and her voice became unusually hesitant. “Ms. Stone, you should see this first.” Before she finished speaking, a notification chimed: An unfamiliar social media account, with a small line of text: “Ms. Stone, you’ll understand once you see it.” The moment the avatar popped up, my heart pounded a few frantic beats. That avatar, adorned with a KITTY cat sticker, I had seen it before. Late one night, before my business trip, she had FaceTimed Julian. He hadn’t answered, merely saying dismissively, “I don’t really know this person, must be a wrong number.” As he spoke, he showed me his SnapChat history; it was completely clean, totally blank. I didn’t think much of it. Ten years of shared history, that much trust was a given. But how could this avatar be connected to Chloe getting fired? With a tremor I could barely detect, I tapped into the account. The first pinned post was like an icy needle, piercing directly into my eyes: **[Office Day 1 Check-in!]** **[Making coffee for the CEO, I secretly swapped it for a kiddie drink! (nervous.jpg)]** **[He didn’t even get mad! He even smiled and said I was like a child. He told me to buy two bottles every day from now on, so we can drink them together!]** **[Wuwuwu, another day pampered by the CEO, go go working girl!]** **[Image: A bottle of kiddie drink with a cute straw, sitting on Julian Hayes’ expensive mahogany desk.]** *Boom!* Something exploded in my mind. Kiddie drink? Julian? After ten years together, I knew better than anyone how much he avoided sugar. His family had a severe history of diabetes; his father had passed away early because of it. For years, I hadn’t even dared to buy high-sugar fruits, terrified he might accidentally eat them. He was disciplined to the point of being harsh; candy, cake, and all sugary drinks were strictly forbidden. He always said, “I need to live a long time, to be with you.” But now, he not only agreed to drink a sugary drink with someone else, He even… used that indulgent tone, calling her “a child”? My chest felt squeezed by an invisible hand. I picked up my phone and dialed Julian’s number directly. The long busy signal in the receiver felt like a dull knife sawing at my flesh. Just when I thought it would automatically hang up, it connected. “Hello?” A sickly sweet voice, so saccharine it could make you cringe, answered. “Who are you looking for?” My blood instantly rushed to my head. “Where’s Julian?” “Who are *you*? Didn’t your mother teach you not to call people by their full names? So rude!” *“Click!”* The phone was hung up directly. I gasped for air, my fingertips icy, my palms slick with sweat. Ten years. The awkward teenager who carried me across campus in the pouring rain, the confident man who crammed into a tiny rental with me, eating instant noodles while talking grand ambitions, the steadfast figure who stood in front of me when competitors maliciously attacked us… One image after another, all the trust and warmth I thought were unshakeable, were now thoroughly doused by that phone call and that ridiculous children’s drink. I took deep breaths, trying to convince myself there must be some misunderstanding. After a long while, my trembling body finally calmed, and I hailed a cab to the company. As I stepped out of the executive elevator, I heard a fierce argument.

“Assistant Skylar! This contract must be sent out before ten! Who will take responsibility for millions in losses if we miss the deadline?!” It was Mr. Davis, the Marketing Manager. Always composed, he was now frantic with rage. Immediately following was the voice I’d heard on the phone: “Mr. Davis, don’t shout, you’re scaring me…” Her cloying, sticky voice was like un-melted syrup. “The CEO just fell asleep! What’s more important than his rest? You go back first, and when he wakes up, I promise I’ll tell him right away…” “When he wakes up, things will be way past due! He can rest after signing the contract, the CEO wouldn’t be so irresponsible, now move.” “Oh, why are you like this? Hmph! I’m standing right here, let’s see who dares to go in!” I stood by the elevator door, watching Skylar, dressed in a cutesy, doll-like outfit, acting like a human roadblock, her entire body spread-eagled against the CEO’s office door. Mr. Davis’s forehead throbbed with bulging veins. He wanted to go forward but hesitated, given the gender difference. He could only raise his voice and shout into the office: “Mr. Hayes! Mr. Hayes! Sign this! It’s super urgent!” “It’s no use, Mr. Davis,” Skylar giggled, covering her mouth. “I guessed you guys would argue, so I put noise-canceling headphones on the CEO beforehand! Top-of-the-line too!” She blinked her big eyes, wearing a “Look how smart I am, praise me” expression, but then instantly switched to a pained, teary look of grievance: “Why doesn’t anyone care about the CEO? He works so hard… I’m the only one in the whole company who cares about him…” Rage instantly flooded my limbs. I took a deep breath and quickly stepped forward. “What is going on here?!” The two, who had just been at loggerheads, froze, turning to face me. In the open office area, other employees who had been watching the spectacle seemed to have been put on mute. The air was dead silent, all eyes fixed on me. I walked straight past them, staring coldly at Skylar. My voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. “Move.” Her face, which had been plastered with “grievance,” changed dramatically the moment she saw me. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. But the next second, she somehow managed to look self-righteous again. “Ms. Stone, I’m the CEO’s assistant, even if you…” My patience ran out. I raised my hand, and without the slightest hesitation, shoved her away from the door.

The CEO’s office was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn. Julian was sprawled in his executive chair, a pair of gigantic, Mickey Mouse-shaped noise-canceling headphones on his head, sleeping soundly. On his desk, a game controller and empty snack bags lay scattered. This sight was like a resounding slap across my face. For three entire months, I had been tirelessly seeking funding and sponsorships, sleeping less than four hours a day. And him? Was *this* what he was busy with? Anger surged. I walked to his side and unceremoniously yanked off his headphones. Julian startled awake, his eyes bleary, an annoyed grunt escaping him. “Who…” When he saw it was me, his annoyance instantly morphed into surprise. “Anya?!” He shot upright, his eyes even brightening. “When did you get back?! Why didn’t you tell me? I would have picked you up at the airport!” His voice was genuinely happy, even carrying a hint of reproach. In the past, I would have thought he loved me deeply. But now, I only found him utterly fake. “Pick me up?” I forced a smile, the curve of my lips icy. “I wouldn’t dare trouble Mr. Hayes.” Perhaps he caught the sarcasm in my words, as Julian’s smile stiffened. I didn’t give him a chance to explain. I picked up the delayed contract and slapped it down in front of him: “Sign it.” “Mr. Davis is at his wit’s end outside. Are millions worth of contracts less important than the CEO’s gaming and beauty sleep?” My words stung him, his face turning an ugly shade of red and white, but he signed it immediately. I handed the contract to Mr. Davis, who looked at me with gratitude. “Go quickly.” Mr. Davis rushed out as if he’d been granted a great pardon. The office door closed again, shutting out countless probing gazes. Inside, only Julian and I remained, and… the uninvited one.

Skylar had somehow slipped back in, limping, tears streaming down her face, looking as if she had suffered the greatest injustice. “CEO…” she whimpered timidly, successfully catching Julian’s attention. “Skylar? What happened to you?” Julian frowned, his voice full of concern. Here we go. I watched with a cold eye, knowing the show was about to begin. “I… I’m fine…” Skylar said so, but then, right in front of Julian and me, she did something astounding— She suddenly bent down, grabbed the hem of her skirt with both hands, and forcefully lifted it! Two smooth legs were exposed to the air. On her left knee, a large, fresh patch of red and swollen bruising was starkly visible. It looked shocking! “Ms. Stone… Ms. Stone pushed me just now… I hit the marble floor…” She lifted her tear-filled face, looking at me accusingly, then quickly lowered her head, her shoulders subtly shaking. I scoffed. How much force had I used when I pushed her? I knew perfectly well. She had stood steady as a rock. And now, she was injured like this? Her acting was so good, it was a waste for her not to be in Hollywood. “Skylar, you…” I began, ready to expose her pathetic act. “I’m sorry! Ms. Stone! It’s all my fault!” But Skylar suddenly bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees, cutting me off. Her voice was thick with sobs and boundless “sincerity.” “I shouldn’t have blocked the door… I just… I just wanted the CEO to rest well…” “If I made you misunderstand, Ms. Stone, and think I was deliberately stopping you… then it’s all my fault! I apologize to you! I’m sorry! Please forgive me!” She remained bent at the waist, her posture utterly humble. The angle was just right for Julian to see her swollen knee and tear-stained eyelashes. My eyes immediately went to Julian. Sure enough. Those eyes, which had once looked at me with complete devotion, were now filled with pity for another woman. And… a hint of dissatisfaction directed at me, almost imperceptible. That look, like a poisoned ice pick, precisely pierced my last shred of illusion. Ten years of unspoken understanding, gone, undone by the tears of a manipulative innocent and a fake bruise. “Enough! Skylar! Get up!” Julian’s face was stern, his voice deliberately raised, sounding stiff. He walked around the desk, quickly moving to Skylar’s side. He wanted to help her up, but hesitated halfway, his hand stopping, aware of my presence. He turned to me, his voice carrying a thinly veiled “explanation”: “Anya, I was the one who gave orders not to be disturbed! It’s not her fault! You… you went too far!” What a “just following orders”! What a “you went too far”! This seemingly “explanation” was, in reality, every word a jab at me! Accusing me of pushing the door, of “disturbing” his rest, and even of “harming” this “innocent” “little assistant” who only had his well-being in mind! A massive sense of absurdity and icy anger swept over me. I didn’t want to argue with him in front of this drama queen; it would only make me look like a hysterical shrew. “Get her out.” I stared at Julian, my voice chillingly calm. Julian seemed to choke on my resolute tone. He looked at Skylar, his voice a soothing coax to a child: “Skylar, go out for now. Didn’t you say you ordered fruit salad? Go hurry them up.” Skylar’s sobbing instantly quieted. She slowly straightened up, pouting, her watery eyes looking at Julian, with a hint of a plea: “CEO… Senior Brother…” “Go,” Julian waved his hand, his voice infinitely gentle. Only then did Skylar, glancing back every few steps, drag her “injured” leg, slowly and limping, out of the office. The door softly closed behind her.

Inside, the air was as frozen as a river of ice. Only Julian and I remained, in a silent standoff. The tenderness on his face from moments ago hadn’t fully faded. When he looked at me, though his face was full of affection, there was also a hint of guilt. I looked at him, his face, familiar from ten years of being together, now felt utterly strange. My nails dug deep into my palms, using the sharp pain to force myself to maintain my last shred of composure. “Why did you fire Chloe?” I asked, my voice steady from extreme effort. “She’s been with me for three years, never made a single mistake, and she wouldn’t be ‘incompetent’ for no reason.” Julian’s eyes flickered, then he adopted a formal, business-like expression. His brow furrowed. “Anya, I know Chloe is your person. But this time, she went too far!” He paused, seemingly weighing his words, or perhaps eager to clear his name. “Yesterday morning, Skylar… oh, Assistant Skylar, was only half an hour late.” “You know, young people, occasionally oversleep, it’s understandable.” “But Chloe? She actually yelled at Skylar in the office, in front of so many people, making her cry!” “Her words were extremely nasty, saying she was ‘ill-mannered’ and ‘holding us back,’ even… even hinting she got her position through improper means!” “This is blatant personal insult! The company is a place of rules; we can’t tolerate this kind of behavior!” “That’s why I fired her. It’s to maintain the company’s image and to give newcomers a fair environment!” “Chloe yelled at her? And insulted her personally?” I almost scoffed. I knew Chloe’s personality better than anyone. If something could be solved by docking pay, she wouldn’t waste an extra word. “Julian, Chloe isn’t that kind of person. She…” “Anya!” Julian abruptly cut me off, his voice suddenly rising, filled with the indignation of his authority being questioned. “What do you mean? Do you think I’m lying? Or do you think Skylar is lying?” He stared directly at me, his gaze sharp and cold. “Skylar is my junior mentee. She has a pure heart, none of your complicated schemes! She cried until her eyes were swollen, do you think she was faking that too?!” “Pure heart? *You guys*?” I repeated his words, each one like a poisoned needle, pricking my heart. That pathetic performance just moments ago was still vivid in my mind, and he believed she had a pure heart, meaning he believed *I* had pushed her. Chloe and I were “you guys,” so, the two of them were “us”? Realizing this made my chest ache, almost suffocating me. The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing.

Perhaps realizing his tone had been too harsh, Julian’s indignation on his face softened slightly, replaced by an almost condescending “peace-making” gesture. He sighed, his voice softening. “Alright, Anya, I know you’re protective. If you’re really unhappy… I’ll have HR call Chloe back? Just to save face for you.” His tone made it sound as if bringing Chloe back was a huge favor. “Of course she’s coming back.” I stared at him, my voice firm. “Restore her to her original position, with full compensation. Not a cent less.” “But Julian, I can handle that myself. What I want to talk to you about isn’t that at all!” He paused, surprised. “Then what is it?” “It’s *you*!” I took a step forward, glaring at him. “It’s your series of unprofessional behaviors that have fallen below all standards, ever since this ‘pure-hearted’ Skylar came to the company!” “You let her swap black coffee for sugary kiddie drinks.” “Because she was late, you fired a loyal employee who had made significant contributions to the company!” “Tell me, is this still the Julian I’ve known for ten years? I barely recognize you anymore!” Julian was nailed to the spot by my barrage of questions, his face cycling through shades of red and white. He opened his mouth, his eyes shifting with complex emotions. Finally, a familiar, self-satisfied smirk crept onto his lips. He suddenly reached out, trying to pull me closer, but I sidestepped, avoiding his touch. “Anya…” His tone was a mix of helplessness and smugness. “Are you… jealous?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice, intimately. “There’s really nothing going on between us! Professor asked me to help her find a job.” “She’s clumsy and a little clever, which reminds me of our university days… I felt a bit nostalgic, so I indulged her a little.” “I promise! It absolutely won’t happen again! I’ll handle company matters by the book from now on, okay? Don’t be mad?” “Jealous?” Those two words felt like a red-hot iron branding my heart. I looked at his face, wearing that “I’m trying to make you happy” expression, and my stomach churned. Ten years of weathering storms together, and now, at a critical moment with the company on the verge of going public. I was utterly exhausted, trying to talk to him about boundaries, principles, and his appallingly hypocritical and unprofessional conduct. And he just lightly dismissed it as “jealousy”? And blamed it on “nostalgia for youth”? This was no longer simple favoritism; this was a double insult to my intelligence and my character! I was about to make myself clearer when a sudden commotion erupted outside, mixed with a deliberately raised, overly sweet shout: “Everyone’s worked so hard! The CEO is treating everyone to fruit salad! Come and get it!” It was Skylar. Julian and I exchanged a glance, and I saw a clear look of “saved by the bell” relief in his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he moved past me, pushed the door open, and walked out.

Skylar flitted around the open office area like a bright butterfly, dragging a massive foam box. Her face was beaming, not a trace of tears or grievance left. Even her “injured” leg seemed perfectly agile now. Seeing Julian and me emerge, her eyes lit up, and she grabbed two fruit salads, scurrying over. “Ms. Stone! CEO! Here, these are yours! They’re super delicious!” Julian took his naturally, even giving her an approving smile. I, however, didn’t move. My gaze fell on the plastic bowls in front of me—the cheap containers were almost transparent, and the bowl walls were stained with suspicious water marks. Cheap fruit, spotted with brown, was submerged in a grayish-white, sticky liquid. When I leaned closer, a strange odor, a mix of artificial flavoring and sourness, hit my nostrils. My brow instantly furrowed. “Assistant Skylar, where did you buy this fruit salad?” Skylar’s smile stiffened for a moment, then she plastered on an even sweeter one. “Just… just near the company, you know.” “Specifically which store?” I pressed, my gaze sharp as a knife. “Name? Address? Do you have a receipt?” Skylar’s face instantly paled. Her eyes began to dart around frantically, her lips trembling, and her voice immediately took on a whimper: “Ms… Ms. Stone… what… what do you mean by that?” “I… I just thought I’d get everyone something nice…” “My… my family isn’t well-off, I never had good things growing up… Maybe… maybe what I bought isn’t up to your standards…” “But you… you don’t have to… insult me like that, do you?” As she spoke, tears came on cue. Paired with that cautious, innocent expression, she looked exactly like a poor, helpless victim being bullied by a cruel villainess. “Insult you?” The anger I’d been holding back exploded! I raised my voice, making sure the entire office could hear clearly: “I’m asking you for the source! This yogurt smells spoiled! Food safety is a serious matter! Everyone, don’t eat these yet!” Silence instantly fell over the office area. The employees who had been given fruit salads froze, exchanging uneasy glances. “Anya Stone! That’s enough!” Julian’s enraged voice boomed. His face was ashen, his eyes like knives, cutting into me, filled with unbelievable fury and… deep concern for Skylar. As if to prove a point, or perhaps to spite me. He abruptly tore off the lid of his own bowl and, in front of everyone, aggressively scooped several large spoonfuls into his mouth, chewed them haphazardly, and swallowed! “I ate it! I think it’s fine!” He slammed the empty bowl onto a nearby desk with a dull *thump*. Then, his gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across every employee in the room, carrying blatant pressure and warning: “The CEO is treating, it’s a kind gesture! Everyone, don’t hold back!” The air solidified. Under immense pressure, some employees reluctantly began to eat. Skylar seized the opportunity, covered her face, and let out a loud wail, turning and running towards the fire escape. “Skylar!” Julian cried out anxiously, not even sparing me another glance, and rushed after her. As he brushed past me, a gust of wind, bitingly cold, swept by. I stood rooted to the spot. Watching the fire escape door swing back and forth, watching the employees in the office with their varied expressions, watching the cheap plastic bowl on the desk emitting that strange odor… My heart was filled with an unspeakable weariness. Ten years of a beautiful illusion, now, finally, thoroughly shattered.

“Janitorial staff, please clean this up. Everyone, back to work.” I calmly gave the instruction, then turned and went back to my office. A mountain of documents was piled on my desk. Thankfully, they kept me busy, leaving no room for sorrow. But the calm lasted only one morning before trouble struck again. After lunch, some employees turned green, clutching their stomachs, and started making endless trips to the restroom. Julian had run off, his phone unanswered, leaving me as the only one to clean up this mess. The fiasco triggered by the “CEO’s generous gesture” finally turned into a heavy burden crashing down on my shoulders. “HR! Compile a list of sick employees! Mild cases, rest. Severe cases, send to the hospital immediately!” “Legal! Report this mass food poisoning incident! Prepare all the necessary documents!” “All departments, review urgent tasks, ensure core operations continue without interruption! Minimize the impact!” My instructions were clear and cold, like a machine in motion. I forced myself to ignore the sharp pain of my nails digging into my palms, to ignore the frozen emptiness in my chest, and even more, to ignore the SnapChat notification of Skylar’s latest update: In front of a dimly lit claw machine, Julian was shown in profile, an expression of indulgence on his face that I had never seen before. Skylar’s hand was covering his larger one; they were “working together” to control the joystick. Caption: **[CEO is here playing claw machine with me instead of working]** **[Wuwuwu, it’s all my fault for being so clumsy, couldn’t win anything after dozens of tries, cried QAQ!]** **[The CEO couldn’t stand it anymore, personally stepping in to teach me! Feeling his hand over mine is just too swoon-worthy!]** **[Even though I still didn’t win the strawberry bear I wanted, the feeling of being pampered is already a perfect score!]** **[#CEOSoGentle #JuniorMentee’sExclusiveCoach]** The background sound seemed to still echo in my ears—”Skylar, don’t cry, which one do you want? I’ll help you win it.” And the background sound of reality now was the wailing sirens of ambulances approaching, the painful moans of employees, the incessant sharp ringing of phones. What an utterly absurd contrast. I twitched my lips, giving a self-deprecating laugh. In college, once, when we passed an arcade, I had impulsively asked him, “Julian, let’s try to win one too?” What did he say then? He frowned, his voice full of disdain: “Anya, how old are you, still playing this? So childish. You’d be better off reading another financial report.” It turns out, he didn’t dislike playing claw machines. He just disliked playing claw machines with *me*. Or rather, he preferred the “clumsy” girl who allowed him to play the role of “savior” and “gentle mentor.” Not me, the “older woman” who could fight alongside him, rational and calm. It wasn’t worth it anymore. Julian, and this crumbling ten-year relationship, weren’t worth another second of my effort. It was time to cut ties, decisively.

The next dozen hours felt like rolling through hell. The hospital emergency room was packed, filled with the sour stench of vomit, the sharp smell of disinfectant, and the painful groans of dozens of employees. Family members, hearing the news, arrived, their furious accusations almost raising the roof. I, along with the few remaining senior executives, moved through it like a fire brigade. Consoling families, liaising with doctors, cooperating with government investigations, handling urgent contracts… My brain was working at high speed, but my body felt like lead. My throat was already hoarse, my eyes bloodshot, my stomach empty yet without appetite, only cold coffee keeping me going. Julian’s phone? Still silent. His social media account, however, was updated—they had moved to a dimly lit dessert shop, sharing a hundred-times more exquisite-looking Tiramisu. It wasn’t until past midnight that the chaotic emergency room finally quieted down a bit. My taut nerves suddenly slackened, and an intense wave of dizziness washed over me. I leaned against the cold wall, clinging to my last shred of consciousness, and said to my equally exhausted subordinates, “You all take turns resting, I…” Before I finished speaking, my vision suddenly went black. Before losing consciousness, I seemed to hear a startled cry: “Anya!” When I woke again, the hospital room’s stark white ceiling was above me. A person sat by the bed: Julian. He looked rather disheveled.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297419”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

This year, the weather authorities had issued multiple extreme heat alerts. Our company’s new CEO Assistant suggested we all go to a forest in the wilderness to escape the heat. But I’d been reading the news. The place she suggested had recently seen a surge in Chikungunya fever cases. This disease is primarily spread by mosquitoes, and the area she picked was swarming with them. Going there now would be a death wish! I immediately rejected her proposal and shared the news report in the company chat. Everyone was furious, accusing the assistant of ill intent, saying she wanted to send them to their deaths. The assistant was shamed into not coming to work. Then, she live-streamed her suicide attempt, leaping from a high-rise. In the live stream, she cried desperately, explaining that she hadn’t seen the news, and her suggestion to go there was genuinely for everyone’s well-being. Her death shocked the entire company. Later, my CEO husband teamed up with all our colleagues, stripped me bare, tied me up, and left me in the wild forest. I was bitten by countless mosquitoes, suffered a severe infection, and died. When I woke up again. I was back to the day the assistant, Chloe Miller, suggested we go to the wild forest to escape the heat. This time, I smiled and agreed. “That’s a great idea.” … “I see everyone’s been looking so drained from the heat lately, and work efficiency is terrifyingly low. How about I talk to the CEO and ask him to take us on a trip to escape the heat?” “I’ve already picked out the perfect spot! I did so much research to find this untouched, pristine forest. I heard it’s really cool and comfortable there.” “Much better than just blasting the AC here, don’t you think, Alice?” Her words jolted me awake. It finally hit me—was I reborn? I was back on the day Chloe Miller suggested that summer retreat in the wild forest. The weather this year was abnormal. Temperatures soared past 104 degrees Fahrenheit, with constant heat advisories. Even with air conditioning at the office, my colleagues were still miserable from the heat, completely unmotivated to work. As the company’s Vice President, all I could do was try to shorten their work hours. Chloe Miller, the new assistant, wanting to win everyone over, suggested a company-funded summer outing to beat the heat. The proposal was met with unanimous support, but I flat-out rejected it. I had just seen the news: the place Chloe Miller suggested had a high incidence of Chikungunya fever outbreaks. And since this disease is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, her idea of going to an undeveloped wild forest meant it had never been treated for insects. It would be swarming with mosquitoes. Going there now would be no different from signing our own death warrants. My rejection drew some不满 (displeasure) from my colleagues, but constrained by my Vice President title and the difficulty of finding jobs these past few years, they swallowed their resentment. Seeing their resentful expressions, I sighed and shared the official health report about the outbreak in our company WhatsApp group. Only then did my colleagues understand me. They immediately turned around and accused Chloe Miller of ill intent, saying she knew how dangerous it was but still wanted to lead them to their deaths. Chloe Miller was ostracized and live-streamed her suicide attempt from home. She lost her footing, slipped, and actually fell to her death. In the live stream, she cried, explaining that she hadn’t seen the news, didn’t know there was an outbreak there, and that her intentions were good. She even claimed I was intentionally targeting her because she was prettier, and I was afraid she’d steal my husband. Afterward, I tried my best to explain. But my CEO husband, David Cheney, stripped me bare, tied me up, and threw me into the wild forest teeming with mosquitoes. “You said mosquito bites would kill you? Then I’ll wait and see if you die. If you do, I’ll believe you’re innocent. But if you don’t, I’ll personally make sure you go down to apologize to Chloe.” Remembering the agony of the mosquito bites, the despair before my death, I decided this time, I wouldn’t save these cold-hearted bastards. I looked down, adjusted my clothes, and composed my expression. My smile had never looked so genuinely sincere. “I think Chloe’s idea is really good. I see everyone’s been working so hard. So, Chloe, why don’t you go talk to the CEO?” Chloe hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. She was ready to argue her case, to put on a grand show of fighting for everyone’s well-being. My easy agreement forced her prepared speech back down her throat, her face twisting into an unreadable, almost pained expression. But it lasted only a second. Then she was smiling like an innocent little sweetheart, practically skipping past me. “David, I was just about to look for you.” “Look how hot it is, and everyone’s still working so hard, lots of people are getting sick. So I suggested we take everyone to a wild forest to escape the heat. What do you say?” She clung to David’s arm, playfully shaking it, a sugary sweetness in her voice. Completely ignoring me, his actual wife, standing right there. A rare gentle smile appeared on David’s usually stern face, his voice helpless yet doting. “Our Chloe is just so kind, so thoughtful. Unlike some people who only care about money.” “Since you’ve said so, I have no reason to refuse. I’ll leave all the arrangements to you. We’ll follow your lead.” I scoffed internally. They completely disregarded the fact that I was David’s wife. And I knew David’s comment about “some people” was directed at me. After all, I was the one who worked day and night to build the company to its current scale. I only let him be CEO and took the VP role to make him look good, to save his pride. In reality, I handled all the work, and he just enjoyed the good life. And now he was blaming me for only caring about money? In my last life, I would have furiously argued with him. But now, I simply maintained a polite smile, tacitly accepting everything. Chloe saw I wasn’t jealous or angry, which seemed to annoy her even more. But just for a second. Then her eyes darted around, and she came over, linking her arm through mine, acting like we were the best of friends, all sweet and bubbly. “Alice, you’ll be coming too, right?” Before I could say anything, David frowned and cut in. “She’s not going.” “Seeing her just ruins the fun.” “You won’t have a good time if she’s there.” A flicker of triumph crossed Chloe’s eyes, and her smile became even more provocative. “David, everyone’s going. It’s not right to leave Alice behind. You two are married, after all.” I smirked. *Now* you remember we’re married? I didn’t want to go anyway, and was just about to refuse. David’s face hardened, and he impatiently ordered me. “Fine, then you come along. But let me make one thing clear: don’t cause Chloe any trouble, or don’t blame me for not giving you face.” On the day of the outing, the weather continued to heat up. My colleagues wore light clothing, a lot of skin exposed. Only Chloe and I were completely covered in long sleeves and pants. After a three-hour drive, we arrived at the spot Chloe had described. City-dwelling corporate drones rarely got a chance to experience nature. My colleagues were immediately captivated by the scenery. “Chloe found a truly beautiful spot.” “Yeah, and it’s so cool and comfortable here. The office AC can’t even compare.” “Look, there are so many small lakes over there! We can play in the water soon.” Everyone joyfully ran into the forest, heading towards the lakes. But I stayed in the car, not wanting to get out. Chloe saw I had no intention of leaving the car, and her face immediately fell, looking crestfallen. “Alice, are you unhappy with my arrangements?” “But you agreed back at the office.” “I spent days putting together this plan. It’s really a wonderful place. You should come down and join us.” I could tell she wouldn’t give up until she’d dragged me into this. And many colleagues were starting to look over, their faces showing a hint of displeasure. This was Chloe’s goal: to undermine my standing in the company. I sighed and gave her a big smile. “I didn’t say anything. I just wanted to rest a bit before joining you all.” I doused myself in mosquito repellent, pulled my collar high, and tightened my pant legs before finally getting out of the car and heading towards the main group. By the time I arrived, some people had already taken off their clothes and gotten into the water. I frowned, watching the mosquitoes dancing on the water’s surface. That’s when Chloe walked up to me, enthusiastically inviting me to join them in the water. “Alice, it’s so hot, you should take off your clothes and play with us too!” I shook my head, refusing. Chloe immediately looked crestfallen, her eyes welling up like she was about to burst into tears. Just then, David walked over. “Alice, didn’t I warn you not to bully Chloe?” “Get back to the car right now! You’re annoying me.” I let out a sigh of relief, about to turn back to the car. Chloe spoke up again. “David, don’t scold Alice like that. We’re all out here together. How can we just leave her alone in the car while we play?” The surrounding colleagues also gathered around, a cacophony of voices trying to mediate, though their main point was still that I was being a killjoy, practically wanting to rip my clothes off and drag me in themselves. But I wasn’t angry. Once they had said their piece, I pulled out a pregnancy test report from my pocket. “Sorry, I’m pregnant. I can’t join you in the water.” Chloe hadn’t expected this. She stared at me in disbelief, then turned to glare at David, her eyes full of accusation. Before they could react, I continued. “I came today because I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun. So, I’ll just go back to the car and wait for you all.” With that, I turned and headed for the car. My colleagues didn’t know what else to say. After all, she was pregnant; if anything happened, no one wanted to be responsible. Chloe’s face went absolutely ashen. She’d clearly planned to trap me, but I hadn’t fallen for it. And now, she’d heard the one thing she never wanted to hear: I was pregnant! David finally snapped out of it, rushing forward to pull Chloe into his arms. Then he whirled around and roared at me: “Why didn’t you say you were pregnant sooner?” “You had to wait until now to say it, making us look like heartless villains who forced you despite your condition! How could you be so cruel? Chloe’s plans were well-intentioned. Your stunt makes her look bad, like she intentionally tried to harm you, leaving her caught between a rock and a hard place.” Listening to his accusations, a bitter taste filled my mouth. He knew I was pregnant, but his first thought wasn’t concern for me or our child. Instead, he blamed me for the timing of my pregnancy, all for another woman. We were once the perfect couple, envied by everyone. When we were broke, we shared every meager meal. When our startup failed, we encouraged and supported each other. Even before Chloe came along, our relationship was still very strong. We never fought; he barely ever even raised his voice at me. When did he start to change? Perhaps the first time Chloe cried in front of him? Or when Chloe hugged him and called him ‘big brother’? Or maybe even earlier, the first time he saw Chloe. That explained why Chloe, someone who hadn’t even finished a decent college degree, had climbed to the position of CEO Assistant in just half a month. I’d tried to tell him many times that Chloe wasn’t suitable for her job; she did nothing but cry. David would just brush me off. Then he’d get a cold look on his face, furious, telling me to mind my own business. Later, he grew colder towards me, showering more attention on Chloe. That’s why he didn’t even know when I’d found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want to look at them anymore and just got into the car. The weather grew hotter. Soon, it would be prime time for the virus-carrying mosquitoes to be active. I watched my lightly dressed colleagues still playing joyfully by the water, while Chloe remained far away, bundled up. Their cheerful shouts occasionally drifted over. “Chloe’s choice of place is truly amazing! I feel alive again.” “Yeah, Chloe is really our lucky star!” “Chloe, anything you need in the future, just say the word. If you say east, I won’t go west.” Seeing the red bites all over their skin, I found it ironic. They were having fun now, and the water was cool, so they didn’t feel much. But staying in there would only increase their risk of infection. Plus, constant movement speeds up blood flow, allowing toxins to quickly spread throughout their bodies. Just as I thought this, as if to confirm my prediction, A frail colleague was the first to feel unwell. He suddenly vomited, then collapsed to the ground, crying out in pain… I rushed over to check on him. His entire body was covered in red rashes, and he was writhing on the ground, screaming in agony… Soon, one after another, colleagues began to collapse, vomiting non-stop, and screaming in pain… I stepped forward, calmly observed them, and said evenly, “They seem to have contracted a virus.” A few female colleagues who hadn’t gone into the water due to their positions stood there, their faces pale. “Sir… Mr. CEO… they really do seem to have contracted a virus!” David looked panicked, and Chloe’s face also went white. “How… how could they get infected so easily…” Unlike David, my expression remained calm.

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His 99th Broken Glass When Julian smashed his ninety-ninth glass, I finally broke up with him. He exploded in rage. “Just because of a broken glass?” “Eleanor Vance, don’t forget you were the one who came begging!” I hadn’t forgotten. He was the one who broke the deal first, forgetting what he’d promised me. For the past two years, playing his trophy girlfriend, he thought I was obedient and docile. He had no idea. His ‘one who got away,’ his childhood sweetheart, his trophy girlfriend – none of them wanted to stay by his side. When Grandma Helen was hospitalized, Julian found me and offered a deal: be his girlfriend for three years, and he’d get Grandma Helen the best specialist. I couldn’t refuse. The doctors had said Grandma Helen’s illness was critical. I begged Julian to keep his word. Grandma Helen was the only family I had left. He agreed immediately, a smug, self-satisfied look on his face. “Right, what was your name again?” “My name is Eleanor Vance.” His expression shifted. A subtle, scrutinizing gaze, a condescending judgment washing over his face. He asked, “Is that… like *her* name?” I replied, “It’s from an old poem my grandma loved, about spring and renewal. Like ‘verdant green,’ but with a deeper meaning.” He scoffed. “Lost on me.” “Like ‘green,’ but not just the color.” He snorted. “Sounds awful.” He clearly had no taste. I loved the name Grandma Helen had given me. Julian took me to a bar, parading me in front of his friends like a new toy. “You’ve still got it, Julian!” someone flattered him. “You snap your fingers, and they come running!” He puffed out his chest, smug. “Women? Easy pickings.” The only one who actually greeted me was Brandon Miller. He smiled. “Good evening, future Mrs. Hayes.” Julian corrected him, sneering that I was just a mistress, not worthy of such a title. His attitude was so rude, I almost thought I’d misheard him earlier. But no, my hearing and memory were just fine. He’d simply decided he no longer wanted to acknowledge me as his girlfriend. I didn’t argue. I was terrified of angering him, of him backing out on our deal. “Hey, Julian, does she even drink?” Julian looked utterly confident, as if a simple drink was something everyone naturally knew how to handle. But I didn’t. Grandma Helen had always said drinking was bad for your health. “Julian, you’ve got yourself a real trophy girlfriend here!” Julian, for no apparent reason, exploded. He smashed the glass in his hand. “You can’t even drink! You’re an embarrassment!” I figured the only thing Julian was good at was drinking. Every time I went to a bar with him after that, he’d down more drinks than I could count. I’d occasionally worry he’d get alcohol poisoning, but he never did. When Julian got drunk, he’d suddenly start looking for me. “Sera… Sera—” Surprised, I hesitantly walked over, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. “Sera! Where did you go…” I was completely flustered when Brandon Miller walked over, coolly looking down at me. “Future Mrs. Hayes.” I looked up. Brandon sighed dramatically. “Julian’s not calling you. He’s calling his ‘one who got away’ ex-girlfriend—Seraphina Lockhart.” Seraphina Lockhart. The one he’d never truly gotten over. It clicked in an instant. I finally understood why Julian had asked about my name earlier – he was thinking of his ‘one who got away’ ex-girlfriend. “Three years ago, Seraphina went abroad for her studies, and they broke up. He’s never gotten over her.” Brandon said this, looking utterly moved. I didn’t quite get it. Julian didn’t strike me as the ‘deeply in love’ type. Anyway, if he wasn’t looking for me, but Seraphina, there was no point in me staying. “Brandon? I need to get back to the hospital to look after Grandma Helen. Could you keep an eye on him?” When I walked into her hospital room, Grandma Helen was knitting a scarf. It was the middle of summer, but I knew she was knitting it for me. She was afraid she wouldn’t live to see winter. She smiled when she saw me, immediately putting down her knitting to peel an apple for me. I didn’t want her to overexert herself. I gently moved both the apple and the scarf out of reach, then, under her slightly resigned gaze, I put a hat on her head. Grandma Helen’s hair had been shaved off, and I worried she’d be cold. “Grandma, don’t rush the scarf. Winter’s still a long way off.” “The doctors said a brilliant specialist is coming for your surgery. My Grandma Helen is going to live to be a hundred!” Julian was truly a high-handed jerk, always smashing glasses, but when it came to Grandma Helen’s illness, he was more attentive than I’d expected. He brought in the specialist, scheduled the surgery for three months later, and even hired two nurses to help me care for Grandma Helen. So, when he told me to move into the Hayes estate and learn household duties with Mrs. Gable, and how to cater to him, I acted perfectly obedient. He seemed satisfied. “A woman should know her place,” he said. I started learning how to be Julian’s trophy girlfriend – like always bringing him a glass of warm water after one of his hangovers. Under the nurses’ diligent care, Grandma Helen’s condition improved day by day, and I gradually caught up on my missed studies. At that point, I was truly grateful to Julian. I even thought I’d be a good trophy girlfriend and keep him satisfied.

Two months later, Julian’s ‘one who got away,’ Seraphina Lockhart, came back for a vacation. She’d heard Julian had a mistress, and she was curious. So Julian brought me out to show me off to her. “So, you’re Eleanor Vance?” Her hair was styled in soft curls. In the flashy, vibrant bar, she wore a simple white dress, looking every bit the pristine ‘one who got away.’ Brandon introduced her to me: “Future Mrs. Hayes, this is Seraphina.” Seraphina raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You call *her* Mrs. Hayes?” “Brandon,” Julian snapped, his face sour. “I told you, she’s not worthy of any title.” “Julian’s right. Not just anyone can be compared to Seraphina.” “What are you saying? Does Seraphina even *need* to be compared to anyone? She just has to stand there, and everyone will hand her whatever she desires.” “An international elite like her is just different. Some people will never leave their hometown. Guess that’s just fate.” It sounded like deriving superiority from me made them very happy. I looked at Julian. He was staring at Seraphina, as if he were deaf, or perhaps he just didn’t care. Seraphina, however, remained perfectly composed. “I hear you’re a student at a top university? You attend classes during the day and sleep at night. I’m just curious how you manage to care for Julian.” With just that one sentence from Seraphina, Julian’s face immediately darkened. I frowned, confused. “I don’t just sleep as soon as I get home from school…” Julian cut me off, his voice cold. “Enough! Seraphina has a point. You’re always going to school, running back and forth between here and there. It’s a waste of time!” “Tomorrow, you’re going to drop out!” I stared at Julian, utterly disbelieving. Just because of one illogical comment from Seraphina, he wanted me to drop out of a top university?! Brandon Miller actually started applauding, saying it was a great idea. I thought they were all insane. I looked at Julian defiantly. His brows furrowed in fury. “What kind of impression are you making, running around outside all day?!” “Besides, if you drop out, won’t you have more time to look after that old woman? I’m doing this for your own good!” His words did remind me. Grandma Helen hadn’t had her surgery yet. I heard my own voice, trembling. “…Fine.” I dropped out. Julian didn’t come back until the third morning. The moment he walked in, he started throwing my belongings out. “Didn’t I buy you clothes? Do you think your own rags are presentable?!” What counted as ‘presentable’ clothes? I didn’t get it. Julian, dressed in thousands of dollars worth of designer clothes, was throwing my things around, looking anything but dignified. He started tossing things off my desk. “Wait! Julian, that’s the necklace Grandma Helen gave me. Throw out whatever else you want, just not this!” I lunged forward, snatching the necklace from his hand. He looked absolutely enraged. I suspected he wanted to hit me, but he opted to just smash another glass instead. “Don’t play the victim. Do whatever you want, just don’t let me see you wearing it.” I clutched the necklace tightly, promising I wouldn’t wear it out. But Julian wasn’t done with me. “Who said you could even go out? As long as Seraphina is here, you’re not leaving this house!” I couldn’t help but argue. “What does Seraphina have to do with this? Besides, I need to go with Grandma Helen for her surgery in a few days!” “You’re not a doctor, what good would you be there? Just stay put! As long as Seraphina is here, you’re not going anywhere!” When it came to Grandma Helen, I wouldn’t make any concessions to Julian. He locked me in my room, but on the day of the surgery, I jumped out the window. Luckily, Grandma Helen’s surgery was a success. The bad news was, I’d sprained my ankle. While the doctor was wrapping my ankle, Julian stormed into the hospital, with Brandon Miller trailing behind, clearly enjoying the drama. “Eleanor Vance, are you insane?! Jumping from that high building, do you think that makes you look impressive?!” I was actually more afraid his shouting would wake Grandma Helen. Julian was about to continue his tantrum when he suddenly got a call. The fury on his face melted away like butter. “Sera? You’re leaving? Okay, I’ll drive you to the airport right now.” He turned and left. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Brandon Miller, surprisingly, didn’t leave with him. He found a seat nearby. He smirked. “Your ankle looks lovely, future Mrs. Hayes. Julian clearly doesn’t appreciate it.” I didn’t want to engage. I put my shoes back on. Brandon immediately offered a feigned apology. “Sorry about that, future Mrs. Hayes. Oh, by the way, did you know Julian has a childhood sweetheart fiancée? Briar Rosewood.” “What’s that to me, Mr. Miller?” He clicked his tongue. “Looks like you don’t care for Julian at all, future Mrs. Hayes.” “What’s that to *you*, Brandon Miller?”

When I dropped out, my professors were truly disappointed. But I didn’t let it get me down. I used my free time to self-study and write business proposals. Julian was spending a lot of time at home then – well, it *was* his home. Anyway, he found my messy proposal drafts and dismissed them as childish nonsense. I tuned out his cutting remarks. As long as he didn’t interfere, I was fine. Two days later, he suddenly had his female secretary bring me a stack of case studies that weren’t available to the public, saying they were to broaden my horizons. His secretary, Ms. Reid, was very straightforward. “These proposals are excellent. Just ‘broadening your horizons’ would be a waste.” I actually smiled, genuinely. I really did like these, far more than the flashy, impractical clothes Julian bought me. Julian watched me, sipping his water, and somehow, his hand slipped, smashing another glass. He covered his awkwardness by bringing up a fireworks display that night, asking if I wanted to go with him. I was genuinely unaccustomed to him acting… normal. The short period between Seraphina leaving and Briar arriving was one of the few times I could call peaceful, almost lulling me into complacency. Julian still occasionally drank with his friends. When he got drunk, he’d barely recognize anyone, calling me “Sera,” and saying he wanted to be with “Sera.” I felt a flicker of something, and then confusion. I wasn’t sure which ‘Sera’ he was calling for. The drunk wouldn’t listen. He just kept repeating, “Sera, we’re going to be together forever.” I thought about it, then patted his hand, promising that as long as he didn’t do anything to betray me, I could try to be with him. Julian seemed to smile. But I didn’t notice, continuing, “Still, forever is too long. We only have three years.” The next morning, Julian left, looking absolutely furious. I thought he was feeling unwell, but he didn’t drink the honey water I’d left on the table for him. I tidied up the table, then went to accompany Grandma Helen for her follow-up. The doctor said her illness had a chance of recurrence and it would be best for her to stay for observation. As soon as I got back to the Hayes estate, I saw a strange woman, wearing a pink sundress, laughing playfully with Julian. Julian, currently, looked utterly delighted. That girl was Briar Rosewood, the childhood sweetheart Brandon Miller had mentioned, the one engaged to Julian. “Julian, darling, who is *she*? How can just anyone walk in here?!” Briar saw me before Julian did. She tightened her grip on his arm. Julian replied coldly, “She’s nothing.” I didn’t want to be ‘nothing,’ so I told Briar directly that I was Julian’s mistress. “What?! How could Julian, darling, be interested in *you*? Is your family incredibly rich?” “No, I’m from a very modest background.” “Then… are you a brilliant student?” Her words truly stung. I glanced at Julian; he was gazing at Briar with doting eyes. “…I didn’t finish college.” Briar refused to believe I was so utterly useless. She turned to Julian for confirmation. Julian said, “Alright, Briar, she really is just someone I keep around for fun.” Briar’s gaze turned hostile as she looked at me. “Oh, I see. My apologies for earlier, Eleanor dear.” Briar was clearly calling me that on purpose. Julian glared at me, displeased, then ruffled Briar’s hair. “Just call her by her name. Seraphina doesn’t like being mimicked.” “But that’s so rude, Julian, darling.” “Hmm… I’m a little hungry. Would Eleanor, um, be upset if I asked her to make me dinner, Julian, darling?” Julian gestured at me with a flick of his head. “What are you waiting for? Go!”

Briar was truly like a songbird. The moment she arrived, the entire Hayes estate filled with laughter. I silently listened as I chopped vegetables in the kitchen. Distracted, I sliced my index finger, staining the entire cutting board red with blood. I walked out of the kitchen and heard Julian inviting Briar to stay over. “Julian, darling, Eleanor, um, won’t be unhappy if I stay here, will she?” Briar, again, saw me first. She asked Julian the question, but her eyes were deliberately fixed on me. Julian replied, “Of course not. What’s wrong with a little sister staying at her big brother’s house for a night? Let her try to frown, I dare her!” Briar tilted her head, a smug smile on her face. “Oh, Eleanor dear, why are you out here?” I replied flatly, “Cut my hand.” Julian immediately jumped in to defend Briar. “I bet you just don’t want to cook for Briar! Such a tiny cut, and you’re already being dramatic!” I thought Julian must have bad eyesight. Briar had clearly seen my blood on the floor. “Alright, Julian, darling, let her deal with it. It doesn’t look good to have blood everywhere. I’d rather go out to eat with you~” Hearing Briar say that, I started walking upstairs. Julian roared, furious. “Eleanor Vance, stop right there! What’s with the attitude?! And don’t you dare give me that look!” Heaven knows, I wasn’t. “Julian, you two go out. I’m going to bed.” “Eleanor Vance! If you go back to your room, don’t you *ever* come out again!” Forever again. He always uttered ‘forever’ so casually. Anyone with a modicum of sense would know he couldn’t actually lock me up forever. If I wanted to leave, even if it meant jumping out a window, I would do it. Briar came to find me privately, telling me to leave Julian quickly so she wouldn’t have to deal with me. I was curious. Had she really loved Julian for twenty years just because of a verbal engagement? “What business is it of yours?!” Of course, it wasn’t my business. I told her I wouldn’t be leaving Julian for now. I’d promised to be Julian’s girlfriend for three years. I always kept my word. Integrity wasn’t a mistake. She scoffed. “I think *you’re* the one who’s been in love with him for twenty years.” She walked away, then suddenly turned back. “Oh, right, Julian, darling, asked me to call you downstairs.” I didn’t know what Julian’s latest fit was about. He pulled me into his car, said nothing, and floored the accelerator harder than he did when racing. “Where are you taking me?” He didn’t answer. The car screeched to a halt in front of a hotel. His face was grim. I had a creeping sense that something bad was about to happen. The next second, I heard him ask, “Eleanor Vance, do you like me?” I countered, “What about you, Julian? Do *you* like me?” “…How could I possibly like you?” “I like girls like Briar. As for you, no education, no background – don’t be delusional.”

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It took me five minutes to turn my arrogant, self-proclaimed elite wife into a penniless woman, saddled with a debt of eight hundred million dollars! Just five minutes ago, for her brother who had recently undergone a minor procedure, she was gripping my hair, forcing me to kneel. She claimed the wedding anniversary cake I made had upset her poor brother. What a cruel irony. She wanted me to mourn the very scandal she had orchestrated and buried herself. She demanded I kneel and repent, but every time I had bent my knee in my past life, it was paid for with the blood of my entire family. This time, I was reborn. I wiped the cream from my face and made just one call. “Dad, I’m done playing.” Game over. The reckoning begins. *** My eyes snapped open again, my face covered in cold, sticky cream. From beside me, my brother-in-law, Bryce, wailed shrilly, “Chloe! He did it on purpose! He knows I just had surgery and I’m in a bad mood, and he still made this to provoke me!” I was back at our third wedding anniversary party. Back to the moment my nine-tiered fondant cake, which I had made with my own hands, was smashed into my face. In my previous life, it was from this very day that my life spiraled into hell. To prove I wasn’t trying to steal the spotlight, and to avoid putting Chloe in a difficult position, I had knelt before Bryce and apologized in front of all the guests. I told myself he had just had a procedure, his emotions were unstable, and I should be understanding. But my tolerance only emboldened their bullying and contempt. This life, I wouldn’t. Chloe rushed over, not to help me, but to immediately shield her brother, Bryce, in her arms, anxiously checking his hands. “Bryce, are you okay? Are you hurt?” She spun her head towards me, her eyes like poisoned daggers, and roared, “Daniel, get down on your knees and apologize to Bryce!” Her voice was exactly the same as when she’d announced my parents’ deaths in my memory. I didn’t move. I simply reached up, scraped a bit of cream from my cheek with my fingertip, and then slowly, deliberately, put it into my mouth to taste. It was sweet. My favorite white chocolate. I had spent three months learning to make this cake. My silence and this bizarre gesture plunged the entire ballroom into an eerie, suffocating stillness. All eyes focused on me, filled with the casual disdain of people watching a good show and a hint of confusion. Chloe’s brows furrowed. She felt I was challenging her authority. “I told you to kneel! Are you deaf?!” She stepped forward, just like in my past life, reaching out to grab my hair, intending to shove me to the ground. A sharp pain shot through my scalp. This familiar ache instantly cleared my head. The surrounding guests began to whisper: “This Daniel is truly uncouth. Look at him, he looks like an idiot.” “Exactly, he’s from an orphanage. Just no manners.” My mother-in-law, Beverly, that vicious woman who, in my past life, had simultaneously urged me to be magnanimous and helped her daughter scheme against me, now played her usual ‘peacemaker’ act. She walked over, tugging on Chloe’s sleeve, her tone, however, clearly blaming me. “Daniel, just give in. Bryce isn’t feeling well. Apologize, and this whole thing will blow over. We’re family. Don’t let outsiders laugh at us.” I looked at these three culprits, watching their sickening performance of ‘loving siblings’ and ‘doting mother,’ and I smiled. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, unlocked it for everyone to see, and dialed the number etched into my very soul. In my past life, the owner of this number died on a highway in Ocean City, trying to save me from my misery. The phone rang only once before it connected. “Hello?” It was my father’s voice. Deep and steady. It took all my strength to keep my own voice perfectly even. “Dad.” “Hmm? Daniel?” The voice on the other end immediately became surprised and gentle. “What makes you suddenly call your dad?” I spoke each word deliberately, with every ounce of restraint, uttering the code I had buried for two lifetimes. “Dad, I’m done playing.” This game of love I had deluded myself into believing, this marriage that had destroyed my family, I wasn’t playing anymore. Chloe’s face darkened when she saw me on the phone. She thought I was calling for help, which made her feel utterly humiliated. “What are you doing? Who are you calling? I’m telling you, no one can save you today! You have to kneel before Bryce!” On the other end of the line, my father fell silent for two seconds. With his intelligence, he instantly grasped the immense crisis hidden behind my words. His voice immediately became calm and authoritative. It was the powerful aura of the Global Capital founder. “Got it. Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Do as I say.” Just one sentence, telling me to hold steady. I understood. The game was changing. And this time, I was the dealer. “I’ll kneel to your brother once I hang up the phone,” I told Chloe, my voice so calm it felt foreign to her. She thought I was giving in, a triumphant sneer spreading across her face as she released her grip on my hair. The call wasn’t disconnected. I heard my father calmly giving instructions on the other end. I held the phone to my ear, spoke into the receiver in a low voice – just loud enough for my father to hear, and for Chloe and Bryce standing nearby to catch every word. “Chloe, you want me to kneel, are you asking me to mourn the illicit child you had with Bryce?” My words dropped like a bomb into a deep pool, creating not chaos, but a dead silence. A silence more profound, more suffocating than before. The guests’ murmurs were cut off as if by an invisible hand. Everyone’s expressions froze. The triumph and malice on Chloe’s face shattered instantly, replaced by a bone-deep terror. She instinctively took a step back. “You… you’re spewing lies! Daniel, you’re crazy!” Her voice became shrill and piercing, betraying her guilt. “Crazy?” I smiled, but the mirth didn’t reach my eyes. “Am I crazy, or do you think everyone else is blind? Do you dare, in front of all these prominent figures in Ocean City, to point at your brother beside you and swear that the child you were carrying was in no way related to him?” Bryce’s wailing stopped abruptly. He shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, “You B-word! You’re talking nonsense! Chloe, tear her mouth out!” His reaction was too extreme, only confirming his inner panic. My father-in-law, Richard, the CEO of Horizon Group, finally couldn’t maintain his composure. He abruptly rose from the main table, his face turning a furious shade of purple. He pointed at me, his finger trembling violently. “This is outrageous! Our Parker family must have been blind to let Chloe marry a rabble-rouser like you! Security! Where’s security?! Get this lunatic out of here!” Several security guards moved at his command, their eyes hostile as they approached me. Chloe also reacted then, her fury making her lose all reason. Like an enraged bull, she charged at me, aiming for the phone in my hand. She thought I would cower and tremble at her roar, as I had in the past. But I simply watched her with cold detachment. The moment she lunged, I didn’t retreat. Instead, I swiftly spun to my left, subtly extending my foot to trip her. Chloe’s momentum carried her forward uncontrollably. With my trip, she completely lost her balance, stumbled awkwardly for several steps, and then crashed headfirst into a nearby table laden with champagne towers. *Smash!* The sound of shattering glass was sharp and piercing, echoing exceptionally loud in the silent ballroom. Golden liquid and glass shards flew everywhere. Chloe’s forehead was instantly gashed open, blood mixing with champagne trickling down. Her expensive dress was stained with wine and cream. She looked like a rabid dog. This sudden scene made all the guests gasp. “Chloe!” Bryce’s scream pierced the silence. He rushed over to help Chloe up. Seeing the blood on her forehead, he immediately pointed at me and shrieked furiously, “You B-word! How dare you hit my sister! You even laid hands on her!” Chloe steadied herself with her brother’s help. She wiped a hand across her bleeding forehead, and seeing the crimson on her fingertips, any remaining reason in her eyes was completely consumed by rage. “You’re dead!” She growled, tearing off her pretense, and once again charged at me recklessly. This time, the two security guards behind her followed closely, forming a crescent-shaped encirclement, completely cutting off my retreat. Father-in-law Richard’s face was ashen. He watched everything with a dark, tacit approval in his eyes. In his view, they had to use the toughest methods today to completely suppress my spirit and violently stifle this shocking Parker family scandal in its infancy, using fear and brute force. “Mr. Parker, what’s going on here?” A leisurely voice, clearly enjoying the drama, cut through the crowd. It was Mr. Davies, the CEO of Vanguard Group, Horizon Group’s arch-rival. “On such a joyous day, why does it look like an all-out brawl? Anyone who didn’t know might think Horizon Group has cash flow problems, making the CEO resort to public bullying of his son-in-law.” His words were like a subtle jab, hitting Richard right in the gut. Richard snapped, “Mr. Davies! This is my family’s private matter, it’s none of your business!” “Family matter?” I clutched my cold phone, a chilling smile playing on my lips. “Mr. Parker, are you sure this is just a family matter? I believe everyone present clearly heard what I just said. Chloe and Bryce, secretly pregnant with his child. If that gets out, it won’t just be a family matter; it will be social news, an incestuous scandal shocking enough to send Horizon Group’s stock price freefalling!” Every word I uttered was like a heavy hammer, striking fiercely at the Parker family’s nerves. My mother-in-law Beverly’s face was already ashen white. She rushed forward, fully revealing her true colors as a shrew. “You’re lying! Don’t waste words on him, tear his mouth out! Grab that damn phone and smash it!” Given her mother’s command, Chloe’s movements became even more frantic. I was forced to retreat repeatedly, my back quickly pressing against the cold wall. I had nowhere left to go. Chloe smirked, her voice squeezed out through gritted teeth, “Daniel, I’m giving you one last chance. Kneel, and hand over your phone!” I looked at her, and at the gloating eyes behind her. I gripped my phone tightly in my palm. My other hand, swift as lightning, grabbed a heavy bronze statue from the decorative table behind me, aiming it without hesitation at the nearest security guard. “Anyone who takes another step forward, I’ll smash his head in.” My voice was low, but carried a desperate, do-or-die resolve. The security guard was shaken by the unfeigned determination in my eyes, and instinctively froze. My gaze swept past them, like two sharp swords, directly piercing the root of all evil: Richard Parker. “Mr. Parker, have you really thought about the consequences? Stop your rabid children now, and there might still be room for maneuver. Once they truly lay a hand on me, I promise you, every scream heard from the other end of my phone will become a death knell for your Parker family, for your Horizon Group.” I raised my phone. The screen was still lit, the call duration ticking mercilessly, second by second. This gesture made Richard’s pupils constrict sharply. But if he backed down now, the Parker family’s reputation would be utterly ruined! The immense sense of humiliation and the long-standing contempt he felt pushed him to make the most foolish decision. Richard finally gave his last command, his voice hoarse and venomous, “Grab him! I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happens!” Just at this critical moment, the heavy double doors of the ballroom were leisurely pushed open from outside. A devil-may-care, yet incredibly soothing, voice drifted in: “Well, well, what’s all this commotion? Mr. Parker, are you hosting a wedding anniversary, or a family martial arts show?” It was Scarlett Davies! She walked in like a socialite strolling through her private garden, clad in a show-stopping, floor-length pink dress, an unlit cigarette dangling from her lips, her hands casually tucked into her pockets.

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My boyfriend always gushed about my figure, saying it was a *crime* I wasn’t a model. After I graduated and couldn’t find a job, he kept pushing me to audition for modeling gigs. He even picked out the scantiest bikini for me. Once I landed the job, I called him, excited to share the news. But then I overheard him telling someone, “A girlfriend this hot? Five grand is *my* loss for her.” My name is Skylar, and I’m 22. After graduating, I couldn’t find a decent job, so I decided to audition at an advertising agency my boyfriend recommended. He said it was for modeling. Before I went, he gave me detailed instructions, “Go find Derek. Do exactly what he says.” “Once you get the job, you’ll make at least this much.” He mouthed ‘fifty thousand.’ Fifty thousand a month. Chasing that kind of money, I bit the bullet and bought a form-fitting outfit. My boyfriend had an urgent matter come up. He sounded apologetic, “Skylar, I really can’t get away. You’ll have to go alone, I’m so sorry.” I knew he was busy, so I found the audition location myself. Only when I got there did I realize it was in a remote suburb. “Is Derek here?” I pushed open the door but saw no one. Suddenly, a large hand clamped over my mouth from behind, dragging me deeper inside. I bit his hand, trying to escape. But another person was blocking the exit, cutting off my escape route. Just as despair washed over me, the man in front suddenly spoke, “Jason, what the hell are you doing? You’re scaring your girlfriend half to death!” I turned my head to see it was my boyfriend, Jason, who had covered my mouth. He was clutching his bleeding hand. “You’re ruthless, Skylar.” “Serves you right,” I glared at him fiercely. The man who had just spoken up for me was Derek. He was a burly man with a full beard. He looked me up and down, nodding repeatedly. “Good bone structure. You’re Skylar, right? Follow me.” I followed Derek to the dressing room door. He took a tiny black bikini from a nearby hanger. “Put this on.” I felt a blush creep up my neck. “Do I really have to wear this?” Seeing my hesitation, his expression hardened. “Fine, don’t. You can leave with Jason right now.” Jason quickly stepped in, trying to smooth things over, pushing me into the dressing room. I didn’t dare waste time. Trembling, I changed and came out. “Alright, do a catwalk for me,” Derek instructed. It was my first time wearing something like this, walking in front of a group of men. I felt incredibly self-conscious and awkward. Derek saw my rigid posture and started yelling at me. “You’re here to model and show off your body! Head up, chest out!” When I didn’t get it right, he even smacked me hard with a thin stick. The spot where he hit me immediately swelled and turned red. I forced myself to straighten, trying desperately to meet his demands. He continued to criticize me from head to toe. All my previous confidence was completely gone. Finally, I was utterly exhausted, but he still shook his head. “Your basics are terrible. If you want to pass this audition, you’ll have to take a ten-day crash course.” “Okay,” Jason quickly agreed for me while I was still debating whether to continue modeling. “Alright then, come in and pay up.” I clutched my bank card and walked in, quietly asking Jason on the way how much it would cost. He mouthed ‘one hundred thousand.’ What? A hundred thousand? I only had exactly a hundred thousand in my card. It was all my savings, accumulated over a long time. I hesitated, unable to make up my mind. But Jason snatched the card and swiped it. “Skylar, you’ll earn this back in just a month.” There was nothing I could do. The money was paid, so I moved into the company’s dormitory. The three girls I shared the room with weren’t exactly friendly. That very night, one of the girls, Ashley, doused me with water and locked me in the bathroom.

The next morning, I woke up in bed, my body burning with fever. Derek cursed at me, saying incredibly cruel things. “You’re too delicate for this; go be a glorified escort at a club instead.” Ignoring my discomfort, I still got dressed and went to the training area. “Perfect, we have a drink commercial. Time to cool you down.” As soon as I stood under the canopy, someone turned on a massive water hose. A deluge of icy water cascaded over my head. A wave of freezing cold made me shiver uncontrollably. I didn’t know who was pulling a prank, but my head felt fuzzy, and I collapsed to the ground, only to be helped up and led away. But I remembered the dorm wasn’t in this direction. I forced my eyes open, and next to me was a creepy, balding man. He had a vice-like grip on my arm, and I couldn’t break free. “Who… who are you? Where are you… taking me?” I asked, my voice weak. The man just said, “You upset Derek today and delayed things. He told me to give you private lessons.” I didn’t quite believe him, but I was forced to follow along. We walked down a long corridor to the furthest room in the corner. I felt an inexplicable dread about that room. So I clung tightly to the doorframe. “Sir, can we just have the lesson here?” The man loosened his grip and chuckled. “Alright. Wait here; I’ll go get the props.” Seeing him actually release me, I started to think maybe I was overthinking things. The man came out carrying a basket of items, picking out a fluffy fox tail and handing it to me. “Put this on. You’re playing a fox now. We’ll be shooting an ad for a gaming company soon, and if you do well, this role is yours.” He made it sound so official, so I tried my best to follow along. “Let me help you put it on,” the man offered, unexpectedly enthusiastic. But I dodged his hand. “No, thank you.” With the fastest movements of my life, I slipped the fox tail over my red swimsuit. When the man realized he couldn’t take advantage, his attitude shifted. “Lie down and wag your tail.” I obeyed, lying on the floor and wagging my tail. “Your movements are too weak; the tail barely moved.” As he spoke, he placed his hand on my waist, trying to make me move more. My whole body was burning with fever, and I just felt tired. After a few attempts, I couldn’t hold myself up anymore and collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. But the man harshly cracked a whip. “Get up! You think you can rest after that little bit of effort?” I quickly pleaded, “Sir, I’m really sick and have no strength left. Can we stop for today?” The man’s eyes flickered. “Alright, I’ll help you back to rest.” Seeing him being so reasonable, I quickly thanked him. “Thank you, Sir.” I don’t know how long we walked, but then I heard a door open. I felt myself being helped into a room and laid down on a bed. “I’ll help you take your clothes off,” someone said. I tried with all my might to refuse, but I couldn’t even lift a finger. I could only feel my clothes being removed. A cold draft from somewhere made me shiver uncontrollably. Suddenly, someone tucked a warm, soft pillow into my arms. The pillow was large, and I hugged it, drifting off to sleep. But for some reason, the pillow kept moving, making me itch. I hugged it tighter and scolded it softly, my voice slurring, “Stop moving…”

As I lay in a hazy state, there was a knock on the dorm door, and the thing in my arms pulled away. I woke up in the middle of the night to a cool fever patch on my forehead. Only one girl was in the room, on a video call, not wearing any clothes. I blushed as I listened to her sweet talk her boyfriend. When I heard her walking towards me, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. She was the one who poured cold water on me, making me sick, and now she was changing my fever patch. She was muttering to herself, “Why isn’t she waking up? If she doesn’t, she won’t be able to leave.” “What exactly do you want?” I suddenly opened my eyes. The girl jumped. “Hmph, do you even know what kind of place this is? If you get a chance, run.” My heart skipped a beat. “What? Isn’t this an advertising agency?” I heard footsteps outside the door. The girl instantly reverted to her previous cold demeanor. “Don’t think you can play sick and slack off just because you’re new!” The door opened, and Jason walked in, anxiously feeling my forehead. “Skylar, why did you suddenly get sick? Did one of them bully you?” I shook my head. “No, I just suddenly got sick. Jason, I want to go out and get an IV drip.” Jason glanced at Derek by the door. Then he picked me up and carried me out. That night, I was hooked up to an IV in the infirmary, and Jason stayed by my bedside, his eyes filled with worry that didn’t seem fake. So, when he asked me again who had bullied me, I told him, “There’s a bald, heavy-set man around Derek. He almost… harassed me.” Jason’s eyes widened in fear for a split second when he heard about him, then he said, “That bastard! I’ll teach him a lesson!” I wondered if I’d seen wrong, so I just went back to sleep. When I woke up again, Jason asked me, “Skylar, do you still want to be a model?” Seeing my hesitation, he didn’t say anything. But soon after, I ran into Brittany, my high school arch-nemesis, the former queen bee. She had become a model and started dating the company’s owner. They fell in love at first sight, got married, and had kids. When she saw me again, she sneered, “Oh, still cramped in a tiny apartment with your poor boyfriend, I bet.” A surge of anger immediately burned through me. I immediately told my boyfriend, “I’m still going to be a model, and I’m going to make a name for myself!” My boyfriend hugged me tightly. “Skylar, you’ll definitely become an amazing model!” Fueled by determination, my recovery from this illness was faster than ever. After only half a day on the IV, I voluntarily asked to return to work at the agency. That afternoon, when Ashley saw me, she looked surprised. “You’re back?” she blurted out. Seeing everyone looking at her disapprovingly, she quickly tried to cover it up. “I mean, you got better so fast.” I walked up to Derek. “Derek, I’ve thought it through this time. I won’t leave until I make something of myself!” Derek’s plump face beamed with joy. He held my hand, stroking it repeatedly. “Good, it’s good you’ve come around.” I promptly said, “Please assign me some work!” Derek happily assigned me a trainer. “Go find Lenny. He’s been here forever, and he’s excellent at what he does. Just listen to him.” I smiled and turned to greet Lenny. “Lenny, you… it’s you!” It turned out to be the man who had harassed me that night. Derek’s eyes swept over us. “What’s wrong?” I quickly walked over to Lenny. “Oh, Lenny was the one who brought me back when I fainted that day. Thank you, Lenny.” Jason, seeing my swift change in attitude, left feeling completely reassured. Ashley couldn’t understand why I had suddenly returned and why my attitude had changed so drastically. That evening, while I was showering, she squeezed into the bathroom. She turned on the faucet and started talking to me. “Why did you come back?” I smiled as I undressed. “To be a model and make a ton of money, of course.” “You… forget it, you’re hopeless.” Ashley left. Of course, I knew what she meant. She wanted to tell me, “This place is a deep hole; once you’re in, it’s nearly impossible to get out.” She probably wanted to tell me even more: “Your boyfriend, Jason, sold you out.” I knew that too. That day, bored in the infirmary, I went to look for Jason. He was smoking in a corner. Talking on the phone. I planned to sneak up and surprise him. But then I heard Derek’s voice on the phone. “How could you take the girl away after you took the money?” Jason said casually, “You don’t get it. I have a plan. Later, get her high school classmate to provoke her. Skylar has strong self-esteem; she needs to make the decision herself.” “A hundred thousand is too much? Fifty thousand came from her card, we split that. The other fifty thousand is for her services. Aren’t I being a loyal brother, bringing in such a prize?” So, that was the truth. My burning heart instantly plummeted into an ice-cold abyss. I don’t know how I made it back to the infirmary. While he was buying me food, I finally made up my mind and dialed a number: “I’m willing to work with you…” The next morning, I woke up early to practice my catwalk. Derek saw me as he was leaving. “Come on, stop practicing. Let’s go make some money.” Behind him were three or four girls I didn’t recognize.

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At Damien Thorne’s funeral, I stood in a simple black dress, my face impossibly calm. The lawyer finished reading the will aloud. I took the microphone. “I’m donating all of Damien Thorne’s assets and estates,” I announced, my voice clear, “to his sworn enemy, Adrian Steele.” The room erupted. Guests gasped, whispers turned into shouts. My mother-in-law, Eleanor, collapsed on the spot. They pointed fingers, calling me crazy, a wicked woman who only craved the Thorne family’s wealth. “Damien’s body isn’t even cold yet! How *dare* you do this?!” I gazed at Damien’s black and white photo on the screen, a faint smile touching my lips. Just three days ago, I’d stumbled upon a video of him in Paris, wrapped around his first love, Serena Hayes, kissing her passionately. Now, he was “dead” in a foreign country, stripped of everything. **1.** “Stella! You psycho! You’ll rot in hell!” Chloe Thorne, Damien’s sister, lunged at me first, her hand raised to strike. I didn’t flinch. The slap stopped an inch from my face. Adrian Steele had blocked her. One of the key figures today, Damien’s arch-nemesis, and the recipient of my billion-dollar inheritance. He stood beside me, tall and commanding in a perfectly tailored black suit. “Ms. Thorne, control yourself.” His voice was low, laced with a cold warning. Chloe trembled with rage, pointing at both of us. “Oh, so it’s true! Adrian! My brother just died, and you two are already hooking up! You disgusting traitors!” The guests’ whispers turned into overt pointing and blatant gossip. “I heard Mrs. Thorne and Mr. Steele had something going on. I can’t believe it’s true!” “Poor Damien. His wife runs off with his sworn enemy and all his money before his grave is even dug.” Eleanor, my mother-in-law, stirred awake. Hearing their words, she gasped again, pointing a trembling finger at me. “This… this is a disgrace to our family name!” I shot her an annoyed glance. Stepping out from behind Adrian, I faced the crowd of “grieving” relatives and friends. “What I do is none of your business.” I paused, my gaze sweeping over the angry, greedy faces of the Thorne family. “As for the inheritance, it was Damien’s to leave to me. And I’ll give it to whoever I damn well please.” With that, I ignored their pathetic circus act. I turned to Adrian. “Mr. Steele, your legal team can handle the transfer from here.” Adrian’s eyes were probing, scrutinizing, devoid of the joy I’d expected. He simply nodded slightly. “My pleasure.” I walked away, my heels clicking, straight through the stunned crowd, escaping that revolting funeral home. As I slipped into the car, I finally let my guard down, my body trembling uncontrollably. I wasn’t crazy. I was simply burying my three-year dead marriage with my own hands. Three days ago, I was still planning Damien’s and my third wedding anniversary. He’d said he was going on a business trip to Europe and would return on our anniversary. I believed him. I even prepared a gift for him and booked his favorite restaurant, waiting eagerly. What I got instead was the devastating news of a car crash in the Alps—his vehicle plummeting off a cliff, his body unrecoverable. And a video sent by a foreign friend. The video’s backdrop was the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Damien, wearing the gray coat I’d bought him, was gently putting a necklace on a woman. That woman was his childhood sweetheart, Serena Hayes. That necklace was one I’d bought at an auction, intended as his anniversary gift. He’d taken it a few days prior, claiming he wanted to “check it out early.” In the video, Serena stood on tiptoes and kissed him, her smile bright and triumphant. Damien held her, his eyes overflowing with doting affection. The video’s caption read: “Thank you, my love, the best gift.” The posting time was the day *before* his supposed car accident. I watched the video again and again, from day to night, until my tears ran dry and my heart felt numb. So, his European business trip was a lie. His death in a car crash was a lie too. He simply wanted to use a carefully orchestrated “death” to get rid of me, his inconvenient wife. Then, with the massive fortune he’d inherited from me – my grandfather’s legacy – he planned to live happily ever after with his true love. Damien, how utterly ruthless you are. You probably thought I’d be heartbroken, spending the rest of my miserable life mourning your “remains.” You were wrong. I, Stella, never make a losing deal. You want to pull a disappearing act? I’ll strip you of everything. You want to live happily ever after with your first love? I’ll make you a pauper, and we’ll see if she still sticks by you then. As for your company, your life’s work… I’ll personally hand it over to the man you hate most, letting it become the sharpest knife to stab you in the heart. **2.** My first official meeting with Adrian Steele was at a private club. He was already there when I arrived. The man leaned back on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling around him, obscuring his expression. Seeing me, he stubbed out the cigarette and gestured for me to sit. “Mrs. Thorne, quite the move.” He went straight to the point, a hint of mockery in his tone. I picked up the teacup in front of me and took a sip. “And Mr. Steele isn’t unhappy about it?” He let out a soft chuckle, then leaned forward, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “I don’t understand. What’s your game?” “You.” I set down the teacup, meeting his gaze, enunciating each word. “To help you take down Thorne Enterprises.” The air instantly thickened with silence. Adrian’s eyes turned dangerous. He probably thought I was insane – a newly widowed woman, not focused on preserving her husband’s legacy, but instead conspiring with an outsider to ruin her in-laws’ business. “Reason.” He uttered a single word. “Damien Thorne isn’t dead.” This news clearly surprised him; his pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. “So, this is some kind of twisted marital game?” “No,” I shook my head, pulling my tablet from my bag and pushing it towards him. “This is a battle to the death.” On the tablet, the video of Damien and Serena kissing in Paris played on a loop. Adrian took one look and understood everything. “I see.” He leaned back against the sofa, a knowing look on his face. “So, you’re giving me Damien’s entire fortune just to get back at him for cheating?” “Isn’t that enough?” I countered. “Enough. But not enough to fully trust you.” Adrian tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “Ms. Thorne, business isn’t romance. Hatred alone won’t get things done.” “What about this then?” I pulled out a document and pushed it across to him again. “Thorne Enterprises’ project plans for the next six months, core technical data, and…” I looked at him, my voice dropping slightly, “all his shady off-the-books dealings.” I had painstakingly collected all of this information over the past three years, as Damien’s wife. I’d thought I’d never have a reason to use them. Adrian’s expression finally changed. He picked up the document, flipping through it page by page, his eyes widening with each shocking revelation. After reading the last page, he closed the file and looked back at me, his gaze complex. “Stella,” he used my first name for the first time, “what kind of woman are you, exactly?” I smiled, standing up. “One who can help you reach the top.” Our collaboration went exceptionally smoothly. With the internal data I provided, Adrian’s “Apex Innovations” was like a hungry wolf, precisely tearing at the throat of Thorne Enterprises. First, he snatched Thorne’s long-planned new energy project. Then, he poached their most crucial technical team. Thorne’s stock price plummeted, losing nearly ten billion in market value in just half a month. The Thorne family was like ants on a hot griddle. Eleanor and Chloe came to see me several times, their initial curses and threats gradually turning into desperate pleas. They begged me to return the assets to the Thorne family and save Thorne Enterprises. I refused to see them. Public opinion exploded. Everyone called me a “ruthless schemer” and a “vicious viper,” claiming I’d destroyed my husband’s century-old legacy all for a man. I couldn’t care less. **3.** I only wanted Damien to hurt. And he did, just as I wished. He called me countless times from an international number, but I didn’t answer a single one. My phone was flooded with texts. They started with shock and fury: “Stella, you’re insane! Do you know what you’re doing?! That’s *my* money!” “Stop your idiotic actions immediately! Give the money back!” Then came the questioning and confusion: “Why? Was our three years of marriage all a lie?” “What did I ever do to deserve this from you?” Finally, panic and pleading: “Stella, I was wrong. Please come back. Let’s start over.” “Stella, for the sake of what we once had, please just let me go.” I looked at those texts and found them utterly laughable. Until a text from an unfamiliar number caught my attention. “Ms. Thorne, this is Serena Hayes. I think it’s necessary we meet.” I arranged to meet Serena at a coffee shop. She arrived wearing a pristine white dress, her face bare of makeup, hair smoothly draped over her shoulders. She looked fragile and pitiful, like a pure, untouched white lotus. She was a stark contrast to the vibrant, arrogant woman in the video. “Ms. Thorne.” She sat opposite me, her voice soft, her eyes red-rimmed as if she’d been crying. I said nothing, merely stirring my coffee, waiting for her to speak. “I know you hate me.” She bit her lip, tears rolling down her cheeks. “What happened with Damien and me, I’m truly sorry. But I beg you, please let him go. He has nothing left.” “And isn’t his having nothing due to me?” I chuckled softly, finding it absurd. “Ms. Hayes, in what capacity are you begging me? As the victor?” My words visibly paled her face, and her tears flowed even faster. “No… I didn’t… I just loved him too much. Ms. Thorne, Damien… he loved you too. He just… made a mistake that any man could make.” “Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “Like, planning a fake death to deceive me so he could live happily ever after with you?” Serena’s sobs hitched, and a flicker of panic crossed her face. “No… it’s not what you think. Damien faked his death because… because he was trying to evade a very dangerous business rival! He was afraid of implicating you, that’s why he resorted to such desperate measures!” She explained frantically, as if it were a perfectly reasonable excuse. I watched her pathetic performance, suddenly feeling a bit bored. “Ms. Hayes,” I set down my coffee cup, leaning forward and lowering my voice. “What do you think Damien’s reaction would be if he knew this conversation of ours was fully recorded by me and might ‘accidentally’ leak online?” Serena’s face instantly drained of all color. She stared at me in horror, as if seeing me for the first time. “You… you…” “Me what?” I stood up, looking down at her. “I should thank you, actually. You’ve just delivered a wonderful gift.” With that, I turned and left, leaving her sitting there, her face ashen. **4.** I thought this farce was over. But I was wrong. Damien Thorne came back. He broke into my villa one rainy night. Soaked to the bone, his hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot. The once dashing Thorne heir was now a pathetic stray dog. “Stella!” He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he might crush my bones. “You finally agreed to see me.” I yanked my hand free, stepping back. I looked at him coldly. “Who let you in? Get out.” “I won’t!” he roared, like a trapped beast cornered and desperate. “Tell me why! After all these years we’ve had together, how could you be so cruel?!” “Together?” I laughed, as if hearing the biggest joke. “Damien, you’re talking about us being ‘together’? Where was our ‘togetherness’ when you were holding Serena in Paris? Where was our ‘togetherness’ when you faked your death, trying to make a fool out of me?” My voice was low, but every word was a dagger to his heart. Damien’s face turned white, inch by agonizing inch. “You… you knew?” “Oh yes,” I said, crossing my arms, a sneer on my face. “Thanks to you, I saw everything. It was quite a show.” He staggered backward, his face a mask of disbelief. It took him a long moment to find his voice, a hint of desperate pleading in his tone. “Stella, it’s not what you think. Serena and I… that was fake! It was all part of a business deal, just for show!” “What about the fake death?” I pressed. “Was that for show too?” “Yes!” He frantically grabbed my shoulders. “I really did it to protect you! My rival is ruthless, and I was afraid he’d come after you! This was the only way to keep you safe temporarily!” He sounded sincere, his eyes filled with regret and pain, not like he was faking it. If I hadn’t personally seen him and Serena so intimate in that video, I might have actually believed him. “Damien,” I looked at him, my eyes devoid of warmth. “Save your excuses. They’re disgusting.” His hands froze in mid-air, the light in his eyes slowly dying. “You don’t believe me?” “Why would I believe a liar?” He suddenly laughed, a harsh, desperate sound. “Fine, fine, Stella.” He stared at me, his eyes turning venomous. “Do you really think you’ve won? Do you think Adrian Steele is a good guy? He’s only after you to use you! You gave him everything of mine, and sooner or later, he’ll kick you aside just like I did!” “That’s none of your concern.” “None of my concern?” He seemed provoked, lunging at me suddenly, grabbing my throat. “Stella, don’t push me! I can give you everything, and I can take everything away! Don’t forget how your grandfather built his empire! Your family, the Thornes, owe us!” The pressure on my throat tightened, and I could barely breathe. I looked at his face, twisted with fury, but my heart remained ice cold. My family, owing *his* family? What a ridiculous claim. Just as I was about to suffocate, the villa door burst open.

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