Category: English

The boy I secretly loved jumped to his death. Given a second chance at life, I finally told him everything. But he threatened me, saying if I truly loved him, I had to die with him. 01 I woke up and realized I had traveled back in time. I was back to exactly one month before Leo Sterling’s suicide. Leo, the boy I had pined for over three years, had jumped from the roof of the library. His body sat in the morgue for a week. No one came to claim him. Not a single family member or friend appeared. I used every cent of my savings to pay for the storage and the service. In that moment, it felt like he finally belonged to me. The police had found a single, private post on his locked social media: In this world, no one loves me. This time, I was going to shout my love for him from the rooftops. But when I finally cornered him and confessed, he just gave me a polite, distant smile. “Thank you,” he said. That was it. “Can I have your number? Or your Instagram?” I was relentless. Eventually, he sighed and gave in. Leo was the star of the psych department, a year ahead of me. He was so brilliant, so untouchable, that I never dared to speak to him before. To catch up to him, I had spent my nights buried in textbooks, barely eating or sleeping, just so I could get into the same graduate program. But in my last life, he was gone before I could even say, “Hello, senior.” I didn’t waste time. My first DM was a direct hit: [Leo, I’m actually in love with you.] There was no response. I figured he was shy. I was about to send another message when I realized… he had blocked me. The little red exclamation mark mocked me. I looked like a total stalker. I tried to add him again. Blacklisted. I was banned from even sending a request. My plan had failed before it even started. I only had 29 days left. That night, I dreamed of his death on a loop. I couldn’t hold onto him. He kept slipping through my fingers, falling over the edge again and again. Finally, I broke. I jumped with him. The sensation of weightlessness snapped me awake, drenched in sweat. My roommate asked what kind of nightmare I was having. “I dreamed my uncle turned my pet fish into stew,” I lied. She didn’t believe me. It was just a fish, after all. I first noticed Leo because of a fish. He had been crouching in front of a vendor at a local market, insisting on buying a tiny, sick fish with pinecone scales—dropsy. The vendor refused to sell it, calling him an idiot. “The thing is going to die in an hour,” he’d said. I followed that “idiot” as he carried the fish across half the city. He ended up at the edge of a lake. “Go have some fun for your last few hours,” he whispered to the water. Back then, I thought he was just pure and kind. Now I realize he was talking to himself. Was he happy in his final hours? 02 The campus wasn’t that big. Finding Leo was easy. “What exactly do you want?” he asked, finally losing his patience with my stalking. I waved my phone. “Unblock me.” “No.” “Then I’ll keep following you.” He shot me a look but didn’t budge. “Suit yourself.” So, I became Leo’s shadow. Even if he ignored me, I was content. If I kept my eyes on him, he couldn’t jump, right? The next morning, I was waiting at the entrance of his dorm. Unlike before, he didn’t walk past me. He stopped. “Have you eaten?” I shook my head. I’d been there since 6:00 AM to make sure he didn’t sneak out early. He tossed a carton of milk into my lap. “It expires today. Don’t let it go to waste.” I knew it was his way of caring. I scrambled up and followed him. “Can I have my Instagram back today?” “No.” “Leo!” He turned, frowning. “What?” “I love you even more than I did yesterday!” He rolled his eyes and kept walking toward his advisor’s office. I went back to my room to catch up on sleep. My roommates were baffled. Leo was polite to everyone else, but he was incredibly prickly with me. But this was the real him. Not the masked, “normal” version he showed the world. Because I’d been up so early, I slept until noon. I completely missed the end of his seminar. I ran to the science building, hoping for a miracle. Leo was standing right in the sun, looking like a lost kid. I ran up and held my umbrella over him. “Why didn’t you wait in the shade?” He looked down at me. “Who said I was waiting for you?” Okay, fine. He just enjoyed the June heat. Sure. I followed him to the dining hall. His tray was piled with nothing but fried chicken. I started a lecture on balanced nutrition. “Mhm,” he grunted, ignoring me as he added more nuggets to his plate. “Leo, you’re going to get a stomach ache.” “Summer,” he said, staring at me like I was a simpleton, “don’t try to lecture a med student on basic biology. Your logic is flawed.” I shut up. I bought a double serving of vegetables, planning to force some on him. But by the time I got my food, the seat next to him was taken. Three girls were sitting there. Leo wasn’t prickly with them. He was charming. He laughed at their jokes. He was the perfect gentleman. I watched him from across the room. How could someone who looked so normal be planning to end it all? Someone bumped into me, spilling my iced tea all over my arm. “I am so sorry!” the guy said, frantically grabbing napkins. “I’ll get you a new one,” he insisted before I could say no. He ran off to the line. The seats near Leo were full. I sat down nearby to dry my arm. Someone sat across from me. I thought it was the tea guy. I looked up. It was Leo. He looked furious. “Who is he?” he demanded. I told him I didn’t know. He just bumped into me. Right then, the guy returned with a fresh tea, apologized again, and left. I pushed the tea toward Leo. “I only got it because I couldn’t carry two.” He stared at the cup. He didn’t touch it until I swapped my cup for his. “Good?” I asked. He dropped the act and went back to his chicken. I started moving greens onto his plate. He looked disgusted, but under my glare, he finally ate a piece of broccoli. “Don’t be a picky eater, Leo.” He swallowed it like it was poison. 03 Leo seemed normal, but after two weeks of watching him, I realized he didn’t have any real friends. He was a master of boundaries. He was “social,” but no one was close. But what about his family? His mentors? He was a top-tier grad student. Why did no one show up to his funeral? I didn’t have time to solve the mystery. I only had 15 days left. “Leo, when are you going to unblock me?” I asked, licking an ice cream cone. If it weren’t for the deadline, I would have enjoyed this slow, hidden tension between us. “Depends on my mood.” He wiped a drop of cream off his hand with a look of pure disdain. He hated sweets. “Sigh. I guess I can’t have dinner with you tonight.” He looked at me. He wanted to know why, but his pride wouldn’t let him ask. “Group meeting. We’re designing the new athletic uniforms,” I said. “I’ll be busy all night. You won’t hear from me.” My phone buzzed. A notification. Leo_S has sent you a follow request. He kept a straight face. Stupidly stubborn boy. At the meeting, I realized the guy who bumped into me—Ross—was there too. He was a junior in design. My advisor was a friend of his father’s; he was just there for the “legacy” credit. “I mean, I have the skills too,” Ross joked. During the meeting, I checked in on Leo’s dinner. He didn’t reply, just sent a photo of a salad. [Good boy! As a reward, I’ll come see you at your dorm after this.] I held my breath, wondering if he’d block me again. He replied with a single character. [.] A period. I guess that meant “Read.” It was after 9:00 PM when I finished. Leo was waiting in the lobby of the building, wearing a black hoodie. Ross followed me out, complaining about the late meeting. The moment Leo saw him, he turned and walked away. I apologized to Ross and ran after Leo. “Leo!” He didn’t answer. He sat on a stone bench. “He’s just a legacy student in my program,” I explained. “I don’t like him,” Leo muttered. I sat close to him. “I hate legacy students too. We are united in our hatred!” He didn’t say anything. Silence stretched between us. Nearby, a couple was making out in the shadows of the campus trees. I swallowed hard. “Leo… can we hold hands?” Silence. I gathered my courage and reached for his hand. I gripped it. He didn’t pull away. My confidence surged. I looked him dead in the eye. “Can we kiss?” He let out a short laugh. “Summer, do you have no shame?” I pointed at the couple in the trees. “They’re doing it.” “They’re a couple.” “Then be my boyfriend.” I felt his hand stiffen. I held on tighter, terrified he’d let go. He didn’t answer for the longest time. I was about to ask again when he reached out his other hand and covered my mouth. “Don’t say it.” He led me back to my dorm with one hand in mine and the other firmly over my lips. “If you stop talking, I’ll let go.” I nodded. The second he released me, I whispered in his ear: “Leo, I love you even more today.” 04 Work for the project ramped up. I saw less of Leo. Before, I waited for him. Now, he waited for me. My roommates thought I’d finally won him over, but my heart was constantly on edge. Then Ross found me. I didn’t want anything to do with him, but he wanted to talk about Leo. I had lied to Leo, telling him I’d be working all night so he’d go home. “Do you know about Leo’s parents?” Ross asked, getting straight to the point. “His parents were… well, it was a scandal. They were related. His dad bailed as soon as Leo was born. I think the guy is a total freak, Summer. You should stay away.” “Thanks for the info,” I interrupted. “But I know who he is better than you do.” “Why do you think he’s in psychiatry? He’s looking for his own cure,” Ross sneered. I couldn’t stand the slander. “I appreciate the warning, but we aren’t close enough for you to talk about him like that. You’re overstepping.” Ross looked stunned, insisting he was just looking out for me. I brushed him off, saying I’d keep it in mind. Leo heard that last part. “Looking out for what? Looking out for me?” Before I could explain, he grabbed my arm and dragged me away. His grip was tight, almost painful. He didn’t stop until we were in a secluded corner of the park. “Summer, you said you loved me.” I expected him to scream. Instead, he just sounded broken, like I’d betrayed him. I didn’t know what to say. He let out a bitter laugh. “Forget it. Go away. Don’t come back.” He turned to leave. I lunged forward and hugged him from behind. “Leo… was it really that bad?” I felt his body go rigid. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. I’m just here.” He turned around and pulled me into his arms. Ross was right. The story was dark. His parents’ “forbidden” love wasn’t a romance; it was a curse. His father saw Leo as a living reminder of his “sin” and vanished. His mother blamed Leo for everything. The verbal abuse was worse than anything physical. He realized he was “broken” in high school. By day, he pretended to be normal. By night, he struggled with the urge to disappear. One night, he was googling ways to end it without pain when a quote popped up: The world isn’t perfect, but there is always someone watching over you. “I thought… maybe I’ll wait. Maybe someone will actually come.” “Leo…” I whispered, stroking his back. “So, Summer, this is your last chance to run.” I shook my head. “I’m not running.” I had lost him once because of my cowardice. This was my second chance. “Leo, I won’t regret this.” He held me tighter. “So… are you my boyfriend now?” He pulled back immediately, his “prickly” persona returning. “No.” “Why?! You’re literally cuddling me!” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “You haven’t done a proper confession yet.” Was he serious? I confessed every single day. “A formal one,” he insisted. I sighed. Fine. I’d plan the most romantic confession ever. 05 The month was almost up. I set the date for the confession on the same day he was supposed to jump. I wanted to turn his death day into our anniversary. A rebirth. I found an empty classroom. I covered it in printed photos. Screenshots of every time I told him I loved him. Candid photos of him I’d taken. Every meal he’d “reported” to me. I was a nervous wreck. I should have been watching him more closely, but I let him go alone to see his advisor. I waited in the classroom for two hours. He didn’t show. My DMs went unanswered. I went to find him. As I was heading down the stairs, I saw his advisor, Professor Miller, rushing past the window. “Oh my god, someone jumped!” “Who would do that on campus?” My legs turned to jelly. Panic surged through me. I ran to the building and pushed through the crowd. The person in the pool of blood was unrecognizable, but I knew the clothes. “Leo…” I whispered. I tried to reach him, but hands held me back. A blinding white light swallowed my vision. I passed out. 06 I was in a loop. I woke up in my dorm room again. I checked my phone. It was five days before the jump. I tried to message Leo. He wasn’t in my contacts. “Fuck!” I cursed. The universe was playing with me. I ran to find his classroom. I waited for him to come out. When he did, he walked right past me like we were strangers. “Leo…” I grabbed his hand. He pulled away coldly. “Do I know you?” He didn’t remember me? Was I starting from zero? Or was the last loop just a dream? I was stuck in a circle of “is this real?” But I knew his death wasn’t a simple suicide. Everything had been getting better. He was trying to save himself. I wandered the campus, looking for clues. My advisor called me into a meeting. The advisor! I remembered that Leo always seemed darker after seeing his advisor. And I saw Professor Miller running away the day Leo died. He was involved. At the meeting, Ross was there again. I didn’t plan on talking to him, but he approached me. “How’s it going? Leo hasn’t been bothering you, has he? I told you he was a creep. Glad I could help.” “What are you talking about?” I demanded. Ross looked confused. “You said Leo was stalking you. Saying crazy things about ‘regretting’ things.” My heart stopped. Leo was in the loop too? Then why was he pretending he didn’t know me? I stood up abruptly, startling my advisor. “Summer, what’s wrong?” I didn’t answer. I grabbed my bag and ran. I had to find him. If he remembered, he knew what happened that day. He was hiding. I waited at his dorm for two days. He didn’t show. He was avoiding me because he thought I had “regretted” him. I realized that before, I only found him because he let me find him. He didn’t believe I loved him, but he’d made a bet on it. I went to Professor Miller. The man always gave me the creeps. When I asked for Leo, his expression shifted from tension to a forced smile. “Oh, so you’re the girl he said didn’t want him anymore.” I didn’t have time for small talk. “Professor, it’s urgent. Where is he?” He gave me an address. A tenement building off-campus. Before I left, I looked at him. “Are you seeing Leo the day after tomorrow?” His eyes flickered. “No. Why?” I lied. “It’s my birthday. I want him to spend it with me. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t busy with school work.” He waved me off, telling me to have fun. 07 Leo wouldn’t open the door. “Leo! Open up! I’m sorry! Please!” I was begging like a stray dog outside his door. Whoever “Summer” was in this loop, she had ruined everything. “I have a secret! Just listen!” I whispered through the door frame. “The person before… that wasn’t me.” “You’re lying,” his voice came from inside, low and hollow. “I’m not! Just open the door!” “Go away.” “No!” I sat down on the floor. I wasn’t leaving. The hallway of the old building was damp. Then, the sky opened up. A downpour hit the city. The roof of the hallway leaked, soaking me to the bone. I shivered, knocking again. “Leo, I’m freezing. I’m going to get sick.” “I saw you walk into the rain on purpose,” he said through the door. Dammit. He’d been watching. “Fine. Then throw me an umbrella so I can go home and change.” I was ready to bolt the second the door cracked. It opened. He didn’t throw an umbrella. He threw a towel over my head. “Dry off and get in here.” He looked lethal. He leaned against the wall, glaring at me. “Talk.” I told him everything. From his first death to the loops. I told him the logic. He didn’t jump. The Summer in his timeline had disappeared and was replaced by a Summer who didn’t know him. He thought I was playing a game with him. I told him the jump had to do with his advisor. He laughed. “That’s a hell of a story. You spent days coming up with that?” “Leo, I know it sounds insane, but it’s what’s happening.” “You regretted being with me, Summer. Just admit it.” He tossed an umbrella at my feet. “Get out.” I grabbed his sleeve. “I’m not going anywhere.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “424280”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

During my last live interview, the host asked me, “If you weren’t in the entertainment industry, what would you be doing?” I answered casually, “I’d go home and inherit my family’s billion-dollar fortune.” With that one sentence, I immediately trended on Twitter. Everyone was mocking me, a D-list, no-name actress, for having such delusional fantasies. But after I left the industry, I actually became a major player behind the scenes in Hollywood. 1 Live interview. Chloe and I were on a show together because of a TV drama we co-starred in. We debuted at the same time. Five years in the entertainment industry, and I was still that lukewarm, D-list actress, while Chloe had long become an A-list superstar. During the interview, almost all of the host’s questions revolved around Chloe. I sat on the side like a prop. But after all these years, I was used to it. The live chat was also filled with cheers for Chloe. The occasional comment about me was just mocking me. [They debuted at the same time, but one is in heaven and the other is in the dirt. How does Maya have the nerve to be on the same show as Chloe? Isn’t she embarrassed?] [I heard Maya even had rumors with Liam, the Best Actor, back then.] [LMAO, how could Liam be with Maya? Maya definitely just wanted to create ship buzz with our Best Actor!] [Liam and Chloe are the perfect match.] Perfect match?! Looking at the comments in the live stream, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Back then, I was dating Liam. But because he and Chloe worked together on a TV drama, I got cheated on. And from beginning to end, Liam never publicly acknowledged me. Now, people still dig it up to mock me, saying I threw myself at him and he didn’t even care. “Chloe, if you leave the entertainment industry, what would you do?” the host asked Chloe. “A housewife, maybe,” Chloe hesitated for a moment, answering with a soft smile. The live chat went crazy again. [Ahhhhh, are Chloe and Liam going to announce something?] [I heard they’ve already met each other’s parents.] [My OTP must make it to the end, otherwise, I’ll never believe in love again!] [Some people really need to know their place and stop trying to be the other woman.] “The chat is saying you and Liam might have some good news coming up,” the host teased. “No, you guys are misunderstanding,” Chloe quickly clarified. “Although things are very stable between Liam and me right now, we are still focusing on our careers. If there really is any good news, Liam and I will let everyone know immediately.” “Then why do you have the idea of becoming a housewife?” the host asked smoothly. “Because housewives are very great. My mother is a housewife. I admire her very much. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So if I ever really leave the industry, I will return to family life.” [Chloe has such good values. Whoever marries her is lucky.] [Chloe comes from a wealthy family. The education she received from a young age is different from ordinary people.] [Genuine question: Is Chloe’s family background really that good?] [Just search up the Vance family of Los Angeles online and you’ll know. Not the richest in L.A., but definitely top three on the wealth list.] I frowned. When did the Vance family of Los Angeles have anything to do with Chloe?! At this moment. The host suddenly turned and asked me, “Maya, if you leave the industry, what will you do?” Probably feeling a bit guilty for ignoring me the whole time. I thought for a moment and answered very seriously, “Go home and inherit my family’s billion-dollar fortune.” 2 “What?” The host thought she misheard. She repeated the question, “I just asked, what do you want to do after leaving the industry?” “Go home and inherit the family business,” I said frankly. The five-year deadline had arrived. When I insisted on entering the entertainment industry, I made a three-point agreement with my family. If I didn’t make any progress in the industry within five years, I had to go home and inherit the family business. A few days ago, my billionaire father even called to remind me. “May I be so bold as to ask, what does your family do that requires you to go back and inherit it?” the host asked me, amused, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. Sitting next to me, a flash of mockery also passed through Chloe’s eyes, though it was fleeting. After all, it was a live broadcast. In front of millions of netizens, Chloe had to maintain her persona, so she naturally wouldn’t show any real emotion. “A little bit of everything. Mostly commercial investments,” I answered. It really did involve too many fields to explain clearly at once, so I spoke in general terms. But in the eyes of others, they felt I was lying and being evasive. At this moment, the live chat went crazy again. [What exactly is Maya competing with Chloe for? Just now someone said Chloe comes from a wealthy family, and now Maya says she’s going home to inherit a billion-dollar fortune?] [You can’t even joke like that. She just can’t stand that Chloe is better than her in every way, right?] [If she has a billion-dollar fortune, I’ll eat shit live!] [So disgusting. She can’t compare to Chloe, so she starts scamming, saying her family has a billion-dollar fortune? LMAO, who would believe that?!] Watching the comments, I also got a bit angry. I wanted to explain. The host directly said, “Maya is very humorous and knows how to liven up the atmosphere in our live stream. Fans shouldn’t take it too seriously.” It seemed like she was helping me out, but in reality, she just didn’t believe me. She even slapped me in the face publicly. “I’m telling the truth…” I was speechless. “Next up, Chloe’s fans really want me to ask you some questions.” The host didn’t give me a chance to speak at all. “They really want to know how your skin is so good, what’s your skincare routine?” Chloe answered the host’s questions one by one, and the atmosphere between the two was very harmonious. For the next almost half an hour of the interview, I didn’t get to say another word. The live stream ended. Everyone walked out of the studio. Chloe’s agent and assistant were all waiting for her, as was Liam. He held a giant bouquet of roses and gave it to Chloe in front of all the staff. The sweetness between the two of them was truly enviable. I walked away from them coldly. For a D-list actress like me, naturally, no one was waiting for me. However, my brother just called and said he was coming to pick me up, but there was a bit of traffic on the way. Fully disguised, I stood by the door waiting for him. “Maya, you really don’t have to compete with Chloe on everything.” Behind me, a familiar voice suddenly sounded. I turned around and saw Liam, who had just been embracing Chloe deeply. 3 Liam and I were from the same talent agency. He debuted two years before me. When I met him, he was also a nobody, barely getting any work. As soon as I joined the agency, Liam said it was love at first sight. At first, I refused. I had finally convinced my family to let me develop in the entertainment industry, and I didn’t want dating to affect my career. But in the end, I couldn’t resist Liam’s excessive attentiveness and agreed to date him. However, the agency didn’t allow artists, especially new ones, to date, so we could only keep it “underground.” During our secret relationship, Liam’s acting career progressed by leaps and bounds. But what he didn’t know was that I helped him secure most of his jobs through my family’s connections. Especially that movie that made him explode in popularity. To get him the male lead, my dad directly became an investor. However, who would have thought that after he blew up, he would officially announce his relationship with Chloe, the female lead of the movie. At first, he lied to me, saying it was just for PR and hype. It wasn’t until later, when paparazzi caught him spending the night at Chloe’s house, that he confessed, saying he hid it from me because he was afraid I would be too heartbroken to accept it. The truth is, I knew perfectly well that Liam was just worried I would expose our relationship out of anger. He had always maintained a single persona before. He had finally made it big, and he was afraid of a scandal. I didn’t have that strong a desire for revenge. Even though I was indeed very angry at the time, thinking about how I hadn’t considered myself at all over the past two years just to support him… Of course, I admit that my main goal in entering the entertainment industry wasn’t to become famous, but to understand the market for future project investments. Sooner or later, I was going back to inherit the family business. Therefore, as an artist, I didn’t have huge ambitions. But that didn’t mean I should be the fall guy, unconditionally accepting Liam’s betrayal. I even never told him what I had done for him behind the scenes, afraid it would burden him… But in the end, I still chose to let it go. After all, everything I did for Liam was willing, and I never expected him to repay me. Moreover, life is so long, who can guarantee they won’t meet a scumbag or two? I just treated it as a lesson learned. And most importantly, I will be doing business in the entertainment industry in the future. Harmony brings wealth, and I didn’t want to make enemies with anyone. So after being cheated on, I still broke up with Liam peacefully. After breaking up, we had no contact or overlap. Even though Liam’s fans often sarcastically said I was throwing myself at him, I never responded. Until today, when Liam took the initiative to speak to me. I looked at him coldly. From the day we broke up, this person was meaningless in my life. “I know you’re uncomfortable that I’m with Chloe, so you try to compare yourself to her everywhere,” Liam said helplessly. “But someone like Chloe, born with a silver spoon and favored by God, looking at the entire entertainment industry, who can compare to her, let alone you who has nothing.” I was so angry I laughed. Chloe was born with a silver spoon? I have nothing?! He probably didn’t know how many times Chloe had been subjected to the “casting couch” to get a role. He even more didn’t know that if my family’s assets crushed down, they could crush this pair of scumbags into mush! “Don’t blame me for speaking harshly. We loved each other once, and I don’t want you to be too embarrassed. You should also know how ugly the outside voices mocking you are now.” Liam looked well-intentioned. “Although bad publicity is still publicity, a person still needs to have some dignity.” 4 “You still know what dignity is?” I fired back. “When you cheated, why didn’t you think about finding your dignity?!” Liam’s face instantly changed. He said, frustrated and angry, “Maya, do you know how busy I am right now? Do you know how full my schedule is? I’m telling you this for your own good. Do you think I have nothing better to do than waste my time on you all day?” “Then get lost, as far away as possible! It’s best if you never appear in front of me again, you’re an eyesore!” I snapped back at him. For this kind of scumbag, there’s really no need to give him any face. “Do you still not have any self-awareness?! Look at what you’re like now. I’m taking the initiative to care about you. Not only are you not grateful, but you’re acting so arrogant?!” “I originally thought if you still wanted a place in the entertainment industry, remembering our past, I’d introduce you to some resources. Since you don’t know what’s good for you, then forget it.” Liam looked arrogant. I snorted coldly. Who cares. If I want resources, if I want to pull strings, do I need your help?! I couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to Liam anymore. At this moment, my brother had already arrived in his Rolls-Royce to pick me up. I was about to walk right past Liam. “Maya!” Liam suddenly blocked my path. Being ignored by me like this, he looked like he was burning with anger. “No wonder you haven’t made any progress in the entertainment industry for five years. Someone like you who doesn’t seek improvement will never make it in the industry in your entire life. In fact, not just the entertainment industry, you won’t have a good life anywhere!” Liam said angrily. “Now I’m truly incredibly glad I chose Chloe instead of wasting time on someone like you!” “Liam, don’t speak too absolutely, it’s easy to get slapped in the face!” I mocked coldly. “But you’re actually right. I am very glad I didn’t waste too much time on you!” “You!” Liam was furious, and said viciously, “Maya, I’ll tell you straight. I’m about to take on an S-tier TV drama. Seeing you struggling so much, I wanted to help you out, introduce you to the director, and let you play the third female lead.” “Heh.” I sneered, my face full of disdain. “I really don’t care.” Liam still wanted to say something. I was truly out of patience. “Move! Good dogs don’t block the way.” I glared at him angrily. Liam was grinding his teeth in anger. But at that moment, he still didn’t move. It must be that psychologically he still couldn’t accept me being so cold to him. He probably thought that with him doing so well in the entertainment industry now, I should be fawning over him like a simp. Just like when we broke up, Liam always thought I would cling to him desperately. But unexpectedly, I was even more decisive and neat than him. During the stalemate. Liam was suddenly shoved hard from behind. The movement was a bit rough. Liam almost fell flat on his face. He turned around and angrily looked at the person who pushed him. My brother didn’t even look at him, just asked me, “Who is this guy?” “A stray dog,” I replied. “Maya!” Liam was exasperated. “Warning you, stay away from Maya! Otherwise, I’ll kill you.” My brother pulled me into his arms, threatening coldly. Liam looked at me and my brother fiercely. At that moment, naturally, he also saw the two tall and burly bodyguards standing behind my brother, and didn’t say another word. Moreover, Liam was a public figure and didn’t dare to cause trouble. He could only watch through gritted teeth as my brother and I got into that black Rolls-Royce and drove away. 5 Sitting in the car. Liam sent me another message. When we broke up, it was very clean, so we didn’t get to the point where we had to block each other’s contacts. [Maya, I really didn’t expect you to be subjected to the casting couch. I still felt guilty and worried about you, but it turns out I was flattering myself.] Even through the screen, I could smell Liam’s sourness. I ignored him. I was currently talking to my brother about me leaving the industry. But Liam was relentless. The message notifications didn’t stop, and his tone was getting nastier. [I really didn’t expect you to sink this low?! Don’t you feel cheap acting like this?] [You can’t even compare to Chloe. No matter how bad things get for Chloe, she would absolutely never do something like this.] [You really have subverted every image I had of you in my heart. I always thought you were very pure, but I overestimated you.] I was annoyed by the message sounds, and unable to take it anymore, I replied: [If you’re not afraid of me sending our chat history to the media, shut up!] That one sentence shut Liam up immediately. I sneered. It was truly ironic. For Liam, his career is more important than anything. Choosing Chloe back then was also out of vanity and social climbing, right?! Of course, I had no expectations of him. I had long seen through what kind of person he was. After finishing with Liam, I received a call from my agent. She asked coldly, “Where are you?” “On my way home.” “What nonsense were you spouting during the live interview today? Who do you think you are to compare yourself to Chloe?” The agent scolded me harshly. “Do you know you’re trending now because people are cursing at you?! I warned you long ago, our agency doesn’t need infamous artists. You insist on doing this, do you want the agency to completely give up on you?!” “Then give up.” I originally intended to terminate my contract with the agency anyway. Moreover, the agency indeed hadn’t promoted me. “What, are you threatening me?” The agent’s voice rose significantly. “Why do you think I signed you back then? If I had signed Chloe, who debuted at the same time as you, I would have made a fortune long ago!” “So who’s to blame?! Blame yourself for being blind?!” I mocked. “Enough, Maya, I don’t want to waste words with you. Hurry back to the agency now and record a video apologizing to the public, saying you were just joking to liven up the atmosphere during the live stream.” “I wasn’t joking.” I said, word by word. “You mean your family really owns a mine?” The agent mocked me. “If your family owns a mine, why haven’t I seen them spend money to promote you? If your family owns a mine, how could you still be such a loser after all these years?!” “I’m a loser, shouldn’t you look for the reason in yourself, as my agent?” “You!” The agent was speechless. “I don’t want to argue with you. Come back now and record the video.” “I’m not recording it.” “Maya, have you lost your mind? You dare to refuse the agency’s arrangement?! Believe it or not, the agency will freeze you out immediately!” “There’s no need for that much trouble. We can just terminate the contract,” I said coldly. “Terminate the contract? You think you can terminate it just because you want to? You still have half a year left on your contract. If you terminate early, can you afford the penalty?” “You don’t need to worry about that.” I didn’t want to waste words with her. I said directly, “I’ll come find you at the agency tomorrow.” Then I hung up. And turned off my phone. My brother watched my actions and asked with a smile, “Finally feel that the entertainment industry is boring?” “I felt it was boring a long time ago. I just stayed longer to investigate the market.” “Do you need me to go with you to terminate the contract tomorrow?” “No need.” “Indeed my family’s child, naturally domineering,” my brother praised. 6 The next morning, I went to the talent agency. The news of me saying I was going to inherit a billion-dollar fortune in the live interview yesterday was still hanging at the number one spot on the trending list. The comments below were all cursing me for being shameless. The few fans I had also turned on me, saying they wouldn’t support a liar. I didn’t care. I was leaving the industry anyway. When I arrived at the agency, besides the agent waiting for me with a cold face, Liam was also there. He looked at me with a half-smile. He was clearly here to watch me make a fool of myself. Really, a petty man gloating. “The young heiress of the Thorne family is willing to come to the agency herself?” The agent opened her mouth with passive-aggression. As soon as she spoke. Other staff members and some artists in the agency couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “I’m here to terminate my contract.” I remained unmoved, my expression cold. “Sure.” The agent unhurriedly took out my contract. “According to the contract, if an artist breaks the contract early, they must pay the agency thirty million dollars in penalties.” My brow furrowed slightly. I wasn’t scared by the figure, but in my memory, I simply didn’t need to pay that much. As a qualified businesswoman, how could I suffer such a loss?! I casually picked up the contract and started reading. Seeing my expression, the agent began to mock: “What, doesn’t your family have a billion-dollar fortune to inherit? You can’t even produce a mere thirty million?! But seriously, Maya, you’ve been in the industry for five years, have you made thirty million? Not even three million!” She was certain I couldn’t produce that sum of money. She continued chattering: “Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not! There are still ten months left on your contract. If you be a good girl and listen, the agency might still renew your contract. Otherwise, with your commercial value right now, no agency will sign you…” Smack, I threw the contract in front of the agent. The agent jumped in fright. She stared at me blankly, yelling with lingering fear: “Are you crazy?” “It’s written very clearly here. With less than a year left on the contract, the penalty is only 60%, which means I only need to pay eighteen million.” “Can you even produce eighteen million? LMAO…” “Swipe it!” I took out a black card and placed it in front of her. The agent looked at me in disbelief. “Eighteen million, and from now on, we have nothing to do with each other.” “Where did you get the money?” The agent looked at my card and asked me. After all, I really hadn’t made much money in the entertainment industry. “Where else could she get the money? The sugar daddy behind her,” Liam spoke up, seemingly casually. “Yesterday when I went to pick up Chloe, I happened to see her get into a top-of-the-line limited-edition Rolls-Royce…” “Maya, you really are something!” The agent flared up. “Back then, when I asked you to go to dinner parties to accompany executives, you refused. Now you turn around and latch onto a big shot, and you just flip the table, right?!” “That’s my family’s money.” I was utterly speechless. “You want to be a whore and erect a chastity monument?! If you had listened to me back then, you could have been as famous as Chloe. But in the end, you still went down this path?!” The more the agent spoke, the more disdainful she became. “I wasted five years on you for nothing.” “Wasted five years on me?!” I raised my voice, no longer indulging her. “Ever since I refused the casting couch, you completely ignored me! For the past five years, I negotiated countless jobs on my own. You have the nerve to say ‘wasted’? If anyone’s wasted anything, it’s me feeling sorry for myself!” 7 “Maya!” the agent screamed. In front of so many people in the agency, I didn’t give her any face at all. “Don’t think that just because you have a sugar daddy, you can be arrogant in the entertainment industry. I’ve been in the industry for twenty years. If I want to blacklist someone, it’s a piece of cake,” the agent threatened loudly. “Then, let’s wait and see.” LMAO. The capitalist big shot she was currently fawning over was my own father. Would I be afraid of her?! After terminating the contract with the talent agency, I left. Liam blocked my way at the door again. I really don’t understand how thick someone’s skin must be to appear in front of me so self-righteously. “Maya, do you want to offend everyone in the entertainment industry?” Liam asked me with a cold smile. “You offended me, offended Chloe, and now you’ve offended your talent agency! Isn’t it just because you latched onto the eldest son of the Sterling family? But if I remember correctly, the eldest son of the Sterling family is married.” The eldest son of the Sterling family Liam mentioned was my brother. Maya Thorne is my stage name. My real name is Maya Sterling. I changed it to my mother’s maiden name mainly because I didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble in the entertainment industry. “I didn’t expect you to actually look into it, did you?” Liam saw I wasn’t speaking and smugly continued, “The Sterling family is the only one in all of Los Angeles with that limited-edition Rolls-Royce.” “And then?” I looked completely indifferent. “Once you’re exposed, who do you think the eldest son of the Sterling family will choose between you and his original wife?” “Me.” I said firmly. “Maya, you really think too highly of yourself! Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you’re pretty? Wealthy families aren’t as simple as you think!” “You know what wealthy families are like?” “Chloe comes from a wealthy family, of course I know.” “She comes from a wealthy family?” I really laughed out loud. “If she comes from a wealthy family, has she ever taken you to one?” “We haven’t reached the point of discussing marriage yet.” Liam made an excuse. “Now the whole internet knows how good your relationship is. Even at this point, you still haven’t met Chloe’s parents?” “Chloe’s parents are very busy. Do you think everyone is like you, with nothing to do?” “Don’t you think you’re deceiving yourself? Liam, you’ve been dating Chloe for three years, not three days. No matter how busy someone is, they can’t spare half a day in three years?!” The more I spoke, the more sarcastic I became. “My business with Chloe is none of your concern!” Liam was getting angry. “Likewise, my business is none of yours either!” “I’m doing this for your own good!” Liam said angrily. “I don’t care! If you have that much free time, you’d be better off focusing on your goddess Chloe. Who knows, you might get an unexpected surprise.” “What do you mean?” Liam obviously caught my insinuation. “Figure it out yourself.” “I’m telling you, Maya, no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to compare to Chloe in your entire life. With her background, you can’t even dream of catching up to her.” I smiled coldly. Before, I really never thought of using my background to show off. But right now, I kind of wanted to see what kind of expression Liam would have when he found out I was the daughter of the richest man. “Just wait and see.” I dropped that line and walked away from Liam. Right now, talk is cheap. Liam wouldn’t believe me. Anyway, he’ll be slapped in the face soon enough. 8 My contract termination with the talent agency hit the trending topics again. The comment section was filled with negative remarks. [Didn’t she have a billion-dollar fortune to inherit? Yet she was dropped by her agency for running her mouth? This is literally the biggest joke to start 2024!] [I was still waiting for Maya to make a comeback. LMAO, I definitely overestimated her.] [Some people are just too vain. The entertainment industry shouldn’t encourage this toxic behavior.] [She used to leech off Liam’s popularity, which gave her some recognition. Otherwise, who would know this D-list actress? Now she wants to leech off our Chloe’s popularity. Who knew she’d actually crash and burn? Serves her right!] Meanwhile, Chloe and Liam happened to have a New Year’s live stream for their fans. My trending topic actually brought a wave of traffic to their live stream. The live chat was all asking Chloe and Liam to comment on me having a billion-dollar fortune to inherit and getting dropped by my agency. Liam responded first: “I have the same agency and agent as Maya. Regarding her being dropped by the agency, there might be a misunderstanding. Maya requested the termination herself. The agency never mistreated her.” [What? Maya actually dared to terminate her contract? Who would sign her now?] [If an artist voluntarily terminates, shouldn’t they pay a penalty?] [Does she have the money to pay the penalty?] “I’m not too sure about the rest. I’m just telling everyone what I know. I hope you guys don’t spread rumors,” Liam said to calm the excited fans. The fans weren’t listening at all. The live chat kept scrolling— [Does Maya have a sugar daddy behind her? Otherwise, where did she get the money to pay the penalty?] [Forget the penalty, with her current status, how dare she terminate her contract? With her reputation, who would dare hire her?!] Because of Liam’s words. The news of #MayaPaysMassivePenalty,SuspectedSugarDaddyBehindHer# rushed to the top of the trending list again. I really didn’t expect that after leaving the industry, I would actually blow up. At this moment, Chloe also responded to my situation in her live stream: “I debuted with Maya and collaborated a few times before, but we’re just acquaintances, so I’m not clear on her specific family background. But since she says her family has a billion-dollar fortune, I think it’s not entirely unbelievable.” As soon as Chloe said this, the live chat filled with compliments— [Chloe’s personality is so great. Everyone knows Maya is a fake heiress, yet she’s still willing to believe her.] [Chloe is from a wealthy family herself, so she doesn’t think being wealthy is anything extraordinary.] [Why is there such a huge gap between people? I’m proud of my idol.] [Chloe, can you show us what a wealthy family’s home looks like? Can you do a live stream touring your mansion?] That last comment was spammed all over the screen. Chloe kept trying to change the subject, acting as if she didn’t see the live chat. Liam, who was co-streaming with her, suddenly spoke up: “Chloe, just fulfill the fans’ New Year’s wish.” With Liam saying it so bluntly, Chloe really couldn’t play deaf and dumb anymore. She smiled and said, “Of course I can fulfill my fans’ New Year’s wish. Once the time is confirmed, I’ll take my fans on a tour of my home.” [Chloe spoils her fans so much.] [Being Chloe’s fan is just too lucky.] [Looking forward to touring Chloe’s new home…] I watched Chloe’s awkward smile. The Vance family of Los Angeles has never had a daughter named Chloe; they only have one named Lily, and she is my cousin. I’d really like to know how she’s going to cover up this lie of the century. 9 After the two finished their live stream. I was pushed to the trending topics, and #ChloeSpoilsFansAgreesToTourMansion# also hit the trending topics. The whole internet was looking forward to touring Chloe’s mansion. And because of this sudden surge in popularity, talent agencies reached out to me offering work. I refused them all. I had already taken over the family business and become a major player behind the scenes in Hollywood. I had invested in several highly anticipated shows and was incredibly busy every day. I almost forgot about Chloe’s live stream touring her mansion. If Liam hadn’t smugly sent me a message: [Maya, didn’t you always envy Chloe and slander her? Today at 3 PM she’s live-streaming a tour of her mansion. Aren’t you going to watch?] Chloe really had guts! I thought she would just brush it off, but she’s actually live-streaming after barely half a month? Isn’t she afraid of getting exposed?! [Thanks for the reminder, I’ll tune in right on time.] I replied to Liam. Since Liam insisted on throwing himself onto the muzzle of the gun, I obliged him. I turned around and sent a message to my cousin: [Does your dad really have an illegitimate daughter?] [Are you kidding me? I’ve been putting up with that woman Chloe for a long time! Let’s see what kind of stunt she pulls today. If she pisses me off, I’ll tear her apart right then and there.] Even through the screen, I could feel Lily’s anger. 3 PM. Chloe indeed started her live stream as promised, taking fans on a tour of her “mansion.” It was fake at a glance. Where was this the Vance family estate? I don’t know what unknown, third-rate villa in what obscure area it was. The live stream went online. The fans started mindlessly praising her. [Wow, Chloe’s house is so big and beautiful!] [Worthy of the Vance family, ranking top three on L.A.’s wealth list. So luxurious!] [Chloe really peaked right out of the gate.] [Reminds me again of a certain unknown actress who claimed she had a billion-dollar fortune to inherit!] I was working while watching Chloe’s live stream. Seeing so many fans flattering her, it became increasingly hilarious. Chloe very “professionally” led the fans on a tour of her “mansion.” The fans were very supportive. The gifts in the live stream were even more extravagant. Chloe considerately asked people not to send gifts, saying helplessly that she didn’t know how to turn off the gift feature, which triggered another wave of frantic spamming from fans. My phone suddenly rang. It was Liam. He said smugly, “Maya, do you finally see the gap between you and Chloe now? You can’t even dream of a mansion like Chloe’s in this lifetime.” “Are you still hung up on me?!” I was truly running out of patience with him. “Me, hung up on you? Why don’t you look at the massive gap between you and Chloe? Am I blind?” “Then why do you keep bothering me?” “I pity you.” “Totally unnecessary.” I glanced at the live stream. “You better go pity your goddess Chloe!” After all, right now, the live stream was starting to get chaotic. Liam seemed to have noticed it too and quickly hung up the phone.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “424281”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

When Chloe moved into my house, my mom split her love in half. Chloe took the lion’s share, and I got the scraps. “You still have a dad, but Chloe has no one.” So she justified her blatant favoritism. Later, I stopped wanting my mom. Unlike my mom, I couldn’t divide my love. I gave all my love to my new mom. 1 My mom said she couldn’t attend my parent-teacher conference. “Why?” My voice was thick with unshed tears. “Didn’t you promise?” Over the phone, her voice was cold: “Just because I promised doesn’t mean I have to go. Chloe’s homeroom teacher called; I have to go to hers, and it conflicts with yours.” “Chloe, Chloe, Chloe!” I finally lost control, yelling into the phone. “All you see is Chloe! You haven’t been to my parent-teacher conference in three years!” Three years. From middle school to high school. The high school entrance exams were fast approaching! My mom hadn’t attended a single parent-teacher conference during my middle school years. This time, my usually gentle homeroom teacher had a serious expression: “Maya, you must have your mother come this time. With the entrance exams only a hundred days away, your grades have dropped too much.” I had told my mom about this five days in advance. I thought she would care at least a little. But once again, she chose Chloe. On the other end of the line, my mom’s voice was full of coldness and impatience: “Maya, Chloe has no parents. Are you really going to fight her for her aunt? Why are you so ungrateful?” “But…” Tears welled in my eyes, and my throat tightened so much I couldn’t speak. But, Chloe’s aunt… is my mother! I didn’t cause Chloe to lose her parents, so why do I have to give my mother to her as compensation? When I handed the phone back to the bookstore owner, he looked at me with a strange expression. I handed him a dollar. I had two hundred dollars left in my pocket. I had saved it up over months of skipping breakfast, originally planning to buy test prep books. Thankfully, I had asked my mom a day in advance, giving me time to prepare. I was going to use this two hundred dollars to hire a mom to attend my parent-teacher conference. 2 The mom I hired didn’t look like a good person. She wore heavy smoky makeup, leaned against the school’s iron fence counting the money, and reeked of cheap perfume. Even as the Dean of Students walked by, she was still grumbling, “All these small bills? This is so annoying.” I had saved this money dollar by dollar; of course, it was in small bills. I thought she was unreliable and was about to ask for the money back and find someone else. But she quickly backed away to a safe distance and waved the wad of cash: “It’s a deal! Tomorrow afternoon, third period! I’ll come find you! “Room 308, right?” “Don’t wear that makeup tomorrow!” Too unreliable. That was my two hundred dollars! Maybe I should try to find someone else? But she had already run off. I wanted to call out to her, but the Dean was walking toward me— He spotted the money in the woman’s hand and asked with concern, “Student, are you being extorted by someone from outside the school?” “No, no,” I answered quickly. “That’s my mom. She was going to give me some pocket money, but I said no.” Good thing she ran fast. 3 “Your name is Sarah Smith,” I told her to put it in her phone’s notes app. “My name is Riley Jones,” she said, blinking her large eyes. She was dressed just like yesterday: exaggerated smoky makeup, pale foundation, a brown leather jacket, and the same cheap perfume. Only when her thick, fan-like fake eyelashes fluttered could I catch a glimpse of her beautiful eyes. But that look didn’t move me. “My mom’s name is Sarah Smith, so your name is Sarah Smith.” I mimicked my mom’s tone when haggling at the grocery store. “Be professional. Didn’t I tell you yesterday not to dress like this?” “I have to dress like this,” she mumbled. A moment later, she smiled and said, “Take me to your classroom. Room 308, right?” On the way, she wouldn’t stop talking. “Will your homeroom teacher keep me after to lecture me? I’m telling you, the two hundred bucks doesn’t cover getting lectured.” “You didn’t say that earlier!” I stopped in the hallway. “That’s the going rate, okay?” she said impatiently. “Ugh, fine! Consider it a freebie! “Consider it my charity work for the day, okay?” She had a very casual, street-smart attitude: “Don’t be so fierce, kid.” I wasn’t being fierce. I was just a little anxious. She didn’t know that the two hundred dollars was all the money I had. I had to skip lunch to save up for the test prep books. If she charged more, I’d have to skip dinner too. But her sudden generosity made me breathe a sigh of relief. Standing at the classroom door, I awkwardly mumbled, “Thanks.” “Hey, don’t mention it.” She waved her hand and was about to walk in. But I suddenly remembered something— “Um… Riley,” I called out to her. “Yeah?” My face flushed slightly: “Could you do me one more favor?” She gave me a look that said “don’t push your luck.” But I guess my desperation overrode my shame, and once the words were out, the rest flowed easily: “There are two students in my class, one named Jason and one named Lily. “Could you talk to them and their parents? Just say you’re my mom, you know what they’ve been doing to me, and if they dare do it again, you won’t let them off easy…” “Fuck!” Riley cursed. I didn’t know why she was swearing. “Is this extra? How much? Let me think…” Before I could finish my sentence. “You’re being bullied?” Her face darkened. With a wave of her hand, she marched into the classroom: “This service is free of charge!” 4 Riley was not professional at all. During the parent-teacher conference, all the students waited outside. I watched Riley rummage through my desk through the window. The teacher glanced at her a few times, but she just scowled and flipped through my books and notebooks, ignoring everything going on around her. The more she flipped, the heavier the hostility in her expression grew. I questioned myself again whether hiring her to play my mom was a mistake. This doubt reached its peak when Mia, from the class next door, walked out. The “hire-a-parent” service was actually introduced to me by Mia. She was the slacker of the class next door, but her parents were very strict. Terrified of them scolding her after the conference, she hired someone to go in their place. To avoid being caught, she even left the “fake parent’s” phone number with the teacher. She peered through the glass at my seat: “That’s who you hired? Look at her, what, fifty or sixty bucks tops?” Fifty or sixty? I stood frozen. “Don’t tell me you gave her a hundred!” Mia exclaimed. “I paid 80, and that included answering phone calls from the teacher!” Me: “…” 5 The parent-teacher conference ended. Before Riley rushed to confront Jason and Lily, I thought to myself: I need to get at least a hundred dollars back. But when she found those two students’ parents to reason with them, I realized eighty dollars would have been enough. Especially Jason’s dad, a large, burly man who tried to argue back. But Riley quickly shut him down, brandishing my textbook and attacking him with sharp, pointed words… The classroom was chaotic, and her loud voice drew a crowd of onlookers. The two parents, feeling embarrassed, grabbed their kids and ran. Riley walked out of the classroom looking victorious. “Wait, the teacher will probably want to see us in a minute. Leave after everything is done,” I told her. I didn’t ask for a partial refund right away. I wasn’t stupid. If I asked for the money back now, what if she refused to cooperate when the teacher wanted a one-on-one chat? “Those parents will definitely lecture them when they get home.” The homeroom teacher was surrounded by parents at the podium and didn’t have time for her, so she stood in the hallway chatting with me: “But they’ll definitely hold a grudge, and they might try to bully you again. Do you want to hire me to scare them a few more times?” she eagerly pitched her services. “Only thirty dollars a pop.” I recalled her fierce demeanor just now. Jason and Lily were definitely intimidated by her. I highly doubted they’d try to bully me again. She probably just wanted to squeeze more money out of me. I knew what she was doing, but to ensure she performed well shortly, I nodded in agreement. “Hey!” she snapped her fingers. “Told you I’m high quality and reasonably priced, right?” “High quality and reasonably priced” my foot! We didn’t have to wait long. Soon, the homeroom teacher came out of the classroom. Seeing Riley, she frowned first, then asked: “Maya’s parent?” She stood up straight in a second: “Yes, teacher! I’m Sarah Smith!” The homeroom teacher gave her a strange look: “Come to the office. We need to talk about Maya.” “You got it!” Riley happily trotted into the classroom and brought out my books and notebooks— 6 I actually had a vague idea of what Riley was going to say to the homeroom teacher. I was even a little expectant. “Maya’s parent, a child’s education isn’t just the school’s responsibility. Since Maya joined our class, I’ve never seen you. I understand you’re busy—” She glanced at Riley’s attire. “But, the child’s grades have dropped severely, from the top ten in her grade to past the top hundred. Don’t you care at all about what’s going on with her?” Riley shrugged. Thinking she was being defiant, the homeroom teacher was about to say more. But Riley spread open my textbooks: “I probably don’t care enough about Maya. But her drop in grades has nothing to do with that.” The teacher stared at her, seemingly shocked that a parent could be so irresponsible. But Riley tapped her finger on the pages: “Teacher, did Maya talk to you? “About her being bullied?” Those were the most disgusting pages among all the scribbled-on books. In the margins, between the formulas, it was filled with vile insults— [Bitch!] [Who are you trying to seduce?] [Do you have no shame?] Riley read them out loud, one by one: “This is just one page. Teacher, did Maya show you these? “Being insulted like this, how could she not have a mental breakdown? How could it not affect her studies? How strong a heart would it take to endure this? “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice?” The homeroom teacher hadn’t noticed. When I sought her out, when I told her I was being verbally humiliated and bullied… I showed her the pages, and she looked at them. But she just casually said: “Okay, okay, I’ll talk to them later. I’m so busy. Can’t you just get along with your classmates? Why is there so much drama?” Now, she was left speechless by the questioning. It took her a long time to ask: “You… you just now…” It turned out she had also seen Riley confronting the two parents for an explanation. But Riley ignored her response. “Yes, earlier I did what a mother is supposed to do. “And you, teacher? Have you done what a teacher is supposed to do? “Teacher, if you had, you wouldn’t have had to specifically ask to speak with me. “She would have adjusted her mindset herself, and might even be first in the school right now!” 7 After leaving the teacher’s office, I was still hesitating whether to ask for some of the money back. She did a great job, better than I imagined. But it was too expensive. A hundred dollars would make my life much easier for the next few days. She walked forward with her head down, mumbling to herself, completely oblivious to my inner struggle. “Your books are ruined, just buy a new set. They wouldn’t dare draw on your books again. “What kind of weirdo is your homeroom teacher? She really doesn’t care at all? How is she even a homeroom teacher?” I didn’t answer. Actually, the homeroom teacher didn’t completely ignore everyone. She had intervened when other students were bullied before. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sought her help when I first started getting bullied. Later, after I pestered her several times, she finally agreed to help resolve the issue. But the ultimate solution was just vaguely criticizing the behavior in front of the class without naming names. As soon as that class meeting ended, Lily cornered me in the restroom and even got physical: “You little bitch! You told the teacher, huh?” Later, I wondered why the homeroom teacher would extend a helping hand to others but was so impatient with me. After thinking about it, I figured it was because my grades had dropped too much, and she didn’t like me. Also… she had asked to see my parents multiple times, but they never showed up. So, subconsciously, she probably realized I was a child no one cared about. A child whose own parents didn’t care about. She had no obligation to care either. “By the way,” Riley suddenly asked me, “has your mom really never been to a parent-teacher conference? Is she dead?” I didn’t have time to answer. Because the next moment, someone grabbed my sleeve. “Maya.” Chloe revealed a gloating smile. “Who is she? Why are you walking with someone dressed like a delinquent? “And why isn’t she scolding you for saying your aunt is dead?” 8 Slap— A sharp pain exploded on my cheek, instantly turning it burning hot. My ears rang. My mom did manual labor, and she was strong. It took me a long time to recover from that slap. “Auntie,” Chloe called softly. “Chloe, don’t stop me.” My mom yanked me so hard I stumbled. She looked at the homeroom teacher, an apologetic smile on her face: “I’m so sorry, teacher. This child has been a handful since she was little. I didn’t expect her to hang out with people outside of school, let alone have the nerve to bother you.” “What are you doing?!” Riley reacted and tried to stop her. But before she could get close, my mom shoved her away. Riley’s frame was too small. No matter how sharp her words were, they were useless against a “mature” woman like my mom, who resorted to vulgar curses and low blows. My mom cursed her out, then pointed at her: “I’m disciplining my own daughter! Is it your place to interfere? Just you wait, I’m calling the cops right now and pressing fraud charges! How much money did you scam out of Maya?” She glared at me again: “Where did you get the money? You have spare cash? Everyone in the family is strapped for cash, and you have money to hire someone to play your parent?! “Where did you get the money? Have you been doing shameless things?!” I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. I hadn’t cried from her slap just now, but seeing Chloe standing nearby with her arms crossed, looking at me with a detached, mocking gaze, I finally couldn’t hold back my tears. I felt ashamed. My mother was using the ugliest words to insult me. While the spoiled girl she doted on stood aside, watching me—her closest blood relative—being treated like I meant absolutely nothing to her. Just a moment ago, they figured out Riley was hired by me. My mom dragged me all the way from the hallway to the homeroom teacher’s office. During that time, Riley couldn’t help but laugh out loud: “So your mom isn’t dead!” My mom became even more furious. She clamored about calling the police, wanting to throw Riley in jail! “Call them!” Riley yelled back. “Call the cops and let them see! You’re a mother who doesn’t even know her own child is being bullied at school! A teacher who turns a blind eye to toxic behavior in the classroom! What a great role model! “I earned this two hundred dollars with my labor! I suffered emotional trauma! I was disgusted by you people! “What? You act like you’re dead and refuse to attend your daughter’s parent-teacher conference, and you won’t even let her hire someone to do it?!” The homeroom teacher quickly said there was no need to call the police. “Maya! Look what kind of friends you make! How can she talk to your aunt like that?” When the argument was at its fiercest, Chloe shouted loudly, trying to shift the focus back to me. And my mom, predictably, gave her exactly what she wanted. “She cares? How could she care? Those words are probably what she wanted to say!” My mom snapped her head toward me and grabbed my hair tightly. “Others don’t get bullied, only you get bullied, right? “Why are you the only one causing so much trouble? “Chloe and you go to the same school, she’s even a grade below you. Why doesn’t Chloe get bullied, only you? “You hang out with these lowlifes in society, of course you get bullied! Why should the teacher care about you? It’s up to you to be good at school. Does the teacher owe you?” “You motherf—!” Riley interrupted from the side. “You have time to attend your niece’s parent-teacher conference, but no time for your daughter’s, right? “Could this niece be your illegitimate daughter?” she lunged forward, trying to free my hair. “Let go, let go of her, you bitch!” Initially, I felt complete despair. When my mom called me a worthless person. When she demanded to know why others only bullied me. When even the homeroom teacher looked at me with pity. But, the moment Riley lunged forward and pulled my hair outward, for some unknown reason, I felt a surge of strength… It felt like… all the pent-up resentment of years finally found an outlet… With one hand, I shoved my mom hard just as she was about to slap Riley. Despite her strong build, my mom stumbled backward. “Auntie!” Chloe moved to support her. “Enough!!” My scalp throbbed with pain. I screamed with all my might. “What do you want to do? Keep making a scene! Keep going! Make a scene until security comes! Call the police right now!” “Are you crazy?” My mom was stunned by my roar. No wonder. She had seen countless versions of me. The gloomy me, the insecure me, the me begging for just a tiny bit of motherly love. But the stubborn, loud, rebellious me had disappeared long ago, right after Chloe moved into our house. The classroom fell silent. The look my mom gave me was a mix of shock and grievance. What did she have to feel aggrieved about? My heart ached, and I spoke hoarsely through tears: “You just asked me why they don’t bully anyone else, only me? “Mom, it’s all thanks to you. “Do you remember when I asked you to help me buy a bra? “Do you remember what you said?” 9 I had an unfortunate nickname: “Bunny.” And it didn’t mean cute and cuddly like a real bunny. It referred to the “bunnies” bouncing up and down on my chest when I ran. The first time I felt insecure about my chest was during a P.E. class. The gym teacher had us run the 800 meters. I was in the last group to run. By the time I started running, the finish line was already crowded with my classmates. My eyes were only fixed on the finish line, so I didn’t pay attention to the classmates standing there—both boys and girls—who were already laughing uncontrollably. Before I even caught my breath, Jason, whom I rarely interacted with, came right up to my face, making exaggerated gestures: “Maya, let me give you a nickname. How about ‘Bunny’?! “You know, the ‘bunnies’ jumping up and down when you run!” At first, I didn’t understand, but his gaze drifted downwards, slimy and gross. Other classmates burst into jeering laughter. Like a flash of lightning, I instantly realized what he was talking about and shoved him hard. The bullying initially started with this simple nickname. The next day, my desk was covered in scribbles. In the quiet classroom before class started, I stood up, scanned the room, and saw Lily staring at me self-righteously, her gaze meeting mine head-on… My desk mate, Emma, gently tugged my sleeve and whispered: “Lily wrote it. Everyone saw, but no one dared to say anything. “I heard she and Jason are dating, and she said you were seducing him when you were running yesterday. “But seriously, you should wear a bra!” If her first sentence left me feeling baffled, her next sentence left me mortified. “I… I am wearing one!” I explained. “That’s a training bra!” she whispered even lower. “I mean a real bra! A training bra can’t support you! Didn’t your mom teach you any of this?” “I…” My face turned even redder. “I’ll try…” Actually, who notices physical development earlier than oneself? I had noticed a long time ago that my training bra was feeling a bit tight. I nervously told my mom, asking her to buy me a bra with padding. But as soon as I finished speaking, she frowned and said fiercely: “Money, money, money! We only have so much money, raising the two of you. You don’t know how to be frugal. Do you want us to starve?” But it was only ten dollars. A bra at the wholesale market cost ten dollars at most. And my mom said “raising the two of you,” but I hadn’t had an allowance outside of lunch money for half a year. Before Chloe came, I got ten dollars a week for allowance. I could at least buy some snacks or something. That wasn’t a problem. After Chloe arrived, it was as if my mom forgot about me. She would buy Chloe pretty clothes and sign her up for extracurricular activities… I used to have extracurriculars too. But the month Chloe was signed up for hers, my dad’s paycheck happened to be a little short. “Maya, I feel like your swimming class isn’t doing much. Let’s pause it for a bit, okay? “Yield to Chloe a little,” she said. “Chloe just came to our family, just consider it being considerate of mom. It’s not easy for mom either.” But I never thought that this “yielding” would last for three whole years. From the tutoring classes at first, to my bedroom, to my home, and finally, even the money for my bra had to be yielded. My mom didn’t take me to buy a new bra. So, I figured out how to save money from my breakfast allowance to go buy a bra myself. The owner at the wholesale market wouldn’t let me try it on, and I had no experience haggling. The bra I bought was a bit small. When I went back to the seller, she refused to exchange it. But it was fine, it was much better than the training bra I had before. However, after wearing it for three years, the straps inevitably became loose, and it couldn’t keep up with my developing body. I thought it was time for a new one. But I never expected that I had already reached the point where I needed to wear a real bra.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “424282”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On a family reality TV show, my son logged into my gaming account and accidentally crushed the esports team owned by the young heir of the elite Vance family. A popular actress posted a thinly veiled tweet: “Bullying teammates at only five years old? I sure hope he doesn’t grow up to do anything illegal!” Instantly, I was dragged to the top of the trending topics and cursed at by netizens. They said my son was addicted to video games, that we had offended the powerful Vance family of New York, and that we were absolutely finished. But I just didn’t understand! Both of these kids are mine. One inherited my gaming genes, and the other inherited Liam Vance’s business acumen. What’s the problem here? 1 The esports team owned by the young heir of the New York elite, Leo Vance, was absolutely crushed by a little “Jungle King.” #FiveYearOldJungleKingCrushesProTeam# #Shocking!LittleJungleKingIsChloeThorne’sSon# The trending topics exploded, and my gaming ID swept across every Twitter feed. Lucas Thorne is insanely good at video games, carrying the whole team while speaking in an adorable, childish voice. I’m a controversial, “love-to-hate” actress in Hollywood. I’m not a massive A-lister, but I have had some breakout roles. And Lucas Thorne is my son. This gaming incident caught the attention of the entire internet, with media outlets scrambling to cover it. Rumor had it that after the esports team Leo Vance invested in was crushed, he cried his eyes out right there on the spot. Now, the netizens were more worked up than the people actually involved! [Chloe Thorne really needs to discipline her son. He’s so young, skipping school to play games all day! This was Leo’s first time playing with a pro team; it’s normal he didn’t play well! Who knew some blind idiot would come out of nowhere just to show off!] [Liam Vance is notoriously ruthless and incredibly protective of his kid. Throwing millions around for fun. Chloe’s son actually dared to offend Leo Vance? They are definitely finished!] [Who even is Chloe Thorne? Just a D-list actress. She must be crazy to mess with the little prince!] Meanwhile, the culprit, Lucas, was standing in front of me, looking deeply wronged: “Mommy, you can’t blame me for this. I just inherited it all from you!” … I thought the heat would die down quickly. I didn’t expect that the very next evening, paparazzi would release photos of the top-tier actress, Serena Sterling, appearing at Leo Vance’s private piano recital. Leo loves the piano, so his doting grandmother, Mrs. Vance, threw him a small, exclusive recital, inviting many close friends and family. As the recital ended, the media interviewed Serena. She looked at the cameras and gave a slight smile. “Being good at video games isn’t necessarily a good thing. What’s so great about a teenager addicted to the internet? Mrs. Vance said that Leo, just like his father, understands business and plays the piano. He’s a true little prince!” With just one sentence, Serena instantly positioned the two boys as direct comparisons. Suddenly, a stark contrast was drawn between the “piano prodigy” and the “internet-addicted teen.” Lucas was subjected to a torrent of abuse from haters. While Leo was praised to the heavens by the netizens! But I just didn’t understand! Both of these kids are mine. One inherited my gaming genes, and the other inherited Liam’s business acumen. What’s the problem here? 2 Shortly after, Serena appeared on camera, arm-in-arm with Mrs. Vance. “It was just a game. Everyone shouldn’t focus on it too much! Mrs. Vance asked me to take Leo on a family reality show. I look forward to seeing everyone there.” Everyone knows that the heir to the Vance family, Liam, is 28 this year and still unmarried. Mrs. Vance was worried sick about it, until he suddenly brought a child home a few years ago, which finally made her stop nagging him. Now, this was solid proof that she was about to marry into the Vance family. [A woman about to marry into a billionaire family is so classy! Leo is going to have a great mom!] [Serena’s fans are eating good today! No way, could she be Leo’s biological mother?] [Looking at it this way, Chloe Thorne is so pathetic. She’s still playing deaf and dumb. She’s probably so scared she’s about to quit the industry!] I ruffled Lucas’s hair, lost in thought. Liam and I were actually each other’s first loves. But my family was dealing with severe internal conflicts, and my grandfather’s dying wish was for me to study abroad. At that time, Liam and I had a disagreement. I didn’t want a man to hinder my progress. So, I initiated a breakup with Liam. It wasn’t until I went abroad that I realized I was pregnant. From then on, I had two sons: Leo Vance and Lucas Thorne. By the time Liam scoured Europe and finally found me, both boys were already over a year old. Even so, I still didn’t agree to get back together with him. It was just that since both of us were workaholics, raising the children became our respective, unspoken responsibilities. Putting the past aside, I received an invitation from a reality show director via Twitter DMs. They wanted Serena and me on the same family reality show! An opportunity to slap some faces? I’d gladly take it. Lucas had a weak constitution since childhood. To prevent him from catching the flu, I bundled him up tightly on the way to the airport. He was very resigned: “There’s a kind of cold called ‘your mom thinks you’re cold’.” However, I didn’t expect to be on the same flight as Serena. Serena looked down on me, her eyes flashing with disdain. “Chloe, are you so desperate for money that you dare to take on a family reality show? Believe me or not, with just one word from Liam, your career in the entertainment industry stops here!” It’s common knowledge that Serena and I have hated each other since we entered the industry. It was because Serena once bullied a stunt double on set. I stood up for the double, and Serena targeted me ever since. Lucas went to the bathroom and hadn’t returned. I looked all around Serena but didn’t see Leo. Finally, Lucas and Leo came out of the bathroom together. Serena immediately rushed to fuss over Lucas. Then, she looked at Leo with utter disgust. “You bundled your son up so tightly, is he ugly or something?” I was speechless: “Are you blind?” The two kids had merely swapped clothes, and she couldn’t even tell them apart. She’s blind enough to mistake them! And she dared to call my son ugly! 3 Lucas had taken all his outer clothes off and given them to Leo. They had loved each other since they were toddlers. He probably thought Leo was dressed too lightly and swapped clothes with him. So, Serena held Lucas’s hand and mocked Leo: “Chloe, you better discipline your son. Kids who are addicted to the internet are useless when they grow up! Keep him away from our Leo.” I was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, instinctively looking at Leo. Leo sighed like a little adult and said, sounding very tired: “So, this is the kind of person you are.” Lucas winked at me secretively, and then seamlessly walked away with Serena. The family reality show was presented entirely as a live broadcast. I held the hand of the masked Leo and appeared on camera, while Lucas was led by Serena. The production team naturally assumed Serena was holding “Leo Vance.” They are twins, looking incredibly alike. People who aren’t familiar with them simply can’t tell the difference. But their personalities are completely different. Facing the camera, Lucas was totally at ease, a bright, passionate smile blooming on his face. “Hello everyone, I’m the big brother, Leo Vance!” Seeing him so lively and cheerful, a proud look immediately appeared on Serena’s face. After everyone had introduced themselves, it was Leo’s turn. Before he could even speak, Serena threw shade at him. Even though her smile was warm, she couldn’t hide the arrogance and disgust in her bones: “Is Chloe’s son this timid? He was so brave when he was bullying our Leo online!” She sounded like she was joking, casually making fun of him: “Two-faced at such a young age. It’s true what they say: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!” And the host, instead of smoothing things over, chimed in: “Yeah, Chloe’s child is too quiet. He could easily become a gloomy teenager. Not like Leo, who is so lively and outgoing!” In the past, when Leo didn’t talk much, they praised him as a cool, quiet little prince. Now, with his identity swapped, he was being criticized for being a gloomy teenager who talks too little. Before I could retort, Lucas went on the offensive: “Auntie, do you live by the ocean? You’re not even my brother’s mom, and you’re not my mom, why are you managing so broadly?” (A Chinese idiom meaning “why are you being so nosy?”) With just one sentence, the entire set fell silent. Serena’s face changed drastically, her gaze snapping to the live-stream camera. 4 The netizens in the live stream realized something was wrong. [So Leo’s mom isn’t Serena! Then who is his mom?] [Don’t you guys know Liam Vance has a rich, beautiful first love? It’s highly likely it’s her child.] [That doesn’t make sense. Then why would Serena bring Leo on a family show? You guys are talking nonsense! So what if she’s the first love? Can she beat Serena?] Seeing the public opinion about to burn her, Serena quickly deflected the fire: “Chloe, isn’t your kid hot? He still doesn’t dare to show his face. Are you that insecure about your child’s looks?” Since the show started, Leo hadn’t taken off his mask or hat, only revealing his eyes. Serena smiled lightly, pretending to be considerate: “If you’re really that worried, you can have the production team blur his face in post!” I gave a slight twitch of my lips. If I made my son take off his mask, wouldn’t it scare her to death? Another female guest next to Serena, Sarah, chimed in: “Chloe, we’ve never heard you mention getting married before, and now you suddenly produce such a big son. Does this child’s looks take after your husband?” The netizens in the live stream were led astray by the rhythm. [Chloe’s son is already on a reality show, and he’s still acting so pretentious, not even daring to show his face. Who knows whose kid it is?] [Could this child be the illegitimate son of some sugar daddy? She’s probably afraid that if he takes off the mask and is compared to other kids, he’ll feel even more inferior!] I reached out and stood in front of him. “Is it really fun for several of you to target a child like this? It’s his right not to take off the mask!” No one said anything else, but the disdainful and disgusted looks couldn’t be hidden. 5 Next, the production team placed a day’s worth of food in a box. All the children had to take the food from the box and bring it back to the kitchen to complete the day’s task. During the transportation process, Lucas ran extremely fast. After emptying his own box of food, he went to help his brother. Serena stepped forward, cheering Lucas on: “Leo, you’re doing great!” She glared at me and complained: “Kids who stay home playing video games all day have terrible stamina. Staying up late and not exercising, he can’t even carry a few bottles of water. And he calls himself a little man!” My mouth twitched, and my face went cold. “Remember what you said today!” Serena smiled very disdainfully. She stepped forward to help, and as she passed by Leo, she subtly stuck out her foot. Leo, who was earnestly moving food, was completely focused and didn’t notice his feet at all. He tripped and fell hard onto the ground! Thud. His small body hit the dirt. “Baby!” My heart jumped, and I ran over frantically! The cameraman followed closely behind. Leo’s body slid forward for several meters, half of his face scraping against the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes instantly from the fall, and his mask was pulled down significantly. When his red nose and half of his face were exposed to the camera, everyone was dumbfounded! 6 The camera slowly zoomed in on the half of Leo’s face. When that face abruptly appeared on screen, everyone was startled. Half of Leo’s face was covered in blood, and his entire mask was soaked. As his body slid forward, his cheek rubbed against the ground, scraping up beads of blood! Sarah gasped: “Oh my god! Is he going to be disfigured?!” “Can you just shut up!” My heart ached terribly, and my trembling fingers didn’t dare to touch his face. “Baby, does it hurt?” Tears shimmered in Leo’s eyes as he stubbornly lowered his head. Soon, his gaze fell on Serena. Serena let out a sigh, looking concerned: “His face is scraped so badly, aren’t you going to take the child to see a doctor? He wasn’t very good-looking to begin with, and now it’s even worse!” I was too lazy to waste words with Serena for the moment; I needed to treat the child’s facial injuries first. Fortunately, the director had the foresight to know how easily children get injured from falls. So, he arranged for a private doctor to be on standby during filming. While the doctor was treating Leo’s wounds, the camera focused on his profile. Suddenly, the netizens in the live stream all turned into detectives! [Wait… why does the profile of Chloe’s son look so much like the little prince? If this face gets ruined, it might be a good thing. Our little prince Leo is one of a kind!] [Are you all blind? Where is the resemblance? The injury is so severe, and Chloe still wants her son to leech off the little prince’s popularity.] [I bet Chloe has a secret crush on Mr. Vance, deliberately found a boy-toy who looks like him, and had a baby! The profile just looks similar!] When the doctor finished bandaging Leo’s wound, that half of his face was wrapped in gauze again. Serena stared straight at him, the smile on her lips gradually fading. “Your face…” Could it be that Serena suddenly grew eyes and figured it out? 7 Who knew, Serena’s gaze instantly turned sharp, and she mocked me with a smile. “Chloe, you made your son look like this, don’t tell me it’s to imitate our Leo?” My heart sank, and I reminded her coldly: “You’re not just blind right now, you really have no eyes. After the recording is over, hurry up and go see an ophthalmologist!” A flash of displeasure crossed Serena’s face, but she feigned nonchalance and smiled. “Chloe, did I hit a nerve? You made the child imitate our Leo. Isn’t it just to get close to Liam?” She said, thinking herself clever: “You first deliberately crashed into the esports team, and now that you’re on the family show, you’re scheming to get close to Leo. Isn’t it just because you want to marry into a wealthy family?” The netizens in the live stream were completely swayed by Serena’s rhythm. [Chloe is so disgusting, she doesn’t even look in the mirror! She thinks she can marry into a wealthy family. Does she think a billionaire family is a farmer’s market? Anyone can get in!] [Serena is so smart, she saw through Chloe’s tricks at a glance. The show just started, and this little brat is already causing so much trouble. He definitely wants to leech off Leo’s popularity.] [She lives up to her reputation as someone riddled with scandals. A woman like this is so scheming, she should be cast as the villain in a soap opera.] Serena revealed a shallow smile, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes. “The popularity of our Leo isn’t something just anyone can leech off of.” I couldn’t stand it anymore and was about to retort her words. Not far away, Lucas suddenly came running, shouting as he ran: “Mommy!” Lucas crashed into my arms, looking at Leo with eyes full of heartache. “Mommy, Leo… is little brother’s face okay?” His one “Mommy” left all the netizens dumbfounded! Serena was even more blown away. 8 Leo and Lucas were born one after the other. Lucas has always fought to be the older brother since he was little. This time, playing the role of the older brother, Lucas took the opportunity to call him little brother. I rubbed Lucas’s cheek and said softly: “The doctor just said it’s fine, it won’t leave a scar.” Serena, finally reacting, immediately stepped forward and gently scolded: “Leo, don’t just call anyone ‘Mom’. That’s a very bad habit!” Lucas frowned in dissatisfaction and explained seriously: “Mommy is Mommy, she is my Mommy. Auntie, you are really weird. You don’t understand, yet you talk nonsense!” Being lectured by a child, Serena’s face looked extremely awkward. The netizens in the live stream were even more bewildered by Lucas. [Leo actually called Chloe Mom! It seems he fundamentally rejects Serena!] [Is Leo’s eyesight bad? He actually treats Chloe as his Mom! Our Serena is beautiful and kind, how is she not worthy of him calling her Mommy?] [People upstairs, are you questioning the little prince’s taste? Chloe is clearly the prince’s ultimate choice.] The public opinion in the live stream was gradually shifting. Serena glared at Leo dissatisfiedly, and snorted coldly in defiance: “Leo, I am the fiancée personally chosen for your dad by your grandmother. In the future, I will be your only mother!” “And Liam is abroad right now. He has already agreed to get engaged to me when he comes back, so you should start calling me Mom now.” Everyone knows Serena and Mrs. Vance have a good relationship, and there have indeed been rumors about the engagement. But Liam Vance has never personally admitted it. Unless the Vance family personally confirms that they are planning the engagement ceremony, otherwise, the credibility is not high. Just as Serena was full of anticipation, waiting for Lucas to call her Mom. Who knew, Lucas pursed his lips and said unceremoniously: “Fine! Then from now on, I’ll call you bad woman!” 9 Seeing how much Lucas hated Serena, netizens began to doubt the engagement. [The Vance family members are all notorious for spoiling their kids. Leo hates Serena this much, can she really enter the Vance family?] [Serena and Mr. Vance are deeply in love, how can a little kid stop them? When it comes down to it, it’s all Chloe’s fault!] [It’s definitely Chloe’s fault. Little kids are the easiest to deceive. Chloe deliberately ruined their relationship and tricked the little prince. Serena has always been very genuine!] Just as the internet was in a dark, chaotic uproar. The director saw Lucas’s resolute attitude and, for a moment, didn’t dare to offend me, so he gave me some extra screen time. Serena immediately became dissatisfied! She immediately called Mrs. Vance. Coincidentally, Mrs. Vance was near the production set. When she arrived at the scene, Serena was more enthusiastic and excited than anyone else, acting as if she had met her ancestors. “Mrs. Vance, welcome to our family reality show!” Serena deliberately emphasized the word “family,” as if silently proving that they were a family. “We are all very united and friendly, except for some who are unsociable, speak very little, and seem to have a little attitude.” When the netizens in the live stream saw the matriarch of a top-tier wealthy family, they immediately began groveling: [This is the first time Mrs. Vance has appeared on a variety show. She must be here to back up her future daughter-in-law. Now, Chloe is dead meat!] [Serena truly deserves to be the woman who will marry into a wealthy family. Her aura doesn’t lose out to Mrs. Vance at all. Chloe standing on the side looks so petty!] But there were also clear-eyed netizens speaking up for me: [Are there any normal people in these comments? Chloe’s aura is clearly calm and powerful, casually outshining Serena, okay?] The newly arrived Mrs. Vance wore a smile on her face. But as she walked closer step by step, the smile on the corners of her mouth gradually disappeared, and her face became increasingly gloomy. Her gaze fell on Leo, whose half face was covered in a bandage. Her eyes were filled with uncontrollable heartache and regret. She asked with a trembling voice: “His face? What happened!” Serena didn’t notice Mrs. Vance’s expression and said casually: “Mrs. Vance, I forgot to tell you! This kid was bullying our Leo in the game!” “That’s fine, but playing games on the internet all day makes him physically weak. He falls whenever he walks. It’s all because his parents didn’t teach him well. Our Leo is the smart and clever one!” Serena thought she was praising “Leo,” but didn’t notice that Mrs. Vance’s expression had drastically changed. Her pupils contracted, her expression unable to hide her shock. She asked, full of doubt: “Who did you say this child is?” 10 Actually, Mrs. Vance only knew about the existence of one child, Leo. Back then, Leo got into a minor car accident crossing the street. Liam, who was nearby, rushed him to the hospital. As a result, he was photographed by the media, causing a scandal that he already had a son. Liam admitted it openly, which also led to Leo’s identity being exposed. However, I didn’t let him mention Lucas’s identity to the Vance family. I originally agreed to let Leo occasionally stay at the Vance house, but only after Liam, pressured by his parents, begged me in every possible way did I finally agree. I narrowed my eyes, unable to hold back a sneer. With Serena’s stupidity, introducing Leo’s identity in front of Mrs. Vance was simply digging her own grave! Sure enough, Serena said carelessly: “This child is the one Chloe had with some unknown man. He could be the child of her sugar daddy, some coal boss, or maybe some boy-toy.” “I just pity this child. His looks probably take after his father, so he’s not very good-looking. This time he fell on his face, he’s probably disfigured. He’ll be even more insecure in the future.” Hearing her words, Mrs. Vance trembled with anger, her face changing color. She shouted angrily: “Shut your mouth!” The entire set fell silent. Even the director and the other guests could tell something was wrong. Only Serena looked at Mrs. Vance in confusion and continued: “Mrs. Vance, everything I said is a fact. This child suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He talks little, is insecure, and loves playing games. He could easily be a bad influence on Leo. I didn’t do anything wrong!” I couldn’t stand it anymore. Furious, I walked right up. Right in front of the camera, I slapped her hard across the face! My slap completely stunned Serena. It instantly shocked the netizens in the live stream. 11 The angry slap resounded loudly. There was a glaring handprint on half of Serena’s face. She was slapped so hard tears welled up in her eyes. After half a second of shock, she immediately looked at Mrs. Vance aggrievedly. “Mrs. Vance, look! What kind of good child can a parent who only knows how to hit people raise?” “Mrs. Vance, you must stand up for me!” Everyone thought Mrs. Vance would stand up for Serena and drive me out of the entertainment industry. The whole internet was waiting to watch me make a fool of myself! [Holy crap! That slap left me bewildered! Is Chloe crazy? She actually dared to hit someone in public. That’s the future young madam of a wealthy family!] [That slap was fast, accurate, and ruthless. Bewildering, but not brain-damaging. Chloe, you really are something.] [Chloe is finished! Just wait to be dealt with by Mrs. Vance. She actually dared to hit her favorite daughter-in-law! Also, is there no one in the entertainment industry managing this violent maniac?] Seeing that Mrs. Vance didn’t speak, Serena immediately became anxious, her voice turning whiny as if she were acting spoiled: “Mrs. Vance, hurry up and say something for me!” After speaking, Serena looked at me triumphantly. That look of hers seemed to be telling me that I was definitely finished! The next second. Mrs. Vance let out a long breath and sneered: “Good hit!” Those three simple words slapped Serena in the face. I felt embarrassed for Serena. But how could this be enough! My precious Leo was definitely set up by Serena! If they said the person who fell to the ground was Lucas, I wouldn’t have anything to say. Lucas has been naughty and mischievous since he was a child. Tripping on flat ground was a daily occurrence. But Leo is different. He has been steady and cautious since childhood. Since he learned to walk, he has never fallen again. Except for that time he saved Lucas crossing the street. So, there must be something fishy about Leo’s fall this time! “My baby doesn’t trip on flat ground. Please pull up the surveillance footage and let me see.” My words were already tactful and gentle enough. Unexpectedly, I was rejected by the production team. “I’m sorry, Chloe. It’s really unfortunate. The surveillance camera in front seems to be broken.” The director added: “It’s normal for little kids to fall. Hasn’t the wound already been treated?” After finishing his sentence, the director looked at Serena intentionally or unintentionally. I twitched the corners of my lips and sneered coldly. I’m afraid Serena had bribed the director a long time ago. “Chloe, you’re not mistakenly thinking that someone harmed your child, are you? The netizens across the entire internet are watching. If someone really laid a hand on him, wouldn’t they be dead meat?” Serena revealed a thin smile. The smile didn’t reach her eyes, which were filled with smugness. She covered her microphone, avoided the camera, lowered her voice, and mocked me: “It’s already over, and you’re still making a fuss about every little detail. Do you really treat your child as a treasure?” Her words revealed a faint threat. But the person standing next to her wasn’t just me; it was also Mrs. Vance. I could hear it, and Mrs. Vance certainly could too. Mrs. Vance’s expression darkened, her gaze sharp and cold. She ordered in a deep voice: “Check! It must be checked!” 12 “If you can’t figure it out, there’s no need for your show to keep recording!” Mrs. Vance’s aura was powerful. One sentence made everyone present tremble with fear. The production team dared not neglect Mrs. Vance and hurriedly called someone to repair the surveillance camera. During the repair process, the director suggested having the children play small games to ease the atmosphere. “Let’s pair up, two people in a group, and play dodgeball, okay?” The children scrambled to agree. Lucas grabbed Leo’s hand and smiled brightly: “I’ll be in a group with you.” Lucas is a game master and protected Leo throughout the game. In the end, Lucas’s team scored the highest. Leo revealed a bright smile, his eyes full of joy: “Mom, we won the championship!” This was the first time Leo had smiled since coming on the variety show. My heart softened, and before I could step forward to hug him and celebrate. A mocking voice came from behind: “It’s just children playing games. Is it really necessary to be so excited about winning a championship? The little ugly duckling is so competitive. He probably wants to find comfort for his low self-esteem in winning and losing, right?” My heart sank, and I suddenly clenched my hands. Leo finally had a moment of happiness. How could I let this jinx ruin it? Just as I was about to teach her a lesson, a scream suddenly came from behind! A bad premonition instantly surged in my heart. I turned around abruptly and looked at Leo, my pupils trembling. “Henry, who told you to pull the gauze off his face!” Yes, just now. The gauze bandaged on Leo’s face was pulled off directly by someone! The scratches on half of his face were bright red again. I held my baby in the palm of my hand and never let him get hurt. Now, on a program, he was repeatedly targeted! When Leo’s full face was exposed to the camera, everyone was shocked! All the doubts around suddenly turned into astonishment and shock. Because this face, apart from the scratches, looked exactly like Lucas. With that, the live stream completely exploded, shocked to the point that Twitter crashed!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “424283”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My younger brother, the heir to a billionaire empire, fell madly in love with our maid’s daughter. At a high-society gala, wearing an obscenely expensive haute couture gown, she whined to me with practiced innocence: “Sister, a woman’s ultimate goal is finding a good husband. If a woman is too aggressive and ambitious with her career, no man will ever love her.” I just gave her a calm, empty smile. That very night, I ordered my secretary to freeze every single one of my brother’s credit cards. 1 Everyone in our elite circle knew that Ashton Kensington, the crown prince of the Kensington empire, was hopelessly obsessed with the maid’s daughter. Rumor had it that for her, the billionaire heir had street-raced, gotten into brutal fistfights, and ruthlessly crushed his rivals. At Sotheby’s auctions, he would drop millions without blinking just to make her smile. He even secretly bought her and her mother a luxury penthouse and a fleet of sports cars. Later, he completely changed his ways. He stopped partying at exclusive nightclubs and avoided the city’s wealthy heiresses like the plague. In private, he catered to her every whim, treating her like absolute royalty. Everyone was dying to know what kind of bewitching, otherworldly beauty this woman possessed to make the Kensington heir so blindly devoted. But I knew the truth. Because right now, this very woman was wearing the custom gown I had pre-ordered six months ago, strutting gracefully toward me at my own birthday gala. “Sister, I am so sorry. If I knew this was your dress, I never would have worn it. Now I’ve stolen your spotlight, it’s all Ashton’s fault.” Chloe’s voice was sickeningly sweet, her eyes welling up with tears as if she had been deeply wronged. Meanwhile, the ill-fitting, plunging sweetheart neckline of the gown was clearly struggling to contain her spilling 36E cleavage. The moment she entered the ballroom, she drew countless stares, especially from the men. Naturally, Chloe reveled in the sensation of being the center of the universe. “Sister, you won’t blame me, right?” Look at that. The maid’s daughter, feigning guilt while attempting to publicly humiliate the legitimate heiress. Does this make any logical sense? Yes, it does. Because the world we inhabit is actually the setting of a cheesy, billionaire romance novel. A story where my brother, Ashton, and Chloe are the star-crossed, destined lovers. And I? I am just the villainous, cannon-fodder supporting character. A perfect tool meant to be used and discarded to highlight their beautiful, flawless love story. When Chloe wanted to break into Hollywood, Ashton forced me to drain our corporate resources to hand her an Oscar on a silver platter. When she got pregnant, my mother ordered me to personally cook and serve her meals. When my own fiancé fell in love with her, he threatened to break our engagement unless I took good care of her. And my ultimate fate? I would be bankrupted after her three-year-old “genius hacker” son breached my company’s mainframe, tanking our stock overnight. I would die utterly penniless. At that exact moment, Chloe would be nestled in Ashton’s arms, giggling, “Ashton, isn’t our son just amazing?” And then the two of them would live happily ever after in shameless bliss. Does any of this make sense? Obviously not. As the proud, aristocratic eldest daughter of the Kensington family, would I ever willingly play the sacrificial lamb just to end up in a ditch? Absolutely not. I am the main character of my own life, and the things they want? I will make sure they never, ever get them. 2 “Victoria, you’re crossing the line. It’s just a dress. There’s no need to make such a huge scene.” The man speaking was my fiancé, Declan Vance. He was also the deeply devoted second male lead of this absurd novel. In the storyline, when Chloe faked her own death upon hearing of Ashton’s arranged marriage, it was this handsome, wealthy fiancé of mine who hid her away and warmly comforted her for two years. But now that the female lead had been “found” by Ashton, Declan was reduced to guarding her under the guise of an “older brother figure.” As for me, his actual fiancée? He had never once truly looked at me. After graduating college, Chloe got a job at Declan’s company. Because of her “clumsy and scatterbrained” personality, she constantly spilled coffee on Declan’s custom suits, messed up financial spreadsheets, and brought the wrong documents to board meetings. Whenever she made a mistake, she would look up with tear-filled, misty eyes, her voice trembling as she apologized to him. After being forgiven, she would joyfully stick her tongue out and promise never to do it again. This kind of bubbly, erratic girl was something the strict, methodical CEO Declan had never encountered in his life. Falling willingly into her trap was inevitable. He started bringing Chloe to high-society events, introducing her to elite networks, and eating lunch with her alone in his office. They would stand inches apart, accidentally brush hands, and share lingering, meaningful smiles. When I caught them, Declan’s face would flash with panic before he quickly masked it with self-righteous anger. To cover up his own budding feelings, he would aggressively yell at me. “Victoria, why is your mind so filthy? Chloe is just an innocent girl fresh out of college. What’s wrong with me looking out for her?” “What exactly are you throwing a tantrum about? Do you just want to force me to admit I’m sleeping with her?!” “Fine. I admit it. Are you happy now?” “Victoria, can you stop being so unreasonable and hysterical? You’re being incredibly annoying.” … At those moments, Chloe would stare at me stubbornly, tears threatening to spill: “Victoria, Mr. Vance and I are completely innocent. You can’t falsely accuse me like this.” Then, she would cry. Just like she was doing right now. Wearing the haute couture gown I had waited months for, standing in front of my fiancé, her eyes rimmed red, looking fragile and sparkling. I methodically cut a piece of cake, lifted it, and took a bite. “Did I say a single word? Hmm?” I raised my eyes and looked at Chloe. I knew she was waiting for me to throw a vicious, aristocratic temper tantrum, which would perfectly compliment her pure, innocent victim act. “You wore the dress. You got the pity of the men in the room.” “What? Do you expect me to apologize to you on top of it?” The cake plate in my hand was suddenly and violently smacked to the floor, splattering sticky frosting everywhere. “Victoria, watch your tone!” Declan roared at me, his chest heaving with anger. The commotion quickly drew a crowd, including my biological brother, Ashton, who had been socializing nearby. He marched swiftly to Chloe’s side, wrapped an arm around her to comfort her, and glared at me with deep dissatisfaction. “Apologize.” Look at that. This is the protagonist’s halo. Whenever she suffers even a perceived slight, someone will always leap out to champion her cause. Like Declan. Like Ashton. My silence only made the hidden gleam of triumph in Chloe’s eyes shine brighter. She seemed to really enjoy watching me fall from grace into the mud. “Sister, a woman really shouldn’t be so aggressive and overbearing. It’s not a good look.” Chloe spoke up, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as she lectured me: “A woman’s ultimate goal is finding a good husband. If a woman is too ambitious and career-driven, no man will ever love her.” Having delivered her speech, she obediently rested her head against Ashton’s chest, a picture of flawless domestic bliss. Standing off to the side, Declan watched this display, his eyes dark and unreadable. He was clearly jealous. I gave a faint smile and walked straight toward the elevated stage in the center of the ballroom. They wanted an apology? Fine. Let’s play for real. 3 I stood on the stage and turned on the microphone I had prepared in advance. Meeting the gazes of the hundreds of guests, I smiled and spoke: “Today, I want to thank all my friends who came to celebrate my birthday. Your presence makes me very happy. Now, I have some official business to announce.” “First, my engagement to Mr. Declan Vance is hereby permanently annulled.” Declan’s face changed instantly. He stared at me, eyes wide with utter shock. “Second, I know you are all incredibly curious about the identity of the true love my brother, Ashton, has pledged his life to. Yes, it is the delicate, fragile Miss Chloe standing right beside him.” “However, the doors of the Kensington family will never, ever open for Miss Chloe.” In the crowd, Chloe’s face turned deathly pale. She looked like she couldn’t even stand steady. It was hilarious. She had been so blinded by her own smugness that she forgot who actually held the power in the Kensington family. It was fine. I didn’t mind reminding her. I am Victoria Kensington. Tutored by industry titans since childhood, I entered an Ivy League university at sixteen, graduated with top honors in business, and took over the family empire at twenty. I have successfully driven our corporate dominance to its absolute peak. As for an alliance with the Vance family? Given our respective corporate influence, Declan marrying me was him climbing the social ladder, not the other way around. And as for Ashton? Wealth rarely survives past the third generation. With a useless, love-struck parasite like him in the bloodline, the downfall of the Kensington family would be practically guaranteed if I weren’t here. Ignoring the collective gasps and shocked whispers echoing through the ballroom. I stepped down from the stage, stopped in front of the three of them, lifted my chin slightly, and turned sideways: “Are you satisfied with this apology?” Chloe was absolutely dumbfounded. She had never imagined the story would take this turn. In her fantasies, I was supposed to throw a hysterical, jealous fit, after which I would be publicly humiliated and condemned by her protectors, earning her the crowd’s awe and sympathy. Not this. I hadn’t played along. I had dropped a nuclear bomb on her head from the very start. She wasn’t the only one stunned. Declan was too. He seemed unable to process that the woman who had supposedly chased him for years and desperately wanted to marry him was now publicly dumping him. Declan’s usual icy, composed demeanor completely shattered. He exploded, demanding to know why I was canceling the engagement. “Why are you being so insanely petty?! Chloe and I have a completely innocent dynamic! There is nothing shady going on!” Seeing my eyes mockingly staring him down, Declan doubled down, raising his chin as if he were bestowing an act of charity upon me. “Take it back! You just want to get married, don’t you? Fine, I’ll marry you!” I shook my head, genuinely speechless. I couldn’t comprehend where he got his sheer, unadulterated audacity. “Declan, your narcissistic delusions are genuinely repulsive.” Declan’s face turned an even paler shade of white. I ignored him and prepared to walk away. But suddenly, Chloe reached out and gripped my wrist like a vice. Chloe was undeniably beautiful. Her face was vibrant and delicate. But right now, it was twisted with fury and a sliver of deeply hidden terror. “Victoria, I respect you as Ashton’s biological sister, so I’ll call you ‘Sister’ for now. Ashton and I love each other. Our relationship is none of your business, and we certainly don’t need you dictating our lives.” “Yes, I’m the maid’s daughter. I know I’m not high-class enough for the Kensington family, but you have no right to humiliate me like this!” She lifted her chin, letting a single, flawless tear trace down her cheek. She looked the picture of tragic, stubborn beauty. What a pity. “Miss Chloe.” “What?” Chloe froze, looking confused. I patiently peeled her vice-like fingers off my wrist. “Please call me Ms. Kensington. I don’t believe any sisterhood exists between us. And naturally, there won’t be any ‘in-law’ relationships in the future either.” I shot Ashton a pointed, side-long glance. Chloe stood frozen for a moment. “You can’t treat me like this! If it wasn’t for me that year…” She choked back a sob, ultimately burying her face in Ashton’s chest, crying with an air of absolute superiority. Ashton comforted her, his eyes glaring at me with dark, venomous hostility. “Victoria, don’t think too highly of yourself. You don’t get to call the shots in the Kensington family.” Honestly, having a love-sick idiot for a brother was a massive failure on my part. He couldn’t even address me with basic respect anymore. What a rude, ungrateful brat. Whether I call the shots in the Kensington family or not, he was about to find out very soon. As for the sentence Chloe didn’t finish. My eyes darkened. She wanted to say that if she hadn’t dragged Ashton out of that roaring fire years ago, he would be dead, and the Kensington family owed her a lifelong debt of gratitude. Oh, I definitely plan on repaying her for the rest of her life. 4 Shortly before I returned to take over the company, the old Kensington estate caught fire. Chloe was eight years old when she moved into our house with her mother. When Ashton was a little boy, he was kidnapped. No one knew how he managed to escape, but after a terrifying run, he was taken in and hidden by Chloe and her mother. My father, out of immense gratitude, gave them a large sum of money. To secure a better future, Chloe’s mother begged my father. She said Chloe’s father was a violent gambling addict who beat them whenever he drank. She pleaded for a job so she could take Chloe away from that nightmare. Chloe and Ashton were the same age. My father, seeing how well-behaved and polite Chloe was, felt pity and enrolled her in the same elite private school Ashton attended. They practically grew up together as childhood sweethearts. At first, Ashton always bullied her and ignored her when she spoke. They bickered constantly until they turned sixteen. Until that night, when a massive fire engulfed the old estate. My father died in that fire. Yet Ashton, whose room was the furthest from Chloe’s, was the one she managed to save. From that moment on, Chloe was permanently branded onto Ashton’s heart. The most dramatic, angsty plot point in the novel happens later, when Ashton discovers that the fire was actually started by Chloe’s mother. Torn between intense hatred and uncontrollable love, his treatment of Chloe becomes erratic and toxic. He even uses his engagement to another woman to mask his true feelings for her. On the day of Ashton’s engagement, Chloe fakes her own death. Hidden by Declan for two years, the plot reaches its climax. For her sake, Ashton did countless insane things during those two years. He violently broke off his engagement, spiraled into alcoholism, and even attempted suicide. The agony of losing her made Ashton realize he was irreversibly in love with Chloe. He completely forgot about his father’s tragic death, only remembering that Chloe risked her life to save him. Look at that. What a grand, deeply moving love story. All it required was the sacrifice of his father’s and sister’s lives to highlight its beauty. We only lost our lives; they almost lost their love! But now, my father is still dead, and I intend to walk a path that completely annihilates the logic of this fictional universe. Chloe stood her ground, looking defiant as tears streamed down her flushed face. She gripped Ashton’s lapels tightly, hiccuping through her sobs: “Let’s go! We’re never coming back! Your family doesn’t welcome us anyway!” She shot me a triumphant, provocative glare. Ashton gently wiped her tears, his heart breaking for her: “Okay, we’ll leave. We’ll never come back.” That is absolutely fantastic news. I wanted nothing more than for them to stay as far away from me as possible, to spare me their toxic stench. If they wanted to play hard-to-get with me, I would gladly grant their wish. I pulled out my phone and dialed my secretary. “Ms. Hayes, freeze all credit cards under Ashton’s name. Confiscate all his vehicles and real estate properties.” “Yes, all of them.” Ashton: “…” Chloe: “…” I thoroughly enjoyed watching the color drain from their faces, shifting through a spectrum of panic and shock. I hung up the phone, walked up to Ashton, and patted his shoulder: “My dear brother, you’d better hurry back home right now. Yes, the luxury penthouse where you’ve been hiding your little princess. If you’re too late, you won’t even have a place to sleep tonight.” Ashton gritted his teeth: “Victoria, you are ruthless.” I shrugged, entirely unbothered. I was incredibly thankful that, upon awakening to the reality of this world, Ashton was still just a useless trust fund baby who relied entirely on our ancestors’ wealth and spent his days chasing women. I wanted to see how he planned to support his precious princess without my money. I smiled, turned, and walked away. Behind me, Chloe screamed that she didn’t love Ashton’s money, she loved him, and even if he had nothing, she would still love him forever. So moving. I practically applauded her. 5 As soon as I got home, my mother intercepted me. She was wearing an elegant, custom silk dress, her face flushed with anger. She demanded to know why I froze Ashton’s cards, screaming about how he was supposed to survive without money. Looking at this pampered, sheltered trophy wife who had never known a day of struggle in her life, I suddenly felt a twinge of envy. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, raised like a delicate flower, and smoothly married my father, living a life of absolute ease and luxury. When the company was in crisis after my father’s death, she was vacationing in the Maldives with her socialite friends. My father was dead, and the corporation was in chaos. Other than crying and pulling at my sleeve to wail about my father’s death, she and the young Ashton were entirely useless. I ignored her and dove straight into saving the company. Once the company stabilized, she dried her tears and went right back to shopping, getting facials, playing cards, and having high tea with her friends. Happily returning to her life as a gilded canary. She used to rely on my father. Now, she relied on me. And even now, she still hadn’t figured out who truly held up her sky. “Sure,” I said. “How about I freeze your cards too and give them to him?” My mother choked, tears instantly spilling from her eyes. “I knew it. Since your father died, you’ve viewed me as an inconvenience.” I finally understood why she liked Chloe. Besides the fact that Chloe saved Ashton’s life, they were cut from the exact same cloth. They were both parasitic vines whose only ambition was to cling to a man. They had plenty in common. In this novel’s universe, men were always positioned as the ultimate authority. Especially men with vast social resources like Ashton and Declan. They were the ultimate prizes that countless women would endlessly scheme and fight to obtain. My mother, Chloe, and even the pre-awakened version of myself were all just microcosms of this pathetic reality. “Sister, a woman’s ultimate goal is finding a good husband. If a woman is too aggressive and ambitious, no man will ever love her.” What a toxic, brainwashing manifesto. What a perfectly rigged game. As long as a woman captured a man’s heart, she was considered a “winner.” Just like right now. I listened to my mother say: “Victoria, I know you’ve worked hard these past few years, and you’ve managed the company beautifully. But all of this belongs to your brother eventually. You’re going to get married sooner or later. You can’t treat your brother like this.” I laughed. A genuine, unrestrained laugh. Regardless of whether I get married or not, I will absolutely never conquer an empire just to hand it over to someone else. I said: “Mom, does your empty-headed, useless son give you this much confidence? This mindset of yours is genuinely terrifying. Does he have the ability to let you buy out entire designer boutiques on a whim? Or do you actually believe your wealthy socialite friends invite you to their parties because you birthed a son? “You are so wrong. It is because of ME. I am the reason you have the audacity to stand in front of me and make demands!” And I am a woman. My mother froze, her expression completely blank. I knew the psychological impact my words would have on her. Because in the original storyline, I actually listened to her toxic lectures. I even went to the kitchen to brew soup for Chloe when she got pregnant. But I should have done this a long time ago. I didn’t look at her again and walked straight upstairs. I knew she wouldn’t just drop it, but that was fine. We had plenty of time. We could take it slow. A few days later, Declan stormed into my office and threw a stack of contracts onto my desk. “Victoria, what is the meaning of this?” I looked up at him lazily and didn’t speak. “Why are you canceling all corporate partnerships with the Vance Group?” I have to say, his question was incredibly stupid. “The contracts expired. I don’t want to renew them. Is there a problem?” There was no problem. I’m not an idiot. I wouldn’t pay massive breach-of-contract penalties just to throw a petty tantrum. Declan was speechless. He paced back and forth in my office before glaring at me furiously. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to prove. Canceling the engagement, canceling the corporate partnerships. “Are you just trying to get my attention this way? Victoria, is this your way of manipulating me? Playing hard to get?” Before I could answer, he nodded to himself, answering his own delusion. “Fine, you win. We’ll get married. Bring your ID, we’re going to City Hall right now. Stop throwing this tantrum.” I rolled my eyes and fired back: “Declan, come on. Tell me, exactly what outstanding qualities do you possess that make you think I’d be desperate to cling to you?” I scoffed, laughing at his staggering narcissism. Rich boys like him, raised in luxury, inherently believed they were flawless. They assumed it was only right for hordes of women to throw themselves at their feet. But if you actually asked him to list his redeeming qualities, he wouldn’t be able to name a single one. Money? I have money. Looks? Sorry, I have those too. Intelligence and capability? I’m just as competent as he is. He doesn’t have the qualifications to brag in front of me. Because I still remember clearly: when I first took over Kensington Corp, surrounded by corporate wolves ready to tear me apart, how all these men waited to watch a woman fail. They wanted to see me hit rock bottom, struggle, cry, and finally admit that as a woman, I was weak and powerless. Declan’s face flushed rapidly between white and red. His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn’t form a single word. Finally, driven to anger out of sheer embarrassment, he threw down a “You’ll regret this” and stormed out. I picked up the contracts on my desk, flipped through them, and made a phone call.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “424284”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On our fifth wedding anniversary, I once again received a family photo of my husband, my son, and her. I looked at the radiant smiles of that family of three in the picture. At that moment, I suddenly let go of the obsession I’d held for five years. “Mrs. Harrison, the five-year term is up. Can I leave now?” On the other end of the line was my mother-in-law in name only, who was also my employer. “Are you sure about this? If you leave now, you won’t get the child or the money. Why can’t you hold on a bit longer?” “No, school starts soon. Divorce is complicated enough as it is!” “Fine. Give me ten days. I’ll help you handle all the paperwork. You’ll get every penny of what the contract promised!” With Mrs. Harrison’s words, a bitter smile crossed my face. As the clock struck twelve, I blew out the candles on my cake. Late that night, I sat on the couch binge-watching shows. Ever since I’d had Ethan as my son, I’d been working like a nanny, exhausted day after day. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d watched a series. I never imagined that in just a few short years, my favorite actor had filmed so many TV shows. I really wanted to catch up on all of them during this time. But even such a small wish was hard to fulfill. My phone rang, piercing the silence. “Sophia, get to the hospital right now. Our son is sick and getting an IV. He’s crying for you!” Zachary didn’t say which hospital the child was at, and when I called back, no one answered. Thinking that he was my biological son after all, I searched hospital after hospital through the night. I searched all night long, and only found out through Autumn’s social media that my son was actually at the Harrison family’s private hospital. I didn’t dare delay and rushed to the hospital immediately. Last night while looking for the child, the first place I’d thought of was the Harrison family’s private hospital. I’d run over to ask, but they said they’d never seen Ethan. And today was the same. “That’s impossible. My son is right here. How could you not know him? Let me in!” The hospital nurses kept blocking me, and finally they called security. Three or four large men pinned me firmly to the ground. A young, pretty nurse frowned with disgust in her eyes. “We already told you he’s not here. Can you please stop disturbing their family of three? You’re so annoying!” As I was being dragged out, I happened to see Zachary and Autumn walking out of a hospital room, carrying Ethan. The three of them really did look more like a family. Just like the countless times they’d appeared together on public websites participating in variety shows. And that young nurse was apparently a fan of this family of three. Just like that, I was thrown out of Harrison Hospital. The last thing I saw was my biological son in Zachary’s arms, planting a kiss on Autumn’s face and calling her “Mom.” The rough concrete scraped my knees and wrists raw, leaving me disheveled. When I limped home, I was greeted by yet another picture-perfect family scene. “Autumn’s cooking is still the best. Even ordinary scrambled eggs taste better than what that woman makes. She tricks me with fake eggs every day. I’m so sick of it!” “If you like it, have some more. Whenever you want it in the future, Mom will make it for you!” “Okay!” My son, whom I’d carried for ten months and given birth to, was clinging to someone else and calling her Mom. And my husband sat nearby, his usually stern face showing a rare gentle expression. The man who was normally ice-cold to me was now so tender. If this had been before, seeing this scene would have made me frantic with worry. Because Ethan would get diarrhea from eating eggs, yet he insisted on seeing eggs at every breakfast. I would use other ingredients to substitute for eggs. But suddenly I realized that my heart wasn’t anxious at all. It was filled only with bitter relief. I let out a rueful laugh. At least in ten more days, it would all be over.

Though my laugh was very soft, it still startled the family of three inside. When Autumn saw it was me, she immediately assumed the demeanor of the lady of the house. “You’re finally back. Where have you been all night? Don’t you know how pitiful little Ethan was, crying because he couldn’t find you?” “Hurry up and make him some porridge. He’s been craving it all night and kept praising it to me!” Before I could open my mouth to speak, Ethan threw an apple at me. The apple hit my injured leg, making me gasp in pain. “I don’t want her porridge! Who knows where she was last night, not even caring about her own son!” Beside him, Zachary’s face darkened. Seeing my disheveled appearance, anger flashed across his face. “Where the hell did you run off to yesterday? The child was seriously ill in the hospital. I called you and said he wanted porridge. How could you have no reaction at all? Do you even deserve to be called a mother?” I didn’t respond to their accusations, only asked coldly in return, “Which hospital was the child at yesterday?” Zachary sneered and raised an eyebrow at me, as if looking at an idiot, his tone full of self-righteousness. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know which hospital your son was in. I clearly sent you a message yesterday!” Zachary had indeed sent me a message, but he quickly recalled it. I had no idea where the child was. I held up my phone. Our chat window was filled with glaring green screens, each message followed by a conspicuous red exclamation mark. Zachary looked confused and instinctively pulled out his own phone, but couldn’t find our chat. Just as he was frowning in puzzlement, Autumn beside him suddenly burst into tears. “I’m so sorry, Zachary. I didn’t know this would happen. Last night while I was helping Ethan fall asleep, your phone kept going off.” “I was afraid it would disturb you two, so I blocked her. I’m the one who recalled that message, because Ethan said he didn’t want to see his mom!” Zachary’s frown deepened. He seemed somewhat displeased with Autumn. But Ethan wouldn’t allow Autumn to be scolded by his father. He jumped up from the couch like a hero, standing in front of Autumn. “Dad, what are you trying to do? Don’t yell at Autumn! Mom isn’t completely innocent either.” “Even if she couldn’t reach you, I was only at our family’s private hospital. Was it really that hard to come and check?”

Zachary found this reasonable and turned to glare at me, but I cut him off first. “No need to say all that. I went to no less than thirty hospitals looking for you last night. Every hospital has a record of my inquiries. You can go check for yourselves.” “And the first place I went was Harrison Private Hospital. But your father once gave an order that anyone or anything related to me is absolutely forbidden from entering Harrison Private Hospital!” “I went there this morning too. I was dragged away right in front of your family of three. Ethan, you don’t need to pretend you don’t know anything. I saw you!” Zachary frowned slightly, turning to look at Ethan with some confusion. Ethan’s expression turned panicked. When their family of three had left, he had turned his head and seen me. He had watched with his own eyes as his biological mother was beaten bloody by a group of security guards and dragged out like a dog, yet he hadn’t made a sound. He’d even kissed Autumn right in front of me. When I was thrown out earlier, I’d still been thinking that maybe it was just my imagination, that the child hadn’t seen me. But seeing this scene now, I was completely heartbroken. Perhaps I really shouldn’t have appeared here at all. Zachary was very displeased about this. He wouldn’t allow a child raised by his family to be labeled as someone who abused his biological mother. After all, this was his designated heir. “Ethan, did you see your mother?” Ethan had always been most afraid of Zachary, but he had a solution. Using Autumn’s usual trick. “Oh no, Dad, my stomach is starting to hurt again. I feel terrible!” He clutched his stomach, hunching over, though being so young, he couldn’t help but steal glances at his father while putting on the act. Such crude acting, yet these two adults both believed it. Autumn cried inconsolably beside them. Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was bullying their family of three. “Zachary, stop it. The child is so young and he’s sick. It’s perfectly normal that his eyes were blurry and he didn’t see Sophia clearly!” “Besides, the child was calling for his mom all night. Have you forgotten how pitiful he was?” Hearing this, Zachary sighed and picked up the child to leave. Autumn, following close behind, shot me a challenging look before smiling and catching up with the father and son. I let out a bitter laugh and returned to my room, gritting my teeth as I peeled off the clothes stuck to my wounds. The instant the fabric tore away, the barely clotted wounds began bleeding again. The pain was bone-deep and piercing, yet I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Because on my way home, I’d received a message from Mrs. Harrison asking me to fill out various application forms. After simply treating my wounds, I immediately filled out the application forms and sent them to Mrs. Harrison, then let out a breath. It would finally be over soon. Since I hadn’t slept all last night, I was now completely exhausted. I collapsed on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Perhaps because I was about to leave, I actually dreamed of the year I first met Zachary. Everyone thought I was the one who had broken up Zachary and Autumn. In truth, Zachary and I had known each other since we were twelve years old.

I was born in a remote area. My parents didn’t want me to go to school and wanted me to drop out and work to support my younger brother. I refused, so my parents forcibly dragged me back home. It just so happened that Zachary’s parents were conducting a charitable outreach activity and came to our mountain village. Zachary got lost and accidentally saw me chained up in my family’s cattle shed. In a moment of kindness, he saved me. From that moment on, my heart was completely occupied by Zachary. My life seemed to have light, a direction to move forward. From then on, I became everyone’s known lapdog for Zachary. Later, I received sponsorship from the Harrison family. I successfully left the mountains and carved out a world of my own. When I learned that Zachary had fallen into a life crisis after a breakup, I came to his side without hesitation. Mrs. Harrison knew my background and identity, which was why she signed a five-year agreement with me. As long as I could help her son regain control of the company and drive out the Harrison family’s illegitimate child. Mrs. Harrison would give me fifty million dollars and send me abroad to study. I agreed to these terms, not only for my own future, but also for the hero who had appeared in my life as a child. Later, although I never officially married Zachary, I did have a child with him. And Mrs. Harrison seemed to care more and more about me, as if I really were the daughter-in-law of the Harrison family. Mrs. Harrison even began to think I would marry Zachary and then carefully nurture their family’s future heir. Zachary also gradually changed from being cold to me at first to becoming doting. I thought we would continue like this for a long, long time. Until Autumn returned to the country. Everything seemed to change. Zachary gave all his care to Autumn. Even the child I’d carried for ten months and given birth to began calling Autumn “Mom.” And I seemed out of place in this family, like an outsider. Actually, the contract had long since expired. I was just clinging to that unrealistic beautiful dream in my heart. Now the dream was over, and I should return to my own world. In the evening, the father and son came home for once. But the house was unusually cold and quiet today. Zachary had always hated having too many strangers around, so the household chores were usually my responsibility. No matter how late the father and son came home, there would always be a light left on for them, and the table would have a late-night meal prepared. But today the house was pitch dark, and there were no sumptuous dishes on the table. Seeing this scene, Zachary’s heart suddenly seized. For some reason, a feeling of panic welled up in his chest. Ethan pouted. “Dad, why isn’t there any food today?” Hearing this, Zachary frowned, patted Ethan’s little head, and said gently, “It’s okay. I’ll have your mom make some right away.” “Sophia!” Zachary called out, but the room answered him only with dead silence. He strode quickly to my bedroom and raised his hand, pounding heavily on the door. Seeing that the door was locked from inside, he seemed to relax and let out a sigh of relief. “Sophia, are you in there?!” Zachary’s voice had clearly softened a few degrees.

Zachary had a bad stomach, so I always made light, bland meals for him. Our son Ethan was very sensitive to food and would have allergic reactions easily, so I was always extra careful when cooking. Seeing that I wasn’t responding from inside the room, Zachary seemed to get anxious. “Can you stop making a scene? I called you all day today and you didn’t answer. I sent someone to the house to find you, and you wouldn’t open the door. What exactly do you mean by this?” Ever since this house had only me left in it, I’d always had trouble sleeping at night. I would wear headphones and listen to music to fall asleep. I truly hadn’t heard the commotion when this father-son duo came home. Never having been ignored before, Zachary was completely angry. He found the spare house key to unlock the door, then kicked it open with one foot. The violent noise made the nightstand in the room shake. The medical books piled high on top fell all over the floor. One book happened to land by the headboard, and only then did I slowly wake up a bit, sitting up with drowsy eyes. Ever since I’d given birth to the child years ago, Zachary had been unwilling to stay in the same bedroom as me. What was going on today? Why had he suddenly come here? “Do you need something?” I asked softly. Hearing such a calm question, Zachary was instantly speechless. Hearing his son still crying and making a fuss outside, he said irritably, “Our son is hungry. Aren’t you going to come out and make food?” “I don’t think so. It’s too late and I’m very tired. If you want to eat, restaurants outside serve food twenty-four hours a day.” Zachary froze. If this had been before, if I’d heard that he and the child wanted to eat, I would have been overjoyed. But today I’d just refused them so bluntly? “Our son is sick, and you want him to eat outside fast food? What kind of mother are you?” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “Didn’t you say I’m not fit to be the child’s mother? That I give him the wrong medicine, make a big fuss over small things, and that even the food I make might be poisoned!” “Besides, Ethan also said today that my cooking tastes terrible. Since you all don’t like my food, why should I exhaust myself making it?” Zachary stood frozen in place. These words did sound very familiar. Before, Autumn had fed Ethan fried chicken, which gave him diarrhea. I’d urgently made him throw it up and brought him medicine to take. But Ethan had knocked it to the floor, saying I wasn’t a doctor and shouldn’t randomly give him medicine. Zachary was silent for a long time before speaking. “Enough. I’m the child’s father, and I also run a pharmaceutical company. Medicine has side effects. How can you just give it to a child casually?” “I think you’ve gone crazy with wanting to do medical research, haven’t you? Using your own son as a lab rat for experiments. I’m warning you, stop bringing your food in front of our son!” “Making a big deal out of nothing. Ethan is a boy. You’ll ruin him acting like this!” That was the first time Zachary had blamed me.

Zachary stood by my bed, frozen for a long time. “Do you have to be so passive-aggressive? We’re family. Is it necessary to be so petty about everything?” “I’m not family with you people. In all those family reality shows and family gathering photos, the woman by your side has never been me!” “Even in your spouse column, my name has never appeared. What kind of family is this? At most, I’m just a nanny!” Zachary looked somewhat bewildered, a flash of panic in his eyes. Then, as if he’d figured something out, he said: “Sophia, I already told you that Autumn and I have no relationship. We’re just friends. Do you have to be so petty?” “Besides, we haven’t even gotten our marriage certificate yet. What right do you have to restrict my freedom!” “If you want to marry me, you can just say so. There’s no need to talk in circles. And I never said I wouldn’t marry you. Do you really need to put on such a show?” Hearing these words, I wanted to laugh, but today I really didn’t want to argue with this man anymore about these things. “Who you marry has nothing to do with me, as long as you don’t marry me. I never thought about restricting you. After all, I have no right to. Now can you leave? I need to rest!” Zachary listened to me using his own words against him and stood frozen in place. For the first time, I, who had always been obedient to him, was being so sharp-tongued. It stuck in his throat. Although he’d never said he would marry me, he did want to give his son a family. And over all these years, I had always stayed within bounds. Zachary had been thinking that in another two years, he’d go get the marriage certificate. But my words today seemed to turn Zachary’s plan into wishful thinking. For a moment, he flew into a rage from embarrassment. “Fine! This is what you said. Don’t come begging me to marry you later!” With that, Zachary slammed the door hard. Outside, Ethan had cried himself hoarse. Zachary thought that since I had taken care of this child for so many years, I couldn’t possibly ignore him completely. So Zachary left his son on the couch and went back to his own room to sleep. Before long, Ethan’s voice gradually weakened. The next day, when I went out. I happened to run into Zachary anxiously carrying Ethan in his arms. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at me. “You didn’t check on Ethan at all last night?!” I was somewhat speechless. “Didn’t I already tell you that?” Zachary gritted his teeth. Not having time to think much, he carried the child and left without another word. The child’s gastroenteritis hadn’t been effectively relieved and had instead caused a fever. But the company needed Zachary to rush over to handle things, so he had no choice but to call me. I didn’t want to answer, so Zachary just kept calling relentlessly. I simply blocked his number.

I had been out handling my affairs for going abroad, but there was one thing I still couldn’t let go of. After getting into graduate school, I met a very good mentor. This mentor had dedicated his life to researching medicine for children with cerebral palsy. I followed this mentor down the same path, but after getting together with Zachary, I gradually abandoned this experiment. And this experiment was directly declared dead in the water after my professor passed away. But even so, the rough prototype of this new drug had still been developed by my professor. And this experimental result ultimately remained in my hands with the help of my professor’s son. Before passing away, my professor had always hoped I could return to this experiment, but unfortunately, I let him down. Now that I’d decided to study abroad, I wanted to restart this project. But when I tried to restart the project, I discovered that someone had beaten me to it. I spent three full days running around before learning that this project had somehow fallen into Zachary’s hands not long ago. The development of this new drug was my professor’s life’s work. Thinking of this, I didn’t dare delay and immediately ran to the company, wanting to ask Zachary about it. Who knew that right at the entrance of Harrison Group, I would run into a group of reporters interviewing Zachary and Autumn. “This special medicine specifically for children with cerebral palsy is the result of five years of persistence I maintained abroad. I’ve brought it back this time hoping to benefit newborns everywhere.” “Harrison Group is very honored to welcome back this top student in pharmaceutical research to continue benefiting newborns.” Autumn stood before numerous media outlets with a brilliant smile, brazenly claiming this project as her own. And Zachary beside her was helping to coordinate, the two of them interacting with such intimacy that no one would believe they had no relationship. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I was clearly the lead on this project. Without my signature, who could have taken it away? Unless Zachary had schemed against me. There was a period when Zachary had me sign various agreements, saying he wanted to plan ahead for marriage and needed to sort out finances in advance. I wasn’t with Zachary for money to begin with, so of course I wouldn’t refuse to sign. But while reviewing the contracts, Ethan had been shouting and making a fuss beside me, insisting on going out to play. In my flustered state, I’d hastily signed those documents. At this moment, I couldn’t think about anything else. I just wanted to reclaim my professor’s project. But before I could take two steps, I was grabbed by the bodyguards beside Zachary. Clearly Zachary had already guessed I would come looking for him and had prepared for it in advance. After everything below was mostly resolved, Zachary finally saw me, restrained, in his office. “So you finally came. I really didn’t expect that worthless project to be more important to you than your biological son. Your son was so sick, yet you didn’t come to the hospital even once!” “Now this broken project appears and you show up immediately. Didn’t you say you had such backbone? Didn’t you dare to block me? If you’re so capable, don’t come back!”

I glared at Zachary through gritted teeth. I never imagined this man would take the project and rush to launch it, all just to force me to show up. “Zachary, have you lost your mind? That new drug hasn’t undergone clinical trials yet. And many of the ingredients and dosages are still uncertain. Rushing it to market like this could kill people!” “Enough!” Zachary’s face was full of impatient reproach. “Don’t think you’re the only top student from medical school. I already had Autumn look at that drug!” “Autumn also had people test it. That drug has absolutely no problems. It just needs clinical trials. And we’ve already had people conduct clinical testing without any issues!” “I really didn’t expect you to be so selfish. When my company was on the brink of collapse, I never saw you bring out this drug!” “You just watched me struggling there. All these years you’ve said you love me, but you’ve never once considered my needs!” “Now you go to the hospital right away and take good care of our son. That’s the only use you have left. If you can’t even take care of him properly, get the hell out of here!” I struggled to move forward, but the two bodyguards behind me gripped my arms tightly. I used so much force that I even heard the sound of bones grinding together. “Zachary, that drug can’t go to market. It can’t undergo clinical testing. That drug has problems. It will kill people!” “Autumn’s credentials are fake. She made it all up while she was abroad!” “Shut up!” When Zachary heard me talk about Autumn this way, he became furious. Without a word, he stepped forward and slapped me across the face. “You have no right to slander Autumn. When I was at my most difficult, Autumn knew to introduce me to domestic pharmaceutical experts. But what about you?” “You clearly had such a good project in your hands, yet you weren’t willing to think of me at all. Now you even dare to slander Autumn. Who gave you the nerve?” After taking that slap, I couldn’t help but laugh. Back when the company had problems, I had no choice but to seek out my professor, who was seriously ill, hoping the professor could help Harrison Group get through the crisis. At that time, my professor was gravely ill and couldn’t appear in person. That credit was brazenly stolen by Autumn. After my professor passed away, the matter was completely swept under the rug. Even though I’d explained many times, he never believed me. As for Autumn’s fake credentials, a simple investigation would reveal the truth. When Autumn first entered the company, I was a bit worried and asked a former classmate to help investigate, which was how I discovered the truth. I had reminded Zachary about it many times, but he refused to believe me. He attributed all my actions to jealousy and insisted on bringing Autumn into the company’s core despite everyone’s opposition. For all these days, I’d been keeping a close eye on Autumn, afraid she would bring trouble to the company. But this slap had finally woken me up completely. “You’re right. You’re not worthy of my love at all. Since you’re so eager to die, suit yourself!” With that, I completely stopped resisting. The bodyguards on either side, seeing I was no longer struggling, slowly released their grip. At this moment, Zachary felt somewhat panicked. He had a feeling something was about to leave him completely, but his control over me made him dismiss the thought.

“Enough, stop making a scene. You’ve been away from the lab for so many years. Just because you can’t do something doesn’t mean Autumn can’t.” “This project can immediately establish Autumn’s reputation domestically and take the company to the next level. I don’t want to hear any negative comments about Autumn from the outside world.” “Otherwise, you can forget about ever seeing our son again.” I smiled, my eyes and tone full of mockery. “No need. Starting today, I don’t want to see either you or that son of yours. You three enjoy your family life together!” After speaking, I staggered out of the office. Behind me, Zachary flew into a rage, scattering everything on his desk across the floor. “Fine, Sophia Reed! If you’ve got the guts, don’t come back! Even if you kneel before me like a dog in the future, I won’t spare you a glance!” “Go put up a sign outside the company: No dogs or Sophia allowed!” Hearing this, I only smiled lightly. When I walked out of the company, I happened to see someone putting up a sign. Even more ridiculous, the sign had my photo on it. Looking at those nearly humiliating words, I pulled out my phone and decisively chose to report it. Good thing the paperwork would be ready today, and I could leave for good. Zachary, we’ll never see each other again. Not wanting to be entangled with Zachary anymore, I packed my things and went to a nearby hotel. I still needed to explain to my former fellow students about my professor’s research being stolen. But by unfortunate coincidence, the place where they’d arranged to meet was where I ran into Zachary again. I’d chosen a high-end teahouse, and coincidentally, Zachary was there today to discuss business for producing the new drug. By sheer bad luck, the three of us ran right into each other. Seeing me, Zachary instinctively wanted to step forward, but was held tightly by Autumn at his side. “Sophia, are you here looking for Zachary?” “I’m not trying to lecture you, Sophia. I know this project means a lot to you. But you should also care more about Zachary.” “The company’s projects haven’t been doing well lately. You should at least consider your husband. And you moved out without a word. Ethan hasn’t had anyone to take care of him these past two days!” “That poor child is still in the hospital. As his mother, how can you not go visit him?” “If I weren’t still going over regularly to bring him food, who knows how thin the child would have gotten?” “Autumn regularly going to bring Ethan food. I knew about that.” Ever since I’d moved out, Zachary had been deliberately showing off, sending me photos of the three of them living in harmony every time. But with just one glance at those meals, I could tell Ethan absolutely couldn’t eat them. Although Ethan’s stomach was weak, after so many years of careful management it had recovered. If he weren’t constantly eating these things, how could he still be in the hospital now? “Is that so? Well, you’d better put in the extra effort, since you’re about to marry into the family!” Hearing me say this, Zachary became even more furious. “Sophia Reed, you’re something else. When we get engaged, you’d better not forget to come celebrate with us!” “No need. We’re not that close!” After speaking, I left without looking back. But afterward, I took note of their business partners and sent them a report on the drug testing anomalies. After doing all this, Mrs. Harrison’s call finally came. “Sophia, are you really unwilling to stay?” I shook my head. “Mrs. Harrison, there’s no need. This place never belonged to me anyway.” Mrs. Harrison was silent on the other end of the phone for a long time, then let out a long sigh. “Have a safe journey.” My fifty million dollars and plane ticket finally arrived. Standing at the airport, I let out a long breath and received another call from Zachary. “Did you contact my business partners behind my back? Does seeing me do well make you so uncomfortable? You don’t care about our son or our home anymore?” “I don’t want them anymore. I’m giving you everything. The project, you, the child. They all belong to someone else now. You got what you wanted!” With that, a relaxed smile crossed my face. I pulled my suitcase and boarded the plane.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “386462”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

My family has a tradition: everyone, regardless of gender, must hide their identity and never reveal their family background. Only the first descendant to conceive a child earns the right to return home and take over the family business. I was the first in the entire family to get pregnant. The moment I found out, I was so excited I ran home without even putting on my coat. With this child, I could finally stop hiding our poverty from my husband, Ethan Moore. And his struggling little company wouldn’t have to worry about next month’s rent anymore. But when I got home and opened the door, I found my husband kissing another woman on the sofa. Ethan held the half-dressed woman and looked at me. “Blair’s back. Let’s get a divorce.” I shoved the pregnancy test back into my pocket. What he didn’t know was that his poor wife who’d suffered alongside him had a world behind her that he could never reach in his lifetime. Fine. I’ll keep the child and leave the father. Goodbye forever. 0

“The divorce agreement is on the table. There’s a pen next to it.” Ethan’s tone was flat. Blair slowly straightened her clothes, her neck covered with intense kiss marks. She sat in my usual spot, glanced at me, and curved her lips slightly without saying a word. As if she were the mistress of this house. I walked over and picked up the agreement. Three pages, densely written. The house goes to Ethan. Company shares go to Ethan. Savings go to Ethan. The car goes to Ethan. I get nothing. “I leave with nothing?” Ethan finally looked at me. “The agreement includes compensation. Thirty thousand dollars. That’s not nothing.” Thirty thousand. I’d been married to this man for three years. Ten thousand per year. Blair set down her teacup. “Vivian, with thirty thousand you can rent a nice studio apartment.” I stared at her. “When did you get back?” “Yesterday.” Blair tilted her head. “Ethan picked me up from the airport. He waited four hours—my flight was delayed.” Yesterday. Yesterday Ethan told me he had to work late at the company. Blair stood up and walked to Ethan’s side, naturally linking her arm through his. “Ethan said you’re a good person and wouldn’t make things difficult for me.” Ethan didn’t pull away from her touch. The phone in my pocket pressed against the pregnancy test, jabbing painfully into my thigh. I’d planned to come home and tell him—Ethan, we’re having a baby. You won’t have to lose sleep over rent anymore, won’t have to grovel and drink with clients until you get stomach bleeding. I thought today would be our best day. “Where’s the pen?” Ethan pointed to the coffee table. I crouched down to get the pen. From this angle, I could see Blair’s hand resting on Ethan’s waist. When I uncapped the pen, the pregnancy test nearly slipped out of my pocket. I quickly pressed it back in. “Sign on the last page. Date it today.” Ethan’s voice came from above. I signed my name. Vivian Stone. Put down the pen and stood up. “Fine. The agreement needs to be filed at the courthouse to take effect.” “Tomorrow morning at nine. I’ll come find you.” After speaking, Ethan picked up his phone and unlocked it right in front of me, scrolling to his contacts. He changed my label from “My Darling Wife” to Vivian Stone. Then he closed his phone and put it back in his pocket. Blair leaned on his shoulder. “Ethan, I want to eat your spaghetti.” “Alright, I’ll make it right now.” Ethan actually turned and went into the kitchen. Three years, and he’d never cooked for me once. I’d asked him if he could cook. He said no, said he couldn’t even fry an egg without burning it. Now he tied his apron with more practiced ease than tying his shoelaces. Blair shrugged at me. “Vivian, don’t just stand there. Hurry and take whatever you need. Tomorrow I’m having people come redecorate. I looked at your clothes—they’re all pretty worn. Don’t bother taking them. They’re too shabby even for cleaning rags.” I went back to the bedroom and grabbed my important documents and a cloth bag containing a few things I’d brought from home when I got married—things that had nothing to do with Ethan. When I came out and passed the kitchen, Ethan was cutting tomatoes. The knife thumped against the cutting board. He didn’t look up. I changed my shoes at the door. Blair followed and leaned against the doorframe. “Vivian, I don’t know if I should say this.” “Go ahead.” “When Ethan’s with me, he never sighs. In these three years with you, I’ve heard him sigh so many times on the phone.” She lowered her head, her voice soft. “Maybe you two really aren’t compatible.” I looked at her. Ethan sighed because of broken funding chains, clients backing out, the company nearly collapsing. Every crisis, I’d been the one supporting him from behind. After he sighed, the next day he’d wake up and the problem would be solved. He thought it was luck. “You’re right,” I bent down to tie my shoelaces. “We’re not compatible.” The moment the door closed, Blair’s voice came from inside. “Ethan, let’s change the door lock code. I want to set it to our anniversary.” 0

I moved into a studio apartment near the university that rented for three hundred dollars a month. Next door was a restaurant. Cooking oil fumes seeped in through the window cracks. I sat on the hard bed and stared at the pregnancy test for a long time. Two bright pink lines, piercingly clear. My phone rang. Ethan. “Vivian Stone, you still haven’t canceled that company credit card.” “I’ll take care of it tomorrow when we go to the courthouse.” “Fine.” I was about to hang up when Blair’s voice came from his end. “Ethan, does she still have the company access card? I saw it in her bag last time.” Ethan paused. “Bring the access card too.” “What else?” “That’s it for now.” He hung up. The phone screen glowed, showing three years of chat history with Ethan. His first message to me was: Miss Stone, thank you for helping me out today. That day he’d been negotiating with a client who suddenly raised the price. He was sweating profusely. I happened to be there and discreetly helped him reorganize the contract terms. The other party signed on the spot. Ethan didn’t know that client was already connected to my family. He only knew his wife worked as a supermarket cashier making thirty-five hundred dollars a month. For three years of marriage, I’d maintained that persona. The next morning, Ethan’s mother called. “Vivian, have you finished packing?” “I’m packing.” “Don’t bother with those clothes of yours—they’re nothing special anyway. Also, those pickles you used to make, Blair said they’re pretty good. She wants the recipe.” I’d made pickles for three years. Ethan ate them every day. My mother-in-law had never praised them once. “I’m not giving it to her.” “What kind of attitude is that?” Her mother-in-law immediately changed her tone. “You’re already divorced and you’re still being petty? Blair’s family has real status. She’s doing you a favor by asking for your pickle recipe.” “What status?” “Blair’s parents run an import-export company in New York. Not everyone’s a supermarket cashier like you.” Her mother-in-law lowered her voice. “Vivian, I’ll be honest with you. I was never really satisfied when Ethan married you in the first place. You’ve been hardworking these three years, I’ll give you that. But people move up in the world. Ethan’s company is growing now. You can’t keep up.” “Blair and Ethan were college classmates. They’re a perfect match. Now that she’s back, don’t stand in the way.” Last year when Ethan nearly went bankrupt over a bad debt and couldn’t even pay employee salaries, I used my family’s connections to recover that bad debt. Ethan thought the debtor had a sudden attack of conscience and repaid voluntarily. He was so happy when he came home that day. He hugged me and said, “Honey, we’re so lucky.” “I’m not giving her the pickle recipe. Do you have anything else to ask?” My mother-in-law hung up angrily. Half an hour later, Ethan sent a message: My mom says you had a bad attitude. We’re already divorced—don’t make this uglier than it needs to be. I didn’t reply. I turned my phone face-down on the bed and touched my stomach. In three months, I’d start showing. By then I’d return to the family as the only heir who’d successfully conceived, and take over everything. Ethan’s company that he’d worked so hard to build was worth three million. In front of the Stone family, that wasn’t even pocket change. That afternoon I went to the hospital to register for prenatal care. While waiting in the queue, my phone rang again. Blair, calling from Ethan’s phone. “Vivian, sorry to bother you. I found a bottle of folic acid in your old bedroom. I wanted to ask if it’s yours or if it was left by the previous tenants?” Folic acid. That was what I’d been taking while trying to conceive. I gripped my phone tightly. “Throw it away. It’s expired.” “Okay. By the way, Ethan asked me to ask you—when are you canceling the credit card?” “Tomorrow.” “Great, bye then.” She hung up. My hand was trembling. Not from anger, but from fear. Blair had found the folic acid. “Will she figure it out?” I stared at my phone, talking to myself. No one answered. 0

The day my prenatal test results came back, I sat on a bench in the hospital corridor in a daze. The doctor said everything was normal, the baby was healthy, and told me to watch my nutrition and rest. The baby is healthy. I repeated those words three times. “Vivian?” I looked up. Blair stood at the end of the corridor holding a bag of fruit. She smiled and walked over. “What a coincidence! You’re at this hospital too?” “What are you doing here?” “Visiting a friend.” She sat down next to me and casually glanced at my hands. I turned the test results face-down, but her eyes had already caught something. “Obstetrics?” Blair’s tone changed, no longer that sweet enthusiasm. She stared straight at my face. “Vivian, you’re not…” “It’s none of your business.” “Pregnant?” I stood up. “Blair, this isn’t your concern.” “Of course it’s my concern.” She stood up too. “If it’s Ethan’s child, then it is my business.” People were passing back and forth in the corridor. She lowered her voice and moved closer. “Vivian, are you planning to hide this from everyone and have the baby? And then what, use the child to threaten Ethan?” “I don’t need to threaten anyone.” “But Ethan won’t want this child.” Blair’s tone was certain. “He said his child should be born into a complete family. The family he’s chosen doesn’t include you.” “He told you that?” “He tells me everything.” Blair pulled out her phone and played a voice message. Ethan’s voice came from the phone: Blair, once I get through this busy period, we’ll have a wedding ceremony. We’ll deal with the future later. Just settle in for now. “Did you hear that? He’s already planning our wedding. If you show up pregnant now, everyone will think you’re being clingy and desperate.” I took a deep breath. Blair watched my reaction, as if confirming something. “Vivian, I have a suggestion. Get rid of the baby, and we’ll go our separate ways. I won’t tell Ethan, and I won’t tell anyone.” “Or else?” “Or else I’ll tell him. What do you think he’ll do when he finds out?” She pulled an envelope from her bag and handed it to me. “What’s this?” “Open it.” Inside the envelope was an ultrasound report with Blair’s name at the top, dated two weeks ago. It clearly stated: Intrauterine early pregnancy, 7 weeks. “I’m pregnant too.” Blair put away her smile and looked at me seriously. “Ethan already knows. He’s thrilled. He bought a ton of pregnancy supplies.” “So you understand now? His first child can only be born to me.” I stared at that ultrasound report. Seven weeks pregnant. Blair had only returned to the country yesterday. Seven weeks ago she was abroad, but this ultrasound had the stamp of the city’s maternal and child health hospital. The timeline didn’t match. But I said nothing. Now wasn’t the time to expose her. “Think about it.” Blair patted my shoulder. “Before things get messy.” She turned and left. I clutched that ultrasound report. You say you’re pregnant too. Seven weeks ago you were abroad, but the ultrasound has this city’s stamp. “Blair, what the hell are you?” 0

The next day at ten a.m., Ethan appeared at the door of my studio apartment. “I know.” He stood outside, his expression complicated—not angry, more like a kind of patronizing helplessness. “Know what?” “That you’re pregnant. Blair told me.” She hadn’t kept her promise after all. Ethan walked in and looked around the room—less than a hundred square feet—and frowned. “Vivian Stone, what are you planning to do with this child?” “Have it.” “Have it and then what?” His voice rose slightly. “You make thirty-five hundred a month. You can barely support yourself.” “You don’t need to worry about me.” “I’m worried about myself.” Ethan sat on the only plastic chair, hands clasped. “Blair’s pregnant too. You know that, right? She’s further along than you—already seven weeks.” “She showed me the ultrasound.” “Right.” Ethan nodded. “Let me be clear. My first child should be with Blair. Yours… isn’t appropriate.” “Ethan Moore, are you sure you want me to abort your child?” “We’re already divorced. Even if you have this child, it’ll be a single-parent family. That’s not good for anyone.” He stood up. “Get an abortion. I’ll pay for the procedure and nutrition costs. Is fifty thousand enough?” The door was pushed open from outside. My mother-in-law. She walked in carrying a plastic bag and looked around. “This is where you’re living?” My mother-in-law put the plastic bag on the table. “There’s twenty thousand dollars in there for the abortion. Plus the thirty thousand from Ethan, that’s fifty total. Enough for you to start over.” “I told you, I’m keeping the child.” My mother-in-law’s face darkened. “Vivian, don’t be ungrateful. You know what Blair’s family is like. She’s Ethan’s legitimate wife. You’re carrying a bastard…” “This isn’t a bastard. It’s Ethan Moore’s child.” “If my son doesn’t acknowledge it, then it isn’t.” My mother-in-law’s voice rose. “You think getting pregnant means you can latch onto our family?” “Vivian Stone, I’ll say this one last time.” Ethan didn’t look up from his phone. “Get rid of the child and we’ll part on good terms. If you don’t, I’ll go to court and apply for a paternity test and fight for custody. I have a house and a company. You have nothing. The court will award me the child.” “And then I’ll let Blair raise this child.” Let Blair raise my child. That sentence was like a knife, stabbing precisely into me. My mother-in-law pushed me. “Did you hear? Don’t think pregnancy gives you leverage. You’re nothing in front of us.” Ethan’s phone screen lit up. A message from Blair popped up. I glimpsed a line of text: [Ethan, is it handled? I bought your favorite cheesecake.] Ethan replied, locked the screen, looked up at me, waiting for my answer. My mother-in-law stood beside him with her arms crossed, like a supervisor. I touched my stomach. This child was the Stone family heir, the child my entire family had waited over a decade for. Ethan wanted to fight for custody? He had no idea who he was challenging. I took out my phone and found a number I hadn’t called in three years. I dialed. It was answered after one ring. “Dad, come pick me up. I’m pregnant.” Ethan and my mother-in-law both looked at me. My father’s voice came through the phone, very calm, but every word carried undeniable weight. “Give me twenty minutes.” I hung up. Ethan frowned. “Who did you call?” “My father.” My mother-in-law laughed mockingly. “Your father? Didn’t you say your father was a farmer in the countryside? Calling some old farmer to back you up?” I put my phone back in my pocket. “Ethan Moore, you just said you want to fight for custody.” “That’s right.” “Fine. Then wait.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “386463”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

My husband Ethan Shaw and his childhood friend Chloe got pregnant at the same time. To protect Chloe’s reputation, Ethan said her child was his. And my child? The bastard I conceived from an affair. He even used AI to generate photos of me having sex with different men and sent them to friends and family. Faced with my breakdown, he only said indifferently: “Chloe’s family has always been strict with her. She can’t handle gossip.” What about me? I’m his wife! I looked at the man I’d loved for seven years and decided I would never love him again. Learning that Ethan planned to go abroad with Chloe in three days to rest during her pregnancy, I called my mother-in-law Margaret. “I want a divorce.” My mother-in-law on the other end of the line just sighed. “It’s Ethan’s fault. He’s wronged you.” Ever since Ethan publicly claimed that my child was a bastard, we had the worst fight of our seven years together. But after he learned I wanted a divorce, he had people lock me in the villa. Even when I went for prenatal checkups, a dozen bodyguards followed behind me. He said, “I still love you, and our child must be healthy.” So he still knew this was his child. His hypocritical, casual words could ruin my life and our child’s. Even though he knew our child was his own flesh and blood. And Chloe’s child was the real bastard of unknown paternity. Gently stroking my already swollen belly, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness. As if sensing the warmth of my palm, my belly moved. It was like a telepathic connection between the child and me. Knowing I was sad, as if comforting me. Tears instantly flowed down. I withdrew my hand, covered my face, and cried. The villa door opened from outside. Ethan walked up to me, looked at my swollen red eyes, and said flatly: “For the baby’s sake, you need to take care of yourself. Don’t always cry.” Easy for him to say. If I could control my emotions, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with the man in front of me in the first place. I knew he had always kept a place for Chloe in his heart. I knew his feelings for me weren’t true love. The person I loved deeply was also the one who hurt me the most. “You’ve done so many things to wrong me, trapped me, taken away my freedom.” “What, don’t I even have the right to cry anymore?” He just looked at me, his eyes slightly red, with a trace of guilt, but he couldn’t say a word. Just like a few months ago, when I first suspected I was pregnant. When I went to the hospital to confirm, I happened to run into Ethan accompanying Chloe for her checkup. He was considerate and attentive, afraid she might bump into something. “Ethan, feel our baby, I think he just moved.” Ethan’s face showed a tender light. He let Chloe pull his hand and place it on her flat belly. The next second, he looked up and saw me standing at the corner. Not a word of explanation, just standing there in a daze. What a loving couple. If I weren’t Ethan’s wife, I would definitely say such envious words sincerely. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say it. And he didn’t deserve it. The man in front of me was silent for a while before seeming to remember something. He said perfunctorily: “Tomorrow is your birthday. I’ll throw you a birthday party.” “Oh, and Mom just told me she’s coming back to the country to take care of you. With Mom taking care of you, I can feel more at ease.” He could certainly feel at ease. At ease going abroad with his Chloe to rest during her pregnancy. Not having to come back for months. But he didn’t know why his parents, who had been enjoying their retirement abroad, would suddenly return home. Nor did he know that his parents already knew about the despicable things he’d done to me. I sneered coldly and didn’t object. I was the one who asked his mother to come back. Because I knew that with just my current self, I couldn’t escape from Ethan’s grasp. Seeing I had no reaction, he crouched down and looked at me with a somewhat affectionate gaze. “Joanna, I do love you.” “After Chloe gives birth, I’ll definitely come back to you.” I treated such words as air. Even if he really thought that way now, with just one word from Chloe, he would mercilessly break his promise to me. So I would never believe his words again. Three more days. Then he could completely get rid of me. And focus wholeheartedly on being the father of Chloe’s child.

That night, Ethan didn’t stay home. Because Chloe said her baby was moving a lot and her stomach hurt, he immediately found an excuse to go keep her company. Four years of dating, three years of marriage—I had always thought Ethan loved me. Until Chloe came back. Until she got pregnant with someone else’s child. It seemed like everything suddenly changed. My husband, who had loved me reasonably well, devoted himself to caring for another woman. I was locked in this dark prison. Slowly wearing down all my love for him. Disappointment accumulated until it disappeared completely. So it was time for me to leave. The next day for my birthday party, Ethan said he’d pick me up himself and called several times to urge me. But when I went out, only the bodyguard’s car was at the door. “Joanna, I have something to deal with here.” “You go ahead first, I’ll be right there.” I had no hope to begin with, so how could there be disappointment? The biting winter wind cut across my cheeks like a sickle. But I couldn’t feel any pain. Just like my feelings for Ethan. From disappointment to despair—no pain could hurt me anymore. The car stopped in front of a club. I frowned but still got out. Led by the bodyguard, I walked into a private room. But I didn’t recognize a single person inside. Their strange looks seemed to see right through me, full of mockery and disdain. As if I were trash, they kept their distance. “She cheated on Ethan and still has the nerve to let him throw her a birthday party.” “Ethan is so pathetic, and he’s even allowing her to keep that bastard child.” “I don’t know what Ethan sees in her. She can’t even compare to Chloe’s little toe.” They spoke loudly enough, deliberately saying it for me to hear. See? This was Ethan’s masterpiece. He couldn’t bear to watch Chloe face her parents’ criticism. But he never thought about how the harm I suffered because of them was a thousand times worse than what Chloe faced. I could not care about myself, but I couldn’t bear for my child to be condemned by everyone like this. I stood up, planning to leave. This birthday party didn’t seem to welcome me anyway. But when I pulled open the door, I saw Ethan and Chloe standing outside. One looked away guiltily, the other showed a triumphant smile. I knew they had been at the door listening. Listening to how the people in the room insulted me. Listening to how the people in the room mocked me. But he said nothing, just let Chloe pull me back inside. “So the birthday girl arrived first. It’s all my fault—I’m clumsy moving around with this belly.” “Ethan was worried I’d be uncomfortable in another car, so he insisted on picking me up.” Chloe proudly stroked her own belly, then looked at mine. As if saying, so what if you’re pregnant too? Because of her words, jeering sounds erupted around us. “Since childhood, Ethan has always doted on Chloe exclusively.” “When your baby is born, will there be good news soon?” “Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding.” Amid the congratulations, they seemed to forget I was still Ethan’s wife. They also seemed to forget this wasn’t some engagement party. But rather a birthday party Ethan was throwing for me to make up for his guilt. Watching their faces, I couldn’t control a wave of nausea. I had just stood up to leave when somehow I caught Ethan’s attention. He frowned at me and said coldly: “This is your birthday party. What would it look like if you left?” “It’s just morning sickness. Endure it and it’ll pass.” But the next second, Chloe also retched. He immediately nervously helped her sit down and pulled a sour lemon candy from his pocket. Personally tore open the wrapper, personally fed it into her mouth. Jeering sounds erupted around us again. I closed my eyes. My birthday party had become part of their public display of affection. They acted like a real married couple, chatting and laughing with their mutual friends. While I was just forgotten in the corner. They hadn’t even prepared a birthday cake. How absurd and laughable. This was the birthday party Ethan prepared for me. I held back my tears and swallowed all the bitterness. I should really say congratulations, Ethan. Because in two more days, I would completely leave him. He could give the position of Mrs. Shaw to the person he cared about.

That night I didn’t leave. I just sat alone in the corner and watched this absurd birthday party to the end. It wasn’t until everyone was leaving that Ethan finally noticed me in the corner and offered to drive me home. Even though he was my husband, it was as if he wasn’t going to his own home. But just as he finished speaking, Chloe came over and grabbed his arm. “Ethan, I’m tired. I want to go home and rest.” Ethan affectionately touched her hair. “Is the baby bothering you again? Let’s go home first.” He put his arm around Chloe and left, while I could only get in the bodyguard’s car again. I felt like a clown. I touched my cheeks. The tears I thought would fall didn’t appear. So it was true—when pain reached its extreme, you really couldn’t feel it anymore. I really couldn’t understand. If he cared so much about his childhood friend, why did he marry me and have a child with me? If he wanted so badly to prove to the world how much he cherished Chloe, why wouldn’t he divorce me? Why insist on keeping our child, letting us be cursed and mocked together? That night, I didn’t sleep well. It wasn’t until late morning that I was awakened by the doorbell. Chloe brought her parents and suddenly showed up. As soon as Chloe’s mother saw me, she mocked coldly: “Pregnant with someone else’s bastard, and you still have the face to occupy the position of Mrs. Shaw.” “I don’t know how your parents raised such a shameless daughter.” Chloe’s father also looked at me with contempt. “Enough, why waste words on this kind of person?” “Even looking at her makes me feel dirty.” With that, he and Chloe’s mother carried several large suitcases upstairs. Watching their backs going upstairs, I didn’t understand either. How, as parents, could they raise such a shameless daughter? Seeing only me left in the living room, Chloe walked closer with a mocking smile at the corner of her mouth. “So what if you’re married to him? So what if you’re carrying his child?” “You still can’t compare to me and my child.” “Oh, and Ethan said after the baby is born, he’ll make my child the eldest son with the Shaw surname.” “And your bastard—he’ll only adopt him as a foster son with your surname.” Looking at Chloe’s glaring smile, I just felt a bit bored. I’d seen this kind of trick from her too many times. I moved aside to let her pass and planned to leave. Chloe suddenly fell to the ground crying, “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.” Chloe’s crying brought her parents running. Her mother lunged at me like a madwoman. Just then, the villa door opened and Ethan rushed in. I was about to explain to him when Chloe’s mother knocked me down, slapping my face while cursing with filthy, crude words. As Ethan stopped her, a flash of heartache crossed his eyes. He was about to speak when Chloe threw herself crying into his arms. “Ethan, you promised that after our baby is born, you’d let my parents come take care of us.” “My place is small, there’s no room for all five of us.” “I just wanted to ask Miss Carter if she minded us living together, but she suddenly hit me…” She covered her own face, then her own belly. And cried even louder. I was getting dizzy from the noise. Where I’d been hit felt numb with pain, probably already swollen. And under Chloe’s palm, her skin was white as ever. Nothing there at all. Feeling Ethan’s conflicted gaze, I wiped away my tears and silently stood up. The husband who once said he’d protect me and cherish me for life had become the confidence that allowed another woman to act shamelessly when I needed protection most. Perhaps our marriage was wrong from the start. If he couldn’t let go of his childhood friend, he could only let go of our marriage. Because in one more day, I would leave him.

Chloe was afraid something had happened to the baby and insisted on going to the hospital for a checkup. Chloe’s mother insisted I apologize. Ethan was caught in the middle, looking at my already swollen face. In the end, he still had to choose the childhood friend he couldn’t let go of. “Joanna, I’ll take Chloe to the hospital first.” “Mom’s back from abroad. When I get back, I’ll take you to her place.” “I promised Chloe. You need to understand—I don’t want to be someone who breaks his word.” Looking at this man who had shared my bed for three years, speaking of promises to someone else. He had long forgotten that when he married me, he also said he would love me forever. And every single thing he had solemnly promised me. Things he could have done, things he had done halfway and then abandoned. After Chloe came back, he hadn’t kept any of them. I put away the desolation in my heart, just wanting to end this farce quickly. “Joanna, I do love you.” Seeing my expressionless face, Ethan added urgently: “No matter what you’ve done to wrong me, my love for you has never changed.” Hearing his words, I found them truly laughable. “What have I done to wrong you?” I moved closer and asked him softly, “Has Mr. Shaw told so many lies that he’s forgotten whose belly his child is really in?” Ethan froze, then remembering Chloe’s family was still there, was about to question me. But I waved my hand, cutting him off. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving right now. I won’t disturb your family reunion.” Hearing that Ethan was sending me away, Chloe’s stomach suddenly didn’t hurt anymore. She didn’t insist on going to the hospital either. She even ‘warmly’ urged Ethan to help me pack. I sneered and pointed toward the bedroom. “My luggage is already packed. Just bring it down and I can leave now.” Ethan looked at me in shock. But I had already put on my coat and walked outside. “I was planning to stay at Mom’s for a few days anyway.” He breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ran upstairs to bring down my luggage, even thoughtfully calling a car for me. Because I knew his car was already filled with Chloe’s personal belongings. There was no room for me. I sat in the taxi, watching the villa where I’d lived for three years grow farther and farther away. I felt no attachment. The car was quiet. I closed my eyes, feeling utterly exhausted. I seemed to have had a very long dream. Long enough that I relived the first half of my life. Loving him took up a third of my life. Seeing him clearly took me only three months. Once I saw clearly, I stopped loving. The car slowly stopped in front of his mother’s house. When I pushed open the car door to get out, my slightly swollen belly and heavy coat made my movements somewhat clumsy. Ethan sent a message: “Joanna, wait for me a few more months. I’ll definitely come for you.” “Once Chloe’s matter is resolved, I’ll clear your name and our child’s.” “Then our family of three will never be separated again.” Looking at his solemn assurance, I smiled and didn’t reply. I pulled my suitcase and walked toward his mother’s house. No more disappointment and compromise. Only relief. Goodbye, Ethan Shaw. This is the last time we’ll see each other. From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other. The next day, crossing the street, I was hit by a car running a red light. Sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I could feel blood flowing from below. As they lifted me into the ambulance, I knew that as soon as I closed my eyes and opened them again, this child would leave me forever. That was fine. This way, I would never have any blood connection to that scumbag for the rest of my life. In the hospital operating room, as consciousness gradually faded, I slowly closed my eyes. Tears still couldn’t help but fall. At the same time, Ethan, who was about to board a plane, suddenly received a phone call. It was from a friend. “Ethan, congratulations! You can finally get rid of that burden at home.” Ethan’s expression shifted, and he frowned. “What do you mean?” His friend was stunned, clearly not expecting him to ask. “You don’t know? I just saw Joanna at the hospital.” “She was in a car accident and miscarried. She’s already in the operating room.” Ethan’s whole body went cold, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him from head to toe. He hung up the phone with trembling hands. Without time to think, he left Chloe, who was still urging him to board, and ran madly toward the airport exit.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “386464”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

My Alpha husband had sex seven times in the jungle with the female werewolf warrior Sophia to save her from a heat-inducing drug. When he came back, he held the nearly naked Sophia in his arms and looked down at me, begging for forgiveness. “Mandy, Sophia was drugged trying to save me. I had to help her!” Six months later, my husband begged me again: “Mandy, Sophia is pregnant with my child! You can’t have children because of your old injury. Once the baby is born, you can be the child’s mother.” My heart ached terribly. I held back my tears and calmly replied, “Okay.” The pregnancy test report hidden in my hand was crushed into a ball and thrown into the fire. The flames danced. Sophia coughed twice from the smoke. Vincent immediately pulled her into his arms, frowning as he looked at me. “Mandy, Sophia promised me that once the child is born, she’ll give it to you to raise. You don’t need to threaten her. She won’t ruin our relationship.” I stirred the ashes in the basin. The smoke made my eyes red. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if I was crying because my partner had cheated or for some other reason. I spoke calmly. “Vincent, you can just reject me directly.” Vincent panicked and reached out to pull me toward him, begging again. “Mandy, please stop making a scene, okay? Sophia took an enemy’s fangs for me, and she was forced to take poison trying to save me. I owe her two lives. Giving her a child in return isn’t too much!” Though his tone was humble, his words were entirely protective of Sophia. Seeing my expression darken, the others couldn’t sit still either. The werewolf warriors sitting around also begged me. “That’s right. Sophia is already pregnant. It wouldn’t be too much for Vincent to marry her!” “Luna Mandy, you used to be a warrior yourself. You should understand how dangerous it was for Sophia to desperately save the Alpha from those Rogues’ fangs. Even though she’s a female warrior, she was seriously injured saving the Alpha. We all saw how much she sacrificed for him.” “If you ask me, the Alpha should marry Sophia!” “Shut up!” Vincent roared, cutting them off. “Mandy will always be my only mate! As for Sophia, I’ll compensate her.” He looked down at the pregnant woman in his arms, his face unconsciously showing distress. I felt my throat tighten. I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. The others didn’t know, but Vincent did. I had once fought alongside him and even took a blade for him. That serious injury put my wolf into a deep sleep, and my health completely collapsed after that. I was unconscious for three months. When I woke up, he sat by my hospital bed with red-rimmed eyes, begging me not to participate in any more battles, to give up my duties, to stop taking risks. He said he would protect me for life. And now, he was facing me this way again, but to protect another woman. Sharp pain came from my lower abdomen. I turned and left in silence. Vincent quickly caught up. He gently draped his coat over me and tucked the hair by my ear. “It’s cold outside. Be careful not to catch a chill.” Then he suddenly sniffed the scent on me. I thought he’d discovered I was pregnant. But he only said, “Your body is weak. Don’t come looking for me in such dangerous places anymore. Being exposed to too much death isn’t good for your health.” Death. Did that mean the child in my belly had already quietly died while I was tortured all night by the pain of my partner’s betrayal? I touched my lower abdomen, almost ready to tell him I was pregnant too, but his words interrupted me. “Mandy, Sophia is afraid of the cold. Let her live in that temperature-controlled villa in the suburbs. You go rest at the island for a while.” My words stuck in my throat and I swallowed them down. Years ago, when I blocked that blade for him and developed complications, he specially built that villa for me. Living there felt like eternal spring. But the vacation house on that island was surrounded by sea winds on all sides. My current body couldn’t withstand it at all. Except for a few days during our honeymoon, we never went there again. It had been abandoned for a long time. He used to place all the best things in front of me. Now he wanted me to give them to Sophia. I was no longer in his heart. I lowered my eyes and agreed. “Okay.” Vincent happily kissed my forehead. “Mandy, you’re still the most considerate and understanding.”

I lay alone on the operating table. The doctor held my hand and comforted me. “Luna, your body is too weak. Unfortunately, this child couldn’t be saved.” Though I had a premonition, hearing this news still made me clutch the sheets in pain, tears falling silently. My body was in terrible condition. Getting pregnant was already difficult for me. The night Vincent cheated, I suffered in agony all night. Today he brought the other woman before me, and I endured the immense pain caused by his infidelity again. There was no way I could keep this child. My phone suddenly rang. The nurse pressed the answer button and held it to my ear. Vincent’s furious voice came through: “Mandy, you’ve disappointed me so much! How could you do this to Sophia!” I had no idea what he was talking about. My voice was hoarse as I asked: “What are you talking about?” “Sophia was kidnapped, and the address the kidnappers sent is at the island I gave you!” Vincent was screaming hysterically over the phone. “Only the two of us know the location of that island. If it wasn’t you, who else could it be!” I was in too much pain to speak. I could only shake my head desperately. But I forgot Vincent couldn’t see me. Not hearing my response, he angrily threw out a threat: “If anything happens to Sophia, I’ll make you pay a thousand times over!” Only the mechanical beeping remained on the phone. The nurse awkwardly put down the phone. I closed my eyes in despair. My heart was filled with desolation. After the surgery, the doctor wheeled me out of the operating room. Vincent’s werewolf warriors suddenly appeared and dragged me off the hospital bed. They bound my hands and feet with cold iron chains. “The Alpha said to bring you to the island too. If the kidnappers won’t let Sophia go, they’ll use you to pay with your life!” “Are you all crazy? Stop this! She just had surgery!” The doctor ran forward in panic to stop them. But a werewolf warrior pushed him to the ground. I was forcibly shoved into a car. Because of their rough handling, intense pain came from my abdomen. I soon passed out from the pain. I don’t know how long passed before I was jolted awake by ice water. I shivered in shock and groggily opened my eyes. Vincent slammed the water basin heavily onto the boat deck. He reached out and grabbed my throat. “Mandy, have I been too good to you all these years? Is that why you’ve become so cruel and willful that you won’t even spare an unborn child?” I was freezing all over, my lips trembling. I couldn’t form a complete sentence: “I… I didn’t… it wasn’t me… I didn’t do it…” Vincent didn’t believe me. His eyes red, he roughly dragged me off the boat. The pregnant Sophia was tied to the lighthouse, crying pitifully as she called out: “Vincent, it’s too dangerous! Don’t come over!” Seeing me appear, she cried out to me. “Luna, if you can’t tolerate me, I can leave. Why did you have to hurt my child?” I shook my head helplessly. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything!” “Alpha, the person is gone. They must have run away.” The werewolf warriors checked the surroundings for danger and quickly rescued Sophia. Vincent pulled her into his arms, his face full of distress. A werewolf warrior spat at me in disgust. “Ugh! I never thought you were so disgusting!” “Exactly. You’re so vicious. How can you compare to Sophia! She’s a female warrior who’s bled for our Pack!” “Enough.” Vincent cut them off with a cold expression, then bent down to speak to me. “Mandy, you went too far this time. Stay here and reflect on what you’ve done.” He held Sophia and turned to leave. I collapsed helplessly on the beach. From a distance, I saw Sophia turn her head and give me a triumphant smile. Three days later, my body had lost all feeling from the sea wind. My lips were cracked and painful, my eyes stinging with constant tears. Just when I thought I would die here, a blurry figure slowly approached me. “Save… save me…” I used all my strength but could only make a weak sound. Before losing consciousness, I heard a slight sigh. “Mandy, what should I do with you?” When I woke up, I was lying on the floor of a basement. Opening my eyes, I met Vincent’s complicated gaze. “You’re awake?” He brought a cup of warm water to my lips. I instinctively turned my head away. He slammed the cup heavily on the table. “Have you made enough of a scene?” He looked at me with disgust. “I’ve already decided not to hold the kidnapping of Sophia against you, and you’re still throwing a tantrum at me? Can’t you be less petty?” I laughed bitterly. He didn’t even investigate before deciding it was me. If I really wanted to deal with Sophia, I could have done it six months ago. Why wait until now? “Vincent.” Sophia’s weak voice rang out. She supported her belly as she slowly walked in from outside. “Why did you come here?” Vincent immediately went forward and carefully pulled her into his arms. “I was worried about Mandy, so I came to check. Is Mandy okay?” Sophia asked timidly. “Don’t worry about her. She won’t die.” Vincent glanced at me with disgust. “You’ll stay here for the next few months until Sophia safely gives birth.” As they left, the basement door slowly closed. I barely climbed up from the floor and drank all the water on the table in one gulp. A warm current spread through my body. I supported myself and found a box in the corner of the basement. Taking out an encrypted phone from inside, I dialed a number. “I agree to what you said.” “Really? You’re not lying to me? That’s great… Where are you now? I’ll come get you,” the person on the other end said excitedly. “I still have something to take care of. Wait for me.” “Okay, no matter how long, I’ll wait for you.”

After hanging up, I crawled to the door and knocked on it repeatedly with my hand. After a long time, an impatient voice came from outside. “What now?” It was Vincent’s Beta subordinate, Rocco. I spoke to him through the door crack. “Get me some food. I haven’t eaten in three days.” “Why didn’t you starve to death? Wait here. I’ll go ask Vincent.” The footsteps gradually faded away. When Rocco returned, the basement door finally opened. “Here.” An iron basin filled with spoiled food scraps was slammed down in front of me. I frowned and covered my nose. “How can I eat this?” “This is all there is. Take it or leave it.” I had no choice but to pick up the basin. Just as I was about to bring it to my lips, I suddenly remembered something else. I looked at Rocco. “Come here for a moment. I have something to tell you about Sophia.” Hearing it was about Sophia, Rocco hesitated but still walked over. “What is it… Ah!” Before he could finish, I grabbed him by the throat. My body was extremely weak. I used every ounce of strength I had. After a long time, I finally managed to choke him unconscious. My parents had been the Pack’s strongest werewolf warriors, responsible for protecting the Alpha’s family. I inherited their bloodline. Before my injury, I was also one of the Pack’s strongest werewolf warriors. Later, my parents died in battle and I was adopted by the Alpha. At eighteen, I became Vincent’s mate and rarely participated in combat after that. Even later, I blocked a sneak attack meant for Vincent and was seriously injured. I never participated in battle again after that. No one knew about these things except Vincent. I avoided the surveillance cameras in the villa and went upstairs. Just when I thought I could leave smoothly, Vincent rushed in with a medical team. Seeing me face to face, his expression turned fierce as he strode forward. “Slap—!” A heavy slap landed on my face. My face was knocked to the side. I tasted blood in my mouth. “Mandy! Who gave you the nerve to do such a thing!” I had no idea what he was talking about. Vincent continued raging. He kicked me hard in the chest. Several werewolf warriors immediately came forward to restrain my arms, twisting them behind my back. I cried out in pain. Vincent smashed an eerie ceramic figurine hard against me. Shattered porcelain fragments flew everywhere, cutting my cheek. “You’ve been silent for the past six months, but it turns out you were using dark rituals to curse the child in Sophia’s belly!” I looked at the broken baby figurine on the ground, completely bewildered. Vincent snorted coldly again. “I was about to settle accounts with you, and here you are running out on your own. I forgot about your abilities.” A sharp pain came from my abdomen. Blood flowed from between my legs. I felt all the warmth in my body slowly draining away. Seeing the bloodstain beneath me, Vincent froze for a moment, then frowned in disgust. “What sympathy-seeking trick are you playing now? Pathetic.” I was forced to kneel on the ground. I lifted my head and gave him a bitter smile. “Vincent, since you hate me so much, why not just reject me?” Vincent’s eyes suddenly blazed with fury. He strode over and raised his hand to slap me again, but stopped mid-air. He glared at me through gritted teeth. “You want to leave me? Never! You can only be my woman for life!” I laughed mockingly. After all these years as husband and wife, we’d come to this. It was all my fault. Sophia’s pained moans came from upstairs. Vincent’s expression changed immediately. With a wave of his hand, he rushed upstairs with the medical team. After a long time, he finally came out of Sophia’s room. Seeing me lying weakly on the ground, a trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but he still coldly turned away. “Throw her into the jungle to fend for herself.” Following orders, the werewolf warriors dragged me to an SUV. The car drove to the outskirts of a dense jungle. I was kicked out of the vehicle and rolled onto the ground. The sky quickly darkened. I walked in the forest for a long time before finding a water source. Crouching down, I greedily gulped the water. When I looked up, I met a pair of sharp green eyes across the water. All the blood in my body instantly froze. I had encountered these crazed Rogues before during combat, but back then my wolf was still awake and my body was strong. Now, I was no match for these fierce creatures at all. I didn’t dare move, afraid of alerting it. The crazed Rogue across from me couldn’t tell if I posed a threat. It just crouched there observing me. We faced off for a long time. I was exhausted, my consciousness gradually fading. Seeing me let down my guard, it suddenly leaped up, about to pounce on me. I closed my eyes in despair. Suddenly, a scream exploded in my ears, accompanied by the beast’s agonized howl. The pain of being torn apart that I’d imagined never came. I weakly opened my eyes slightly and saw the Rogue lying on the ground, convulsing and coughing blood. A pair of strong arms picked me up. I looked up along those arms and met a pair of worried eyes.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “386465”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

My best friend, Sophia, had just escaped an abusive marriage. After the divorce, she walked away with nothing. I took her in and let her move into my place. I traveled with her to help her heal, supported her through therapy, and bought her expensive jewelry and clothes. My boyfriend, Ethan, kept frowning. “Charlotte, we’re getting married soon. How can you spend all your money on Sophia?” For once, I snapped at him. “She’s my best friend. She’s at her lowest right now—how can you be so heartless?” Later, I had to leave for a business trip to the UK. Before I left, I asked Ethan to take care of her. But three months later, when I came home dragging my suitcase— I saw Sophia lying on the couch in a nearly sheer dress, while Ethan was giving her a massage. My blood ran cold. Looks like… he took very good care of her. The room fell into a moment of deathly silence. Only the laughter from a variety show on TV filled the air. Sophia was the first to react. She scrambled up from the couch and walked toward me, her face pale. “Charlotte… when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell us ahead of time? I… I could have picked you up.” Ethan stood quietly behind her, saying nothing. Sophia’s smile looked forced. “You must be tired. Let me get you some water.” She turned around frantically, grabbed a glass from the coffee table, and in her flustered state, knocked over the water pitcher, spilling water all over the floor. Ethan frowned and pulled out tissues to clean up. “Stop making things worse. You don’t know how to do this kind of thing anyway.” Though his tone was scolding, the intimacy in his words was unmistakable. The last trace of hope in my heart vanished completely. My hand gripped the handle of my bag unconsciously, leaving a deep mark on my palm. “When did this start?” Sophia froze and instinctively turned to look at Ethan. He remained calm, sweeping his arm to shield her behind him. “It has nothing to do with her. It’s my fault.” His tone was flat, as if he were talking about the weather. Ethan had an aloof personality—decisive and cold in business, composed and self-controlled. People always said he was unapproachable, that only with Charlotte Smith would he ever show emotion. I used to think I was his only exception. Until this moment, when he stood on the opposite side from me, using the calmest, coldest words to completely shut me out. Sophia looked panicked. “No… Charlotte, let me explain. We’re not…” I stood there quietly as she stammered but couldn’t come up with any explanation. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Can’t even come up with a decent excuse?” Sophia’s face went even paler. Ethan held her trembling hands and said in a low voice, “It’s okay. I’ll handle this, all right?” He stepped forward and took my luggage. “Charlotte, let’s go outside and talk.” I looked at his face. In just three months, it had become so unfamiliar. Fighting back the sting in my eyes, my voice trembled slightly. “Ethan, this is my home. You’re telling me to leave?” He fell silent for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of pleading. “Charlotte, I’m asking you as a favor. She caught a cold yesterday and isn’t feeling well. Let her rest early, okay?” I pressed my hand hard against my chest. There was no visible wound, yet the pain felt fatal. Ethan picked up his coat from the back of the chair and spoke gently to Sophia. “Be good and go to sleep. Leave the rest to me. I’ll bring you pizza when I come back.” I rushed out the door before they could see the tears streaming down my face. In the hotel suite, Ethan sat politely and distantly on the far couch. He quietly smoked two cigarettes before speaking in a low voice. “This is my fault. Whatever compensation you want, I’ll give it to you.” “I was the one who fell first. Don’t blame her.” I dug my fingers into my palm and took a deep breath. “Why?” Ethan lit another cigarette and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Charlotte, you’re smart, calm, and capable. But Sophia is different. Without me, she can’t survive.” Through the dim red glow of his cigarette, I saw his face and found it utterly ridiculous. Before, as my best friend, Sophia was someone Ethan looked down on completely. He said she was dramatic and out of touch with society, a parasite living off others at home, a clinging vine that could only survive by latching onto someone else. Three months ago, when I had to go to England for business, I begged him repeatedly before he reluctantly agreed to help her occasionally when she needed it. Back then, he had been unusually childish, biting my face fiercely. “Charlotte, I’m not even married to you yet, and I already have to deal with your family affairs. You’re leaving me with this mess—you’d better compensate me well.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips, promising him that once I finished the project in England, we would get married. Now, in just three months, everything had changed.

Ethan stood up, pressed his lips together, and his expression grew complex. “I’ve wronged you. For the projects we’ve collaborated on before, I’ll give you 20% of the profits. If you need my help in the future, just ask.” “I only have one request—you’re very important to Sophia. She doesn’t want to lose you as a friend.” I looked up at him as if I’d heard the biggest joke in the world. Even my tears came out from laughing. Three months ago, I had used this very reason to ask him to take care of my best friend. Three months later, I had become the one being asked. I heard my voice trembling slightly. “Ethan, don’t you two think you’ve gone too far?” “What makes you think I, Charlotte, deserve to be trampled on by you? I’ll expose everything you’ve done to the public. If you dare do it, you should dare own it.” Ethan took a step back and narrowed his eyes slightly. “Charlotte, don’t throw a tantrum. You built everything from nothing and got to where you are today through hard work. Don’t destroy yourself over a momentary impulse.” His voice carried a hint of warning, making me shiver. Ethan looked down at me from above, completely adopting the posture of someone in power. People often said Ethan was cold and ruthless. I never agreed. But now I suddenly realized the rumors were true. He had simply given his tenderness to me before, and now he’d given it to someone else. “I’m going back. Without me, she won’t sleep well at night.” “I’ll take her away tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience tonight.” The door closed, and I finally collapsed onto the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Outside the window was the bustling city landscape. I had rushed home after a long journey, only to be placed in this cold hotel. A few hundred meters away, the two most important people in my life were being intimate in my home, in my bed. How ironic. The next day, I covered my swollen eyes with sunglasses and parked my car outside a dessert shop. Sophia wore her work uniform. When she saw me, her eyes lit up at first, then she lowered her head dejectedly. She brought me coffee and sat down across from me. Her smile was forced as she spoke carefully. “Charlotte, I know you’re angry with me. I’m sorry. I know you’ve been good to me. All these years, thanks to you…” “Look, I’m working now. Everything I owe you, I’ll definitely pay back…” I couldn’t help but sneer as I looked at her. She was just a baker, yet she wore jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Pay me back? With your current job?” Sophia froze. She had gotten married right after graduation and became a housewife. Her former husband had treated her decently, indulging her every whim. Combined with my unconditional support, Sophia’s life had been smooth sailing. Until six months ago, when her husband cheated with his secretary. Within two months, he had divided their assets and kicked her out. If I hadn’t arrived in time, she might have starved on the streets. She wanted to start a new life, but years of being disconnected from society made it hard for her to handle ordinary jobs. Fortunately, as a housewife she had enjoyed studying baking, so she applied to be a baker at this dessert shop. I said nothing, just gestured with my hand. The shop manager walked over respectfully and stood before me. “Ms. Smith, you’re here.” Sophia’s face went white, her eyes widening. I removed my sunglasses and spoke coolly. “After your divorce, you had a breakdown until you said you wanted to work and start a new life.” “Sophia, you’re not stupid. Why didn’t you wonder why you kept getting rejected everywhere, but then this dessert shop just happened to hire you—a baker with zero work experience?” “I gave you everything I had. Is this how you repay me?” Sophia’s eyelashes trembled as tears fell. Her voice shook badly. “I didn’t know… I didn’t know…” She suddenly grabbed my hand. “But he’s good to me. He loves me. Charlotte, you’re so capable—you’ll be fine without anyone. But I can’t.” “You said before that you’d share everything you have with me. I don’t want anything else anymore. I just want him, okay?” I looked at her quietly. We’d known each other since we were three—twenty-five years of friendship. In this moment, it became unrecognizable. “Since childhood, I’ve given you whatever you wanted.” “But Sophia, taking without asking—that’s stealing.”

When Ethan arrived, he saw Sophia nearly kneeling at my feet, crying hysterically. His expression changed. He strode over quickly and without a word pulled her up and shielded her behind him. His face was iron as he looked at me, almost grinding his teeth. “Charlotte, I told you if you have a problem, come at me. Don’t make things difficult for her.” “How much has she spent of your money all these years? Name your price. I’ll settle it all at once.” I looked at him and laughed coldly. “Mr. Hayes, you really are wealthy and generous. Unfortunately, what you two owe me can never be repaid in this lifetime.” Ethan’s face changed. He opened his mouth to retort, but then Sophia suddenly shouted, “Enough!” Her body trembled slightly, yet she lifted her head to look at me. “Charlotte, you owe me this. I don’t care if you resent me or hate me—I won’t give up. From now on, between you and me, we’re even.” She took off her work apron and took Ethan’s hand. The two of them left without looking back. I sat by the window. Outside, two girls in school uniforms passed by sharing an ice cream cone, laughing and chatting happily. Something felt cool on my face. I reached up and realized I was crying without knowing when it had started. Sophia and I met when we were three and had been inseparable from elementary school through college. Ever since I could remember, my parents had been in constant fights. They never divorced because they couldn’t agree on terms. Neither wanted to be burdened with me. Every time they smashed the house to pieces, Sophia would quietly push open the door to help me clean up the mess, then pull me away without a word and make me sit at her family’s dinner table. The year I graduated, Sophia sold her gold bracelet to scrape together my tuition. She licked her ice cream carelessly. “Hey, my grades aren’t great, but yours are so good—it’d be such a waste if you didn’t go to school.” “Don’t cry, Charlotte. I could tell long ago that you’re exceptional. When you get rich someday, just remember to buy me ten gold bracelets.” In my teenage years, Sophia was my first hero, the most important person in my life. When I got home, all traces of them were gone. I stared at the empty house in a daze. When I bought this place, I had set aside a room for Sophia. Back then, Ethan had been a bit unhappy about it. I just smiled and said it was my promise. At her wedding, I was the only bridesmaid. After catching the bouquet, I made her a promise: As long as I was here, she would always have a home to return to. But now, the one without a home was me. Ethan’s things were still in the house, things he hadn’t taken with him. Our competition certificates from college. Photos from our trips together. Matching toothbrushes in the bathroom. The blanket left on the couch and the unfinished book on the coffee table. When I closed my eyes, I could almost see how the two of them had rolled around on this couch together. I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom to dry heave, as if trying to empty my insides. Looking up at myself in the mirror, I looked haggard and unfamiliar. Ethan was my college classmate and teammate in entrepreneurship competitions. The day he confessed, his usually cold face was unusually flushed. “Charlotte, you’re the smartest and strongest girl I’ve ever met. Give me a chance to take care of you.” After graduation, I gained experience at a listed company, then quickly seized opportunities to start my own business. Ethan had helped me tremendously. He was my comrade-in-arms, my intimate lover. Because of him, I tried hard to move past my childhood trauma and attempted to accept and build a family. I had truly planned to spend my life with him. I looked at the face in the mirror and slowly clenched my fist. They had once been my reason for living, the goal I fought for with everything I had. Yet they had dealt me the most fatal blow. Why? So I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t contacted in a long time.

Three days after making that call, Ethan stormed into my office in a rage. He slammed the door with earth-shattering force. “Charlotte, did you go to Sophia’s parents?” “Her mother called last night and scolded her for a full hour, saying she’s ungrateful, saying she’s wronged you. Sophia cried on the phone until she nearly fainted. Are you satisfied now?” I laughed lightly. “You two dare to do it but are afraid of others knowing?” Yet my heart ached sharply. I had always remembered how good the Morrison family had been to me. Over the years, I’d earned money and paid them back ten, even a hundred times over. Mrs. Morrison had apologized to me on the phone, her voice trembling with anxiety. But the person who should apologize most had said nothing. Ethan took a deep breath and suddenly calmed down. “Charlotte, I’m giving you one last chance. Apologize to Sophia right now, and I can pretend this never happened.” I felt like I’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “Apologize? I’m not the one who should be apologizing.” His face went cold. “Starting today, I’m terminating all cooperation with you. The East District project you’re pushing forward—the partner happens to be my contact. You know that without me, that project won’t go through.” “I’m giving you three days to think about it. Charlotte, you’ve been smart your whole life. Don’t be stupid now.” I watched his retreating figure, and the last trace of warmth in my heart vanished without a trace. When Ethan was good to someone, he’d offer them all the treasures in the world. But once he turned his back, he was truly ruthless. He did exactly what he said. Overnight, all partners withdrew their funding. The project stalled. The entire company was in turmoil. But I didn’t beg him. Ten years ago, I had no parents and clawed my way to success on my own. Ten years later, I could still carve out a bloody path forward. A month later, I received a message from Sophia. [Charlotte, Ethan and I are getting married next month. You’re the most important person in my life. I hope to have your blessing. I know I’ve wronged you, but I’m begging you, one last time, okay?] I glanced at it and continued with my meeting without replying. On the wedding day, I still showed up on time. Sophia stood beside Ethan like a delicate bird, her eyes full of sweet happiness. When they saw me, both their faces changed color. The hall full of guests suddenly fell silent. My relationship with Ethan over the years had never been a secret. In just six months, the bride had changed. Ethan instinctively moved in front of her, his eyes guarded. Sophia looked at me, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Charlotte… I…” I looked at the two of them and smiled softly. “Don’t be nervous. I promised I wouldn’t miss each other’s most important moments.” “So today, I came to give you a wedding gift.” Behind me, the large screen playing sweet wedding vlogs suddenly went black.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “386457”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster