Category: English

1 At my wedding reception, a decade in the making, the big screen suddenly flashed photos of my fiancé cheating. The entire ballroom waited for me to spiral into hysterics. Everyone knew about my severe control issues and bipolar disorder, that my obsession with Zach Weixler ran bone-deep. If he so much as caught a wisp of an unfamiliar scent, I’d be on the rooftop, forcing him to scrub his skin raw. If he exchanged more than a few words with another woman, I’d cut my wrists, demanding he lock himself away in a dark room for three days and three nights. Zach’s family whispered warnings, “Anna, don’t make things more difficult for everyone.” In the photos, Zach’s back was covered in scratch marks, as he tenderly kissed the woman in his arms. He was even explaining it to me, quite pleased with himself. “Anna, I’m doing this for therapy.” Zach’s promise last night, that he would cut ties with that woman, landed like a resounding slap, finally waking me up. My illness was cured. And him? I no longer wanted him. … The wedding reception ended in disarray. I removed my veil and looked at Zach’s parents. “Mr. Weixler, I remember you once said that if Zach and I ever grew tired of each other, I could use this engagement contract to ask you for anything.” He looked surprised, as if he couldn’t believe I would give up this engagement. “Then, please adopt me as your goddaughter, and arrange for me to marry far away in Brighton, where he can never find me.” In the face of my resolute gaze, he reluctantly agreed. I turned back to my room, tearing down photos from the wall, one by one. A warm breath ghosted over my neck, and my hand paused. “My wife is so well-behaved today, not acting up like usual. It seems my treatment over the years has been very effective.” I had severe control issues and bipolar disorder. Every time I found a trace on Zach that wasn’t mine, I would go mad, forcing him to clean it off. He was no less extreme, always making himself bruised and battered to demonstrate his loyalty. I don’t know when it started, but a depressed patient, far more severe than me, appeared in Zach’s life. Zach said if he could cure Clara Hastings, then he could definitely cure me. I subtly evaded Zach’s hand. He keenly noticed, holding my hand even tighter. “My wife, it was Clara who had an episode today. She was sobbing and nearly killed me.” “I had no choice. I came up with this idea to cheer her up.” As if afraid I wouldn’t believe him, Zach opened his photo album and showed me a smiling picture of Clara. For the past six months, Clara had infiltrated every aspect of my life. She baked a cake, and Zach, despite my matcha allergy, forced me to eat it, demanding I smile and admit she was wonderful. When her planted flowers sprouted, Zach would interrupt my therapy sessions, dragging me to a party to celebrate. When she was scared of thunderstorms, Zach left me with a high fever on the way to the hospital… I gave a perfunctory agreement. “Mmm, she smiled. Congratulations on becoming her savior.” But Zach’s face suddenly darkened. He gripped my shoulder tightly. “Anna!” “I’m only your savior!” His grip was too strong, and the back of my head slammed against the wall. The photos in my hand scattered, trampled under Zach’s feet. I cried out in pain, and he immediately pulled his hand back, his face filled with concern. He crouched down, picking up the scattered photos. “I’ll have the housekeeper pack up our things and move them to the bridal suite. You don’t have to worry.” It seemed he still didn’t know about my plans to marry far away. I nodded and spoke softly. “Then the wedding…” Zach clicked his tongue in annoyance. “You’re the only one in my heart. Does it matter if we have a wedding? Clara’s emotions have just stabilized. Can’t you wait?” A specific notification sound suddenly filled the air. The anger on his face vanished, replaced by a gentle expression as he answered the phone. A girl’s delicate sobs came through the speaker. Zach panicked, dropped the photos, and rushed out. I watched his hurried departure and dialed the wedding planner. “Just transfer the refund directly to Mr. Weixler’s account.” Half an hour after Zach left, I finally cleared the photo wall. I stared at my own happy smiling face in the photos, a sudden pang in my heart. Then, without hesitation, I threw them into the shredder. On the bedside table hung an ugly, distorted doll. Initially, I loved it, and felt bad for Zach’s pricked fingers from making this ugly doll. But later, I saw the same pattern on Clara’s phone case, but a more exquisite charm. Only then did I realize this was just a failed practice piece Zach had used. I threw it into the trash, along with all the couple’s items in the room. My phone vibrated wildly, indicating Clara had updated her social media. When I first learned of Clara’s existence, I furiously confronted Zach. I happened to catch him holding her hand, helping her write. They were so close, the air practically glowed with a pink, ambiguous aura. I went mad, smashing his study, forcing him to draw a line with her. For the first time, Zach didn’t soothe my emotions; instead, he stood beside Clara, scolding me. “Those with dirty hearts see dirt everywhere! I was just teaching her how to write!” But the scattered sheets of paper on the floor were all covered in hearts. That time, Zach didn’t comfort me; he gave me the silent treatment for a month. Zach self-righteously claimed it was normal socializing. But what I saw were his and Clara’s intertwined fingers, his and Clara’s shadow kiss in a staged shot, and yesterday at the wedding banquet, the ambiguous, glaring scratch marks. My consciousness returned. I picked up my phone and saw Clara’s post about soaking in a hot spring. She wore a sheer white gauze, the wet fabric clinging to her skin. A pair of hands, intimately familiar to me, appeared in the frame, kneading Clara’s calf without any sense of boundaries. The caption read, “I’m so clumsy; my calf cramped as soon as I got in the water. Luckily, Master Zach saved me.” It was followed by two emojis of praying hands, attempting to lighten the romantic atmosphere. I watched for a long time, then blocked Clara’s contact. As soon as I blocked her, Zach’s call came in. His roaring voice pierced my eardrums. “Anna Vance, what the hell are you doing? Clara was just normally sharing her life on social media!” “Don’t you know she has severe depression? Why did you block her? She’s been crying nonstop, banging her head against the pool wall, saying she’s a sinner and wants to prove her innocence by dying.” Zach’s accusations were like a sharp knife, brutally tearing through my feigned strength. My chest ached dully. I tried to suppress a sob. “Zach Weixler, I just want to draw a line between us. Is it wrong for me to give you to her?” A splash was heard on the other end. Zach screamed in panic. “Clara!” All that was left was the cold dial tone. Tears fell onto the wedding dowry my parents had left me. I ran my hand over the exquisite phoenix coronet. In the end, I still couldn’t fulfill my parents’ last wish, to marry Zach in grand style. I continued packing. Half an hour later, the door was kicked open with a bang. Zach, protecting the sobbing Clara, looked furious. “Look at how much Clara is crying! Hurry up and apologize!” My fingernails dug deep into my palm. I didn’t want to argue with him anymore. I obediently bowed and said, “I’m sorry.” Zach was unaccustomed to my docility, staring at me in surprise. I carefully placed the phoenix coronet into my suitcase. But then I saw Clara gently tug at Zach’s sleeve. “That phoenix coronet is so pretty! If I had a coronet like that, I’d be so happy.” Her tears fell perfectly onto Zach’s hand. Zach snatched the coronet from my hand and placed it on Clara’s head. “If this coronet can make you happy, it’s worth it. Besides, Anna made you sick, so consider it her apology gift to you.” I frantically tried to grab it back, but Zach’s grip on my wrist was crushing. The force was so immense, it felt like my bones would shatter. Tears welled up from the pain, and I looked at Zach pleadingly. “That’s the only keepsake my parents left me! Give it back!” Clara fiddled with the coronet’s tassels, asking with a smile as she looked in the mirror, “Do I look good wearing it?” Zach nodded, affectionately pinching her cheek. “Of course, you look good. Clara is the prettiest.” Clara finally stopped crying and, smiling, threw herself into Zach’s arms. The two of them flirted openly, oblivious to my presence. I saw a corner of the phoenix coronet bent. My heart felt as if it had been slashed by a sharp knife, blood dripping out. “Give it back!” I shrieked, my voice sharp, startling even Mrs. Weixler. She rushed into the room, saw Clara deliberately bending the coronet’s tassel, and frowned deeply, angrily questioning Zach. “How could you get involved with someone so disreputable? Look at her, she has no manners, just casually stealing other people’s things!” The atmosphere was tense. Zach gritted his teeth, looking at me. “Did you teach Mom to say that?” With that, he scoffed. “If we’re talking about manners, you’re the one without them, aren’t you? If you had manners, would you be living in my house before we’re even married?” “You uncultured brute.” A buzzing erupted in my ears. I forcefully raised my hand and slapped Zach’s face. “You have no right to say that!” During a family gathering years ago, a fire broke out. The Weixler family, being closer to the exit, escaped first. Zach and I were still playing hide-and-seek. My parents were shielding me as we fled when they heard Zach’s frightened cries for help. They didn’t hesitate, immediately turning back to find him. Because of inhaling too much dense smoke, my mother collapsed in the flames. My father, using his body as a shield to protect Zach, suffered extensive burns and eventually died from his injuries. If it weren’t for Zach, my parents would never have died. Mrs. Weixler’s eyes reddened, and she tearfully pulled me into a hug. Zach also realized he had spoken out of turn, his lips moving slightly as if to make amends. Clara, seeing everyone starting to side with me, started to cry pitifully again. She took off the phoenix coronet, placing herself between Zach and me. “Please don’t argue over me, okay? I’m sorry, I’ll give the phoenix coronet back to you.” My fingers trembled as I reached for it, but the moment I touched the coronet, Clara let go. It fell heavily to the ground, severely deformed, the embedded jewels shattering everywhere. My blood ran cold. I collapsed to the ground, carefully gathering the pieces of the phoenix coronet. Clara, as if triggered, screamed hysterically, throwing herself into Zach’s arms. Zach wrapped his arm around her waist, angrily gripping my wrist. “Anna Vance, it’s just a broken item! Do you really want Clara to die?” “Come with me! I’ll make you experience what it’s like to have an episode too.” Zach forcibly dragged me into the passenger seat. Mrs. Weixler ran after us, looking worriedly at me. “The Weixler family will be here to pick you up soon! Where are you going now?” The roar of the engine drowned out her words. Zach didn’t hear a thing. I clutched the jade fragments in my hand. They pierced my palm, blood seeping through my fingers. Zach merely glanced at it, then averted his gaze. He worriedly watched Clara in the rearview mirror, gently comforting her. “Don’t be scared, Clara. I’ll make things right for you right away.”

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1 It was New Year’s Eve, and I was barely a month post-miscarriage. Jonathan Goode brought me a bowl of freshly made beef stew. And a signed divorce agreement. “Kathy, Maya is pregnant.” “Let’s part ways amicably.” The rich aroma of the soup instantly lost its appeal. He was talking about the female student he’d sponsored, the very person responsible for the loss of my child. But I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene. I just asked calmly, “Why?” Jonathan looked relieved, yet indifferent. “For these seven years, whenever I lay beside you, I couldn’t help but feel disgusted.” “Kathy, even if you were violated because of me, I can’t stand the stain on you.” “It’s probably for the best that the child is gone. We’re even now.” So that was it. But Jonathan didn’t know that the “stained” person he spoke of was actually him. Nor did he know that seven years ago, to save him, I had a memory chip implanted in his brain. In three days, that chip would expire. Then, he would remember everything. And he would die. … “Financially, I won’t shortchange you.” Seeing my silence, Jonathan laid out the agreement. “I’ve left you the car and the house, plus half the money. It should be enough even if you don’t work anymore.” This meant he intended to cut me out of the corporation we had built together. Swallowing the bitterness that rose in my throat, I pushed the agreement aside. “I need time to consider.” Jonathan frowned. “Kathy, Maya is different from you. She’s pure, she’s only ever had me, and I have to be responsible for her.” His voice grew menacing at the end. “As a married couple, I don’t think you’d want me to turn this into a fight.” I couldn’t help but recall how, before he made his fortune, he was once pressured at a business dinner to concede profits. The opposing party merely showed a hint of aggression, and Jonathan smashed a wine bottle over his head. Now, he was aiming that bottle at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll sign it.” But not the divorce agreement. “The day after tomorrow is our tenth wedding anniversary. At least, have dinner with me.” Jonathan paused, then reluctantly said, “Kathy, why are you doing this?” He thought I was desperate. “The day after tomorrow, I promised Maya I’d go with her for her prenatal check-up. If this is the only way you’ll sign, I’ll make time to come back.” Just then, Maya called. “Jonathan, my tummy feels a bit uncomfortable. I wonder if the baby misses you too much.” She was only two months pregnant; the baby wasn’t even fully formed. Yet, Jonathan’s eyes softened instantly, and a look of doting affection I’d never seen before appeared on his face. “Okay, I’ll come right back and give him a good talking to.” Before leaving, Jonathan paused. “Kathy, this is the home I’ve always wanted.” He had said those very words years ago, when he broke ties with his family for me. Such a privileged man, living in a drafty rented room, yet he still found it cozy. All because I was there. “Kathy, you are my home.” Today, that home, me, had become the hell he was desperate to escape. The unfinished beef stew had grown cold. I stood up, tossing the bowl and its contents into the trash. Then, I made two calls. One to a lawyer, asking him to draft a stock transfer agreement for me. The other was to a moving company. I wanted every single item connected to Jonathan removed. That night, he didn’t return, as expected. Maya sent a photo of him bare-chested, warming milk. There were fresh hickeys on his chest. [The baby’s gone and you still won’t divorce him, Sister? Aren’t you pathetic?] [See? Only with me can he be unrestrained, truly wild.] [He must have been so miserable holding back with you; he even wanted me while I was pregnant.] Once, seeing these things would have sent me into a furious frenzy. Like a madwoman, I’d throw out all the disinfectant in the house, then cut up his long-sleeved pajamas. I’d ask him again and again why he avoided me like a disease. I’d ask myself again and again why I’d made that choice all those years ago. But now, I no longer asked. I just calmly saved the messages, then turned off my phone. I was very clear. Apex Holdings, under Jonathan and my leadership, was now worth hundreds of millions. Our joint assets alone amounted to nearly a billion, not to mention our standing in the Chamber of Commerce. My goal was now unambiguous. I wanted all the money and all the power. 2 The next day, I went to the lab where the memory chip had been developed. It was ironic, really. The head of that lab, Ethan Reed, was a brilliant but impoverished student whom Jonathan had initially refused to fund. Back then, our company was just getting on its feet, and funds were limited. Jonathan claimed he saw his past self in Maya and insisted on sponsoring her. Unwilling to see Ethan’s talent hindered by his background, I secretly funded a lab for him, allowing him to earn money through his own abilities. After Jonathan’s incident, Ethan worked tirelessly for a month, developing that memory chip for me. Maya, meanwhile, chose to climb into Jonathan’s bed. “Ms. Thorne, the chip implanted in Mr. Goode’s brain will expire in less than 48 hours, but the data isn’t ideal.” Ethan pushed up his glasses, a hint of worry in his eyes. “When the chip was first implanted, I warned you that forcibly extending its lifespan could cause irreversible neurological damage to Mr. Goode.” He still thought I was the same person who would do anything to save Jonathan’s life. He didn’t realize I had changed. “Let nature take its course.” I closed the report, not even asking a single follow-up question. Ethan paused. “Ms. Thorne, I actually have a backup plan here…” “No need.” I stood up and picked up my bag. “Just save the data.” I didn’t need to imagine how Jonathan would react once his memory returned. But I wouldn’t make the same stupid mistake twice. Walking downstairs, Jonathan called, asking me to attend the graduation ceremony at our alma mater, Kingston University, with him that afternoon. “We usually attend together every year. I don’t want to be gossiped about before we’re divorced.” I knew he was protecting Maya’s reputation. After graduating from Kingston, she had stayed on as a teacher with Jonathan’s help. Rumors about them had been circulating for a while. But I didn’t expose them. After all, I didn’t want any additional complications right now. At the university, the moment Maya saw me, all traces of yesterday’s malice vanished. Instead, she clutched her stomach and spoke nervously. “Kathy, you’re here.” In front of Jonathan, she was always so careful and cautious. And he fell for it every time. Even when Maya pushed me and caused my miscarriage, he believed I was the one making things difficult for her. Just like now, he immediately stepped in front of her. “Kathy, you’re a rational person. Don’t disappoint me.” He was warning me. I tugged at the corner of my mouth. “Move aside.” With that, I pushed past him and sat down. Jonathan paused, clearly surprised by my composure. “Kathy, you…” He was interrupted by Maya. “Kathy, what happened last time was my fault.” She said, hinting at something. “To make it up to you, I’ve specially prepared a surprise for you today.” It wasn’t until she went on stage to give a graduation address to the students that I understood what she meant by “surprise.” She played a video, claiming it was AI-generated, based on an old kidnapping case in Kingston City years ago. A girl, blinded by vanity, was lured abroad, subjected to abuse, and ultimately became a man’s plaything. Every frame focused on that terrified, pained face. Piercing screams, heavy gasps… Though no private parts were shown, the entire audience was still in an uproar. Because that face was mine. 3 The year Jonathan was kidnapped, our company was about to go public, and couldn’t afford any negative press. I had no choice but to block the news. I used all my money and connections to reach out to the local Chinese Association and rescue him. But I never expected that the ordeal would drive him mad. His physical wounds could be healed. But the trauma in his mind, even hypnosis couldn’t mend. After Jonathan’s ninety-ninth suicide attempt, Ethan Reed suggested the memory chip. It could forcibly alter that memory, and it wouldn’t be affected by any emotions or events. However, the underlying pain still needed to be healed so that when the chip expired, Jonathan wouldn’t try to end his life again. So I chose to sacrifice myself. Because I believed love could conquer all difficulties. But it turned out that Jonathan not only found it repulsive, but he also turned it into a knife to stab me with at any given moment. When the video finished, Maya’s gaze subtly swept towards me. “Some people, though alive, have long lost their dignity and become parasites clinging to others.” “So I hope everyone can learn from this, learn to protect themselves, and uphold their bottom line.” After the ceremony, as Maya approached, Jonathan frowned and spoke. “Maya, what you did was too risky.” He wasn’t blaming her. Maya looked innocent. “Jonathan, I put that up because I admire Kathy’s courage and wanted her to be a role model for the students.” Then she adopted a concerned expression for me. “Kathy, this video is something I’ve prepared for a long time. I just want to motivate you, help you move past that incident sooner, and stop being a burden to others.” Hearing this, a doting look crossed Jonathan’s eyes. “Oh, you’re just too kind.” Then he looked at me. “Kathy, Maya meant well. Be more generous.” I stared at him coldly. “Do you know what impact this video will have on me?” “What impact could it have?” Jonathan suddenly became impatient. “The truth always comes out. Did you really think you could hide it forever? Besides, Maya said the video was computer-generated and didn’t name names. Even if someone talks, just don’t take it personally, right? No need to throw a baseless tantrum!” So, in his eyes, such humiliation was my own fault. “Fine.” I didn’t press the issue, instead smiling faintly at Jonathan. “I hope you won’t regret it.” With that, I left, leaving him with a stunned expression. The rumors spread faster than I could have imagined. As if pre-arranged, within an afternoon, numerous versions circulated online. My face was edited into various obscene short videos, and even turned into memes, spread everywhere. With my identity exposed, coupled with the deliberately misleading captions in the video, I was subjected to endless curses and humiliation. [Turns out the Mrs. Goode from Apex Holdings was messed up years ago, no wonder she hasn’t had kids all these years.] [Poor Mr. Goode, so handsome, but he’s the oblivious cuckold.] [AI was too subtle; she clearly sounded like she was enjoying it, where was the pain?] The group’s stock price fluctuated as a result. The next day, my position was suspended by the board of directors. Jonathan spoke to me on the phone in a business-like manner. “Kathy, it wasn’t easy for Apex to get to where it is today. It can’t be ruined by your indiscretions.” He completely forgot that this was all thanks to Maya. “Don’t worry, as long as you sign, I’ll give you the compensation you deserve.” I gripped the phone tightly. “Your so-called compensation is to step on my reputation, kick me out, and force me to sign the divorce.” Jonathan was silent for a moment. “Kathy, don’t blame me.” He didn’t deny it. “Maya is innocent and insecure. If we continue to work together, she won’t be able to handle it.” “I just want to protect my home.” He still didn’t know that his so-called home was on a countdown. Only ten hours remained until the chip expired. And at this critical juncture, the media leaked photos of Jonathan taking Maya to a prenatal check-up.

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The morning after, a woman knocked on my door. “Is your dad home?” “Who?” “Jonathan Czuchry, your father.” The woman smiled gently. “You must be Chloe, right? I’ve seen your photo in Jonathan’s wallet. I never expected such a big, rough man to raise such a refined daughter.” “My dad?” Lost in a daze, the woman handed me a bag containing a set of keys and a familiar pair of men’s boxers. “These are what your father left at my place last night. I’ve already washed them clean.” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a shy blush on her cheeks. “He didn’t go to the office today, so I took the liberty of bringing them over. You’re an adult now, so please don’t be offended. Your mother’s been gone for so many years; it’s natural for your father to find someone.” I stared at the items in her hand, frozen. I had no idea that my husband, fourteen years my senior, had inexplicably become my “dad.” … The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a darker complexion. While not strikingly beautiful, she had a pleasant demeanor. I struggled to maintain my composure and let her into the house. She made herself quite at home, pouring a glass of water and settling in, then began to share the story of how she and Jonathan had met. “Your father and I met two years ago in Kenya. I was sold there by traffickers, forced into working as a hostess. One time, a customer was giving me a hard time, and your dad, he couldn’t stand it. He used every penny in his account to buy me out – over a million dollars, can you believe it?” I felt an icy dread seep into my bones. Two years ago, Jonathan had returned from a business trip to Kenya, crestfallen, telling me his investment had failed, and over a million dollars had vanished. I comforted him, saying that as long as he was safe, it was all that mattered. Turns out, the money had all been spent on her. My gaze fell on the slender wrist she wore. The woman raised her hand, showing off a glistening jade bangle. “This was your grandmother’s heirloom,” she explained with a smile. “Your dad gave it to me. He said the most important things should go to the most important person.” The luminous jade bracelet sharply pricked my eyes. The year Jonathan and I married, he was just starting his company. We were tight on money, so I asked for nothing, not even the traditional gold jewelry. Later, after his mother passed, I hinted repeatedly that I hoped he would give me his mother’s bangle. But he always said that things from the dead were bad luck. The woman’s voice continued, “I’m an orphan. Your dad kindly brought me back to the States, set me up with everything, and even got me a job as his secretary in his company. Gradually, as we spent time together every day, feelings developed between us.” “Your dad is busy with work, but he always makes time for me. I have a sensitive stomach, and he even learned to cook for me.” “Last time my stomach was bothering me, he missed your grandmother’s funeral to take care of me. But he said my health was more important than anything.” Listening to her words, my heart felt as if it were being flayed, bleeding profusely. When my own mother died, Jonathan had claimed he was too busy with work to return for the memorial. I had believed him, shouldering all the criticism and accusations on his behalf. Now, everything seemed so utterly laughable. A sudden wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I clutched my lips, dry-heaving violently, a dull ache in my lower abdomen. “What’s wrong?” The woman realized her blunder, asking cautiously, “I’m sorry, Chloe. I shouldn’t have told you all this. Are you… having trouble accepting your dad remarrying?” I shook my head. It must be the little one in my belly grieving for me. The woman, sensing my low spirits, added me on social media and then discreetly left. I sat at home all day, lost in a daze. That evening, Jonathan finally returned. I looked at the man before me, nearing forty. Time hadn’t etched many lines on his face; he was still strikingly handsome, composed, and mature. “Jonathan Czuchry,” I handed him the keys, my voice hoarse. “A woman brought these over earlier.” Jonathan’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of panic crossing his face. “What did she say?” “Why are you so flustered?” I averted my gaze, speaking calmly. “She just said she was your secretary, and you left your keys at the office last night while working late.” Jonathan tugged at his tie, clearly relieved. He had just sat down when his phone rang, and his expression instantly changed. “Sweetheart, something urgent came up at the office. You go to sleep, don’t wait up for me tonight.” Jonathan stayed for less than ten minutes before rushing out again. Two hours later, I saw a post from Olivia on social media. [My stomach started hurting again. Luckily he came just in time, making me porridge and soup. I’m so happy~] I stared at the words, feeling as though I was plummeting into a bottomless abyss. Two years ago, Jonathan had suddenly taken an interest in cooking. He not only taught himself over a hundred dishes but also how to make various nutritious soups. I had been deeply touched, believing he learned to cook for me. Now I realized I was a complete and utter joke. Sleep was impossible. The next morning, I woke to excruciating pain in my lower abdomen and bleeding. Jonathan’s phone was unreachable. I endured the pain, driving myself to the hospital. After a series of examinations, the doctor shook her head with regret. “Your progesterone levels are too low, and the emotional distress led to a miscarriage. You’ll need a D&C.” Miscarriage… The two words floated lightly, yet they drained all strength from my body. My baby was gone. My marriage was collapsing. That afternoon, Jonathan rushed to the hospital. He was panting, sweating profusely, one shoe missing. “Chloe, I’m so sorry…” Jonathan sat by my hospital bed, his eyes red, slapping himself in self-reproach. “I was so busy today, I just saw your message! I’m such an idiot, not being here for you immediately for something so important.” His choked sobs and sorrow didn’t seem fake. I thought, he must love me, right? I couldn’t condemn him so easily based on a few words from someone else. I had to get to the bottom of this. Just as I was about to speak, Jonathan glanced at his phone, his expression subtly uneasy. “Chloe, I have to step out for a moment for something.” The moment he left, I followed. At the end of the hallway, I saw Olivia clinging to Jonathan’s arm, her voice sweetly complaining, “Jonathan, why didn’t you tell me your daughter was hospitalized? I have to go see her. After all, I’m her elder, you know.” “Olivia, don’t go.” Jonathan stopped her, his face flustered. “Chloe… she’s not quite ready to accept me moving on with new relationships.” Olivia paused. “No wonder she looked so unhappy yesterday.” “What did you say?” Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “What did you tell her yester…” But Olivia suddenly hugged his waist, burying her face in his chest. “But Jonathan, I really want to be part of your family. I really want your daughter to accept me. I truly love you, and I don’t want to break up because of outside reasons.” Her voice was fragile and pitiful. Jonathan patted her back, his movements familiar and tender. “Foolish girl, what are you thinking? I won’t leave you. I know you only have me in your world.” Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being brutally torn in two. Her entire world was him. And wasn’t mine the same? I had been with Jonathan since I was eighteen. Back then, he had nothing, not a penny to his name. My family and friends all said I was crazy, finding an old, poor man who had nothing but good looks. Later, Jonathan started his business. To show his sincerity, he transferred all his initial company shares to me. He pledged his entire fortune to my father, promising that he would prove, with his actions, that my choice was not wrong. But now, he had fallen in love with a woman his own age. The fourteen-year age gap between us had become an unbridgeable chasm. I returned to my hospital room, utterly distraught. A moment later, my hands trembling, I sent a message to my best friend. [Skylar… Jonathan cheated on me.] I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. [Contact a lawyer for me. Jonathan spent millions on his mistress during our marriage. I want all that money back.] [Also, find a time to sell all my shares in Czuchry Industries.] Just as I put my phone away, Jonathan entered. He poured a glass of warm water, placing it by my bedside, then tentatively asked, “Sweetheart, did… my secretary say anything to you yesterday?” “No, nothing,” I feigned calmness, speaking indifferently. “She just dropped off the things and left.” Jonathan’s brow relaxed. He sat down and patted my shoulder. “Sweetheart, don’t be sad… you’re still young. We’ll have more children later.” There won’t be any more, I repeated in my mind. Jonathan, there’s no ‘later’ for us. “Sweetheart, have some soup.” Jonathan bustled about, personally making me a bowl of hot chicken soup. Looking at the steaming bowl in his hands, I recalled Olivia’s social media post. My stomach suddenly churned, and I couldn’t help but gag. Jonathan frowned, patting my back. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” I pushed him away. “Just felt a bit nauseous.” As I spoke, a clear female voice rang out from the doorway: “Jonathan.” Jonathan’s face froze. He turned around in a panic. “Olivia, what are you doing here?” Olivia smiled, carrying a basket of fruit as she walked in. “After thinking it over, I felt I really should come see Chloe.” Olivia sat by my bed, intimately taking my hand. “Chloe, Jonathan told me you’re in the hospital for some women’s health issues? Your mom passed early, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always ask me…” “Olivia!” Jonathan interrupted anxiously. “Something urgent came up at the office. You need to come back with me.” He then said to me, “Chloe, rest well. I’ll come back to see you later.” With that, he pulled Olivia and left in a hurry. I knew. He was panicking. He was afraid of being exposed. This seemingly upright man, with one lie, had deceived two women. Half an hour later, I once again scrolled past Olivia’s social media post. [Called me out under the pretense of overtime, but it was actually to give me a huge surprise~] She posted a photo of a property deed. [I finally have a home in this city! A 3-million-dollar brownstone, it’s his unique gift to me!] The name “Olivia” on the property deed burned my eyes. I even wondered. Was she truly unaware of the truth, or was she deliberately provoking me? I still couldn’t resist. I called Jonathan. It wasn’t until the eighth try that the call connected. “Chloe, what’s wrong?” “Jonathan Czuchry, come back immediately. I have something to ask you.” In the past, Jonathan would have sensed the distress in my voice. But now, he merely lowered his tone. “Chloe, I’m very busy right now. I’ll come back to be with you later.” “I want you to come back now!” “Chloe, don’t make a scene,” Jonathan’s voice grew impatient. “Just wait for me. I’ll be back later.” He hung up. Before the dial tone, I heard Olivia’s voice, playfully complaining, on the other end. “Jonathan, I’m so happy today.” My tears suddenly fell. She was very happy. But her happiness was built upon my suffering. Half an hour later, I received a message from Olivia. [Chloe, don’t you like me? If there’s anything you’re unhappy with about me, you can say it.] [Even though I worked as a hostess in Kenya, my personal life is very clean. Your father is my first man.] [And I’m pregnant with your dad’s child. I will treat everyone equally in the future and try my best to be a good stepmother. I hope you can accept me!]

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After trying on the wedding dress, Ethan gently pulled the seatbelt over and fastened it for me. “Babe, I’ve seen you in the wedding dress. I won’t be attending the wedding.” I froze in shock. “What do you mean?” He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I’ve fallen for a younger woman. She has a temper and refuses to be a mistress. I got a marriage certificate with her this morning.” “I’m someone else’s husband now. If I go through with our wedding ceremony, my wife will be heartbroken.” My mind buzzed, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “Why?” His tone was apologetic yet innocent. “Babe, you’re the one I love most, but men… we’re always drawn to eighteen-year-old girls.” “If you still want a wedding, find a man to pretend to be the groom. Don’t shortchange yourself—it breaks my heart.” I pressed the pregnancy test result deeper into my pocket. He was right. I shouldn’t shortchange myself. Ethan acted like nothing had happened, habitually ruffling my hair. “She’s incredibly stubborn. If I didn’t get the marriage certificate with her, she wouldn’t let me touch her at all.” “I pursued her for nearly half a year. She only gave me her first time yesterday.” I stared at him as if someone had their hands around my throat, my limbs turning cold. But he smiled deeply. “Right in the seat you’re sitting in. Like a little wildcat—scratching and clawing, then melting into softness.” Following his lingering, reminiscing gaze, I looked at the windshield. Palm prints, large and small, overlapping. Not yet faded. A wave of nausea surged up my throat. I gripped the seatbelt so hard my eyes reddened. He cupped my bloodless face, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Why are you crying? You’re still Mrs. Walker.” In Ethan’s seductive eyes, there was still that impossibly thick affection. As if he wasn’t the one who’d just casually mentioned getting a certificate with another woman, or the one with that intoxicated look while describing passionate entanglement in my seat. The absurd sense of disconnection swept through my entire body. I couldn’t breathe. He sighed helplessly. “I know you’re uncomfortable, but she’s sensitive. If I attend the wedding, she’ll definitely cry. She’s different from other women—pure and virtuous, wanting only devoted love. I pursued her for half a year before she gave herself to me. I have to take responsibility. You’ve always been understanding and considerate. You’ll understand, right?” Half a year. We’d been planning our wedding for half a year too. So while he personally handled every detail of the wedding I wanted—the style, the venue, the flowers, the invitations— He was also working tirelessly in places I couldn’t see, doing everything in his power to sleep with another woman. I curled my frozen fingers, numbly closing my eyes. “Since you’ve married someone else, let’s end this.” He paused for two seconds, then laughed. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.” “You’ve been with me since you were eighteen. You’ve had two abortions. If you leave me, what man out there would want you?” I stared at him. My heart felt like red-hot coals were rolling across it. Ten years. We’d lived under bridges, shared single bowls of instant noodles. In the hardest times, we could only drink water to fill our stomachs. Because we had no money, we couldn’t afford birth control or proper abortions. In the freezing cold, I deliberately exposed myself, climbed stairs and threw myself down them. Through the pain, crying until I was exhausted, I lost two children. Ethan had knelt by my hospital bed, stabbing himself twice. With bloody hands trembling, he covered my eyes, speaking word by word in my ear: “Peyton, I’ll make sure you live a good life. If I ever wrong you, may I die a terrible death.” That promise was heavy. I believed it for half my life. But now, it was easily defeated by a woman he’d known for six months. I didn’t understand how someone who loved me so much could suddenly turn rotten. His phone rang with a special ringtone. One that had appeared many times at night. Ethan always said it was clients. Because I trusted him so much, I never doubted. Now I realized how stupid I’d been. He didn’t answer immediately, his voice calm like he was pacifying an unreasonable child. “Why make trouble over a plaything? We have ten years together. Are you really going to give up over a piece of paper?” “You’re not young anymore, Peyton. No parents, no mother, no job. Only I’ll take care of you. Keep making a scene and it won’t end well.” He pulled the car to the roadside. “Take a taxi home yourself. I’m picking her up. Think carefully about what I said.” The car door closed like a heavy slap. Watching the speeding car disappear, I bent over the roadside, vomiting until my face was covered in tears. Ethan was wrong. No one gets a marriage certificate with a toy. That certificate I’d waited ten years for and never received. True love never changes—it just transfers. I looked up at the gloomy sky, my heart hollow and drafty. After a long while, I picked up my phone and made a call.

When I got home, Ethan’s Bentley was parked outside. Through the cracked car window, a man’s languid panting drifted out. “Call me darling.” “Darling…” “Who do you love most?” “You, of course…” “Such a good girl. I’d die for you.” I stood there, my face drained of color. Even though the summer sun was scorching and hot, I felt like I was standing in freezing cold. An hour later, Ethan walked in with his arm around a petite woman. Seeing me sitting in the living room, Sophia acted like she’d suffered a great injustice, her eyes instantly welling up. “Why is she here? Didn’t you say this was our home?” “Are you lying to me? You still can’t let her go, can you?” “Even if I love you, I’ll never sell my dignity to be your mistress. I’m leaving right now!” Ethan hurried to stop her, hugging and embracing her, trapping her in his arms. “What are you thinking? The marriage certificate has the official seal on it. You’re my wife. This is our home. She’s here to pack her things.” He looked at me without explanation or apology. “Peyton, the suburban villa is quiet with few people around. Go stay there for a while.” My mind went blank for a moment. Before anger could arrive, my heart felt a dull, physiological pain. Three years ago, when we moved into this villa, Ethan had held me with reddened eyes. “Peyton, this is our home from now on. You, me, and our children.” But now, this man who promised me a home was kicking me out of it three years later. “Peyton, my wife isn’t happy. I don’t want to say it twice.” He smiled, but his lowered voice carried clear warning. My sore throat felt blocked by soaked cotton. I realized in a daze that he wasn’t joking. After a long silence, under his confident certainty, I nodded hoarsely. “I understand.” Ethan stared at my retreating back, something stirring in his eyes. He suddenly strode forward and grabbed me, his voice softening slightly. “There’s an event this afternoon. Come with me.” Just as I was about to refuse, he interrupted first. “It’s Sophia’s first time at this kind of event. Help her with her dress and give her support.” I froze, feeling absurdly like laughing. Thinking of the little time I had left, I didn’t argue. Before the event, Sophia claimed she had no suitable dress. From my wardrobe, she precisely picked out the most luxurious birthday gift Ethan had ever given me—a unique dress worth six hundred million dollars with matching jewelry. She held Ethan’s arm while I carried her train, becoming the center of attention at the entire event. The guests’ mockery and whispered gossip followed me like shadows. “Mr. Walker really knows how to handle women. Having his wife carry his mistress’s train—she doesn’t dare say a word.” “What Mrs. Walker? Don’t you know Mr. Walker already got a certificate with this little mistress? Peyton is just trash who’s been used for ten years. She’s nothing.” “How stupid must she be to get nothing after ten years? Pathetic. Living like something worse than a dog—she might as well be dead.” I fled the banquet hall and hid in the restroom. But I heard someone teasing Ethan. “Ethan, Peyton followed you for ten years. Did you really get a certificate with that innocent girl?” “She wanted security. It’s just a piece of paper. What can it change?” “What if Peyton runs away? Won’t you regret it?” My heart tightened, but I heard him laugh carelessly. “Peyton’s whole world is me. After following me for ten years, I’ve already broken her in. She’s no different from a dirty old rag now.” “I know her too well. When I get tired of playing around, she’ll still be standing there waiting for me like a good girl.” I couldn’t hear the rest. I walked to the sink, desperately splashing water on my face, finally biting down on the flesh between my thumb and index finger. Watching water mix with humiliated tears splash into the sink, I didn’t cry out loud. Ethan, this time you bet wrong. This dirty rag you despise won’t wait for you anymore. Turning to leave the restroom, I was suddenly struck across the face.

I covered my burning cheek, turning my head in disbelief. Sophia rolled her wrist, the gentleness on her face peeling away. “You heard everything. Ethan already got a certificate with me, and you’re still shamelessly clinging to him? How cheap can you be?” “If you love being a mistress and getting used by men so much, go to a brothel.” “Though a freebie like you who’s been played for ten years is only fit to pair up with trash from the slums.” My head buzzed, my vision filled only with the woman’s sharp, mean face and constantly moving mouth. I laughed in fury, but Sophia didn’t give me a chance to fight back. She suddenly screamed, tore open the front of her dress, and threw herself backward. “Peyton!” A cold voice exploded behind me. Ethan rushed over, helping Sophia up and pulling her into his arms. She cried so hard she could barely stand, tears flowing instantly. “Ethan, I’m the mistress. I ruined your relationship with Miss Reed. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have appeared. I’m a vicious homewrecker.” As she spoke, she slapped herself hard twice across the face. Ethan grabbed her hands, his eyes trembling. “Who said those things to you?” Sophia bit her lip, clutching her clothes desperately. “Please, don’t ask.” But when her eyes swept over me, she shook her head in fear. “Someone like me can’t afford to offend wealthy ladies like you. Ethan, I’m not worthy of you. Let me go. I don’t want to die mysteriously someday.” He frowned, his gaze turning hostile as he stared at me. “Explain!” I lowered my hand, revealing my swollen red cheek. “You should ask what she said.” “Miss Reed!” Sophia shrieked, her voice sharp and piercing. “I did slap you, but only because you threatened me with my parents’ lives. They’re just ordinary people. If you’re not satisfied, let me hit you back. I’m begging you, don’t hurt them.” My eyes turned red with anger. “You’re lying. It was clearly you who—” “Enough.” Ethan cut me off coldly, looking at me with disappointment. “Peyton, I’ve spoiled you.” “Do you think just because you have no parents, I can’t touch you?” Perhaps I’d expected it all along. Perhaps my heart had grown cold long ago. I laughed hollowly, my eyes burning painfully. “So what do you want to do to stand up for your wife?” He walked slowly toward me, methodically removing from my finger the ring he’d personally made for me when he earned his first fortune. He turned to his assistant. “Call the police. My wife’s jewelry was stolen. We’ve caught the thief red-handed.” I forgot how to move, my mind completely blank. Ethan’s rise to success hadn’t been easy. He was accustomed to ruthlessness. I was his only weakness. Regardless of right or wrong, he always sided with family over justice. In River City, no one dared use dirty tricks on me. But now, the person plunging the knife into my heart was him. Ethan caressed the ring, his cold features becoming increasingly unfamiliar through the tears welling in my eyes. “Peyton, you’re too disobedient. Go inside and reflect for a few days.” “Don’t worry, it won’t be long. When you come out, I’ll put the ring back on your finger myself.” I pulled my lips into a mocking smile. As the police officers walked in and handcuffed me, I expressionlessly withdrew the hand he was holding. The suddenly empty sensation made Ethan frown uneasily. He stared at my retreating back with the strange feeling he’d never be able to hold onto me again. Just as he was about to step forward, Sophia grabbed his arm first.

“Ethan, thank you for standing up for me. I was so scared just now.” He clicked his tongue and pinched her face affectionately. “What compensation do you want?” Sophia smiled and snatched the ring from his hand, tossing it into the trash. Seeing his expression change, she immediately teared up guiltily. “Is it that important?” She made as if to dig through the trash. “Then I’ll find it for you. After all, it’s ten years of history. Even though she hurt me, I don’t want to make things difficult for you.” Ethan pulled her back by the waist, his heart melting completely. “How could it be more important than you? Don’t dirty your hands. Here’s my black card—buy whatever you want.” Sophia huffed indignantly and refused. “I don’t want your money. I only love you as a person.” “Yes, yes, yes. I want to spend money on my wife. If you don’t spend it, I’ll feel terrible.” Only then did she reluctantly accept it. Three days later, I was brought out of solitary confinement in a daze. I was escorted directly to a private room in a club. Pushing open the door, Ethan and Sophia were sharing a grape on the center sofa. The grape dropped, and they took the opportunity to kiss deeply. The cheering from the surrounding men and women nearly blew the roof off. I don’t know how long passed before Ethan noticed me standing at the door. He stared at my gaunt, pale face, his expression immediately darkening. “What happened? Did someone bully you inside?” Before I could speak, Sophia giggled. “Miss Reed really knows how to manipulate men. With your relationship with Ethan, who would dare bully you? You must have spent a lot of time on this sickly makeup—it looks so realistic.” Ethan’s movement to stand up fell back down because of her words. He knocked out a cigarette, lighting it with the flame Sophia offered. Smoke blurred his features. Only those eyes looking at me showed suppressed impatience. “Since you’ve reflected, come apologize to Sophia.” Sophia wore all white, sitting obediently in Ethan’s arms, swirling a glass of alcohol with unknown proof. “Actually, I don’t want to make things difficult for you.” “But you insulted my parents. Anyone would be upset, right?” She paused, as if remembering something, making a strange exclamation. “I forgot—your parents abandoned you as a child. You’re a pitiful creature nobody wanted.” I said nothing. She placed the drink on the coffee table and smiled. “Apologize.” I lowered my head. “I’m sorry.” Sophia shook her head. “Just words aren’t sincere enough. This drink is sixty proof. Drink it.” I stared at the glass of bubbling green liquid, instinctively looking at Ethan. During those years building his empire with him, I’d drunk myself into a perforated stomach at countless business dinners. I’d been in the ICU several times. Ethan had been terrified. He never let me touch alcohol again. He knew better than anyone how close I’d come to dying on the operating table. But now the man before me only exhaled a smoke ring indifferently, as if casually commenting on nice weather. “Peyton, it’s just one glass. Your tolerance isn’t that low.” I’d stopped expecting anything long ago, yet my heart still clenched uncontrollably. I picked it up and swallowed it down. The burning pain seared from my throat straight into my stomach. My lower abdomen cramped. I staggered back two steps in pain. “Miss Reed has such a good tolerance. Then drink these few glasses too.” Sophia pointed at a row of colorful drinks on the table. My face turned cold. Sophia looked at Ethan pitifully. “Ethan, she called me a mistress and threatened to kill my parents. My spirit has been so badly hurt. I’m only asking for this tiny bit of compensation. Is that too much?” “Of course not.” Ethan held her, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray, saying matter-of-factly, “Peyton, I want to help you too, but what you did was too much. Listen to Sophia. Once she’s appeased, you can atone.” I nodded calmly. Clutching my knife-twisted abdomen, I picked up the decanter on the table. “A few glasses aren’t enough to atone. I’ll chug the bottle.” When the bottle hit the floor, I couldn’t help spitting blood everywhere, collapsing weakly to the ground. Sophia stepped back several paces in disgust. “Miss Reed, it’s just one bottle. Did you really need to use blood packs?” Ethan was also convinced by this explanation, frowning impatiently. “Enough. How long are you going to keep up this act? Sophia has been merciful enough to you. Still not embarrassed enough? Get up.” I didn’t speak, just looked up at him. The woman closest to me suddenly screamed. “Blood—her pants are covered in blood. This is… she’s having a miscarriage…” Meeting Ethan’s face instantly drained of color, I showed my first genuinely sincere smile of the day. “I’ve paid her back with your child too. Is that enough?”

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I dated him for five years. Only on the night he proposed did I discover he was the heir to a vast fortune. The next day, his grandfather shoved a check into my hand. “Take the money and disappear, or I’ll cut off your brother’s medication!” I was forced to leave. Four years later, he came into power. The first thing he did was divorce, search the world for me, and beg me tearfully to come back. I thought this was a story of deep love, until I discovered he used my brother’s ventilator to save the son he had with his ex-wife. My brother died. I wiped away my tears, turned around, and took his sworn enemy’s arm. “Tristan Ashford, let’s get married.” Wendy POV I dated Lucas Sterling for five years. Only when he pulled out an astronomically expensive engagement ring did I learn he was the heir to the renowned Sterling Group. That same night, Lucas’s grandfather came to my door personally and threatened me with a check. “The Sterling family will never allow someone of your background through our doors. I’ve already found a suitable marriage match for Lucas. You’d better be smart. Take the money and disappear, or I’ll have the hospital cut off your comatose brother’s medication!” When I was forced to leave with the check, Lucas tried desperately to stop me, but his grandfather had him forcibly dragged back and married off. Four years passed. Lucas’s grandfather died of a sudden heart attack, and Lucas became the family’s most powerful figure. The first thing he did was resolutely divorce his arranged wife, mobilize all his connections, and search the entire world for me. On the day we reunited after so long, this man who never showed his emotions had red-rimmed eyes. “Wendy…” He held me tightly, his voice hoarse beyond recognition. “I didn’t have the power to keep you before, but things are different now. Come home with me.” After we reconciled, he seemed determined to make up for all four lost years. He not only arranged for my comatose brother to stay in the city’s best private hospital, but also transferred half of his shares in Sterling Group to me. He gave me the grandest wedding and wanted to stick to me twenty-four hours a day, frequently taking me to various high society social events. He said, “I want everyone to know that you, Wendy Clarke, are my wife, the only woman I’ll ever love in this lifetime.” In our second year of marriage, I got pregnant. I held the test results, wanting to surprise him, but at the private club he frequently visited, through the deafening music from the private room, I heard familiar laughter. “Lucas, didn’t you say you couldn’t stand that spoiled and willful Miss Sinclair? Said if it weren’t for her, you and Wendy wouldn’t have been forced apart all those years ago? You finally outlasted your grandfather, divorced Melody Sinclair as you wished, and got Wendy back. So how come you’ve been getting all cozy with Melody on the side?” My footsteps halted, my body freezing in place. Melody Sinclair… Lucas’s ex-wife from the arranged marriage? Amid the crisp sound of clinking glasses, Lucas’s voice came through, tinged with laughter and alcohol. “Annoying? Sure. But Melody’s wild enough, exciting enough, like a rose with thorns. Wendy, on the other hand… her personality is just too gentle and quiet. Gets a bit boring after a while.” “Oh? So Melody’s more your type?” “I heard last week you dropped fifty million dollars at an auction just to get her a necklace?” “I also heard that when Wendy was hospitalized with a fever, you said you were going to Europe for an acquisition deal, but someone saw you on Melody’s yacht for a full seven days. Is that true?” “Those seven days alone together on the yacht. You and Melody must have had quite the spectacular time, huh?” Hearing this, I felt like ice water had been poured down my spine. I remembered that time when I was hospitalized with a high fever and Lucas had to go on a business trip, but he sent me caring messages almost every day at set times. So his so-called business trip was actually seven spectacular days on a yacht with another woman? I desperately hoped to hear him deny it. But instead I heard Lucas say lazily, “Don’t go spreading these things around. I don’t want Wendy finding out and making a scene. I finally got her back. I don’t want to lose her again.” “Got it. Melody’s got a fiery temperament, you just want to change things up occasionally, but the one at home is your true love. We all understand, we definitely won’t spread it around.” Someone probed, “But what if Wendy finds out? Aren’t you afraid she’ll divorce you?” After a brief silence, Lucas said with casual certainty, “Her comatose brother is still lying in the private hospital I arranged. Even if she finds out, she’ll make a fuss at most. She won’t dare actually divorce me.” “True! Without you, who’d take care of that burden of a brother? With her comatose brother as leverage, no matter what happens, a nobody Cinderella like her is completely at your mercy.” Amid the roar of laughter, I felt a chill race from my feet to my scalp. The ultrasound printout in my hand suddenly felt scorching hot. I wanted to burst in and furiously demand why Lucas was still entangled with Melody after their divorce. But my legs refused to move. What was there to demand? Wasn’t the answer perfectly clear? Because I was too gentle and quiet, making me boring to him, while Melody was wild enough, exciting enough. Like a rose with thorns, perfectly suited to his taste. He even had my psychology completely figured out, not the least bit worried I’d divorce him after learning the truth. After all, my brother was the last family I had left in this world.

Wendy POV In the end, I withdrew my hand from the door handle and stumbled out of the club. A wave of nausea hit me. I couldn’t help crouching by the roadside and dry heaving as tears spilled from my eyes. My mind couldn’t help replaying that day after four years apart when Lucas found me at any cost. He held me tightly, begging me over and over to come back with him. He said, “These four years without you, I’ve lived a fate worse than death.” He said, “I was forced by my grandfather into that arranged marriage with the Sinclair family. Melody and I were just going through the motions. There were no feelings. Now she and I have nothing to do with each other.” He also said, “The person I love, from beginning to end, has been you. The Mrs. Sterling I want has only ever been you.” I believed him, so I softened and went back with him. But it turned out he was coaxing me while getting cozy with Melody on the side? This was the man who said life without me was worse than death? This was his love? Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a message from Lucas. “Darling, there’s an urgent project I need to handle out of town. Be good and wait for me to come back. Remember to miss me.” After the message was a transfer of a hundred thousand dollars. Looking at it, I couldn’t help recalling every word from that private room. A sharp pain shot through my heart, along with icy mockery. I immediately opened my contacts and dialed a number with no name saved. “You contacted me before wanting to buy my Sterling Group shares at a premium. Is that offer still good?” The male voice on the phone said teasingly, “But didn’t you refuse before?” “I’ve thought it through now. I want to make this deal with you, but I don’t want money.” “Oh? Then what do you want?” I pressed my lips together. “I want you to help me contact the best private hospital abroad, secretly transfer my brother out of the country, and help me prepare a completely new identity so Lucas can never find us.” The man on the other end seemed to understand something and asked curiously, “Didn’t I hear Lucas loves you so much he can’t live without you? Are you really willing to leave him?” Latching onto a big tree? But I never wanted to latch onto Lucas or climb any social ladder. Back then, Lucas fell for me at first sight and pursued me intensely. I agreed to be with him and dated him for five years without knowing he was the famous Sterling heir. It wasn’t until four years ago when Lucas finally revealed his true identity and his grandfather came to humiliate and threaten me that I realized the chasm between Lucas and me. If Lucas hadn’t been so sincere and earnest when he found me again, making me believe he truly couldn’t live without me and loved me deeply, I never would have been moved enough to return to his side. I gripped my phone. “That’s my business, nothing to do with you. Just tell me, are you making this deal or not?” “Fine. Deal.” I was straightforward, and so was he. “But I’m not in the country right now. It’ll take time to arrange secretly transferring your brother abroad. Two weeks at most. Wait for my message.” I agreed and ended the call. The shock from earlier left my mind in a haze. Going down the stairs, I missed a step and fell heavily to the ground. Blood immediately pooled beneath me. In the hospital operating room. The doctor sighed at me. “Miss Clarke, I’m very sorry. We couldn’t save your baby.” I lay on the operating table, touching my now-flat abdomen. I remembered just yesterday when I first learned I was pregnant, full of joy, eager to share the good news with Lucas. But now I was lying here. Tears streamed down my face. “I understand.” I didn’t want a man who wasn’t faithful in relationships. And this child that belonged to them wasn’t meant to be born. After the surgery, I woke from the anesthesia. Supporting myself against the wall as I walked down the hospital corridor, I suddenly heard a passing nurse say, “People nowadays really don’t know when to stop. Actually ruptured a corpus luteum because sex was too rough and bled…” “Who?” “Who else? That Miss Sinclair in the VIP ward who was just brought to the hospital. But the one who came to the hospital with her… seems to be Mr. Sterling?” Miss Sinclair? Mr. Sterling? I froze in place, thinking it might just be a coincidence. However, the moment I turned and looked up, my eyes met Lucas’s as he stood at the other end of the corridor talking on his phone.

Wendy POV The second our eyes met, surprise flashed in Lucas’s gaze. He immediately cut off the call, shoved his phone into his suit pocket, and strode quickly toward me. “Wendy? What are you doing at the hospital?” “I wasn’t feeling well, came for a checkup.” My gaze fixed on his face. “What about you? Why are you at the hospital?” A flash of guilt passed through Lucas’s eyes, too quick to catch. Then he smiled naturally. “Brought a friend over.” “A friend?” I looked toward the VIP ward area behind him. “Really just brought a friend to the hospital?” Lucas’s expression didn’t change. He even showed a hint of helpless amusement. “What else? Who do you think it is? Just an ordinary friend. Don’t overthink it.” I looked at him. After knowing him all these years, I only now discovered how seamlessly he could lie. Lucas turned to show concern. “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well? Are you done with the checkup? What did the doctor say? Is it serious?” I lowered my eyes. “Just a small issue. Already taken care of.” “That’s good.” Lucas seemed relieved. He glanced at my face. “Since you’re done, let me take you home to rest. You look so pale. You shouldn’t have come to the hospital alone.” I said with hidden mockery, “Don’t you need to stay with your friend?” “No need. I already called someone else to keep her company.” He stepped forward and supported my arm. “Let’s go. Let’s go home.” So I didn’t refuse, letting him support me superficially as we left the hospital and got the car. On the road, halfway through the drive, an abrupt phone ringtone broke the silence. Lucas glanced at the caller ID, then reflexively looked at me. I had my eyes closed, resting. Lucas didn’t hesitate and hung up directly. The ringing stopped abruptly. The car interior returned to quiet. Lucas explained casually, “Unknown number. Probably a telemarketer.” I kept my eyes closed, showing no reaction. Only my fingers resting on my knees curled slightly. The car pulled into the villa’s garage. Lucas came around and opened the door for me. Seeing me move slowly as I got out, he scooped me up in his arms. I instinctively tried to break free. “I can walk on my own.” “Don’t be stubborn.” Lucas carried me toward the house, his brows furrowed. “Your face is this pale. What exactly did the checkup find? Where’s the medicine the doctor prescribed?” I said darkly, “Just a small issue. It’s nothing now.” If he knew that at the same time he and Melody were sent to the hospital, I had terminated their child, what would he feel? Lucas looked down at me, as if trying to read something on my face. But I had already closed my eyes. He ultimately didn’t press further and carried me straight upstairs to the bedroom, gently laying me on the bed and pulling the covers over me. “Rest well.” He leaned down, seemingly wanting to kiss my forehead. I turned my head away. Lucas’s movement froze, but he quickly straightened up, his tone unchanged. “I’ll have the housekeeper bring dinner up. I still have some things at the company. I’ll come back later to keep you company.” He turned and left, gently closing the door behind him. The bedroom fell completely silent. I opened my eyes. A dull ache came from my lower abdomen, but it was nothing compared to the tearing pain in my chest. Then I pulled out my phone and finally made up my mind to contact a divorce lawyer. After resting at the villa for two days, I went out to get the divorce papers, then headed to Sterling Group. The receptionist and secretaries all recognized me. I made it all the way to the CEO’s office door without obstruction and knocked. Lucas was sitting behind his desk. Looking up and seeing it was me, his face immediately lit up with a smile as he rose to greet me. “Wendy? What brings you here?” He took my hand and led me to the lounge area. I handed him the document. “There’s something I need you to sign.” Lucas glanced at the ordinary document envelope and raised an eyebrow. “What’s this? A property contract, or do you want to buy some jewelry?” I was thinking about what excuse to use to get him to sign when the office door was suddenly pushed open. “Mr. Sterling! Something’s wrong!” His assistant Sam rushed in breathlessly. “Miss Sinclair didn’t make an appointment and came straight up! We couldn’t stop her. She’s already at the elevators!”

Wendy POV Before Sam finished speaking, Lucas’s brows furrowed tightly. He didn’t even look at what document I was trying to hand him. He grabbed his pen and scrawled his signature with a few quick strokes. “Wendy, wait for me in the office.” After shoving the document back into my hands, Lucas said with barely concealed urgency, “I need to handle something outside. I’ll be right back.” With that, he strode toward the door. Passing by me, he even bumped my shoulder without noticing. The impact made me stagger two steps to the side, my waist hitting hard against the corner of the desk. Immediately, sharp pain shot through my waist. I let out a muffled groan, cold sweat beading on my forehead. Lucas seemed completely oblivious. He didn’t even turn his head. The moment he pulled open the office door, a bold, bright female voice full of anger came crashing down. “Lucas Sterling! What’s your problem? You put me in that condition and sent me to the hospital, then just left me there alone without a word? You don’t answer calls, don’t reply to messages. Do you think I’m that easy to brush off?!” In the doorway, Melody wore a haute couture dress from the current season, her makeup flawless, but her anger made her features especially vivid and sharp. She tried to rush in regardless, but Lucas extended his arm to firmly block her outside. Lucas’s face was dark as he warned in a low voice, “Melody, what are you trying to pull? This isn’t a place you should be. Leave. Now.” Blocked by him, Melody stood on her toes to see me standing inside the office. She paused, then seemed to understand something. Her red lips curved into a mocking, knowing arc. “Oh…” She drew out the syllable, her gaze moving between Lucas’s tense face and me, saying sarcastically, “I see why you won’t let me in. The current Mrs. Sterling is here.” “Shut up! Get out now!” But Melody wouldn’t comply. Instead, she raised her chin. “Lucas, you’re something else. Got yourself a new wife, so you don’t care if the old one lives or dies. But what about Liam? You don’t plan to care about him either? He keeps asking for his daddy!” The word “daddy” hit me like a thunderbolt. The pain in my waist immediately forgotten, I jerked my head up to look at the man whose back had gone rigid. “Who’s Liam?” Satisfaction flashed across Melody’s face. She was about to speak. “Melody!” Lucas suddenly erupted with a low roar. “You’d better stop while you’re ahead. Don’t spout nonsense here!” “What nonsense am I spouting? What I said is clearly…” “Get out!” Cutting her off, his face looked terrifyingly dark. He gave Melody no more chance to speak, grabbing her wrist in one motion. “Wendy, just wait in the office. Don’t go anywhere! When I get back, I’ll explain everything to you!” After tossing out that line, Lucas forcibly dragged Melody away, leaving me alone. Liam… clearly a child’s name. Lucas and Melody have a child? My body and mind trembled. I could hardly believe this reality. Lucas never told me he and Melody had a child. I stayed in the office, waiting for a very long time. But an entire day passed, and Lucas never returned. He didn’t even send a single message or make a single call. I pulled at the corners of my mouth, wanting to laugh. Waiting here like this, I really was an idiot. Just as idiotic as when I believed how much this man loved me and agreed to return to his side. Then I stopped waiting and quietly left the CEO’s office. I went to the law office, handed the lawyer the divorce papers Lucas had signed, and asked the lawyer to process everything as quickly as possible. Only then did I take a car back to the villa. Lucas didn’t return until late at night. He’d just taken off his suit jacket and hadn’t had time to hang it up when he spotted me sitting quietly on the living room sofa. “Wendy?” His movements paused as he walked closer. “Why aren’t you asleep? What are you doing sitting here? Were you waiting for me?” Sitting beside me, he reached to put his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry, a project had some issues this afternoon that I had to handle. When I got back to the office, Sam told me you’d already left.” Before he could touch me, I shifted away slightly. This subtle movement left Lucas’s arm frozen in mid-air. “Lucas.” I slowly turned my head to look at him. “Don’t you have something you should explain to me?” “Like who Liam is? He’s your and Melody’s child, isn’t he?”

Wendy POV An eerie silence spread through the space, seemingly lasting an entire century. Lucas’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Finally, he slowly forced out a single word. “…Yes.” Though I’d already guessed, hearing him admit it in this moment still felt like an invisible hand viciously squeezing my heart. Suffocating pain instantly swept through my entire body. The crisp sound of a slap suddenly echoed through the living room. Lucas’s face turned to the side, a clear handprint quickly appearing on his cheek. “Why?” Extreme anger and absurdity made my voice shake terribly. “Lucas, tell me why? You and Melody have a child, but you never mentioned it to me.Not one word! What do you take me for? A complete and utter fool?!” Lucas frantically grabbed my wrists. “Wendy, listen to me! I didn’t mean to hide it from you! I… I was just too afraid that if you knew about this, you couldn’t accept it and would leave me!” He looked at me, a pained redness showing in his eyes. “I lost you once. I’ve tasted what that’s like. I never want to go through it a second time. That’s why I chose to hide it!” Love? Hearing that word, I almost laughed out loud. His love was built on deception and concealment? His love meant using my brother as leverage while getting cozy with his ex-wife on the side? My eyes reddened. “Didn’t you say you and Melody were just going through the motions? Then how did this child come about?” Avoiding my sharp gaze, Lucas’s brows furrowed tightly. “It was during a business dinner. Someone slipped something into my drink… Melody happened to be there too. When I woke up, it had already happened.” “Grandfather was still alive then. He wouldn’t allow Sterling family blood to be terminated. I had no choice.” He paused, then gripped my hand with restless anxiety. “But Wendy, believe me, it really was just an accident! Melody’s been raising that child at the Sinclair house all along. Whether they exist or not doesn’t affect our relationship or marriage!” His sincere, urgent defense. If this were before, I might have actually believed his explanation. I suddenly felt a deep exhaustion surge up, engulfing my entire body. It turned out that when heartache and disappointment reached their extreme, the heart would actually calm down. Whether what he said was true or false, what was the point of arguing about it now? After all, we’d be divorcing soon. He and I would have nothing to do with each other anymore. Seeing me slowly close my eyes, Lucas took my silence as a sign of softening. He quickly pulled out a deep blue velvet jewelry box from his inner suit pocket. Inside was a rare pink diamond that shimmered brilliantly under the lights, displaying its considerable value. “Wendy, look. I specially prepared this for you.” He took out the necklace and put it on me, his tone ingratiating. “I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have hidden things from you. Forgive me, okay? I promise I’ll never hide anything from you again.” The cool touch of the pink diamond against my skin made me wonder. Would every time he did something wrong in the future, he’d just throw money or something expensive at me to smooth things over? But clearly, during those five years we were together before, he wasn’t like this. Back then, he never made me angry, never hid things… No, the Lucas of that time did hide things from me too. He hid the fact that he was the Sterling heir. Perhaps after knowing him all these years, I never truly understood him. Over the next few days, Lucas was unusually attentive. He pushed aside many unnecessary social engagements, came home on time to have dinner with me, tried everything to make me happy, begging me not to dwell on those matters. I said nothing, only grew increasingly silent. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Sterling family’s quarterly banquet. At this kind of occasion, whether willing or not, Lucas had to attend, and as the current Mrs. Sterling, I naturally had to as well. Sterling Manor. Lucas and I had just arrived when suddenly, a young boy’s clear, cheerful voice came from the entrance. “Daddy!” My fingers trembled. I slowly turned around. I saw Melody wearing an eye-catching red gown, her makeup radiant, holding the hand of a little boy as they walked in.

Wendy POV Seeing the mother and son, Lucas strode over with sharp steps. “What are you doing bringing the child to the Sterling house?” “Liam is a Sterling.” Melody raised her chin, her red lips curving into a provocative smile. “The Sterling family has a banquet every three months. There’s no reason we shouldn’t attend, is there?” As she spoke, her fingers traced up Lucas’s chest, the movement suggestive. Leaning close to his ear, she lowered her volume. “You talk about caring so much about her, but a few days ago when you had me pinned on the bed, I didn’t see you hesitate. Now in front of her, you don’t even dare acknowledge us?” Lucas’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the lines of his profile taut with tension. He grabbed Melody’s wrist, his gaze sharp with warning. “Don’t make trouble.” Melody laughed lightly, as if she’d heard something amusing. She stopped paying attention to Lucas and led the child straight toward the Sterling family members. “I brought Liam to see you all. Liam, say hello to Grandpa and Grandma.” The little boy called out obediently. “Oh my, it’s Liam! Haven’t seen you in months and you’ve grown so much!” Lucas’s mother beamed, reaching out to pull the child close and examine him carefully. “Look at those features. Just like Lucas when he was little!” Though Lucas’s father said nothing, his gaze on the child held a measure of warmth. “Melody, it’s been a while since you came by.” Lucas’s mother then warmly took Melody’s hand. “Still so beautiful and elegant. Unlike some people…” She then glanced at me standing to the side, her meaning pointed. “Some people, even if they squeeze into this circle, ultimately don’t belong to it.” “Exactly. Melody is a proper Sinclair heiress, not like those from ordinary families who, even dressed in gold and jewels, can’t hide that petit bourgeois air.” The people around chimed in, their expressions showing unconcealed contempt. My fingers at my sides curled slightly. “Enough.” Lucas’s voice was cold and heavy as he cut them off with displeasure. He walked to my side and tried to take my hand, his face full of apology. “Wendy, I didn’t know she’d bring the child. Otherwise I…” “Daddy!” Before he could finish, a small figure suddenly ran over and tugged at his sleeve. Liam looked up at him expectantly. “Will you come play with me in the garden?” Lucas hesitated, looking at me. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something. I spoke up. “Go ahead.” “But you…” “I’m fine. You don’t need to stay with me.” “Wendy, thank you.” Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes showing gratitude. “I knew it. You’re the most understanding person. I’ll come find you as soon as I’m done with him.” Watching Lucas walk away holding the child’s hand, I mocked silently in my heart. Understanding? I wasn’t being understanding. I just didn’t care. I wasn’t in love anymore. This banquet lasted from afternoon into evening. Lucas was occupied with the child’s games and play. The rest of the Sterling family practically revolved around Melody. The vast manor filled with warm laughter and cheer. Only I was like a ghost, ignored from beginning to end. To this, my heart remained utterly indifferent. I even felt like laughing. I knew what Melody wanted to demonstrate by bringing the child today. But what she didn’t know was that to me, this banquet was nothing more than a perfunctory show before leaving, one that wouldn’t alert Lucas. Before the banquet ended, knowing full well the entire Sterling family disliked me, I went to the upstairs balcony for some peace and quiet.Suddenly, an angry boy’s voice came from behind me. “Bad woman!” I froze, then turned around to see Liam glaring at me with hatred. I frowned with displeasure. “Why are you calling me a bad woman?” “Because you broke up my daddy and mommy! My mommy said it’s because of you that Daddy can’t live with us! You’re a bad person!” I broke them up? But clearly I was the one who’d been deceived, lied to, and even cheated on during marriage. I wanted to argue my case, but the words reached my lips before I reconsidered. What was the point of arguing with a child? Even if I explained, this child wouldn’t necessarily understand. So I swallowed my words, stopped looking at Liam, and planned to walk past him and leave. However, just as I reached the staircase preparing to go down, someone shoved me hard from behind. “Bad woman, go die!” I had no defense. I lost my balance completely and tumbled down the spiral staircase.

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Alysa Johnson knelt in the pouring rain, her clothes soaked through, outlining curves that shouldn’t have been visible on a sixteen-year-old. Three supercars worth tens of millions were parked around her. “Please, give me back my medication…” The lead boy pressed his foot down on the back of her hand, grinding it into the ground, his laughter excited. “Sleep with me for one night, and I’ll give it to you.” This was the scene I saw when I transmigrated into this novel. As the original character, the vicious stepmother who would trade her stepdaughter to business partners for resources, I figured if I was going to be evil, I’d at least do it with class. I walked over, carrying a golf club I’d just bought, said nothing, and swung it directly at the boy’s kneecap with full force. His scream drowned out the thunder. I pulled up the stunned Alysa and wiped the muddy water from her face. “Remember this. From now on, whoever makes you cry, you make them bleed.” Lila POV The rainstorm hammered against the asphalt like popping corn. The titanium alloy club in my hand was still vibrating with the aftershock of shattering bone. That swing had felt perfect. No resistance, just a crisp “crack,” followed immediately by pig-like squealing. Ethan curled up in the muddy water like a cooked shrimp, clutching his knee, screaming until his voice cracked. The rich kids around him who’d just been filming with their phones and egging him on instantly went silent, like chickens with their necks wrung. They stared at me wide-eyed, not one of them daring to help him up. After all, none of them had ever seen anything like this. In their world, wealthy socialites maintained composure. Even when angry, they’d elegantly throw a check or splash some wine. Who the hell just swung a metal golf club and crippled someone’s leg? I wiped the rain from my face and looked down at Alysa, still kneeling on the ground. The kid was terrified. Those eyes described in the novel as “dewy like a fawn’s” now held only fear, her whole body trembling like a sieve. She looked at me, then at Ethan writhing on the ground, her lips quivering, unable to form a complete sentence. “What are you spacing out for?” I planted the club on the ground with a sharp clang, making those spoiled heirs collectively take a step back. “His leg’s broken, not yours. Stand up.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the storm with piercing clarity. Alysa instinctively tried to push herself up, but her hands were covered in bloody marks from where Ethan had stepped on them. The moment she applied pressure, pain shot through her and her knees buckled again. I didn’t help her. I just watched coldly. If she didn’t even have the strength to stand up, saving her this once would be pointless. This damned plot inertia would eventually push her back into the mud as a plaything. Alysa seemed to sense my coldness. She bit her lip, tears mixing with rainwater streaming down her face, but she didn’t make a sound. Using her elbows, she shakily pulled herself up. Good. Though pathetic, at least her spine was still straight. I bent down and picked up the crushed asthma inhaler from beside Ethan’s still-twitching hand. Filthy, covered in mud and sand. I wiped it on Ethan’s custom suit worth hundreds of thousands until it was clean, then turned around, grabbed Alysa’s chin, forced her mouth open, shoved the inhaler in, and pressed it twice. The medication entered her throat, and Alysa’s rapid wheezing finally began to settle. “Thank… thank you.” Her voice was barely audible, still trembling. “Don’t thank me.” I released her and turned to look at the group of rich kids who’d retreated to their cars, my gaze finally settling on Ethan, still wailing on the ground. “Mr. Hayes, how does it feel?” Ethan’s face was covered in cold sweat, his features twisted in pain, glaring at me viciously. “Lila… you crazy bitch! You dare hit me! My family won’t let this go! I’ll kill you! I’ll destroy your whole family.” “Alright, save your energy.” I cut off his impotent rage, playing with the club in my hand as I approached step by step. The bodyguards finally snapped out of it and tried to rush forward. I raised the club directly at Ethan’s other leg. “Anyone moves, I’ll put him in a wheelchair for life. Symmetrically broken.” The bodyguards froze. Everyone could see I really would do it. I crouched down, the cold club head tapping Ethan’s pale face. “I know who your father is. I know the Hayes family runs this city. But Ethan, did you forget? Those with nothing to lose don’t fear those with everything. Crazy people don’t fear idiots.” I lowered my voice to a volume only he could hear. “That illegal offshore account your dad has, and those twin illegitimate children he’s keeping in the western suburbs. Mrs. Hayes doesn’t know about them yet, does she? Tell me, if I sent all that information to her email, do you think she’d come after me first, or your dad?” Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. He stared at me in disbelief, even forgetting his pain. This was the perk of transmigrating into this novel. My head was full of every wealthy family’s dirty secrets. “Looks like you’re not stupid. You understand.” I stood up, looking down at him. “Today’s lesson was about being human. Did you learn it?” Ethan gritted his teeth. Though hatred remained in his eyes, fear dominated. I laughed derisively, turned around, opened the car door, and shoved the still-dazed Alysa into the passenger seat. “Get in.” Even after my taillights disappeared into the rain, none of them dared move. The car’s heat was on full blast. Alysa huddled in the leather seat, gripping the seatbelt tightly, staring blankly ahead. I glanced at her and tossed a towel from the glove compartment. “Dry off.” She mechanically took the towel, drying her hair, then suddenly asked quietly. “They’ll come after us, won’t they?” The kid wasn’t stupid. In this world’s setting, the four major families were gods. Laws meant nothing to them. Ethan’s broken leg. The Hayes family would never let it go. “Scared?” I steered with one hand and lit a cigarette. The original character didn’t smoke, but I needed nicotine to suppress the adrenaline spike from earlier. “I’m… I’m not scared for myself.” Alysa lowered her head, looking at her swollen hands. “But I’m scared of dragging Dad down, and… dragging you down.” Even in this household where the original character had treated her badly-even cruelly-this kid still worried about implicating others. This was the terminal illness of abuse novel heroines: kindness bordering on weakness, consideration that made you furious. “Dragging me down?” I exhaled a smoke ring and laughed coldly. “Alysa, listen carefully. In this world, besides yourself, no one can drag you down. As for revenge…” I looked in the rearview mirror at the headlights flickering in the rainy night and smiled. “Let them come. If I dared break his leg, I’m prepared to tear a hole in the sky. Starting today, this show has a new director.”

Lila POV Early the next morning, the Lin family mansion’s gate was blocked. The show of force was substantial. Three black Rolls-Royces completely blocked the entrance. Over a dozen black-suited bodyguards emerged, surrounding a middle-aged couple. The man’s face was dark, the woman dripping with jewels and looking sharp and mean. They were Ethan’s parents, Marcus Hayes and Vivian. Behind them followed four elite lawyers carrying briefcases. This wasn’t about negotiating compensation. This was about causing trouble. My convenient husband James Johnson was currently circling the living room like an idiot, sweating profusely in panic. “Lila! Look what you’ve done!” James pointed at me sitting leisurely on the sofa drinking coffee, his finger trembling. “That’s the Hayes family! Ethan Hayes! And you dared break his leg! Are you trying to destroy our whole family? Now they’ve come knocking with a whole legal team. They’re going to put us in prison forever!” Alysa huddled at the stair landing in her pajamas, face pale, eyes red. She wanted to come down but didn’t dare, just gripping the railing tightly. I set down my coffee cup and looked at James with disgust. This was the scumbag father from the original novel, the epitome of selling his daughter for advancement. When trouble came, all he did was shift blame and beg for mercy. No backbone whatsoever. “Panicking about what?” I stood up, straightened my silk robe, and walked unhurriedly to the entrance, opening the door. Outside, Vivian saw me and immediately rushed forward, raising her hand to slap me. “You bitch! You dare hit my son! I’ll tear your face off today!” If this were the original Lila, she would’ve taken the slap. Or knelt and begged for mercy. But I wasn’t her. I raised my hand and precisely caught her wrist, applying slight pressure and twisting. “Let go! You crazy bitch!” Vivian screamed in pain, her delicate makeup contorting. Marcus said coldly, his face dark. “Let go! Lila, are you going to assault someone again? Believe it or not, I’ll have the police arrest you right now!” I released Vivian’s hand and wiped mine with a wet wipe in disgust. “Arrest me? On what grounds? Because your son committed school bullying, or because you want to break into private property?” “What nonsense are you spouting!” Marcus’s face turned iron with rage. “You deliberately injured someone! My son is still in the hospital with a comminuted fracture! We have surveillance footage. Can you deny it?” “Surveillance footage…” I smiled, turned back to the living room, and picked up the remote from the coffee table. “Perfect. I also have some videos I’d like you both to enjoy.” The massive projection screen in the living room slowly descended. I pressed play. What appeared on screen wasn’t last night’s rainy scene, but various angles and scenarios. Ethan forcing a classmate to drink urine in the bathroom. Ethan cutting a girl’s hair and sticking gum in it. Ethan and his gang locking Alysa in the equipment room and releasing dogs on her. And last night, the complete high-definition footage of him stepping on Alysa’s hand, forcing her to agree to sleep with him. Even with sound. “Beg! Who do you think you are acting pure! Your mother was a whore, and you’re just a little slut!” The voice echoed through the spacious mansion hall, particularly jarring. James froze. Marcus and Vivian froze too. They hadn’t expected me to have these. I’d bought all of these last night at high prices from those lackeys. Those rich kids were scum, but they loved money more, and had no loyalty. Give them enough cash and they’d sell out their own fathers, let alone Ethan. “I’ve made dozens of backup copies of these videos.” I leaned against the sofa back, looking at the Hayes couple’s pale faces. “If I go to the police station, or if the Johnson family goes bankrupt, these videos will immediately appear on every major news website’s homepage, in the Department of Education’s complaint inbox, and in the email boxes of every major shareholder of Hayes Corporation.” “You wouldn’t dare!” Marcus roared. “This is blackmail! Extortion! Even if you release them, it’s useless. I have ways to suppress it!” “Is that so? Mr. Hayes certainly has influence.” I smiled even more brightly. “Then what about this?” I pulled out a document from under the coffee table and casually threw it on the floor, where it slid right to Marcus’s feet. Marcus looked down suspiciously. Just one glance, and his pupils earthquake. It was a record of him embezzling company funds to purchase overseas property, along with the illegitimate child’s birth certificate and DNA test report. Vivian was still shrieking. “Why waste words with her! Just trash this place!” “Shut up!” Marcus whipped around and slapped Vivian across the face. The slap was vicious. Vivian was completely stunned, covering her face and staring at her husband in disbelief. “Why did you slap me?” Marcus ignored her, turning to stare at me intently, cold sweat trickling down his temples. He was a smart man. School bullying could perhaps be suppressed with money and connections. At worst, his reputation would stink a bit. But embezzlement and illegitimate children. Once exposed, his position at Hayes Corporation would be finished, and the Lee family wouldn’t spare him. “Lila,” Marcus’s voice trembled. “What do you want?” James watched from the side, completely dumbfounded, unable to understand how the situation had suddenly reversed. I pointed at Alysa at the stair landing. “First, have your son transfer schools or repeat a grade. I don’t want to see his face at school again.” “Second, compensation for Alysa’s emotional distress. Ten million. Not a penny less.” “Third,” I paused. “Have your son publicly apologize to Alysa over the school’s PA system. I’ll write the content, he’ll read it exactly as written, and it better be heartfelt. If I detect even a hint of insincerity, I’ll consider it breach of contract.” Marcus gritted his teeth. “The first two are fine. The third… could we do it another way? The Hayes family still needs face.” “Face?” I laughed derisively, stood up and walked to him, lowering my voice. “Mr. Hayes, dignity is for people, not for scum. When your son did those things, did he think about others’ dignity?” “Or would you prefer your wife’s family to learn that those twins you’re keeping outside are already in elementary school?” Marcus’s whole body shook. He looked at me like I was a monster. “Fine… I agree.” Marcus forced those three words through clenched teeth. Vivian was still screaming. “Why should we! Are you insane? Apologize to that little bitch? And pay money?” “Take her away!” Marcus completely ignored her tantrum, signaling the bodyguards to drag Vivian out. Not until the Hayes family completely disappeared did James come back to his senses, collapsing onto the sofa and looking at me with awe and… fear. “Honey… where did you get all that stuff?” I ignored him and turned to look at Alysa still standing at the stair landing. She stared at me blankly, tears still clinging to her lashes. I walked over and wiped away her tears. “Did you see clearly?” I pointed toward where the Hayes family had left. “That’s high society. As long as you have them by the throat, they’ll kneel faster than anyone.” “In this house, right now, the person I choose to protect, even Satan can’t take away.”

Lila POV The day Alysa returned to school, the sky was blue and the clouds white, but I knew beneath that calm surface was nothing but filth. Though Ethan had transferred, the mess he left behind remained. The Hayes family’s influence at the school ran deep. The ringleader was gone, but plenty of bootlickers remained. Not to mention the male second lead, Adrian Locke‌. He was student council president, aloof and ascetic, also the enforcer of rules at this elite school. Upon entering the classroom, we discovered Alysa’s desk was missing. Her assigned spot was empty, just a lonely chair lying on the floor. The entire class was silent, dozens of eyes watching us mockingly, like we were monkeys at the zoo. Alysa’s face instantly paled, instinctively reaching for my sleeve. “Oh, if it isn’t that ‘Miss Johnson’ who drove away Mr. Hayes?” A girl spoke sarcastically, twirling her pen. “What, even the desk found you too dirty and threw itself away?” The whole class burst into laughter. Alysa bit her lip and bent down to pick up the chair. “Don’t move.” I grabbed her hand and scanned the classroom. “Who did this?” No one spoke. Everyone was watching the show. Some even pulled out phones to film. Just then, the classroom door opened. A boy wearing gold-rimmed glasses with every button fastened to the top walked in. Adrian. He didn’t even glance at me, walking straight to the podium and saying coldly. “The school is conducting an asset inspection. Damaged public property must be paid for. Miss Alysa’s desk had too much graffiti, seriously affecting the school’s appearance, so the maintenance department has taken it for disposal.” What a sanctimonious excuse. “Until new desk and chair are approved, Miss Johnson can stand and listen to class.” Adrian pushed up his glasses, a trace of barely concealed disgust in his eyes. “It’s also a good time to reflect on why, out of everyone in the entire school, only your desk got graffitied.” Typical victim-blaming. Alysa trembled with anger. “You drew it! It was all… all insults about me!” “Do you have proof?” Adrian asked coolly. Alysa was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes. I laughed. This little bastard, looking all proper, but more rotten than anyone. “Reflect?” I released Alysa’s hand and walked up to Adrian. “Adrian, is it? Since you love making people reflect so much, how about everyone reflects together.” I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Come in.” As soon as I spoke, deafening drill and hammer sounds came from the hallway. Then over a dozen construction workers marched in. “What are you doing!” Adrian finally changed expression. “This is a classroom! Who gave you permission to enter!” I ignored him, directly pointing at the desks and chairs in the classroom. “Get to work. Except for the podium, tear down all the desks and chairs.” The workers had already been paid. Their efficiency was extremely high. Before those pampered students could react, drills were whirring, screws flying, desk boards being violently dismantled. “Ah! My limited edition stationery!” “Are you crazy! This is destruction of property!” “Security! Call security!” The classroom descended into chaos. Adrian rushed up to me, furious. “Lila! This is illegal! I’m calling the police!” “Go ahead.” I pulled out a stack of documents and slapped them against his chest. “This is a complaint receipt from the Department of Education, along with relevant legal provisions. And… I’ve already donated ten million to the school board, specifically to improve the learning environment for this class.” I pointed at the desks and chairs being dismantled. “Since this garbage isn’t good enough for our Alysa, none of you should use it either. I’ve ordered top-of-the-line ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks for the entire class. Fifty-eight thousand per set.” The class instantly fell silent. Fifty-eight thousand per set? These rich kids had money, but the school’s desks and chairs were just ordinary stuff. The students who’d been cursing moments ago suddenly looked different. “However.” I changed my tone, looking at Adrian’s livid face. “This batch of donations specifically excludes Adrian.” “Since you think standing during class helps with reflection, please stand from now on. After all, as student council president, you should lead by example and reflect more on why you’re so unlikeable.” Adrian trembled with rage, pointing at me. “You… this is discrimination! Isolation!” “Isolation?” I laughed coldly, surveying the whole class. “No, I’m just returning the methods you use to isolate others.” “Also,” I walked to Alysa’s side, pulled her to the center of the podium facing everyone. “From now on, if anyone dares draw even one stroke on her desk, I’ll remove everyone’s desks and you can all stand for class. Anyone who doesn’t want to stand, watch the people around you.” Unreasonable, but most effective against these refined egoists. Half an hour later, brand new top-tier desks and chairs were moved into the classroom. Only Adrian’s spot by the podium remained empty. Alysa sat in that expensive chair, touching the smooth desktop, looking up at me with light in her eyes for the first time. “Ma’am…” “Call me Lila.” I patted her shoulder. “Remember this. When do victims need to reflect? Do you think school rules are toilet paper? From now on, whoever tells you to reflect, you make them reflect on their whole family.”

Lila POV Alysa’s “fragile constitution” was a real pain. Even though I wanted to armor her up like an iron warrior, this damned character setting would occasionally rear its head. Like during this week’s PE class. It was just simple jogging warm-ups. Alysa was running along when she suddenly tripped over her own feet on flat ground. With a small cry, she pitched forward. Normally, this kind of fall would at most scrape her knees. But the plot god’s twisted humor kicked in. Rip. Alysa’s supposedly loose athletic shirt actually tore open from the collar. Two buttons flew off somewhere, exposing a large expanse of snow-white skin and the edge of her pink bra underneath. The boys playing basketball nearby instantly swarmed over like sharks smelling blood. “Holy shit! Fan service!” “That skin is so white, it turns red from just a fall?” “If this isn’t seduction, what is?” That seemingly innocent classmate Nathan even pulled out his phone. Alysa lay on the ground, dying of shame, frantically covering her chest, tears about to fall again. This kind of plot full of male gaze and vulgar taste made my blood pressure spike. I wasn’t just watching from the sidelines. I charged onto the field with scissors. I took off my coat and wrapped Alysa up tightly, blocking those lewd stares. “What are you looking at? Never seen cheap clothes before?” I shouted, and those boys dispersed somewhat reluctantly, but their eyes kept drifting toward Alysa. I helped Alysa up, took the scissors without a word, and cut off a piece of her athletic shirt. “Let’s go. To the hospital.” Alysa cried and asked. “Am I really that shameful? Am I… slutty?” This was the brainwashing this damned world had given her. I smacked the back of her head. Not hard, but enough to clear her mind. “Slutty? Are you out of your mind?” I held up the cut fabric piece in front of her eyes. “Look carefully. This fabric isn’t even pure cotton. The synthetic fiber content is over the limit, and the stitching uses the cheapest thread. This school charges hundreds of thousands a year and gives you this garbage to wear?” I dragged her straight to the principal’s office and threw the fabric in the principal’s greasy face. “I’m suing the school’s procurement department for corruption and bribery, and for providing substandard products to minors.” The principal was stunned. “This… Lila, this was just an accident…” “Accident? I’d say it’s attempted murder!” I pointed at Alysa. “This happened on the field. What if it was in the chemistry lab? This kind of flammable synthetic fabric. Are you trying to roast my daughter alive?” My words were extremely harsh, but they genuinely scared the principal. Next, I took Alysa to the best private hospital. Not for the fall injuries, but for orthopedics and endocrinology appointments. “Doctor, please give my daughter a full-body checkup, especially balance function and muscle strength.” I told the doctor. “I suspect she has serious vestibular dysfunction and muscle weakness. Otherwise why would she trip while walking normally?” The full examination cost tens of thousands. When the results came out, the doctor looked at the report and pushed up his glasses. “Well… indeed, core strength is very poor, and cerebellar balance is a bit weak. Also, the skin barrier is damaged. It’s too thin, which makes it prone to redness and swelling.” Alysa held the report, stunned. “So I’m not… naturally slutty?” She asked quietly. “Of course not.” I slapped the report against her chest. “This is called lack of exercise, called sub-health! Understand?” “Those boys said you looked provocative when you fell? That’s because their brains are full of pornographic garbage. In a doctor’s eyes, you’re just a patient who needs rehabilitation training.” Alysa looked at all the professional medical terminology on the report and suddenly smiled. A smile of relief. “Then… Lila, what should I do?” “What should you do?” I laughed coldly. “If the clothes are poor quality, blame the manufacturer. What kind of logic is it to blame yourself for having breasts? This fabric that tears with one pull. Did the school procure it according to lingerie standards?” “As for your body…” I looked her up and down. “Starting tomorrow, Pilates and Muay Thai. Since you can’t stand steady, practice until no one can push you down.” Alysa nodded vigorously, a new determination in her eyes. I hoped she understood that her body wasn’t a pillar of shame for pleasing others, but armor that needed to be fortified.

Lila POV The male third lead, Nathan, had a baby face but a twisted heart. He had a baby face and cute little fangs when he smiled. He was in the same club as Alysa. His favorite thing was using that innocent tone to say the most twisted things. Like putting thumbtacks in Alysa’s dance shoes. That day Alysa came home limping. Her soles were full of bloody holes, socks stuck to the flesh. While treating her wounds, my hands were shaking. Not from fear, but from rage. “Who did this?” Alysa winced in pain but didn’t dare say. “Maybe I was just careless…” “Careless enough to step on over a dozen thumbtacks? Were you practicing iron palm?” I checked the surveillance footage. Sure enough, it was Nathan. He’d been sneaking around the dance studio locker room door. After Alysa changed shoes and came out, he hid in a corner smirking, watching Alysa’s face pale with pain as she forced herself to keep dancing. His expression was like he was appreciating some artwork. This little pervert enjoyed watching people endure pain. Fine. Liked playing these games? The next day I had someone tow away Nathan’s prized limited edition sports car.That was his eighteenth birthday gift, one of only three in the world. The kid treasured it like nothing else. He wouldn’t even let anyone touch it. I had his car towed to an abandoned quarry on the outskirts, parked it right on the cliff’s edge with half a wheel hanging over. Then I filmed a video and posted it directly to his Instagram. I’d gotten his account from Alysa’s phone. In the video, I held a wrench, gesturing at his brake pads. Caption: “I heard you like thrills? This car has a nice view by the cliff. The brake line seems a bit loose though. Want to come up and try it out?” Less than ten minutes later, Nathan’s call came through. “Lila! Are you insane! That’s my favorite car! Do you know how much it costs!” He screamed into the phone, his voice trembling. “How much?” I casually tapped the hood. “Is it worth more than my daughter’s feet?” “You… if you dare touch my car, I’ll kill you!” “Oh my, so scary.” I smiled at the camera, then pointed the phone at the brake caliper and made a cutting motion with a “snip.” “Don’t! Don’t cut it! I was wrong! I was wrong!” Nathan completely broke down on the other end, begging through tears. I laughed coldly. “So you do know pain? I thought twisted people like you had no pain receptors.” That afternoon, Nathan came running to the quarry in tears. When he saw the car was actually intact, just positioned for the shot, he collapsed on the ground, a large wet stain spreading across his pants. He’d literally pissed himself from fear. I leaned against the car door, looking down at this demon who usually acted like a little angel. “Scared yourself into pissing? Where’s your persona?” Nathan’s face turned bright red, wanting to crawl into a hole and die. “A child’s prank?” I crouched down, tapping the unused wrench against his face. “Then you’ll have to endure this adult’s prank too.” “Remember this. Next time you dare put anything in Alysa’s shoes, I won’t just touch your car. I’ll cut your tendons.” “Don’t shake. The game’s just beginning.” I stood up, looking disgustedly at the puddle on the ground. “Go change your pants. The smell is awful.” From then on, Nathan took detours whenever he saw Alysa. The twisted excitement in his eyes was gone, replaced only by deep fear. Watching this scene, though Alysa thought it was a bit excessive, she couldn’t help but giggle when she saw Nathan’s pathetic state. “Lila,” she said quietly. “Turns out when you strip the demon naked, he’s just a little pants-wetter.” I patted her head. “Yes. As long as you’re crazier and more ruthless than them, they’re nothing.”

Lila POV So-called high society galas were really just large-scale human markets. To salvage his crumbling business, James Johnson forced Alysa to attend a business cocktail party. He made it sound nice. “Let you see the world, meet some people.” In reality, he wanted to sell Alysa for a good price. The male fourth lead, Mr. Todd Shaw, a notorious playboy who claimed he never fell for anyone, walked toward Alysa with a wine glass, smiling. “Alysa, long time no see. You’ve gotten even more beautiful.” That drink was drugged. Alysa could smell something wrong. This was also a plot device. Whenever the female lead appeared at such events, she’d inevitably be drugged, then inevitably have some indescribable encounter with the male lead. Alysa felt her body starting to heat up. That was the plot’s forced mechanism taking effect. She looked at me in panic. I was standing by the buffet table eating lobster. Receiving her distress signal, I put down my plate and walked over casually. “Todd, is it?” I inserted myself between them, blocking Shaw’s lewd gaze. “I heard the Shaw family’s stocks have been crashing lately. Still have the mood to go hunting?” Todd frowned. “Who the hell are you? Get lost. I’m talking to Alysa.” “I’m her mother.” I smiled, and while he wasn’t paying attention, with lightning-fast hand speed, I switched the glass he’d handed Alysa with the one in his own hand. This was hand speed I’d developed doing crisis PR. I specialized in dealing with all kinds of troublemakers. “Since Todd is so enthusiastic, I’ll drink this on Alysa’s behalf.” I raised the actually clean glass and clinked it against his now-spiked one. He didn’t suspect anything, just wanted to get rid of this nuisance quickly so he could make his move on Alysa. “Fine, fine. Drink up and get lost.” He tilted his head back and downed it in one gulp. I watched the red liquid slide down his Adam’s apple, my smile deepening. “Alysa, let’s get some air over there.” I pulled Alysa away and left. Less than ten minutes later, the show began. A commotion suddenly erupted in the center of the hall. The previously composed man now had a flushed face and unfocused eyes, frantically tearing at his tie and shirt. “Hot… so hot…” He shouted while hugging a Roman column in the hall’s center like a dog in heat. Then, under the gaze of hundreds of guests, he started performing a striptease. The scene was absolutely eye-searing. “Oh my god! Is that Todd?” “Did he take drugs?” “Quick, film this! This is too wild!” Everyone around was holding up phones taking photos and videos. I pulled Alysa to the second-floor railing and started a livestream on my phone. “This is what they call high society breeding?” I commented coldly. Alysa watched the man making a fool of himself below. Her previous fear evaporated, replaced by disgust and absurdity. “Lila, was that… the drug he prepared for me?” “Yes.” I said flatly. “Since he likes aphrodisiacs so much, let him go perform himself.” “Want to scheme against my daughter? First see if his kidneys can handle it.” Todd’s drug was too potent. Not only did he strip completely naked, he also tried to forcibly kiss the arriving security guards, and finally was carried away in an ambulance foaming at the mouth. I heard that due to excessive cardiac stress, he might not function in that department anymore. This was what you called physical castration. From then on, the entire circle spread tales of Todd’s “heroic deeds,” and his reputation was completely ruined. Alysa watched the viral videos on her phone, looking thoughtful. “So this is real counterattack.” “Don’t dirty your own hands, yet completely destroy the opponent.”

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Everyone thought I’d lost my mind—my husband just died, and I burned down the factory we’d built together. But they didn’t know that a week ago, I caught my supposedly dead husband embracing his first love, smugly plotting: “The marriage certificate between me and that stupid woman is fake. Once I fake my death and she helps me pay off the debts, the factory will still be mine.” I stood behind a tree, my whole body ice-cold, yet I wanted to laugh. Turns out what I’d desperately protected all these years was never really my home. Since he faked his death to escape, dumping all the debts on me, I didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire myself. This blaze would completely “burn” the old me to death, along with his factory, reducing everything to ash. Outside the villa’s ornate iron gate, I saw the man who should have died in the fire. He was carefully supporting Lucy, whose delicate face glowed above a belly swollen with six months of pregnancy. And I could clearly see—the gemstone bracelet on Lucy’s wrist and the gold earrings dangling from her ears were the dowry my parents had specially made for me. Years ago, when I first took over factory management, Harrison had gently persuaded me: “Jewelry gets in the way when you’re working. It’d hurt if you bumped it.” I’d believed him and locked all my jewelry in an iron box, never imagining he’d secretly taken them out and given them to his childhood sweetheart. This was the devoted husband who’d promised to take care of me for life. He tightened his arm around Lucy’s waist, his voice sticky-sweet like melted candy: “Haha, Lucy, don’t worry. The factory’s buried in a million dollars of debt right now. Once that stupid woman fills the hole, Edith will call us right back.” “The factory manager position is mine. Then our little family of three…” Lucy stroked her swollen belly, asking coquettishly: “But Vivian is so capable. After she pays off all the debt by herself, will she really give the factory back to you?” Harrison laughed. “That factory was left to me by my dad. She’s just an ‘outsider’.” “I’ll tell you a secret, but keep it quiet—Vivian and I never actually got our marriage license. My mom had someone forge the certificate years ago. She still has no idea…” I trembled with rage, my teeth grinding audibly. A week ago, when I discovered the missing funds in our accounts, I confronted Harrison. Knowing he was exposed, he knelt and begged for forgiveness, claiming his failed investments were all “for our home.” He grabbed my pant leg, pleading with me to get money from my family to save us. But a million dollars was an astronomical sum. Even draining my parents dry wouldn’t cover it. I refused to drag my family down, but softened at his seemingly remorseful expression and agreed to shoulder the debt together. Now I could see—the moment he realized we’d have to suffer and repay together, he’d already planned this fake death to slip away, leaving me holding the entire mess. This man was utterly vicious. “Vivian, Harrison? He’s not dead?” Grace, my trusted confidant who’d accompanied me, had stopped at the station to get a cup of coffeeand arrived a few steps behind. Seeing this scene, she immediately flared up with anger. “He found a mistress and deliberately wants you to handle the factory’s debts alone.” I quickly pulled her behind a sycamore tree to hide. Grace asked, confused: “Vivian, Harrison wronged you. He’s the one who should be hiding. Why are we hiding?” I’d already calmed down. I looked at Grace and asked: “Grace, all these years, how do you think I’ve treated Harrison?” Though Grace didn’t understand why I was suddenly asking this, she answered honestly: “Vivian, you’ve been incredible for the factory. You handled so many things personally. Without those contracts you negotiated, our factory would have collapsed long ago.” “Harrison… when problems hit the factory, he pretended to be sick and hid. When you were running a fever negotiating contracts, he was drinking at the card table. If you hadn’t mortgaged your own dowry, how could their family property and land still be intact?” I smiled bitterly. “Harrison inherited the family business but couldn’t preserve its foundation. You can see that truth clearly. Too bad he’s willfully blind.” “Vivian, Harrison is living it up in that villa with his mistress while leaving you to shoulder all that debt. You should divorce him.” I laughed coldly. We never even got a marriage license—what divorce? “Does he think I’ll still stupidly exhaust everything to protect the family assets for him like before? Haha…” “Since Harrison chose to fake his death, I’ll grant him his wish.” My lips curved upward, the flames of anger burning away my grief. Since Harrison dared to fake his death and enjoy himself, I could sever our marital bonds just as decisively. In this world, he wasn’t the only one who could fake a death.

“What does Vivian plan to do?” Grace gripped my hand, righteous indignation in her voice. “We absolutely can’t let those cheating dogs get away with this.” I naturally wouldn’t let them off easy, but this matter couldn’t be rushed. “Grace, don’t go back to the factory yet. I need you to spread word about Harrison building a villa in this town to keep his mistress. The more widely it spreads the better—ideally it should reach Edith’s ears today.” Since I was an outsider in Harrison’s mouth, I had no need to preserve the dignity of the old Harrison family. Fight with me? They weren’t qualified. Did Harrison think he could live carefree in that villa with his childhood sweetheart, raising their child? Then I’d reclaim the villa right now, leaving them without even a place to stay. As soon as I returned to the factory, Harrison’s mother, Edith, came looking for me. I secretly took a breath, suppressed my surging anger, and squeezed out a grieved expression to greet her. She grabbed my hand, her voice urgent yet soft: “Vivian, you can’t listen to outsiders’ gossip. Harrison was honest and straightforward—how could he mess around outside?” “He can’t even rest in peace after death.” I lowered my eyes, my nose tingling: “Mrs. Harrison, I naturally trust Harrison’s character… but did our family really buy a villa in the neighboring town?” Edith’s hand suddenly stiffened. She froze there, her eyes darting around rapidly before shaking her head like a rattle drum: “No, no. How could there be? Don’t talk nonsense.” Seeing her reaction, I understood completely. Earlier I’d heard Harrison smugly say that once I finished paying the debts, his mother would call him to “come home and enjoy the good life.” I’d thought perhaps the old lady just felt sorry for her son and knew nothing about his dirty deeds. But now… she clearly knew everything. Perfect. Since you mother and son colluded to treat me as an outsider and play me for a fool, don’t blame this outsider for showing no mercy. I helped Edith sit in a chair and had just poured half a glass of water when the debt collectors arrived exactly as I’d anticipated. The moment Edith saw them coming, she immediately tried to abandon me and flee. But the lead creditor grabbed her by the back of her collar at the door, yanking her stumbling back into the chair. She deliberately fell sideways, drawing out a wail of my name: “Vivian, they’re hitting people.” In the past, I would definitely have already stepped in front of Edith, taking everything upon myself. But now I just coldly watched Edith perform, then pretended to cry myself: “Gentlemen, my husband’s body is barely cold. What can we widows and orphans use to repay debts?” The lead creditor spat: “Cut the act. That villa in the neighboring town was Harrison’s doing, wasn’t it? It’s enough to cover the debt.” I hastily waved my hands: “Sir, I just asked my mother-in-law—there’s no such thing.” Then I turned to Edith for confirmation. “Edith, right?” Edith’s neck stiffened, her eyes darting wildly as she randomly nodded twice. With such a guilty appearance, how could the creditors not see through it? The leader slapped down a paper on the table: “The property owner’s name is yours, old lady Harrison.” Edith’s face turned white as a sheet as she stammered: “It’s… it’s my retirement savings house…” “Retirement house?” The creditor sneered, pulling out a mortgage agreement. “Sign. Use it to settle the debt right now.” Edith clutched her clothes and shrank back. That was her son’s love nest—how could she give it up? She stood and rushed to grab my arm: “Vivian, think of something. How will I survive without that house?” I sneered internally but looked distressed on the surface as I pried her hand away: “Mrs. Harrison, with Harrison gone, the old house is enough for us. This million in debt—we could work ourselves to death and never repay it…” Hearing this, the creditor erupted in fury, pressing Edith’s neck toward the table: “Your son’s dead so you think you can renege on debts? If you don’t sign today, I’ll chop off your hand and use it for your thumbprint.” Edith threw me a pleading look, which I ignored. She gritted her teeth and pretended to faint. The creditor laughed coldly and delivered a sharp slap. The crisp sound exploded. Edith jerked awake in pain, no longer daring to play tricks, trembling as she signed and stamped the document. Only then did the creditors swagger away. Edith’s rage attacked her heart, and she actually did faint. Grace happened to come by and urgently asked if we should send her to the clinic. I pulled my lips into a smile: “Where would we get extra money? Just send her back to the old house.” Grace immediately called a worker to fetch a cart and send Edith back, then looked at me worriedly: “Vivian, now that we’ve set a precedent of using property to settle debts, the other creditors will probably come knocking very soon.” I smiled. “I know.” Haha, I was afraid they wouldn’t come knocking. “Grace, go check how much inventory is still in our warehouse. Before nightfall, pack it all up and take it away. Remember—quietly, don’t let anyone else know.” Grace blinked her almond eyes and asked: “Vivian, where should we ship this packed inventory?” “New York.” I met her searching gaze. “What do you say? Do you dare venture out there with me?” Grace’s eyes lit up at these words: “As long as Vivian is willing to take me, I’ll go through fire and water.” I smiled and patted her head, then turned my sharp gaze toward the roiling dark clouds outside the window. A storm was coming. Harrison and his pampered childhood sweetheart would have nowhere to hide from the rain tonight. 4 Since the villa in the neighboring town was seized, debt collectors descended like a plague of locusts. I’d already settled the workers’ wages in advance and let them leave early. The creditors entered the factory unobstructed and quickly emptied it of machinery, equipment, tables and chairs. When there was nothing left to take from the factory, creditors set their sights on the old house. Edith was furious, demanding why I wasn’t finding solutions. “Vivian. Aren’t you supposed to be so capable?” So much for Edith’s act now. I covered my face and sobbed: “Edith, I’ve exhausted every option… at least most of the debt is cleared now.” Edith slammed the table in fury: “The machinery and equipment have all been taken—what is the Harrison family supposed to do in the future?” I lowered my eyes, deliberately adding fuel to the fire: “Edith, as long as we’re still here, there will always be a way.” Sure enough, the next second, Edith picked up a teacup and hurled it at me. I staggered back on cue, porcelain shards exploding near my ear. “You jinx. Why don’t you just die.” When the debt collectors entered, this was exactly the scene that greeted them. I laughed inwardly while tears streamed down my face: “Edith, don’t worry. I’ll go back to the factory right now and find a solution. I’ll definitely bring our factory back to life.” Without waiting for Edith’s response, I “stumbled” out clutching my forehead. Behind me, her cursing was cut off by the creditors’ rebuke: “Old woman, less talk. Hurry up and hand over assets to settle the debt.” I left the old house and ran into Grace returning. Before seeing Edith, I’d instructed Grace to do two things: First, using Edith’s name, demand my gemstone bracelet and gold earrings back from Lucy. Second, in Edith’s tone, send Harrison some money, telling them to “take the money and run far away to avoid the storm.” My dowry—why should it benefit Harrison. “Vivian, I got everything back.” I nodded. With this, everything was ready. I cried all the way back to the factory, then waited until evening when everyone should be eating dinner, and set a fire just like Harrison had done. However, Harrison had only burned a small warehouse at the time, while I ignited the entire factory.

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On a reality show, my sister and I both fell into the water. My husband, Holt, jumped into the water without a second thought to save my sister. He held her close with concern and urgency, leaving without looking back. I was left behind, nearly sinking to the bottom of the lake before the crew finally pulled me out. The next day, when I handed Holt the divorce papers, he glared at me darkly. “Lila can’t swim, so I saved her first. Are you seriously jealous over this?” I looked calmly into his eyes. “Yeah. Sign it.” Holt and I quietly obtained our divorce certificate. Holt kept his handsome brow furrowed, but at this point, it couldn’t stir even a fraction of emotion in me. He tucked the certificate into his pocket. “I’ll drive you.” I shook my head. “No need.” Holt seemed dissatisfied with my attitude. “Tessa, there’s no need to be like this. We’ve been together for three years, after all. Divorce doesn’t mean we have to act like strangers.” I was shocked for a second, barely believing these words could come from Holt’s mouth. After all, now that Lila had returned, he should be thrilled that I was smart enough to get out of their way. “Mr. Sterling, to me, divorce means divorce. We’re not family, and we can’t be friends either.” “You…” “Besides, we don’t have children. There’s no need to stay in touch.” My words angered Holt, and he turned and left. I watched his retreating figure and sighed helplessly. But when I thought about my bank account balance, all that unhappiness vanished in an instant. Although I was Tessa Grant of the Grant family, I hadn’t received any money from them. Instead, the divorce made me a small-time millionaire. There was no way I could get half of Sterling Corporation, so when I had the lawyer draft the divorce agreement, I only asked for twenty million dollars. Holt agreed, and he also gave me luxury properties in New York and Los Angeles, three domestic properties, and six apartments in prime downtown locations. This was enough to keep me comfortable for the rest of my life. Looking at these cold numbers, I suddenly couldn’t help but laugh out loud. How wonderful. I could finally start living for myself. After the divorce, in just one day, I moved into a penthouse apartment in the city center. Having it registered in my name gave me an unprecedented sense of security. I thought leaving Holt would be painful and devastating. After all, during our three-year marriage, I had loved him. But unexpectedly, that night I slept exceptionally well. The long-lost relaxation let me sleep until noon the next day.

Holt and I had a business marriage. Grandpa Sterling and Grandpa Grant were war buddies who, after surviving life and death together, arranged this match. But originally, this marriage was meant for Lila. The reason was simple—she was the rose the Grant family had raised for eighteen years. As for me, I was the Grant family’s biological daughter who had been switched at birth. Someone like me would never have had a chance to meet someone like Holt—a golden boy, an heir. Much less fall in love. Until I was eighteen, when the Grant parents found me, tearfully telling me I was their biological daughter, and that a nurse’s mistake at birth had caused our separation. At that time, I was living in an orphanage. When I saw my parents arrive in their luxury car, I thought my future days would be easier. At least I wouldn’t have to collect trash to sell for tuition money. The orphanage was poor, and not every child could go to school. But I didn’t receive the guilt and compensation from my parents. Only cold treatment. I thought, as long as I can go to school, it’s fine. They said the fake daughter’s parents had passed away, so they wouldn’t send her away. But their daily treatment of us was worlds apart. I didn’t feel like the Grant family’s Tessa. I felt more like the maid’s daughter. It wasn’t until my parents asked me to enter a business marriage that I learned the handsome young man Lila had always followed around had been in a serious car accident. They said his leg would never heal, and he would limp for the rest of his life. Lila cried and screamed that she would never marry a cripple. So this mission fell to me. I could have refused. But when I thought of that face, so handsome under the sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in a year, I agreed as if possessed. That year I was twenty, about to start my sophomore year. My parents made me take a leave of absence, and I got married at a young age. When I went to see him, he threw a terrible tantrum, smashing a vase at my feet and shouting for Lila to come. But Lila had already gone abroad to study, funded by our parents’ black card. The Grant parents’ business relied on Sterling Corporation. Lila didn’t want to marry a cripple, but they needed someone to stabilize the relationship between the two families, so they pushed me forward. That was the first time my mother, Mrs. Grant, showed me any kindness. She cried about how difficult things were for the family, cried about how pitiful Lila was, cried about how Mr. Grant’s hair was already turning white. I remained unmoved. I said, why are you telling me all this? If I want to marry him, it’s not because of you. It’s because of Holt himself. When I was a freshman, Holt was a senior. He was the famous campus heartthrob and campus king. The confession wall was filled with countless confessions, and countless daughters of wealthy families tried to win his favor. But at that time, only Lila was by his side. Because of this, Lila became the object of everyone’s admiration. She proudly talked about how unique she was to Holt, how she occupied an unshakable position in his heart. I appreciated people with good looks, but what I appreciated more was his academic achievement. His obsession with and dedication to mathematics led him to publish many SCI papers. I had read every single one, and they had even solved several problems I’d been stuck on. I was impressed by his talent. It wasn’t hard to go from admiration to love. On our wedding day, Holt didn’t smile once. I was so nervous that I kept trembling and wiping the sweat from my hands. I almost fell when Holt took my hand. The people around us laughed. I felt like something that couldn’t be presented in public. I faintly heard people mention Lila, and Holt’s face darkened even more. I thought, he must love Lila. Otherwise, why would he resent me so much? In that instant, I regretted it—regretted my marriage and regretted my secret crush. That night, Holt vented on my body, but his leg wasn’t working well. It hurt so much that I pushed him down, stopped him from moving, and sat on top of him myself, slowly taking him in. Before long, both our breathing grew heavy. Holt’s face flushed red, and I too was lost in my own movements.

There wasn’t much conflict in the Sterling household. Here, I actually felt more comfortable than I had at the Grant house. I loved reading and still loved researching academic problems. Although I had taken a leave of absence, I hadn’t forgotten to study. As for Holt, he went from not coming home for days at a time to coming home on time every day. Even when work was busy, he would send me messages saying where he’d gone. I learned massage techniques from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. I wondered if Holt’s leg could slowly improve through massage. Once I had the idea, I started doing it. At first, I was a bit shy when I told Holt about my plan. Later, I became skilled at massaging him. After six months, I could even recite all the acupuncture points on the human body from memory. Holt went from protesting at first to accepting it, and eventually waited for me to give him a half-hour massage every day. I felt my hands were getting stronger. Life was actually quite boring. So when I went to Sterling Corporation once to deliver documents Holt had left at home, a short drama editor noticed me. He asked if I wanted to try playing a supporting role in their drama—a scholar character. He thought my temperament was perfect. I agreed on impulse, and Holt didn’t object either. Unexpectedly, that short drama became a huge hit, and even I, as the third female lead, gained my own fans. I found it novel. I had never imagined entering the entertainment industry, a place that had nothing to do with me. Sterling Corporation had many businesses. Rain Entertainment was just a very small part of it. Holt said as long as I didn’t use the Sterling name outside, I could do whatever I wanted. So gradually, I got an agent, Lynn, and a small assistant. I also took on fourth, fifth, and sixth female lead roles in several big IP dramas. I became an unknown small-time actress. Sometimes scrolling through Twitter, I found it really interesting. I would lie in bed reading fan comments to Holt while massaging his leg with one hand. Without paying attention, I pressed somewhere I shouldn’t have. Holt let out a muffled groan. I thought I’d hurt him and quickly dropped my phone to check, but Holt pressed me down on the bed. Kissing came naturally, and what followed was just as natural. We became more and more in sync, both finding pleasure in it. From that point on, our relationship advanced by leaps and bounds. He would bring me my favorite little cakes, buy me clothes and jewelry, and occasionally take me to movies or walks by the lake. We were like an ordinary couple. Holt’s leg was getting better and better under my massage. Even the doctor called it a miracle. Now when Holt walked, as long as he didn’t move too fast, you couldn’t tell he had a limp at all. In the third year of our marriage, Lila came back. The day she returned, Holt surprisingly didn’t cling to me. My parents also called for the first time in three years, asking Holt and me to come home. Lila had been gone for three years and had never come back. At the only family gathering during Chinese New Year, Mr. and Mrs. Grant would awkwardly say that Lila was busy with her studies. Holt’s face was cold, and he said nothing. I didn’t know what he was thinking. After all, even though I was their biological daughter, I had barely been back to the Grant house since getting married. But the preferential treatment that should have gone to the Grant family had never stopped flowing their way. When Holt and I arrived at the Grant house, I saw a graceful young woman throw herself into Holt’s arms like the wind. I watched from the side. Holt didn’t push her away either. Tears fell from that woman’s eyes in large drops, soaking Holt’s suit. Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. I deeply regretted agreeing to return to the Grant house. Seeing me beside them, Lila straightened up. “I’m sorry, I was just so happy.” Holt’s temple twitched. With a cold face, he took my hand and led me to our seats. Lila looked at us with shock in her eyes. The meal was unbearable. Mr. and Mrs. Grant didn’t ask me once how I’d been doing recently. Instead, they desperately tried to get Lila and Holt to talk, saying things like “Lila has been thinking about you this whole time, Holt.” It suddenly struck me that my parents seemed to be pimping out Lila. From that day on, Lila appeared constantly around Holt and me like a fly. And Holt went from resisting at first to accepting her in less than a month. Lila wanted to enter the entertainment industry, so Holt had Rain Entertainment’s top agent handle her. Lila came and went from the Sterling Corporation building like the lady of the house. Everyone assumed she was Mrs. Sterling. After all, I had hidden my identity at Rain Entertainment. No one knew about my relationship with Holt. But Lila was different. She would loudly call Holt to act cute on the phone, then bring takeout to Holt’s office. As for me, after Holt coldly scolded me the first time I visited, I never went again. Everyone else thought I was some unknown actress trying to seduce the CEO. Lila was pure and lovely. With Holt’s backing, she quickly became popular, with resources constantly flowing her way. When Lynn asked me if I knew Lila, I said I didn’t. Lynn started gossiping about Lila, saying she was a diva who relied on her relationship with the CEO to snatch whatever endorsements she wanted. It wasn’t until three of my endorsements were stolen that I realized Lila was targeting me. As for Holt, since I entered this industry, he had never given me any preferential treatment. When we ran into each other in the building, he would act as if he didn’t see me. At that time, I hadn’t thought about divorce yet. After all, I really did like Holt.

Until something happened that seemed small to him. It was the first time I felt that Holt and I couldn’t go on anymore. It started with a popular wilderness reality show that invited both Lila and me. The whole process had been fairly harmonious. Lila played the role of a lively, cheerful celebrity, while I dutifully excelled in the games. That day, Holt rarely came to visit the set. The directors around him all courteously exchanged pleasantries with him. That’s when the accident happened. The bamboo bridge by the lake was old and in disrepair. When both Lila and I stepped onto it, it suddenly collapsed. Both of us fell into the lake. The surroundings erupted in chaos. The crew members all started to go into the water to save us. But what no one expected was that Sterling Corporation’s CEO, Holt, would be the first to jump into the lake. I couldn’t swim. When I saw Holt come in, I thought he was coming to save me. After all, I was his wife, no matter what. But when I saw him grab Lila and start swimming toward the shore, my heart suddenly felt at peace. I had only one thought: So after three years together, he doesn’t love me at all! Holt seemed not to notice that I had also fallen into the water. He picked up Lila and got into his Maybach. That urgency, that heartache—as I sank to the bottom of the lake, all I saw was the car driving away. By the time the crew pulled me out, I had passed out. It was just that coincidental. Everyone thought someone would save me, but Holt’s intervention made everyone forget about me. When the assistant director shouted to save me, everyone finally remembered I existed. I was rushed to the hospital. The reality show was suspended. When I woke up, only my agent Lynn was by my side. She was terrified, her eyes red as she looked at me. I moved my body. It seemed like nothing serious. “Lynn, it’s not like I died.” “Don’t say that! You scared me to death, Tessa. How could you be so unlucky? It’s all Mr. Sterling’s fault for making such a big show of saving Lila that everyone forgot about you. Don’t you feel hurt?” “I don’t.” My heart was very calm. I had foolishly thought Holt and I were husband and wife, that married couples were one. Reality had given me a harsh blow. I thought, Holt and I—this is where our fate ends. That afternoon when I was discharged, I saw Holt supporting Lila, with my parents following behind them. They were smiling, like a happy family. Lila leaned weakly on Holt, and my parents gently draped a coat over her. They seemed to have completely forgotten about me. I stared at their backs in a daze, then took out my phone and found the number of the lawyer Lynn had recommended to me. I asked him to draft a divorce agreement for me.

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My mom is the definition of a trophy wife—sweet, naive, and has never had a real job. When Dad brought his ex back and asked for a divorce, all Mom begged for was to take me with her. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her, trying to knock some sense into her. “Mom! Why do you want me? Demand the money!” “Isn’t it better to take his cash, travel the world, and find yourself a few hot twenty-something boytoys?” “Me? Don’t worry about me.” “I’m going to stay right here, use his money, and take care of you!” 1 In the center of our massive living room sat my father, Richard Sterling. He was the picture of a distinguished, wealthy CEO, sitting straight-backed and serious. Next to him sat the woman who had just returned from a decade abroad, his “one that got away,” Amelia Vance. My mother, Sarah—the reigning naive queen of this gilded cage—was clutching my hand, sobbing like a telenovela star. “Richard, you can take everything. I don’t want a single dime. But Chloe is leaving with me!” Amelia reached out, putting on a show of being gentle and reasonable. “Sarah, darling, think about what’s best for Chloe. Richard can provide her with a secure, elite future here. You need to put her needs first. Don’t be selfish.” My dad shot Amelia a look of pure admiration. God, he was dynamic when it came to her. My mom just cried harder. “But Chloe is all I have! I don’t care about futures! I just…” Before she could agree to walk away with nothing, I grabbed her shoulder, spun her around, and dragged her to a corner out of their earshot. “Mom!” I hissed. “What are you doing? Forget me! Demand the money!” Mom gasped, staring at me with those big, tear-filled, puppy-dog eyes. She was pushing forty but acted like a confused teenager. “Chloe?” I was so frustrated I could scream. “Take Richard Sterling’s assets and his cash. Go on an endless vacation. Find yourself a fleet of cute personal trainers. Tell me that isn’t better than fighting over me!” Her eyes went wide. She looked standardly innocent and naive. “But… what about you?” I began the brainwashing. “Me? Mom, I’m an Ivy League legacy. I’m staying right here to be the Billionaire Heiress. And later? I’ll use his money to take care of you.” Mom was hesitant. “But…” I cut her off, turned back to my father, and plastered a professional fake-smile on my face. “Dad, we need to talk about Mom’s alimony. Specifically, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of potential income, and lifestyle maintenance…” 2 My dad looked surprised that I was talking about standard logistics. He actually took a sip of his whiskey, looking almost amused. “Okay. I’m listening. Let’s hear the details.” Oh, I was not going to be shy. I smiled and started rattling off the demands. “First, the penthouse in Manhattan goes in Mom’s name. Second, five percent of your company’s original stock. That’s not too much, is it? Finally, some liquid cash. Let’s say… ten million. To round it out nicely.” Behind me, my mother gasped. Amelia’s face didn’t look so gentle anymore, but she kept her sweet tone. “Chloe, you’re just a kid, you don’t understand these things. Those demands would seriously impact your father’s company.” I shot her a look. “Miss, my parents are discussing a divorce settlement. Why is a total stranger sticking her nose in?” Her face went bright red. Dad waved her off, signaling her to be quiet. He looked at me with genuine interest. “Five percent stock is too much. The house and the cash are fine.” “No.” I didn’t budge an inch. “The stock is non-negotiable. Mom has been with you for seventeen years. She built this house while you were building your company. Now you’re kicking her out for your ex, you have to give her security. If the word gets out that Richard Sterling is a scumbag who abandoned his wife, your stock price is going to crash harder than that five percent.” He choked on his breath, furious. I met his gaze fearlessly. Was he planning on treating my mother like a used dish rag? No way. After a moment, Richard actually laughed. “Fine. I agree.” He was surprisingly quick to give in. “Stock, house, cash. Your mother gets it all. But I have one condition.” “What?” He pointed at me. “You have to stay.” 3 I knew why he wanted me to stay. I knew him too well. Amelia might have his heart, but in his eyes, I was a qualified heir. Furthermore, Amelia had her own kids back wherever she was coming from. Honestly, his condition played right into my hands. If I stayed, I could continue being the billionaire heiress, spend his money, and take care of my naive mom. Perfect loop. But Sarah, my mother, wasn’t having it. She pulled me behind her, glaring at Richard like a mother hen protecting her chick. “No! Forget the money, I’m taking my daughter!” I was speechless. Mom, get a grip! You’re going to stop me from sending you money! I quickly dragged her to the side for another brainwashing session. “Mom, listen to me. I’m going deep undercover here, got it?” “What?” “Think about it. You take the money and go. You’re free as a bird. I stay here. He feels guilty, so he’ll treat me twice as well. The allowance he gives me? I just transfer it to you. It’s called sustainable milking of the cash cow!” Sarah nodded, looking slightly less confused. I applied the final bit of pressure: “And with me here, I can keep an eye on them. I won’t let him and his ex live too comfortably. I will be a thorn in their side, a constant reminder of the beautiful, kind woman who used to be the lady of this house.” Mom looked moved. She glanced from me to Richard, hesitating. Finally, encouraged by my gaze, she gave a nod that looked both humiliated and tragic. I smiled, satisfied. The agreement was signed quickly. Richard’s lawyers were extremely efficient. As Sarah signed her name with a trembling hand, she officially became a rich woman holding millions in assets. 4 Mom had barely left before Amelia started acting like the new woman of the house. “Chloe, sweetie, we’re a family now.” She smiled gently and actually went into the kitchen to make dinner herself. Four courses. Beautifully presented. “Chloe, try my Sweet and Sour Crispy Fish. It’s my specialty.” She enthusiastically put food on my plate. I stared at the fish, looking perfect on its plate. I had zero appetite. My mom might be naive, but her cooking was next level. I grew up on her food; my palate was spoiled. I put down my fork, pulled out my phone, and opened a food delivery app. “Large deluxe truffle pizza, double cheese, and a full sushi platter…” I ordered delivery right in front of her, slow and deliberate. Amelia’s smile froze on her face. “Chloe, I worked so hard on this dinner…” I cut her off. “Miss Amelia, Dad pays for a professional chef. You don’t need to cook. Besides, I don’t like the food you make.” The rage finally began to show on her face. Dad came out of the study right at that moment. He saw the scene and frowned. “Chloe, is that any way to speak to Amelia?” I didn’t argue. I just shrugged. “If you like it so much, Dad, feel free to eat it all.” Dad naturally felt he had to protect his first love. He picked up his fork and took a bite of the fish. While Amelia watched him hopefully, Dad hesitated. Then he said, trying to be polite, “Amelia, let’s leave the cooking to the chef from now on.” Amelia nodded, looking humiliated, but didn’t dare say a word back. The delivery arrived quickly. I set up the projector and ate my pizza with gusto. Meanwhile, Amelia’s carefully prepared dinner sat there on the table, totally ignored. 5 The next morning, I came downstairs and found Amelia directing the maids. “Change these curtains to beige. It matches the sofa better.” “That vase is too tacky. Get something classier.” “And the study—Mr. Sterling likes it organized. Pack up all these random knick-knacks.” She was putting on a great performance as the lady of the house. Every change she ordered was targeting something my mom had loved. I sneered and walked over. “Sarah, leave the vase there. Don’t touch it.” The maid looked conflicted, glancing between me and Amelia. Amelia walked over, using her softest, sweetest voice on me. “Chloe, the style here is so outdated. A change will put everyone in a better mood.” “My mood is fine.” I ignored her passive-aggressive swipe. Leaning on the banister, I said lazily, “I’m used to my mom’s style. If you don’t like it, you can move out.” “Chloe!” Dad’s voice came from the dining room. A warning. I turned to look at him, throwing my hands up innocently. “Dad, Mom decorated every single corner of this house herself. She just left. Are you guys really that desperate to erase her?” Amelia went over and shook Dad’s sleeve, her voice soft. “Richard, don’t blame Chloe. It was my fault, I didn’t think it through. I just wanted the house to feel warmer…” As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. A picture of pure, noble suffering. Dad immediately melted. He patted Amelia’s shoulder comfortingly and turned to me. “Chloe, your Aunt Amelia means well. She’ll be running the house from now on.” I smiled. “Sure. Then can she handle all my affairs, too?” Dad nodded without thinking. That was exactly what I wanted him to say. I pulled out my phone, opened a luxury brand’s website, and pointed at the newest designer bag. “Aunt Amelia, what color do you think I should buy? Or should I just get one of each?” Amelia froze. I continued, completely sincere. “And there’s a charity gala next week. I want to bid on that diamond necklace. Can you help me strategize on when to raise the paddle and how much to bid?” I held the phone in front of her face, smiling like an angel. “Dad said you’re in charge now. So you’re in charge of my spending, too, right?” Amelia’s face instantly turned green. 6 The look on that cheating bastard’s face was priceless. He wanted to play the patriarch, but I blocked his path completely. “Dad, you’re not going back on your word, are you? A promise is a promise, you know.” I looked at him with a sweet smile. My dad took a deep breath, pulled a black American Express card out of his wallet, and handed it to me. “Use this to buy things from now on. The limit is high enough for you to buy ten diamond necklaces.” I took the black card with a satisfied smile, flashing him a sweet grin. “Thanks, Dad. Look, Aunt Amelia, Dad really does love me. “You can just focus on taking care of Dad from now on. You don’t need to worry about my affairs.” I waved the black card in front of her face, then turned and walked upstairs. Behind me was Amelia, her smile twisted with anger. Awesome. From that day on, I embraced the persona of a spoiled, spendthrift heiress. Today, I’d buy a limited-edition designer bag; tomorrow, I’d bid on vintage jewelry; the day after, I’d rent out an entire hotel for a party. The bills flew to my dad’s phone like snowflakes, each one easily six figures. My dad called me a few times. At first, his tone was warning, but eventually, it became numb. “Chloe, tell me the truth, are you doing this to get back at me?” “Dad, what are you talking about?” I immediately sniffled twice. “Compared to that mansion you bought for Aunt Amelia, how much am I really spending? “You know, I’ve never been away from Mom my whole life. Now that Mom’s gone, don’t I even have the right to spend a little money? “It’s true what they say, only a mother’s love is real. A child without a mother is like a weed…” My dad surrendered to my unreasonable logic. “Alright, alright, the company will be yours eventually. Spend whatever you want, just don’t go completely overboard.” I immediately switched to a sweet, high-pitched voice: “Thanks, Daddy!” Hanging up the phone, I smiled at the sales associate. “Hello, please wrap up all the new arrivals and have them delivered to…” I gave them the address of the penthouse my mom now owned. My mom loved the bags from this brand. One day, I was busy swiping the card when I suddenly received a call from my mom. I thought she was calling to cry and complain about how much she missed me, so I quickly cleared my throat, ready with a bellyful of comforting words. As it turned out, what came through the phone was deafening music and the cheers of a group of young men. 7 “Hello? Chloe, the signal here is terrible! Can you hear me?” I was completely dumbfounded. “Mom, where are you?” “I’m at my new club!” My mom’s voice sounded incredibly excited. “Baby, I’m telling you, you’re a genius! Being surrounded by all these hot young guys is amazing!” Me: “???” Did my mom move this fast? I immediately had my driver take me to the location she sent, pulling up to her new business. The sign above the door was almost blinding: “Chiffon’s Sweet Retreat & Lounge”. Pink neon lights, cute fonts, exuding a strong, girly vibe. I pushed the door open and was stunned by what I saw. The inside was nothing like what I had imagined. It was decorated very warmly, with plush pillows and cute decorations everywhere. And the so-called “young guys” were a group of handsome young men dressed in various uniforms. A beautifully dressed wealthy woman was surrounded by two handsome guys; one was feeding her cake, and the other was singing to her. The wealthy woman was giggling hysterically, looking as happy as a child. My mom, Sarah, was wearing a sleek manager’s uniform, holding a small notebook and directing the show. “Joey, Mrs. Walsh at table A said her stocks tanked. Go comfort her and sing her ‘Cheer Up’.” “Leo, Miss Chen at table B just got dumped. Take her to the gaming area to box, and tell her to pretend the punching bag is her ex.” “Landon, Director Liu at table C is stressed out from work. Go build Lego with her, that 10,000-piece Hogwarts castle.” I rubbed my eyes, staring at this woman radiating absolute boss energy. Was this still the naive, clueless mom who only studied recipes and read romance novels? 8 My mom finally noticed me and waved excitedly: “Chloe, you’re here!” I walked over, still a bit dazed: “Mom, this club is…” “A lounge!” My mom proudly tilted her elegant chin. “It’s exclusively for wealthy women with time to kill but who aren’t happy. “Here, you can spend money to buy companionship, someone to listen, and happiness. What do you think? Do I have a good head for business?” I looked at her radiant, energized face and suddenly felt like I had underestimated her. Maybe she was never really a naive fool; maybe she just couldn’t be bothered to show her true colors in front of that cheating bastard. My mom’s lounge became a massive hit. It was more successful than anyone could have anticipated. Those wealthy wives, ignored by their husbands, angered by their kids, or crushed by work, seemed to have found an emotional outlet. They were willing to throw thousands of dollars around here, just to buy a moment of relaxation and joy. Unlike traditional host clubs, my mom, having studied romance novels for years, knew exactly what hit the spot for these wealthy women. She had trained the staff in her club into various archetypes of romance novel male leads. The CEO type, the bad boy, the sweet boy next door, the aloof intellectual, the rugged outdoorsman, the brooding artist… Whatever you wanted, they had it. My mom didn’t skimp on money; the salaries were high, so the young men were fiercely loyal to her. Crucially, the club strictly avoided any illicit physical services. After all, my mom believed that “what you can’t have is always the best.” Sarah, too, went from being a kept woman in a mansion to the emotional guru for wealthy wives. She was even interviewed by a top financial magazine in the city. On the magazine cover, Sarah was wearing a sharp, professional suit, smiling confidently and gracefully. The headline read: Leaving the Mansion Behind: How I Became My Own Queen. I deliberately left the magazine in the most conspicuous spot in the living room. Sure enough, my dad and Amelia saw it as soon as they got home. Amelia looked at the magazine, her expression a mix of conflicting emotions. My dad picked up the magazine, staring at the confident, radiant Sarah on the cover, his eyes filled with complex emotions. A woman who was used to being kept in a cage by him had suddenly broken free and was flying so high. This sense of losing control must have made a chauvinistic man like him very uncomfortable. “Nonsense! Opening a place like this is absurd. It’s a complete disgrace to the Sterling family!” I crossed my legs and said coolly: “Dad, Mom divorced you. What does this have to do with the Sterling family?” My dad choked on his words. Amelia quickly grabbed my dad’s arm: “Richard, don’t be angry. Sarah probably just wants to prove herself. “Chloe, you should talk to your mom. A business like this, after all, is a bit unseemly.” “How is it unseemly?” I scoffed, going on the offensive. “My mom is running a legal business, paying taxes, providing emotional value to a large number of women, and solving employment problems for recent graduates. How is that unseemly? “Aunt Amelia, is it because in your eyes, a woman should just stay at home and raise kids, and isn’t allowed to have her own career?” I threw that heavy accusation at her, and Amelia’s face went pale. “I… I didn’t mean that…” “Oh? Then what did you mean?” I pressed her further. Seeing his “one that got away” about to be brought to tears by me, my dad immediately stepped in to protect her: “That’s enough! Chloe! She is your aunt, watch how you speak to her!” I threw my hands up, putting on a “Oh, I’m so scared” face: “Oh, I see. Then from now on, when Aunt Amelia speaks, I’ll just keep my mouth shut. That way I won’t accidentally tell the truth and make you angry again, Dad. “By the way, Dad, when are you two getting married? I want to be able to call her ‘Stepmom’ officially.” After saying that, I rolled my eyes at them and strolled upstairs. 9 My mom’s club was booming, which naturally made some people jealous. One day, when I came home from school, Amelia was having afternoon tea with a woman who looked just as plain and unassuming as she did. I recognized the woman. Her name was Mary, the ex-wife of Mr. Lee, a pharmaceutical tycoon. Mary pinched a small spoon, looking disdainful: “Amelia, that Sarah really has no shame, opening a place like that, finding a bunch of gigolos… tsk tsk, she’s really dragging Mr. Sterling’s name through the mud.” Amelia sighed softly: “Don’t say that. She might have been forced by circumstances. It’s not easy for a woman to leave a man and live on her own.” I rolled my eyes and was about to go upstairs, but Mary called out to me. “Chloe’s home! You’re getting prettier every day.” She smiled, looking the picture of kindness. “Chloe, you must never go to that kind of place your mom opened. A young girl like you needs to have self-respect and self-love so you can marry into a good family later on.” I stopped, turned to look at her, and smiled innocently: “Aunt Mary, when it comes to marrying well, I definitely don’t have as much experience as you. But I heard that Mr. Lee’s company went public last month. When you got divorced, why did you only ask for three houses? Did you think self-respect and self-love were more important than company shares?” Mary’s face instantly turned green. When she got divorced, she was tricked by her ex-husband into thinking the company was an empty shell, so she only asked for some real estate. As a result, he immediately jumped on the tech boom, and now he’s worth billions. She regrets it so much her intestines are green. My single sentence perfectly hit her sore spot. Amelia quickly scolded me in a low voice: “Chloe, how can you speak to Aunt Mary like that! Apologize right now!” I looked innocent: “Did I say something wrong? Could it be that Aunt Mary actually wanted the shares more?” Mary was so angry her lips were trembling. She couldn’t say a single word. I ignored them and hummed a little tune as I went upstairs. Behind me, I heard Mary lower her voice and viciously say to Amelia: “Amelia, look at them. Like mother, like daughter. Neither of them is any good! One runs a gigolo club, the other is a sharp-tongued brat with no manners! You can’t let them keep acting so smug!” Amelia’s voice was still gentle, but it carried a hint of coldness: “Don’t worry, I have a plan.” I stood behind the slightly ajar door and let out a cold laugh.

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I was Julian’s ultimate “pick-me” girl. When he skipped class to sleep, I covered for him. When he chased the new transfer student, I delivered his love letters. After high school graduation. The transfer student went to an Ivy League school, and I accompanied Julian to study abroad. In a foreign country, I finally took the main stage and had my fill of him. Until the transfer student also came abroad for grad school. When Julian spent another night out because of her, I let out a sigh of relief. I prepared to return to the States to develop my career. The Vance family gave me money to accompany him abroad; I was just too embarrassed to bring up breaking up myself. 01 The Vance family was the most powerful and influential family in our gated community. And Julian was the king of the kids. I had been following Julian around since we were little. Because he had the best toys and was the best-looking. If it weren’t for the Vance family’s opposition, he would have been scouted and dragged into Hollywood ages ago. Just looking at Julian’s face made me want to eat an extra bowl of rice. Moreover, the closer I was to Julian, the higher my status in my own family became. As we grew older, everyone became more aware of gender differences. The girls stopped hanging out with the boys all day. But not me. I continued to follow Julian around shamelessly. Julian, living up to everyone’s expectations, grew into a handsome young man. With sharp features, a defined jawline, and a roguish, bad-boy vibe that hit you right in the face. And I gradually became known as the ultimate “pick-me” girl to everyone. They mocked me, despised me, and looked down on me. But they didn’t know that I gained the most from it. Julian didn’t like me, but the Vance family trusted me. My family got resources, and I got to follow Julian into classes filled with the children of the elite. 02 High school for the children of the elite wasn’t boring. Their families had already planned their paths; all roads lead to Rome. Even if one road was blocked, they could just pave a new one out of thin air. But I was different; my family could only guarantee I wouldn’t worry about food and clothes, and that I wouldn’t lose points in situations requiring a family background. Therefore. I clung to Julian even tighter. When he skipped class, I covered for him. When he slept, I copied notes for him. Even when he set his sights on a transfer student, I was the one who gathered intel. A stubborn, innocent wallflower who got in on a full scholarship. Countless girls had chased Julian. There were the pure ones, the sexy ones, the daughters of celebrities, the daughters of politicians, but they all failed and retreated. I even suspected Julian didn’t like women. Until the moment Chloe walked up to the podium and introduced herself. It finally clicked for him. He didn’t know how to chase girls, but he clumsily pursued Chloe for three months. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I defeated the other male “pick-mes” and played my biggest role for Julian. Oh, by the way. These male “pick-mes” didn’t call themselves “pick-mes”; they considered themselves Julian’s “bros.” It seemed that because of the difference in gender, my flattery and fawning over Julian made me a “pick-me,” while theirs was just friendship. Hilarious. I bought Chloe breakfast and played tennis with her during P.E. It was the first time Chloe had met someone so nice to her at this private school. She looked at me with eyes full of gratitude and trust. And it was right at that moment. I handed her the love letter I had prepared long ago. Chloe froze in place. She looked at me in disbelief. I hurriedly added: “This is from Julian.” Unsurprisingly, Chloe threw that love letter into the trash can. Julian went to find Chloe, and ended up being called a “spoiled rich kid” by her. Chloe never spoke another word to me. I didn’t care. I was busy comforting a heartbroken Julian. He had always had smooth sailing; this was the first time he’d encountered such a setback. He pretended not to care and drank, getting himself drunk after just two glasses. After getting drunk, he cupped my face and asked me over and over: “Why? Why doesn’t she like me?” I coaxed him softly: “That’s because she has bad taste.” “Julian, I like you.” I saw a flash of clarity in his confused eyes. 03 After being rejected by Chloe. Julian suddenly started acting like some of his “bros,” changing girlfriends very frequently. A new one every week. Sometimes they would last a month. But his eyes still never left Chloe. Soon, it was time for college applications. After graduation. Chloe was accepted into a prestigious Ivy League school. Julian chose to study abroad in the UK. When I went to drop off some desserts my mom made for the Vance family, Mrs. Vance asked me where I was planning to go. I feigned nonchalance and said: “It depends on my scores.” “You know, Mrs. Vance, I’m not very good at studying.” Actually, I was pretty good at it. But all my time in high school was spent taking care of Julian. When he had a fever or a cold, I was the first to contact the Vance family secretary. When he was out partying, I was the one tagging along and reporting back constantly. Mrs. Vance looked thoughtful. That summer, for me, was an extremely long wait. Other people were waiting for their scores, waiting for college acceptance letters, waiting for the semester to start. And I was waiting to be graced by the goddess of fate. Finally. A quiet summer night. Mrs. Vance personally called and invited our family over for a get-together. I still remember how cool the breeze was that night, how crisp the sound of the cicadas was. No one knows how long I had been grounded before that night. I won the bet. My future would be tied to Julian for a very long time. How bright Julian’s future would be, How much grace and favor my future would receive. A month later. I went abroad with Julian. To a world-renowned university. Those “bros” of Julian looked at me with eyes full of jealousy. “Avery, do you really like being a ‘pick-me’ that much?” “Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to get married in the future acting like this? Oh right, you can just suck up to Julian for the rest of your life, dragging your kids along, like a parasite.” Look, look. How ugly the jealousy of men is. 04 After going abroad. Julian’s popularity only increased. His features matured. A mix of boyish charm and young manhood, sharp and sexy, making people itch with desire. I continued to bear the burden of being bossed around by him without complaint. During his first year abroad, Julian completely let loose. He could be in London in the morning and end up in Paris by night. His girlfriends were still changing weekly. During Christmas break. A woman Mr. Vance had been keeping, along with her thirteen-year-old illegitimate son, made a scene in front of Mrs. Vance. Mrs. Vance told Julian not to come home. I stayed with Julian in London for Christmas. While waiting for midnight, he suddenly asked me: “Avery, do people’s feelings change?” I didn’t hesitate much and said: “They do.” Julian laughed and said: “But I realized, I don’t think I like Chloe anymore.” “I can’t even remember what she looks like, even though back then, I felt like I had never liked someone so much…” I felt he was just attracted to someone completely different from himself. How could that be considered love? But if you asked me what love is, I wouldn’t be able to answer either. No one had ever taught us. The fireworks outside the window illuminated Julian’s overly handsome face. Like I was possessed, I pulled Julian’s collar and kissed his perfect lips. Adults move fast. By the time Julian reacted, The arrow had already left the bow. A flash of annoyance crossed his face as he looked at me: “Are you sure about this?” The coursework at this top university was too difficult. I still had to act as Julian’s nanny. I needed to release some energy. Julian, this is your task. This is also the reward I deserve. I traced his eight-pack abs and answered his question. I was eating incredibly well. Julian’s eyes darkened, as if he wanted to swallow me whole. He was spoiled, arrogant, extravagant… full of flaws. But that body was truly a masterpiece. And I got it cheap. I vented the pressure built up over the years on him. That oppressive childhood, the dysfunctional family dynamics, it all felt like I hadn’t had a moment of relief until now. I recklessly squandered it all on Julian’s body. He responded to my passion, seemingly never tiring. “Avery, do you really like me that much?” I nodded wildly. “Avery, don’t regret this.” He stared at me stubbornly, as if trying to pierce through my soul. I had a moment of delusion. Does he actually like me? After that night. Julian and I were together. There was no formal confession, nor was it officially announced. But he stopped seeing other women. Once, an Asian girl clung to him for a long time. He finally said impatiently that he already had a girlfriend. This caused a massive stir. Many people started asking around about who Julian’s girlfriend was. A few days later, I received a call from Mrs. Vance. She asked about my studies and then transferred a seven-figure living expense into my account. Right before she hung up, she said: “Thank you for working so hard to take care of Julian.” Before I could react, the phone had already gone to a dial tone. She knew everything. My position with him was like a concubine serving a young master in ancient times. Julian happened to walk over: “Avery, what are you dawdling for?” I raised my eyes and replied with a smile: “Coming.” 05 For the remaining two years of college, Julian and I lived a shameless life. Mainly, I was the shameless one. Julian had a bunch of ex-girlfriends, but when it came to this sort of thing, he was surprisingly conservative. When I clung to him and threw myself at him, he would still blush. Maybe I had just been under too much pressure these past few years. Julian was completely devoured by me, and sometimes he would tremble when he saw me. Right before graduation and returning to the States. I overheard Julian having an argument with Mrs. Vance on the phone. It seemed to be about an arranged marriage. He finally responded impatiently with an “okay.” That night, he was unexpectedly gentle. I thought that must be our last night. He should be the one to bring up breaking up. I waited for a few days, but everything was the same as usual. I tentatively brought up breaking up with him. He glared at me angrily, his cheeks puffed out like an angry toad. “I don’t agree!” He threw a tantrum, then hugged me and said: “Avery, let’s stay abroad, okay?” “Just the two of us.” In that moment. I almost believed it. Until. Chloe appeared in front of him again. 06 Chloe was still as radiant as ever. Like a little white flower blooming on a cliff face. She got into the university on her own merit, was fought over by professors, and won scholarships. I saw Julian’s eyes glaze over. His gaze never left her. Just like back then, when Chloe first transferred and stood on the podium introducing herself. But unlike back then. This time, Chloe stepped down from her pedestal and walked over. She said gracefully: “Julian, long time no see.” They re-added each other’s contact information. The unpleasantness of the past seemed to have vanished into thin air. Having sailed past a thousand sails, they met again. They had both matured a lot. That day. Happened to be our two-year anniversary. I had prepared for a long time, cooked a whole table of food, and even made a PowerPoint and a short video. Showing the bits and pieces of our time together over the years. Julian said he would be back soon. I waited for three hours. I waited until Chloe called me using his phone, saying: “Avery, Julian is unhappy and drank too much. Can you come pick him up?” I hesitated for a moment, but still went. That night, he passed out drunk through our anniversary. And then, on my birthday, he was called away by a single phone call from Chloe. The streets of London weren’t that safe. Chloe said there was a man following her. Julian went without hesitation. He was so anxious that he even forgot to tell me where he was going. He strode away, and the front door slammed shut in front of me. I was the only one left in the villa. At the same time, I received a text from Chloe. [Avery, did you purposely make me reject Julian back then?] [No matter how much you try to interfere, people who are meant to be together will eventually be together.] Looking at these provocative texts, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She didn’t know I had wanted to break up for a long time. Julian didn’t want to go back to the States. But I did. He’s a rich kid; what can he do if he doesn’t go back? Mrs. Vance had already arranged a position for me. As long as nothing went wrong, I would rise quickly. My future would far surpass my father’s. I would become the person bringing the most honor to my family. And now you’re telling me you’re not going back? If I were still Julian’s girlfriend, how could I go back to the States alone? 07 Chloe sent me her location. I originally didn’t want to bother Julian and Chloe. But I suddenly remembered Mrs. Vance’s warning. Julian could play around outside, but he absolutely couldn’t “create life.” I couldn’t take the Vance family’s money for nothing; I had to act as the gatekeeper for Mrs. Vance. I sent a message to Julian, but he didn’t reply. I grabbed the remaining half box of 0.01s from the house and took an Uber over. Downstairs at the apartment. I saw Chloe hugging Julian and crying. “I was so scared. Good thing you were here, Jul… can I call you that?” Julian was nervous and awkward, not knowing where to put his hands. The independent, strong wallflower showing such a vulnerable side for the first time—Julian couldn’t bear to refuse. His voice was deep as he said: “Whatever you want.” Chloe saw me. She smiled at me, then “whimpered” playfully as they went upstairs, seeming to have sprained her ankle. Julian scooped her up without hesitation. His gaze was on Chloe the entire time; he didn’t look at me once. They quickly went upstairs. I stood downstairs for a while, waiting for the rising and falling emotions to slowly calm down. A few minutes later. I knocked on Chloe’s door. Julian opened the door. Like he was the man of the house. Chloe sat on the sofa, one delicate foot raised, a small first-aid kit by her feet. One of her socks was in Julian’s hand. The moment he saw me, Julian was a bit surprised. “Avery, what are you doing here?” He seemed a bit unhappy that I came to bother him. But I still dutifully stuffed the item into his hand. “Don’t forget this.” As I said that, I even winked at him. Julian looked at the small box in his hand and completely froze in place. “I won’t bother you guys anymore, I’m heading out.”

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