Category: English

My movie star girlfriend found fame, and the first thing she did was buy back the rights to my book to turn it into a TV series. To make the show a hit, my girlfriend, who never engaged with the public, lowered herself to create a fake romance with a popular young idol. The night filming wrapped, my book finally hit the trending list. But it was followed by the idol’s name. Matthew Sterling posted late at night: “I’ve been touched by this book countless times. I never expected that, in the end, this book would belong to me. Thank you, Cathy, for helping me fulfill a dream!” Attached was the copyright transfer contract for The Runaway Raven. The comments section erupted in teasing: “Matthew is exactly like the stubborn and passionate male lead in the book.” “I bet Selene saw that in him too, which is why she gave him the book rights, right? So much love! Cathy and Matthew, lock them down tight!” Selene Blackwood quietly liked this comment. It instantly went viral again. I stared at the screen, trembling, my entire body collapsing to the floor. Seven years of waiting, in this moment, finally released by my own hand. 1 Midnight struck, and Selene missed my birthday again. Half an hour later, the sound of keys turning in the lock came from outside. Selene was back. My gaze involuntarily drifted to the door. She casually tossed her coat onto the hanger in the entryway. Her eyes scanned the cake on the table, and her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “I was very busy today. Birthdays come every year; it’s fine to miss one.” Selene impatiently pulled out her phone and tapped a few times. “I’ve transferred five thousand. Buy yourself whatever you want.” A pang of bitterness spread, my eyes growing hot. It was always that same line. But yesterday’s entertainment news headline still read—Selene lost a million-dollar endorsement just to make time to have dinner with Matthew Sterling. In the past, I would have thrown a fit. My tone was cold. “Celebrating my birthday really isn’t necessary. The book rights aren’t necessary either. And there’s no need for us to be together anymore.” Selene froze for half a second, as if she hadn’t registered it, and instinctively asked, “Just because of that book?” “You wrote it when you were eighteen, the writing is so amateurish. What do you regret?” “Forget it. If you insist on causing a scene, go ahead. Don’t expect me to come looking for you this time.” A bitter laugh twisted in my heart. When had she ever swallowed her pride first? Every time we argued because of Matthew, I was the one who always gave in. But not this time. I stood up, casually tossing the cake into the trash, and turned to go back to my room. From outside, I heard a loud crash, like a glass smashing on the floor. My steps didn’t falter. Hailing a cab, booking a hotel, checking in, arranging everything, it was already afternoon. My phone vibrated. It was a message from the director. Tonight was the celebration banquet for the show reaching the top of the ratings, and he had invited me to attend as the original author. He was a good friend of my father’s, so I couldn’t refuse. As soon as I reached the private room door, a chorus of cheers came from inside: “Cathy and Matthew were together in college, they were each other’s first loves!” My hand, reaching to push open the door, paused. Selene’s college boyfriend was Matthew Sterling? Selene and I met at the orphanage. When I was seventeen, Dad brought me home. When I re-encountered Selene, all I knew was that she had an unrequited love from college. Matthew Sterling feigned displeasure: “You guys shouldn’t spread rumors. Cathy has a boyfriend, what if he misunderstands?” The words had barely left his lips before the room erupted in laughter: “Cathy doesn’t have a boyfriend! We’ve all seen it clearly these past six months, her heart only beats for you!” “I also heard that Cathy specifically requested Matthew to be the male lead for this show!” I froze, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed tightly by something. When Dad gave the director my novel, he immediately decided to film it. As for Matthew, he clearly didn’t fit the male lead’s character profile at all. I had always assumed it was the director’s decision. It was Selene. I looked at her. She was gazing at Matthew with a doting expression, a silent confirmation. Matthew’s gaze swept around the room, then suddenly landed on me: “Oh, who’s standing at the door? I thought it was some beggar, you scared me.” Seeing me, Selene frowned slightly, hesitating for a few seconds before looking at Matthew next to her. “An old acquaintance. He probably passed by, saw me, and came over to say hello.” Matthew’s lips slowly curled into a meaningful smile. He intentionally raised his voice: “Oh, I remember him. I saw him that day.” “Cathy specifically went across half the city to buy me bubble tea, and he was standing in the shade of a tree diagonally opposite the tea shop, staring at us for a long time.” “His eyes were red like a rabbit’s, almost crying.” “What? You like Cathy?” A female assistant with her hair in a bun suddenly spoke up: “I remember now!” “That was the day Matthew misunderstood and had a little spat with Cathy. Cathy later explained that he was a boy whose father threw him into an orphanage when he was little, and he even tried to seduce his teacher in middle school.” Another production assistant looked at me, shaking his head in disgust: “I never would have thought he looked so innocent, but secretly he’s so promiscuous? Clearly someone without proper upbringing.” “No wonder he dared to show up here, trying to use the same old tricks to cling to Cathy again?” At those words, the surroundings fell silent for a few seconds, their gazes at me filled with unconcealed contempt. 2 I stood frozen, my thoughts drifting uncontrollably back to that year in eighth grade. My homeroom teacher, under the guise of tutoring, tricked me into coming to her house. It was Selene who sensed something was wrong, kicked open the door, and rescued me. But from then on, rumors spread rapidly, saying I had actively seduced the teacher, that I was indecent. I stared at Selene in disbelief. She had clearly seen me crying, trembling uncontrollably, curled up in a corner, unable to move. She abruptly averted her gaze, her eyes darting away, utterly unwilling to meet mine. Matthew Sterling quietly walked beside me, feigning to put a hand on my shoulder, his voice with a false tenderness: “Don’t blame Cathy. I misunderstood your relationship with her back then, and she only mentioned a few things to me. I didn’t expect others to overhear and spread it.” “Cathy is always like that; she can’t bear for me to be upset.” I subtly pulled my hand away, suppressing the emotions deep inside. “My eyes just weren’t feeling well that day; I looked a bit longer.” “Selene and I are just casual acquaintances. You don’t need to worry about it.” Hearing my words, Selene’s mouth moved, as if to protest. But Matthew quickly grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to their seats. The celebration banquet wasn’t over, but I quickly left. Hasty footsteps sounded behind me; it was Selene, chasing after me. Seeing my reddened eyes, a flicker of pain crossed her gaze. “I already told you, this is just for work right now. Otherwise, I would have announced us already.” “That day, if you hadn’t kept staring at me, and everyone misunderstood, why would I have said anything?” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. She must have forgotten long ago. Actually, I had messaged her that day too, saying I wanted that bubble tea shop’s tea, but she never replied. When I arrived, I saw her, smiling, handing a cup of bubble tea to Matthew. I messaged her again, and she quickly looked down and replied, “no time.” I no longer wanted to argue with her, and I continued walking out. Selene instinctively tried to catch up with me, but her phone rang in her pocket. She answered, her voice instantly softening: “Matthew, don’t be scared, I’m coming right away.” With that, she hesitated for a few seconds, looking in my direction, but ultimately turned and hurried away. The next morning, a news headline “Selene Blackwood’s Boyfriend Identity Exposed, It’s Not Matthew Sterling!” shot to the top of trending topics. The accompanying image was a photo from a few years ago, of me and a newly debuted Selene eating street barbecue. Immediately after, a second headline followed: “Matthew Sterling Allegedly Drowns His Sorrows Late at Night, Claims He Doesn’t Want to Disturb Anyone!” I tapped my phone screen, and over a hundred missed calls from Selene popped up. The moment I answered, her furious shouts blasted through the receiver: “Adrian Hollander! Are you insane? Do you really want me to announce us so badly? Do you have to make it public knowledge?!” “Now the company is threatening to cut all ties between me and Matthew. Are you satisfied now?” I gripped the phone, my heart sinking bit by bit, and simply hung up. I really didn’t want to explain to her anymore. When it came to Matthew, she never believed me. But the next second, Selene’s clarifying statement once again rocketed to the top of trending topics. “Mr. Adrian Hollander and I are merely casual acquaintances. In the past, seeing his unfortunate circumstances, I occasionally offered assistance. I never expected him to relentlessly pursue me recently.” “I am currently seriously pursuing Matthew Sterling, so all my actions are voluntary and have nothing to do with Adrian. I hope everyone will not involve him.” The comments section was instantly flooded with blessings for them and insults for me: “Waaah, Cathy’s favoritism is only for Matthew! Please, some people, stop being so delusional and trying to butt in!” “Adrian Hollander? I know him, he was already trouble in middle school, tried to seduce his homeroom teacher, and now he wants to climb the social ladder by clinging to Selene?” The insults that followed grew increasingly vile. Someone had leaked my phone number, and I received countless abusive texts. Just then, I heard a commotion of footsteps and voices outside the door: “Checked the records, Adrian Hollander is right here!” 3 The next second, with a loud BANG, the door was violently smashed open. A group of enraged fan-shippers rushed in like mad. I tried to explain, but they kicked me to the ground. “That’s what you get for interfering with Cathy and Matthew’s relationship! The unloved one is the homewrecker!” “Cathy loves Matthew so much, do you think she’d compromise? Dream on!” Fists and feet rained down on me like hail. I curled up on the ground, muttering, “The video wasn’t from me…” It wasn’t until the police arrived that I was dragged out of the crowd and taken to the hospital. As the doctor examined me, he whispered, “Isn’t this the guy who bought trending topics to force the movie star to marry him? She directly slapped him down with a statement, and now he’s beaten like this by fans, he deserves it!” “What a shame, just a few superficial wounds, no broken bones.” I endured the pain to complete the paperwork, my mask pulled tightly, walking on the street, afraid to look up. A stretched limousine suddenly stopped in front of me. Selene stepped out, her voice as cold as ice: “You need to apologize to Matthew!” I looked up, my voice carrying an undeniable weariness: “I told you, I didn’t do it!” She chuckled, as if certain I was lying, then pulled out her phone. A suggestive gasp instantly exploded into the air. Matthew Sterling’s voice came from behind her, with an exaggerated surprise: “Oh my! Who knew you played so rough? Do you like having several women at once?” My face instantly went ashen. She clearly said she had deleted it! A year ago, just as Selene was gaining some fame, my dad, getting wind of it from somewhere, suddenly broke into my home. He knocked me out, forced me to take an aphrodisiac, and threw me into a buyer’s room. When Selene found me, I was lying on the floor, naked. My dad threatened her with the video, and she spent a million dollars to suppress the incident. And now, Selene’s finger hovered over the “post” button, saying lightly: “Adrian Hollander, do you know your mistake now?” I trembled all over, only able to lower my head: “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been jealous. I was wrong.” Matthew Sterling looked up at me, a sneer on his lips. “Such an insincere apology?” I looked at them, then slowly knelt. “I’m sorry—” The words had barely left my lips when Matthew suddenly snatched the phone, his finger pressing the “post” button: “Oops, my bad, I accidentally tapped it.” Selene instinctively glanced at me, a flicker of imperceptible pain in her eyes, but she merely said lightly: “Matthew didn’t mean it.” Seeing me silent, she frowned, her face darkening. “Anyway, everyone already knows about you seducing your teacher in middle school. One more thing isn’t a big deal.” Matthew immediately linked his arm through hers, pouting. “I don’t care. You have to make it up to me. Take me to Singapore, please.” Selene dotingly ruffled his hair. “Alright, let’s go now.” She put her arm around Matthew and turned, dropping a parting remark: “Move your things back from the hotel yourself. And be a good boy and stay home for now.” Hearing me being told to move back, Matthew’s face visibly stiffened, but quickly reverted to a smile. He bounced into the car. In a place Selene couldn’t see, he looked back at me, flashing a victor’s smile. The next day, on my way to the airport, I received a call from Mom: “I’ve already dealt with the video for you. Will you be coming home today?” I watched the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, my voice calm: “Already on my way.” A clear sigh of relief came from the other end. I hung up and unhesitatingly threw my phone into the trash. From this moment on, Selene and I were completely, irrevocably done.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “395032”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After successfully redeeming the second male lead, I took him away from Kingswood. Far from the accident-prone, destined-to-ruin-his-family, and castrated female lead. Yet, later, he abandoned me, laid up in the hospital after a miscarriage, and returned to Kingswood at her single phone call. He didn’t know that this time, I wouldn’t save him again. After all, the mission was complete, and I’d received the system’s billion-dollar reward. To earn more billions, I immediately rushed off to redeem the tragic third male lead. What can I say? I’m bound to a Redemption System. The system rules: redeem one tragic male supporting character, and I get a billion dollars. A person shouldn’t, at least, shouldn’t ignore a billion dollars, right? 1 On the fourth year of redeeming Luke Thompson, he personally held me down on an operating table. He forced me to abort the child I was carrying, nearly five months along. I watched him in silence. Luke awkwardly averted his gaze, too guilty to meet my eyes, yet his words were unyielding: “Darling, Clara miscarried…” “If she knew you were carrying my child, she’d be heartbroken.” “Don’t worry, we’re still young. We can have children later.” “When I get back from Kingswood, we’ll start fresh, okay?” “I swear, this is the last time! Just let me help Clara teach James Carter a lesson, help her secure her standing in the Carter family, and I’ll be right back…” With that, Luke released my hand and left without a backward glance. The operating room door slammed shut, bringing with it a chill wind that made me shiver. I sighed deeply, closing my reddened eyes. “Go on, clean it all out!” Don’t delay my next redemption mission. After all, redeeming one tragic male supporting character earned me a billion-dollar reward from the system. A person shouldn’t, at least, shouldn’t ignore a billion dollars, right? 2 My name is Iris Mulligan. After binge-reading a hundred melodramatic novels online, I was forcibly bound by a system to this particular redemption drama. In the original story, Luke Thompson, as Clara Albright’s number one devotee, poured all his family’s wealth into a business war against the male lead, James Carter, to protect Clara. But to his shock, at the last moment, Clara and James reconciled. To help James win the business war, Clara secretly stole Luke’s company’s tender documents! After Luke’s bid failed and his company went bankrupt, he still silently stayed by Clara’s side. James, in turn, became jealous and broke up with Clara again. Clara, heartbroken, blamed everything on Luke. Finally, for Clara’s happiness, Luke, the tragic second male lead, resigned himself to being castrated by James so he could forever remain by Clara’s side to protect her. At the end of the story, Clara and James lived happily ever after. And Luke, after his family went bankrupt and he became a eunuch, watched Clara happily marry James, then contentedly jumped into the sea to his death… Reading that, I furiously left a comment: “My first half of life wasn’t too wicked, but reading this has balanced the scales. From now on, may I prosper and accumulate wealth, may even fate owe me three parts of good fortune, witnessed by the heavens, let this covenant be sealed!” The next second, my vision went black, and I dropped dead in my rented apartment. When I reopened my eyes, I was Clara Albright and Luke Thompson’s high school classmate. Eighteen-year-old Luke, wanting to avenge Clara, got into a massive fight with James Carter. The result, of course, was that he couldn’t beat James and ended up beaten black and blue. As the system-designated redeemer, I appeared by Luke’s side as a transfer student. Initially, I was extremely reluctant. Who in their right mind would try to redeem a tragic second male lead these days? Until the system said: “Successfully redeem the second male lead, saving him from his tragic fate of family ruin and castration by the male lead, and you will receive a billion-dollar reward from the system…” My expression changed in a second, a wide smile spreading across my face: “Mr. Thompson, your humble servant has arrived late!” 3 From then on, I became Luke Thompson’s number one devotee. Every student in school knew that I, the transfer student, had fallen in love with Luke at first sight, to the point of losing all dignity. The breakfast Luke sent to Clara? I made it myself. The tent Luke used to gaze at the stars and moon with Clara after her breakup? I set it up. The 5000-word essay Luke was forced to write by the dean for fighting James over Clara? I stayed up all night to write it for him. Luke was hospitalized after getting injured protecting Clara. Clara cried dramatically by his bedside while I bustled around, getting his medicine, changing his bandages, bringing water, and fetching meals. Clara became jealous, and Luke angrily told me to get lost. I shook my head, crying profusely. My desk-mate, Leo Vance, looked at me with an expression of utter exasperation. “Have all the men in the world died? Are you so desperate for him?” I nodded tearfully. “Yes! Only him! No one but Luke.” That’s a billion dollars walking around! I ask you all, who can refuse a billion dollars? And so, I redeemed Luke for three whole years. Finally, Clara decided to get engaged to James. The night before the engagement, Clara looked at Luke, her eyes brimming with tears: “Luke, I’m going to find my own happiness. Promise me, you’ll find yours too, okay?” To reassure the kind Clara, the next day, Luke took my hand and led me to her. “Clara, go chase your happiness. I’ve already found mine.” I was forced to be a part of their little game… My toes curled the entire time. For a billion dollars, I endured it!!! 4 After we married, to save Luke’s manhood, I sweet-talked and coaxed him into moving his company to Lakeshore. Away from Kingswood, away from Clara’s aura, Luke suddenly seemed to become normal. He actually wanted to seriously date me, with marriage in mind! I was scared to death and quickly contacted the system. “Do I have to marry Luke to get the billion dollars?” System: “Marriage is a must! Preferably a child too. Men, when they’re young, will live and die for love. But once they marry and become fathers, they settle down.” I suspected this system was actually my electronic mother-in-law. But I had no proof. To prevent the system from getting stuck at 99.99% like some online cash-out schemes, I seized the opportunity to force the system to agree: as long as Luke and I were married and I was pregnant with his child, the redemption mission would be considered a success. After reaching an agreement with the system, I quickly eloped with Luke. The night before the wedding, I saw Luke holding a box full of candy wrappers, sitting in his study all night. Having read the original novel, I knew those were the wrappers from the fruit candies Clara had given him since childhood. Luke couldn’t bear to throw away a single one, washing them all clean and hiding them in that tin box. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Actually, those free fruit candies were just taken by Clara from the cash register whenever she and James went out to eat. I don’t know what Luke was so touched by. 5 Honestly, I did once wonder if Luke and I could actually make it work. After all, Luke, away from Clara and the original plot, was genuinely a good husband prospect. Young, handsome, wealthy, and he was good to me. But then, the moment the bridesmaids opened the door and Luke walked in, carrying a pair of crystal heels, I felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head, snapping me back to reality. My forefoot is naturally wide; I can’t wear high heels. Before the wedding, I had specifically told Luke about this. Luke had laughed then, saying that if I couldn’t wear heels, then on our wedding day, he wouldn’t wear dress shoes either. He’d wear sneakers with me. But in just a few days, he had forgotten everything he’d promised me. It wasn’t me who loved crystal heels; it was Clara Albright. Luke held those crystal heels, kneeling on one knee before me. His gaze, looking at me, seemed to be seeing another girl he once deeply loved. I suppressed the last flicker of emotion in my heart and coldly pushed away the crystal heels Luke offered. “Luke, my feet can’t wear high heels. Before the wedding, I remember telling you this.” Luke froze, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I forgot… Anyway, the wedding is only for a short while, Darling. Can you just bear with it?” 6 I looked at him, then suddenly let out a laugh. “Luke, if the bride sitting before you today were Clara Albright, would you let her walk through the entire wedding in ill-fitting shoes?” At the mention of “Clara Albright,” Luke’s face changed. He silently picked up the crystal heels and left. When he returned, he was holding a pair of sneakers he’d casually grabbed from the shoe rack. Unfortunately, they were my old, worn ones. The bridesmaids’ faces immediately darkened. Leo stepped in front of me, blocking Luke, who was about to help me put on the shoes. His tone was sarcastic: “No way? The esteemed heir of Thompson Group isn’t going to let his bride walk down the aisle in a pair of secondhand sneakers, is he?” Luke looked impatient. “Then what do you want me to do? She said she can’t wear the crystal heels that were ordered in advance, and the procession is waiting downstairs. Where am I supposed to buy new sneakers on such short notice?” Leo stood his ground. “So, you’re saying it’s our bride’s fault? Luke, we’ve been classmates for years; you didn’t just find out today that Iris can’t wear high heels!” “And if I recall correctly, when we were preparing for the wedding, Iris told you she couldn’t wear high heels. What did you say then?” “You promised you’d wear sneakers with Iris today, but what happened?” “You could at least have bought a cheap pair of white sneakers! Who gets married wearing old shoes?” Wearing old shoes on your wedding day for the bride was practically calling her a discarded woman! The bridesmaids were furious, chastising Luke with a flurry of accusations. Luke’s face slowly paled. He looked at me, pleading, “Darling, it was my mistake to buy the wrong shoes, but the wedding is about to start. Where can I get you sneakers right now?” “Can’t you just bear with it? The sneakers will be hidden under your dress anyway. No one will see if they’re new or not…” Leo firmly blocked my way. “No! On her wedding day, the bride is paramount! If she has to suffer on her first day of marriage, will she have to suffer for the rest of her life?” Then, he glared at me, exasperated. “Iris Mulligan, can you stand up for yourself for once?” “If you dare walk down that aisle in those wretched shoes today, we’re done!” 7 I tugged on Leo’s sleeve, then pushed away the old shoes Luke offered. “Since the groom didn’t get any shoes, then I won’t wear any.” Saying that, I lifted the hem of my wedding dress and stood up barefoot. In the complete silence of the room, a surprised voice stood out prominently: “Well, it’s true, the barefoot aren’t afraid of those with shoes…” That day, I insisted on walking the entire wedding ceremony barefoot. After the ceremony, back in the hotel lounge, my feet were chafed and swollen, a terrible sight. Leo, his eyes red, threw a pair of hotel-branded slippers at me. “Iris Mulligan, just be a love-struck fool for the rest of your life!” I leaned in, affectionately hugging and swaying him. “Alright, my dear Leo, I promise, this is the last time!” I secretly vowed that once I got the system’s billion-dollar reward, Leo, my best friend, I would buy him a room full of his favorite limited-edition sneakers! But unfortunately, I broke my promise. That day’s humiliation was not the last. 8 Clara Albright, far away in Kingswood, miscarried. She cried and called Luke, but after learning I was also pregnant, she slammed the phone down. Luke, frantic, made inquiries and found out that James Carter’s mistress was pregnant and had come to confront Clara, who, in shock and rage, miscarried. Luke rushed back to Kingswood overnight. Watching him leave without a backward glance, I knew my redemption mission was probably nearing its finale. Sure enough, two days later, Luke returned, looking utterly exhausted. I was watering the bougainvillea on the balcony, my back slightly arched, the loose maternity dress stretched taut, faintly revealing the curve of my pregnant belly. Luke’s gaze at me was complex, carrying a hint of guilt, which ultimately transformed into immense courage and determination. “Darling, you should terminate the pregnancy.” “What?!” I looked at him in disbelief. Luke lowered his head, avoiding my gaze, his voice pained yet unusually resolute. “Clara miscarried.” “So?” Clara miscarried, it’s not my fault. What does that have to do with me? Luke suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on my slightly protruding belly, his tone almost manic. “James Carter’s mistress is pregnant, and you’re pregnant too. You both have children. Why is Clara the only one who lost hers?” “Iris Mulligan, you have to abort your child!” “Clara is in a lot of pain right now. I’m planning to bring her here. She just lost her child; if she sees you heavily pregnant, she won’t be able to bear it.” “Darling, terminate the pregnancy. We’re still young. We’ll have many, many more children later…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “395033”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My best friend had a first love she couldn’t forget. Often, late at night, she’d drink herself silly, murmuring how much she missed him. I’d wipe away her tears: “If you love each other, you should be together.” She pushed me away: “Zara, you don’t understand.” On the eve of my wedding, I was in a car accident and miscarried. The next day, texts of my best friend being harassed came through. Ignoring my own pain, I braved a blizzard, driving four hours to Riverton. Outside her building, I watched her being pulled into a man’s embrace. My best friend’s familiar voice drifted to me: “Why are you even here?! You should have just stayed away six years ago when I abandoned you, never to reappear.” I felt as if the snow had frozen me solid. That man was my fiancé, Frank Hayes. 1 I couldn’t believe it. Just a few hours ago, he was at my bedside, gently wiping away the tears from my eyes: “Zara, I’ll go make you your favorite corn and pork rib soup, okay?” He kissed the corner of my mouth, promising to be right back. So, it must just be a similar silhouette. I hid behind a lamppost, my fingers stiff as I texted Frank: [Frank, where are you?] A minute passed. No reply. He usually replied instantly. Under the streetlight, Layla forcefully pushed away the man in her arms. “Get away from me!” The dim, yellow streetlight illuminated his profile: his nose, the faint scar between his eyebrows. That scar, he got it protecting me. It really was Frank Hayes. I gripped my phone, my knuckles white. His voice was cold, unfamiliar, “Layla, don’t flatter yourself.” “Tell me to get away? Who was it just now, clinging to me, saying they were scared? Six years have passed, and when trouble hits, the first call is still to me. Is that all you amount to?” Layla looked up, her eyes crimson. “I’m flattering myself?” “Then what are you doing here?! Frank Hayes, abandoning your miscarried fiancée to rush here for what?!” She laughed, tears streaming down her face. “Are you happy to see me like this, so pathetic? Feel relieved? Do you think I deserve this for all the bad things I’ve done?!” Frank’s face tensed for a moment, but he didn’t answer. Layla wiped her face, turning to leave. Frank reached out and gripped her wrist. “Let go.” He didn’t. “Frank Hayes, I told you to let go!” He pulled her into his embrace. She struggled, hitting and kicking him, but he remained unmoving. “I didn’t mean it that way.” Finally, her strength gave out. She buried her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking. “Do you think I wanted to find you?” “Frank Hayes, do you know, when that person blocked my way, all I could think of was you? You never used to let me suffer such indignity.” “Do you really think I’ve been doing well these six years without you?” He lowered his head, his chin resting on her hair. “Layla, if you hadn’t left back then, in my plans, we should have a child by now.” “But why now, of all times?” The surroundings fell silent. The cold wind seeped into my collar, numbing my hands and feet. My phone screen glowed. Frank’s message, still unanswered. 2 I slumped against the lamppost, utterly drained. My heart felt as if it were being squeezed, too painful to speak. So, Layla’s first love was Frank Hayes. The first love she’d always mentioned whenever she drank too much. She would repeatedly talk about how much he loved her. How he would awkwardly write a love letter every day, how he would light up the entire city with fireworks for her, how he would give up an opportunity to go abroad for her. I’d asked, “Then why did you break up?” She’d propped herself on the bar, eyes red: “I was terrified of being poor. I took his mother’s five million and ran. Even when he knelt in the rain for two days, begging me, I didn’t waver.” “Love and romance mean nothing compared to tangible money. I’m just that kind of wicked person.” The first time I introduced them, they clearly didn’t get along, barely even glancing at each other. After that, neither attended any gatherings where the other was present. I never would have imagined they had such a dramatic past. The year I met Frank, I was only seventeen. My teenage worries weren’t about grades or a secret crush; they were about my grandfather, who would knock on my door every night. That day, he got drunk and started smashing the door. I jumped out the window and ran, finding refuge in a bar. I sat in a corner, trembling, hugging my knees. “You shouldn’t be here.” I looked up. Frank stood before me, his gaze sweeping over my school uniform. I assessed the mature man before me, then whispered: “What do you mean, ‘shouldn’t’? Then why are you here?” He sat down, pushing a glass of warm water towards me. “Got dumped, alright?” “Said it was forever, then just tossed it aside.” We talked for a long time. Later, Wednesday nights at that bar became our unspoken ritual. The day my grandfather picked the lock, Frank kicked in the door. He took off his jacket and draped it over me, pinning my grandfather to the ground, punching him repeatedly until his face was covered in blood. Everyone told me to tolerate it, that he was my grandfather. My father even threatened that if I called the police, the house would no longer be mine. It was Frank. He told me not to be afraid; he would handle it. He found me a lawyer and had my grandfather sent to prison. He took me into his apartment, letting me focus on my college entrance exams. That was the first time I knew that someone would truly protect me. In my first year of college, I plucked up the courage to ask him: “Frank Hayes, will you love me?” He froze. After a moment, he said, “What if one day, someone becomes more important than me?” I stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “You’re the most important.” We became a couple, and he truly was wonderful to me. Things I didn’t know, he patiently taught me. Experiences I hadn’t had, he guided me through one by one. He said, “Zara, you don’t need to feel inferior. What you can do, others might not; what you can’t, I’ll slowly teach you.” He knew I had nightmares, so he’d call every night before bed to tell me stories. He knew I loved roasted chestnuts, so he’d travel halfway across the city in winter to buy them for me. There would never be another person in this world who would be so good to me. I believed we would live happily ever after. But now. He stood there, abandoning me, who was still waiting for him. Lost in an embrace with my best friend. He had taught me so much. How to solve problems, how to protect myself, how not to trust others easily. But he never taught me. What to do when I discovered his heart belonged to someone else. 3 My mind was a chaotic mess. One moment, it was him making soup for me; the next, it was him holding her. One moment, it was his promise of “I’ll be right back”; the next, it was his question, “Why now, of all times?” I gripped my phone tightly. Just give our six years a chance. What if? What if he just wanted closure? What if he was still the Frank who would fight for me? I pressed the call button. On the third ring, he answered. “Zara? What’s wrong?” I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to speak. “Frank. Where are you?” A second of silence on the other end. “Something urgent came up; I left in a hurry. I’ve asked the housekeeper to make your soup and send it over. You’ll drink it all, won’t you?” I stared at the man ten meters away. He held his phone, his back to me, his shoulders dusted with snow. “You’re not here, I can’t drink it.” His voice softened: “Be good. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. Are you feeling better? Does it still hurt?” “Zara, once I’m through with this, I’ll take you away to relax. Haven’t you always wanted to go to Seaside City? We’ll stay there for a few days, and I’ll spend some quality time with you.” As he said this, Layla lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes red. He reached up, gently brushing the snowflakes from her hair. “Frank,” I called him. “Hmm?” “Where are you… on your business trip?” Layla pulled free from his arms, dragging her leg as if to leave. He reached out to grab her, his tone anxious: “Zara, I have an emergency here. Can I call you back later, okay?” The moment my phone screen darkened, he gripped Layla’s wrist. She looked up, her eyes crimson, staring at him. “You’re talking to her on the phone, telling her you care, while standing here holding onto me?” “How can you do both at the same time?” Yes. Frank Hayes. How could you tell me you loved me on the phone, only to turn around and hold her? Layla pushed him away, dragging her injured leg outwards. He chased after her, scooping her up into his arms. “Your foot’s hurt. I’m taking you to the hospital.” She froze, then began to struggle. “Frank Hayes, put me down—!” He said nothing, walking towards his car. “You’re holding me, and you’re still wearing her ring. It’s a constant reminder that you’re going to marry someone else!” “How can I feel safe accepting your kindness?!” He stopped, looking down at his hand. On the day he proposed, he knelt on one knee, holding that ring, his hand trembling. “Zara.” “This is the only proposal I’ll ever make, the only person I’ll ever love.” Beneath the Whispering Peak, by Emerald Serenity. I was utterly defeated by his sincerity. I said yes. He put the ring on my finger, his eyes red-rimmed. “Once it’s on, don’t ever take it off.” “No matter what happens, don’t take it off.” That was the first time I’d ever seen him cry. After that, he truly never took it off once. But now. He lowered his head, biting the ring with his teeth, and removed it. “Stop making a fuss, okay?” She froze, allowing him to carry her and place her in the passenger seat. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move a single step. The car slowly pulled away. As it passed me, I was only two meters from him. If he had just turned his head slightly. He would have seen his fiancée, having just suffered a miscarriage, standing behind this lamppost in a blizzard, trembling as she watched him. He would have seen the tears on my face, my frozen hands, my phone clutched in my grasp, its screen still lit with the message he hadn’t replied to. He never once turned his head. I looked down at my hand. The ring was still there. The same plain platinum band. The same initials. Frank Hayes. These past six years, was I just a substitute, a shadow you used to fill the void after she left? Did you ever truly love me? 4 My stomach twisted in agonizing cramps, as if something was being torn from me. I collapsed onto my knees in the snow, watching the car disappear into the distance, unmoving for a long time. My phone vibrated. It was Layla. [Zara, I’m at the hospital, don’t worry.] [I’m planning to get back together with him.] [All these years, I thought he would hate me, but he didn’t. The moment something happened to me, he was more frantic than anyone. When he pinned the person harassing me to the ground and beat him, I realized he could go crazy for me to that extent.] Tears splattered on the screen, blurring the words. [He said he waited six years for me.] [Zara, I’m so happy.] [You’ll bless us, won’t you?] I don’t know how I drove to the hospital. My hands, gripping the steering wheel, wouldn’t stop trembling. The hospital corridor lights were blindingly white. Through the glass on the door, I saw them. Layla leaned against the headboard, her face pale, her foot wrapped in bandages. Frank held a bowl of chicken soup. “Eat something,” he said. She didn’t move. “Layla.” She turned her face away, her voice muffled: “It’s all oil, so many calories.” “I’m a model. If I get fat, how will I work? Who will feed me if I lose my job?!” He offered the spoonful of soup again, sighing: “Haven’t I given you enough work already? Not enough? Well, you can worry about that after you’re well.” The year Layla said she wanted to be a model, I asked him for help. He hadn’t even looked up: “Someone with her conditions can’t be a model.” Yet he found people, taking her from Riverton to international stages. At the time, I thought, he’s so good; he cares about my affairs. Now I woke up to the truth. Was it really because of me, or was it because of her, the one he couldn’t forget? I rarely saw Frank in such a humble posture. Layla lowered her head and drank the chicken soup he offered. “Remember the cereal you loved most in high school? After you left, I searched every supermarket and couldn’t find it. I realized the company went out of business and stopped producing it.” “But I bought that cereal factory. You’ll be able to eat it again soon.” Layla’s tears slowly welled up, her voice trembling. “Frank Hayes, why are you so good to me?” He didn’t answer. Then she raised her hand and knocked the bowl of chicken soup to the ground. Soup splattered everywhere, the bowl shattered, porcelain shards flying to his feet. “Layla, what madness are you indulging in now?!” “Frank Hayes, don’t you know, I don’t deserve any of this!” “Zara’s car accident and miscarriage, I arranged it!” A deafening boom echoed in my mind, as if something had exploded. I leaned against the wall, my fingertips digging into the tile grout. So that nightmare, it wasn’t an accident after all. The voices from the hospital room continued. “She’s my best friend, but I still did it.” “Because I knew! Between you and her, I had to make a choice. I love you! I couldn’t let you go, so I had to do this!” “Six years ago, I abandoned you. Now I’ve killed your child. I’m so wicked. Do you still dare to be good to me?” Layla’s sobs were broken, but he still didn’t speak. A long, long silence. So long that I thought he would lash out at her. So long that I thought he would demand justice for me and our child. Then he raised his hand and wiped away her tears with his thumb. “Don’t cry.” She froze. “Frank Hayes, are you deaf? I said I arranged it. I had someone hit her—” “I heard you.” “Then you still—” “Before I fell in love with you, weren’t you always this kind of person?” Frank pulled her into his embrace. She no longer struggled, resting quietly against his chest, her shoulders trembling. Through that glass door, I watched it all. Many images suddenly flooded my mind. The day the pregnancy test showed two lines, he had joyfully spun me around the living room until I was dizzy. He had chosen so many names, for a boy, for a girl, covering the refrigerator with them. That day I woke up in the hospital, he held my hand and said it was okay, we were still young, we would have another. But then he turned and called someone in the hallway, saying the other party must pay the price. It turned out his anger was only reserved for strangers. When that person was Layla. He didn’t care about anything. I wanted to rush in and confront him. How could you do this to me? I wanted to say, do you know how much pain I’m in? Do you know I still can’t sleep, and when I close my eyes, all I see is the blinding light of the operating room? But I didn’t even have the courage to push that door open. I ran, fled in despair. Bursting out of the hospital, when the wind blew, I realized my face was drenched in tears.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “395034”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I was on my engagement day with mafia boss Jackson Wade when my first love crashed the ceremony. I didn’t hesitate to run away with him, but he let go of my hand outside the door and turned to his friends: “Told you she’d follow me. Pay up, guys!” In an instant, I became the laughingstock of the entire city. That night, Jackson chopped off my ex’s right hand. “Anyone who dares gossip behind her back, I’ll cut out their tongue.” After that, everyone said this ruthless mafia boss was madly in love with me—he could even forgive my betrayal. Until our wedding night, when a woman showed up at the door with a child: “If it weren’t for Jackson’s grandfather saying he’d only get his inheritance if he married you, why would he ever marry you?” “We got married three years ago. As for you, get lost!” But did they all forget? I’m the heir to New York’s biggest mafia family. 0I had them both kidnapped immediately. When I pressed my gun against the woman’s temple, Jackson rushed over. “She dies, or you die. Choose.” “Phoenix, if you’re angry, take it out on me. Felicity and the child are innocent!” Jackson stared at me intently, while the black-suited bodyguards behind him surrounded me. Felicity cried with terror written all over her face: “Jackson, save me! This crazy woman Phoenix wants to kill me and the child!” Her shrill voice grated on my nerves. I tapped Felicity’s temple with my gun barrel and threw the marriage certificate in Jackson’s face. “Innocent? Then explain this to me.” I laughed coldly: “Making the head of the Graves family the mistress! Jackson, you’ve got some nerve! Doing what even your parents didn’t dare to do!” Guilt flashed in Jackson’s eyes as he explained helplessly: “You were conservative before marriage and wouldn’t let me touch you. I only found her to satisfy my needs. The child was an accident. I promise she won’t bother you anymore.” “You want me to coexist peacefully with her?” I smiled bloodthirstily and pulled back the safety with a click: “Those who insult the Graves family must pay in blood!” “So, do you die, or do she and this bastard die together?” Watching Jackson’s hard face unconsciously reveal heartache and anxiety, I knew the scales in his heart had already tipped toward that mother and child. Felicity suddenly broke free from her ropes and shouted angrily: “Don’t you dare hurt Jackson!” Years of vigilance made me instantly pull out my dagger. I kicked Felicity’s knee, and as her body tilted, she crashed into the blade. She screamed in agony as a bloody mark appeared on her face. “Felicity!” Jackson’s eyes instantly turned red. Without hesitation, he shot at me. I dodged, covering my grazed arm as I watched Jackson carry Felicity away. The pain in my arm stimulated my nerves. In my mind, I heard sixteen-year-old Jackson earnestly swearing to me: “Phoenix, my gun will never be aimed at you. It will only obey your orders and target your enemies!” “Miss Graves? Should I chase them down?” My most trusted assistant, Hannah Brown, asked me quietly. Chase? My eyes were cold, my voice like ice: “Tell the executives—withdraw Graves Group from that massive joint project with the Wade family!” The next day, the company issued an announcement that Graves Group was withdrawing from its collaboration with the Wade family. Without Graves’s technical support, Wade family stocks crashed that very day. Jackson called furiously, his voice full of anger: “Phoenix Graves, suddenly terminating our partnership will affect both families. Are you really going to be this reckless?” I scattered some fish food and watched the koi in the pond compete for it, smiling dangerously: “I already told you—those who insult the Graves family must die.” “For Grandfather Wade’s sake, I’ll give you two choices: divorce that woman or the Wade family goes bankrupt. Pick one.” His breathing on the other end grew heavy. A moment later, he hung up abruptly. Half an hour later, Jackson sent me a photo of a divorce certificate. I notified the company to resume cooperation with the Wade family. Hannah handed me a towel to wipe my hands, saying quietly: “Miss Graves, you’re still being soft on him.” I slowly withdrew my hand, my tone somewhat desolate: “I don’t have many family members left.” 0

Jackson placed Felicity and her child in the Wade family’s private hospital for treatment, afraid I’d go after them. I had no interest in bothering with her, but I never expected her to dare provoke me! She added me on SnapChat and sent me a picture to show off: [Phoenix, Jackson never loved you!] [All those rumors about him loving you to death—that was just to placate your parents! Now that your father’s dead, he doesn’t need to act anymore!] [To restore my health, Jackson specially found the best herbs and a therapist for me. But this therapist was a snob and refused to serve me!] [Jackson said he’d cut off both her hands!] I looked at the photo—my beloved friend Julia White, covered in wounds, pressed to the ground, her hands soaked in blood. Raging fury erupted. My eyes blazed with hatred. I didn’t have many loved ones, and I cherished every single one! Jackson knew this was my weak spot. How dare he touch it! Madness flickered in my eyes. It seemed I’d been too reasonable these past few years, making him forget I was a lunatic to begin with. I brought people to break down the private hospital’s doors. Under Felicity’s terrified gaze, I grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the wall, my tone vicious: “Don’t you know how to spell ‘death’? Do you really think Jackson can protect you?” Felicity’s face was covered in blood. She screamed at me, her eyes triumphant: “So what if you’re Miss Graves? You still can’t have children!” “Do you really think Jackson would divorce me to marry you? Dream on!” “You’re just a pathetic creature nobody wants!” My mind went blank. I staggered back two steps, as if returning to that filthy night when I was sixteen. Jackson had invited me out, but we were both kidnapped and held in a warehouse. In the darkness, we tried to escape. To cover for him so he could get help, I deliberately drew the kidnappers away! After they caught me, they beat me until I was covered in wounds. Five or six men surrounded me. Their filthy hands stripped off my clothes, blindfolded me, and violated me at will. I endured the darkest night of my life. When I woke up in the hospital, the doctor gently told me I could never get pregnant again. Jackson looked haggard. With reddened eyes, he knelt before me and swore: “I’m sorry! Phoenix! My life belongs to you from now on!!” “I’ll protect you forever!” “If I break this vow, may I die a terrible death!” That night, the still-youthful Jackson completely transformed. He dealt with those thugs using ruthless methods and silenced everyone. He frantically built his power and expanded the company with only one goal: Become strong enough to protect me so I’d never be hurt again! But now he’d told an outsider about my deepest wound—the one I couldn’t bear to touch! My eyes turned blood-red. I gripped Felicity’s throat tightly, smiling savagely: “You want to die so badly? I’ll grant your wish!” Felicity’s face turned purple-blue from choking. Fear finally appeared in her eyes. “Stop!” A sharp gust came from behind. I punched backward, landing it on Jackson’s eye. He grunted but ignored his injury, anxiously picking up Felicity. I watched his heartbroken expression, and for a moment it overlapped with sixteen-year-old Jackson’s eyes. Sixteen-year-old Jackson felt heartache for me. Twenty-eight-year-old Jackson only had eyes for Felicity. I laughed quietly, then suddenly shot Jackson, demanding coldly: “That secret—did you tell her?” Jackson covered his arm and fell silent before explaining: “I got drunk and accidentally let it slip.” “Felicity’s young and speaks without thinking. She doesn’t mean any harm.” “You already shot me, so let’s call it even.” I smiled mockingly, enunciating each word: “Call it even?” “Jackson, what made you think I could keep backing down?” “Last time, Grandfather Wade’s kindness toward me—you’ve already used it up!” Felicity watched me raise my gun and screamed in terror: “Jackson, this bitch is crazy! Kill her quickly!” Jackson watched my unyielding stance. Irritation flashed in his eyes as he spoke coldly: “Phoenix, you need to consider my position. You can’t have children. The Wade family has such a vast fortune—I need an heir!” Each word pierced my heart, making me bleed. Silence permeated the air. Before my eyes appeared the image of sixteen-year-old Jackson, covered in blood, carrying me and running, crying in despair: “Phoenix, please, just hold on a little longer. We promised to spend our whole lives together!” “You can’t leave me!” “Phoenix, if you dare hurt Felicity and the child again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Jackson’s cold voice brought me back to reality. I watched Jackson’s retreating figure as he carried Felicity away. The boy who swore to protect me for life shattered completely in my memory. “True feelings really are the most fickle thing in this world.” I kept my back straight and spoke indifferently: “Spread the word—the arranged marriage is canceled. From today, the Graves family and Wade family are completely severed!” “The two families have no relationship anymore!” 0

As soon as news of the complete break between our families spread, the company’s stock price fluctuated dramatically. I stayed at the company headquarters every day. Two weeks later, the CEO’s office door was kicked open. My mother, who should have been recovering at the nursing home, was thrown in covered in blood. My pupils contracted. I panicked as I lifted my mother onto the sofa, shouting hoarsely: “Hannah, call a doctor!” Hannah rushed out with a cold face but was shot in the left leg by Jackson, her kneecap shattered. Other bodyguards were forced to kneel on the ground. I quickly checked my mother’s condition and found her entire body covered in whip marks, her breathing weak, as if she might die at any moment. Bloodshot vessels spread across my eyeballs. I grabbed the heavy office chair and hurled it at Jackson: “Jackson, you dared touch my mother—go to hell!” Jackson dodged gracefully. Wearing a black suit, he sat down calmly and lit a cigarette. Through the curling smoke, his eyes were indifferent: “Felicity’s face has permanent scarring. I couldn’t bear to hurt you, so I had your mother pay the price instead.” “Don’t worry, I was very measured. Just ninety-nine lashes. Your mother won’t die.” “Measured?” My hands were trembling. In extreme rage, I instead became calm: “Jackson, from now on, the Graves family and Wade family fight to the death!” Jackson laughed. He stood up, caressing my cheek, murmuring: “Phoenix, don’t say such angry words!” “You’re still too inexperienced. You can’t handle the business world.” He pulled out a stack of documents and gently placed them in my hands: “Take a look?” I flipped through the documents, my eyes growing deep. These were all share transfer agreements. Over the years, Jackson had secretly bought off many shareholders and transferred their shares to him. Now he was the company’s second-largest shareholder. If he sold his shares, the company would immediately collapse. I threw the documents on the desk and sneered: “No wonder you dared produce a bastard child, dared brazenly hurt those I care about.” “So you’d been making moves on Graves Corporation all along! When did you start scheming?” Jackson admitted frankly: “Seven years ago.” He embraced me from behind, very gently: “Phoenix, the business world is ever-changing—it’s not something you can handle.” His tone shifted, becoming forceful: “I love you. The arranged marriage between Graves and Wade families remains unchanged. The position of Mrs. Wade has always been yours.” “The promise I made is still valid—I’ll protect you for life, as long as you’re obedient.” “Don’t go after Felicity and her child anymore.” 0

Jackson left with his people. I sent my mother to the hospital for treatment. After confirming she was safe, I sat alone in the wrecked office all night. At daybreak, I slowly stood up, looking at the fierce eyes reflected in the transparent glass: “Hannah, I remember my father started divesting company assets before he died?” Hannah answered respectfully: “The old master understood men’s base nature, so he’d been guarding against the Wade family all along.” “Before he died, he not only transferred most of the company’s assets abroad, but also bought ten percent of Wade family shares through offshore companies.” “If Jackson thinks he can threaten you, Miss Graves, he’s badly miscalculated!” I lowered my eyes, looking at the ring I’d always worn on my left ring finger. Sweet memories with Jackson surfaced one by one, then dimmed and faded. I removed the ring and threw it in the trash without hesitation, issuing my command: “The Graves family’s dignity cannot be trampled. Take action!” Over the following days, undercurrents surged. I stayed at the hospital with my mother while Jackson took Felicity to Norway for a vacation. Felicity was like a dog with her master’s backing, sending me photos and taunts every day: [Jackson proposed to me under the Northern Lights. He said after marriage he’d let me live in the wedding house.] [He’ll raise my child as his heir, while you’re just a figurehead Mrs. Wade!] She sent intimate videos with Jackson, deliberately showing ambiguous marks, saying triumphantly: [Phoenix, guess why Jackson never touched you? Because he has psychological issues!] [You’re so pitiful, living your whole life being manipulated!] Then she sent several blurry photos and quickly retracted them. I stared at the photos, bloodshot vessels spreading across my eyeballs, my body trembling violently. Hannah noticed my abnormality and shook me, shouting: “Miss Graves, breathe!” I suddenly gasped out a big breath. In just a few seconds, my clothes were soaked with cold sweat. I closed my eyes and spoke hoarsely: “The incident when I was sixteen—use all our resources to reinvestigate it!” Three days later, Jackson was dragged by Felicity to the largest auction house. Almost every precious treasure at the auction was bought by her. For a time, she was in the spotlight. Others whispered: “A mistress acting so arrogant!” “Who told her to have Jackson’s favor? I heard he’s already made her son the heir. Even Miss Graves has to avoid her!” On the auction stage, the host began auctioning the final showpiece. Felicity, intoxicated by everyone’s flattery, said without hesitation: “Double the price! I’ll take the finale treasure!” The host smiled strangely and shouted loudly: “Miss Felicity has won the finale treasure!” “Now let’s see what this priceless treasure actually is!” The box slowly opened, revealing a kill order with Jackson’s name appearing before everyone’s eyes. In the silence, I entered the auction house with my people. I raised my gun at Jackson from across the room, my lips curling into a bloody smile: “Jackson, for scheming against me and the Graves family, today is your death day!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372036”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

At my engagement party with my fiancé, my ex-boyfriend Damien Smith suddenly appeared. He clapped his hands mockingly as he walked toward us: “Serena Locke, I wondered how you dared to leave me. Turns out you found yourself a richer backer—my cousin.” The guests erupted in shock. The once lively banquet hall fell into dead silence. All eyes turned to me, filled with shock and scrutiny. But I simply gazed calmly at the face I’d once loved deeply for three years: “What? You used to despise me as a gold digger. Now that I’m with someone else, you still have a problem with it?” Damien and I met in college. In our third year together, my dad suddenly fell seriously ill and needed expensive treatment. I was desperately trying to figure out where to get the money when my roommate suddenly asked: “Why don’t you ask Damien for help?” I didn’t understand what she meant at first. “You don’t know? Damien’s family is loaded.” “I only found out recently when I went to a party at the Smith estate with my dad.” “Your dad’s medical bills would be like pocket change to him—the cost of one meal.” I froze, not knowing what to say. I could only remain silent. That night, I secretly followed Damien. I watched him smoothly open the door of a luxury car. I watched him drive into a gated mansion community. My emotions swirled—a confusing mix of feelings. I didn’t understand why Damien had been pretending to be poor. But the next moment, I felt a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe Damien could really help me solve this urgent crisis. So without overthinking it, I pressed the doorbell of the mansion. In less than thirty seconds, the door opened. Seeing me, Damien was visibly startled. “Serena? What are you doing here? Who gave you this address?” He didn’t invite me in. He just stood sideways in the doorway, brow furrowed, looking at me. The suspicion and interrogation in his tone made me inexplicably nervous. I clutched the hem of my clothes, standing at the door like a child who’d done something wrong. All the opening lines I’d prepared on the way vanished from my mind. “Damien!” I spoke softly: “Could you please help me with something?” “My dad’s in the hospital. I urgently need money for his treatment…” Before I could finish, laughter erupted from inside. It was Fiona Ashford, Damien’s childhood friend. I’d heard Damien mention her before. “Damien, is this the new girlfriend you told me about?” “Didn’t you say last time that she wasn’t with you for money?” “No, it’s because my dad—” I tried to explain. But Fiona cut me off: “I know!” “You just have a seriously ill relative who needs money to be saved, right?” She placed her hand on Damien’s shoulder with a light laugh: “Looks like your new girlfriend is pretty clever—she’s even learned to use roundabout tactics to ask for money.” “Though this excuse is pretty old and not very original!” Fiona looked at me with contempt. “That’s not true, I’m not lying!” I quickly explained to Damien: “My dad really is sick and hospitalized.” I pulled out the crumpled diagnosis certificate from my pocket and held it up to him. But Fiona snatched it away: “Wow, you’re quite professional—even made fake medical records that look so authentic?” “Clearly an expert. You’ve probably scammed plenty of guys besides Damien, haven’t you?” One sentence branded me a con artist. Damien, who’d been half-skeptical, suddenly turned dark with anger: “And here I thought you were different from those gold-digging women.” “Turns out you’re all the same.” “I never wanted your money!” My voice cracked with tears, and I couldn’t control them as they streamed down my face. Damien froze. But Fiona beside him suddenly clicked her tongue twice: “They say tears are a woman’s best weapon.” “With acting skills like yours—crying on command—it’s a real shame you’re not in Hollywood.” Two sentences of manipulation successfully made Damien’s gaze turn cold again: “So what exactly are you doing right now?” My body stiffened. I felt petrified. Damien’s ice-cold questioning was like a frozen blade stabbing straight into my heart. I opened my mouth. But my throat felt blocked, and ultimately no sound came out. Three years of our relationship couldn’t withstand Fiona’s two sentences of instigation. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I didn’t say anything more. I just forced myself to wipe away my tears and turned to leave. But the next day, a hundred thousand dollars suddenly appeared in my bank account. It was transferred from Damien. Below it was a message: “Didn’t you want money? Well, here’s your chance to earn it.”

From that day on, Damien changed. He was no longer gentle or considerate. He no longer treated me like his girlfriend. Instead, he treated me like a plaything to summon and dismiss at will. When he was thirsty, I had to deliver coffee under the scorching sun. When he was hungry, I had to bring him meals I’d cooked myself. When I finally managed to deliver them, he’d dump everything in front of me. Then casually say: “I suddenly lost my appetite.” Like a game he never tired of playing. Toying with me again and again. He even made me wear revealing dresses to accompany him to cocktail parties. “So this is Damien’s girlfriend?” “You’ve kept her hidden so long and finally decided to show her off?” His friends came over with drinks, teasing him. But Damien denied it outright. “No!” “Why would I bring my girlfriend to this kind of occasion?” When his eyes swept over me, they held a trace of contempt: “She’s just a toy I bought with money!” A casual remark, yet it stabbed into my heart like a knife. The pain made it impossible to breathe. For my father’s medical bills, I couldn’t defend myself. I could only stand there stiffly. The air around me instantly solidified. The previously curious and scrutinizing gazes all turned to mockery and ridicule. “A toy? Interesting!” Damien’s friend looked me up and down lecherously. “When will you let me play with her too?” “You like this type?” Damien asked casually. “I’ll send her to you when I’m done with her!” My head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief. I couldn’t imagine Damien would give me away like an object to someone I’d just met. “Feeling upset?” Damien watched my embarrassed and humiliated expression with interest, wrapping his arm around my waist. The corner of his mouth even held a faint smile. “Serena Locke, since you’re after money, why pretend to be so wronged?” “I didn’t lie to you.” I forced out each word through gritted teeth: “You can just investigate at the hospital.” “I really just wanted to borrow money for my dad’s medical expenses…” Before I could finish, Damien pulled me into a small room next to the hall. “You think I didn’t investigate?” “I did look into this patient.” “It’s just a pity…” With a tearing sound, Damien roughly ripped my dress. “Fiona told me it’s all fake—a fake patient.” “That’s impossible—she’s lying!” Before I could protect my clothes, a tearing pain shot through my entire body. “Damien!” My eyes widened in terror. “You can’t do this here…” This room was separated from the main hall by only a glass door. Anyone could see with just a glance. Damien’s head expertly rested on my shoulder: “Afraid your new target will see?” He pressed my head against the glass: “Serena Locke, I never realized you were so capable.” “How many men have you hooked in such a short time?” “Who’s your next target? Mr. Morrison or the Mr. Bennett?” “I didn’t—I’m not that kind of woman!” I tried to struggle free, but Damien held me firmly in place. Pain crashed over me. My whole body shuddered uncontrollably. Damien ignored my words completely. Instead, he playfully lifted a strand of my hair: “I can stop.” “But… you can forget about getting another cent from me.” Thinking of the remaining medical bills for my dad, I fell silent. “See!” Damien’s husky voice sounded: “You’re no different from those other women.” Tears rolled down the glass drop by drop. I bit my lower lip hard, trying not to make a sound.

I don’t know how long this humiliation lasted before Damien finally finished with lingering satisfaction. He straightened his perfectly unwrinkled clothes and walked straight toward the cocktail party. Leaving only one sentence: “You can leave now.” Not caring at all that my dress was torn to shreds. I understood. This was also part of Damien’s twisted pleasure. He wanted me to leave looking disheveled like this. I bit my lip. I tried to gather the remaining fabric together and limped toward the exit, enduring the pain. Despite being extremely careful, I still attracted attention from those around me. Seeing my appearance, they instantly understood: “Oh my God, to do such shameless things at this kind of occasion? I’ve seen it all now.” “Young girls these days will do anything to climb the social ladder!” “That dress is wasted on her—such a beautiful dress ruined.” Damien stood in the crowd with a faint smile, as if he had nothing to do with it, enjoying the show. I ignored them. I just lowered my head and escaped this suffocating place as quickly as possible. My phone dinged. Another hundred thousand deposited. I don’t know when it started, but my relationship with Damien had completely become a financial transaction. I thought this would be the end of it. But a few days later, someone anonymously posted compromising photos of me on the campus website. They even gave it an eye-catching title: “Female College Student Allegedly Rejected After Offering Herself to Wealthy Elite” The photo was of me at the party entrance trying desperately to cover myself. The angle was calculated to maximize my embarrassment and humiliation. Hateful comments instantly flooded the entire comment section: “This kind of girl is a disgrace to our school—she should just leave!” “Clearly desperate for money, thinking taking off her clothes will get her into a wealthy family?” “I heard she’s an honors student in her department. Who knew her private life was this messy!” “Looks decent on the outside but so disgusting inside!” “Expel her immediately, or she’ll ruin our school’s reputation!” My fingers turned white from gripping my phone so hard. My entire body trembled uncontrollably. Before I could process it all, my advisor called to inform me of the decision to expel me. “No, Ms. Parker, please let me explain!” I gripped my phone tightly, trying to stay calm: “This isn’t what it looks like online.” “This is all a misunderstanding.” After I explained desperately, Ms. Parker finally agreed to give me one more chance to prove myself. I immediately called Damien, hoping he would clarify things with the school. But he just laughed dismissively: “Aren’t you though?” One sentence left me frozen in place. “However… I’m in a good mood today!” “I can give you a chance to beg me.” So an hour later, I rushed breathlessly to the bar Damien mentioned. The room was packed with people, and Damien sat right in the center. He smiled and pointed to the table full of alcohol: “These are all gifts prepared for you.” “Drink them all, and I’ll have the dean cancel your expulsion.” He knew I was allergic to alcohol. Yet he still chose to humiliate me this way. “Fine!” But I couldn’t be expelled. I had no choice but to agree. Glass after glass. My stomach burned painfully. My face and body swelled more and more from the allergic reaction. Seeing my movements slow down, Fiona, sitting next to Damien, suddenly spoke: “Drinking so slowly? Can you afford to waste our time?” Looking at her smug, instigating expression, a realization dawned on me: Fiona liked Damien. That’s why she’d framed me repeatedly. Unfortunately, I realized this too late. Fiona had already ordered people to pin me to the ground. First, they pried open my mouth and poured alcohol in. Then they simply dumped the rest all over me. Damien just sat there watching without saying a word. My vision gradually blurred. My stomach churned with wave after wave of pain. I felt something flowing out of my body. I suddenly thought maybe it would be better to just end it all like this. Something was flowing from my body. “Blood! She’s bleeding!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372037”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

After my dad was poisoned to death, I called the police and had Chris, the caregiver who’d been attending to him, arrested. But my wife Lester insisted that Chris was innocent. She defended him as his lawyer for six years. Every time, Chris would grab my hand with fake sincerity: “Mr. Steve, your wife is such a good person. She believes in me. I really didn’t harm your father!” Finally, she won the case for Chris. When she came home, she said to me: “It’s all over now. Don’t let hatred blind you. Chris raised me. He’s not a bad person.” I smiled and poured her a glass of wine, clinking glasses with her. That very night, I tied Chris up and forced the same poison down his throat on camera. I looked at my watch and calmly counted down: “Lester, you have sixty minutes. Bring the antidote and my father’s real will, or else…” Chris was foaming at the mouth, convulsing painfully on the floor. The camera gave him a close-up: “You’ll be attending two funerals!” The live stream link spread through anonymous channels. In less than ten minutes, the viewer count broke through a million. On camera, Chris was tied tightly to a chair, foam hanging from the corners of his mouth, his body convulsing violently. And I stood behind him, expressionless, holding a timer. Everyone watching held their breath. The most anxious among them was undoubtedly the star lawyer Lester. “Steve! Your dad’s death really has nothing to do with Chris! I’ve been investigating for six years!” She shouted at me shrilly through the video connection, her face displayed in split-screen. I looked at her delicate face twisted with anger and terror on the big screen, my lips curling with mockery. “Is that so? Then where’s the real will you found, the one my dad wrote in his own hand?” The live stream chat exploded instantly: [Is this guy insane? Six years of litigation, the court already ruled, and he still won’t accept it?] [Paranoid personality disorder, right? He won’t be satisfied unless he can call the caregiver a murderer?] [His wife is Lester! A legal legend! She turned down all those million-dollar cases to defend this caregiver for six years pro bono. Doesn’t that loyalty prove something?] Watching public opinion overwhelmingly support her, Lester’s expression calmed slightly. She straightened her back, speaking with more confidence: “Steve! The facts are right there. The evidence is solid. I don’t know what ‘real will’ you’re talking about.” “What you’re doing now already constitutes kidnapping and intentional harm! Release Chris immediately. For the sake of our marriage, I’ll do my best to defend you!” I ignored her. I picked up a hammer from the toolbox and grabbed Chris’s desperately struggling left hand. “Crack!” The sound of shattering bones transmitted clearly across the internet through the microphone. Chris’s scream burst through the rag in his mouth, shrill and inhuman. Lester’s expression froze instantly. I held up the deformed hand to the camera for display. “Do you think I’m playing around?” Lester stared at the screen, her face deathly pale. “You… you maniac!” I casually tossed aside the hammer and picked up a white cloth, methodically wiping the blood spatters from my hands. “That was just the first one.” I held up one finger. “Lester, six years of litigation, six instances of perjury—you also have six chances. Make public the real will you’ve been hiding for six years. Each time, I’m giving you ten minutes.” [He’s seriously unhinged! How can she hand over something that doesn’t exist?] [Stop trying to manipulate public opinion! We netizens can judge for ourselves. We don’t just support whoever looks more pitiful!] [Besides, your dad was so old. Isn’t it possible he died of natural causes? Chris is the real victim who’s been wrongly accused for six years!] I watched the rapidly scrolling comments. The vast majority were cursing me for being unreasonable, for refusing to accept reality. [I bet he’s just fighting over the inheritance. Showed his true colors as soon as his dad died!] [What are the police doing? Hurry up and track him down! Any later and that poor caregiver will be tortured to death by this lunatic!] The police also sent an official warning: [We’ve locked onto your location. Stop this criminal behavior immediately and surrender!] I just sneered. I’d already hired a top hacker to hide my IP address. Sure enough, time passed minute by minute, and the police made no progress. The netizens were more anxious than anyone, crashing the police department’s official account backend. Finally, the police had to issue an announcement admitting they couldn’t pinpoint my exact location and were urgently mobilizing technical experts. I glanced at the timer. I picked up a pair of pliers, aiming at Chris’s other undamaged hand. “Time’s almost up, dear.” “Wait!” Lester finally broke down, her face pale. “I’ll hand it over! I’ll hand it over!”

A document was quickly submitted through police channels—a scanned copy of a will. But I only glanced at it once before grabbing the pen on the table and viciously stabbing it into the back of Chris’s hand. “Ahhh—!” A scream came from Chris’s gagged mouth. He threw his head back in despair. Blood gushed from the wound on his hand, and his uninjured eye was full of terror. “Steve!!” Lester rushed to the camera, her eyes bloodshot. “I already handed it over! Why did you still attack him!” I printed out that so-called “new will” and waved it at the camera. “You think I’m a three-year-old? This will leaves all our family assets to you and only gives me an apartment in the suburbs. I’m his biological son. Do you think that’s reasonable?” After speaking, I threw the paper on the floor and ground it viciously under my high heel, staring at the screen with cold eyes. “Lester, trying to placate me with something like this is useless.” Lester’s face went another shade paler. The netizens were completely enraged: [I heard his dad was often abused by him when he was alive! If he really submitted a will leaving all the inheritance to you, that would be the forgery!] [Lawyer Lester’s professionalism and character are renowned in the industry! You’re the one full of lies and a murderer!] [Let that poor caregiver go!] I just smiled contemptuously and checked my watch. “Dear, you have six minutes left this time.” Lester braced her hands on the desk, staring at me intently. “The case is already settled. What exactly do you want me to hand over!” “You know perfectly well.” I returned her stare coldly. “If you really care so much about your Uncle Chris, stop wasting time and submit the real evidence!” Lester bit her teeth hard. “If I really wanted to deceive you, I could’ve just hired some third-rate lawyer to handle it. Why would I waste six years of my time personally defending him!” I raised my chin. “That’s something you need to ask yourself.” The online abuse became even fiercer. Countless people accused me of being depraved and unworthy of such a devoted wife as Lester. The police negotiation expert also kept sending me private messages, trying to shake my resolve. I just sat leisurely beside Chris, stepping on the pool of blood, watching my watch. “Time’s up.” I stood up. Chris’s eyes widened in terror as he looked at me. “Steve, stop!” A commanding voice rang out. I whipped my head around. A dignified, authoritative figure stood before the camera. I froze. It was my father-in-law, Jacob. “Steve, I personally followed your father’s case. I went to the police station no less than a hundred times. Things really aren’t what you think.”

The knife tip hovered over Chris’s other wrist. Jacob stood before the camera looking pained. “I care about your father’s death more than anyone. I had people investigate thoroughly. This matter truly has nothing to do with Chris.” I looked at him in disbelief. “You always said before that my dad definitely didn’t commit suicide. Now you think this?” Jacob sighed heavily. “Steve, you need to respect the facts. All the evidence points to suicide.” “I think you’re the ones not respecting the facts!” I pointed at the camera, my emotions somewhat out of control. “That was my father! And your childhood friend!” “Years ago when the Jacob family nearly went bankrupt, it was my father who gave you his life savings to help you through!” “He lived his whole life honorably. In his later years, he was passionate about fitness and travel. Someone who loved life that much—how could he possibly commit suicide!” Jacob frowned. “Steve, people change. Maybe he just suddenly couldn’t think straight.” I laughed. I yanked the cloth from Chris’s mouth. “I think you’re the ones who’ve changed.” “Help—” Chris had barely gotten the word out when I grabbed his jaw and forced his mouth open. I picked up the pliers and aimed at his teeth. One, two, three. The floor was covered with teeth I’d forcibly pulled out, trailing blood. “Ahhhhh!!” Chris’s roar was heart-wrenching, nearly causing him to lose consciousness. Jacob panicked too, shouting at the camera: “Enough! Stop! Steve! Stop it!!” After pulling out the last front tooth, Chris’s mouth streamed with blood. He went completely limp, his body shaking like a sieve. “Chris…” Jacob instinctively called out, his eyes full of heartache. I stared intently at the screen. “What’s this, Jacob? You know him well?” Jacob froze for a moment. He immediately resumed that righteous expression. “Steve! You’re disgracing your father!” I sneered and glanced at my watch. “You’ve already wasted three chances.” “Round four. Ten minutes. Timer starts now.” I sat back down in the chair, leisurely toying with the blood-stained pliers. Lester paced back and forth before the camera like a cat on a hot tin roof. With thirty seconds left, I began the countdown: “29, 28, 27…” “There’s no such will as you claim! What exactly do you want me to hand over!” Lester was going mad. The netizens were also indignant: [If it really existed, anyone in this situation would hand it over! You’re forcing Lawyer Lester to forge evidence!] [Exactly! He’s trying to ruin Lawyer Lester’s career!] [This man’s heart is too vicious!] “5, 4…” “Steve!!” “3, 2…” “Steve, get a grip!” “1…” “Daddy!” A childish voice suddenly rang out. My whole body stiffened. I stood up quickly. “Weber…”

“Daddy!” My son Weber’s tender face appeared on camera, his face covered in tears. “Weber, did Mom bring you here?” Before doing this, I’d clearly entrusted the child to my most trusted friend, instructing them repeatedly never to let him get involved. Could it be that my friend… “Daddy! Grandpa really drank the poison himself!” My pupils contracted sharply. The netizens were even more dissatisfied: [Steve, look what you’ve done! You’re forcing such a young child to face all this!] [Even the child is testifying, and you still won’t wake up? This is your own biological son!] I gripped the pliers tighter in my hand. “Weber, that’s your grandfather. The grandfather who secretly bought you Legos, who was the first to stand up for you when you were bullied!” Weber cried even harder. “Grandpa said he didn’t want to live anymore! He didn’t want to be a burden! Weber didn’t lie! Weber really didn’t lie! Daddy, please let Chris go, okay?” Lester pulled Weber into her arms and shouted at the camera: “Steve! Are you going to doubt even your own son’s words!” I clenched my teeth. “What did you teach him to say?” [I’m done. Does this guy have serious mental illness or what!] [Finally understand where those CEO novel male leads who refuse to believe the female lead come from. Art really does imitate life.] “Steve! If you won’t believe Weber, who do you want to convince you!” Lester was righteously indignant. I just grabbed Chris’s ear and made his bloody, mangled face face the camera directly. I picked up a small knife, the blade lightly tracing across his cheek. I chuckled softly. “Lester, you think that over these six years, I didn’t know about you secretly transferring money to him at night, arranging work for his sister?” Lester’s eyes flew open. “Fourth chance, gone!” I aimed the knife at Chris’s eye and raised it high. “Daddy!!” Weber suddenly held up a diary. “Grandpa told me to give this to you before he left!” The knife tip stopped less than a millimeter from Chris’s eyeball.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372029”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

My wife Moore’s brother racked up fifty million in online gambling debts, but he left my contact information. By the time the debt ballooned to a hundred million with interest, vicious debt collectors finally showed up at my door. After I convinced them to leave, my wife and mother-in-law finally crept out of the bedroom, trembling. My wife’s face had gone pale. “Let’s get divorced. I’d rather leave with nothing. Your debts are your own—don’t even think about dragging me down.” I tried to explain that her brother owed the money, but she refused to believe me. My mother-in-law Ruth slapped me across the face. “How dare you slander my son just to trick my daughter into paying your debts! Let’s divorce now!” “Might as well tell you the truth—Moore is pregnant. With your best friend’s child.” Actually, I could pay off this debt. But since you want a divorce, you can deal with this massive debt yourselves. My voice came out hoarse as I asked Moore: “You… you’re pregnant with Howard’s child? When did this happen?” Moore turned away, her voice dripping with contempt. “Alex, so what if I am? What business is it of yours?” “Don’t even think about trying to keep me! I don’t want a useless husband who only knows how to rack up debts and won’t own up to them.” I stood frozen, unable to speak. Seeing me stunned, Ruth kicked me. “Did you hear that? Tomorrow, City Hall. Divorce!” She turned with a sneaky smile to Moore. “Good thing you took birth control every time you were intimate with this loser.” “Otherwise he’d use a baby to blackmail you into paying his debts! We were planning to have him raise the child, but now that’s clearly unnecessary.” I couldn’t believe my ears. “So every time… you took pills beforehand?” Three years of marriage, and Moore’s stomach had never shown any signs. Ruth had repeatedly called me a useless waste who couldn’t produce children in front of relatives and friends, even forcing me to go to the hospital for tests. The results showed nothing wrong with me, and the matter eventually faded away. Turns out she’d been taking birth control all along. She’d even planned to make me raise another man’s child. Moore snorted coldly. “Did you forget how your family treated me? I never liked that whole wedding money situation!” Ruth spat. “That pathetic wedding money back then—I didn’t even want Moore to marry you.” My mind flashed back to the wedding three years ago. We’d agreed on a hundred thousand in wedding money. But on the wedding day, they demanded an additional hundred thousand. I thought it was excessive, but Moore cried in the wedding car, saying her mother only had one daughter and it hadn’t been easy. I gritted my teeth and paid. Then when we arrived at the house, Ruth said the door-opening gift couldn’t be less—another hundred thousand. I didn’t want to pay anymore. This was obviously just a money grab. In the end, my dad made the call, saying weddings were happy occasions and we shouldn’t let this ruin things. He paid the money. Thankfully, my dad saw through their true nature and hid the fact that we were worth hundreds of millions. Dad even arranged the wedding at our old house from before we made it big. They finally stopped after getting three hundred thousand total. Ruth didn’t give Moore a single cent in dowry, saying our family “wasn’t worthy of matching contributions.” I only found out later that Ruth had given all that three hundred thousand to her son Bob to squander.

My dad specifically reminded me at the time to keep hiding our wealth, saying “time reveals a person’s heart.” Now it seemed he was absolutely right. I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone to call Bob. “Fine, we can divorce. But I’m not taking responsibility for Bob’s debts. I’m calling him right now to make this clear.” I called several times, but Bob didn’t pick up. Moore slapped my phone out of my hand, screaming, “You know Bob is traveling abroad and can’t answer calls, so you dare slander him!” Ruth kicked my phone far away. “Your own debt—you want us to pay it? If you don’t take responsibility, who will?” Just then, the front door slammed open with a bang. Howard stormed in, his face full of rage. “Alex, you’re absolutely despicable! A hundred million in debt!” Moore threw herself into his arms. “Howard, he even dares to claim Bob borrowed it.” Howard kissed the top of Moore’s head. “Why don’t you come stay at my place? Otherwise what if the debt collectors come back and scare you and my son?” Seeing my stunned expression, Howard sneered. “What’s the big deal? Did you think you knew where Moore went every time you traveled for work?” “She came to my place! She’s slept in my bed more times than in yours!” After calling me despicable, he took Moore’s hand, and the three of them left my house without looking back. What shocked me wasn’t just Moore’s betrayal, but Howard’s too. Howard and I were college classmates. A few years ago when he lost his job and asked to borrow money, I lent him a hundred thousand without hesitation. Later when he couldn’t find work, I recommended him to a company where he slowly worked his way up to executive, earning five million a year. But I never told him that company belonged to my dad. I never imagined this friend would sleep with my wife. Lost in these memories, I received a call from a subordinate. “Alex, get back to the company quickly!” I didn’t know what was wrong, but I rushed back to the office. Moore had brought Howard and Ruth, and they were making a huge scene at my company. Moore was at the legal department processing paperwork. “Starting today, I’m no longer a shareholder of this trash company. I’m withdrawing!” Howard grabbed the withdrawal contract. “Right, hurry up and withdraw, then divorce. That hundred million debt will have nothing to do with us.” Ruth ran to my company’s clients shouting, “This company’s owner has terrible character! Everyone should choose a different company. Leave, leave!” Company clients stood up one by one, gathering their things to leave. Ruth wasn’t satisfied yet. She continued shouting at employee workstations. “Everyone protect your valuables! Your scumbag boss owes a hundred million and might steal anything valuable and run at any moment. He won’t even pay wages!” Seeing me walk in, my coworkers immediately secured their valuables, whispering among themselves. “So the boss owes a hundred million! He’s abandoning his own wife—he might really run off with the money!” “I never would’ve guessed he was such a lowlife. Now there’s a scene, let’s see what he does!” “Even his former friend is righteously denouncing him—it must be true. We should probably all start looking for new jobs.” I rushed in. “What gives you the right to spread lies? I can sue you for any damages to the company!” Howard put on a righteous act, shielding Moore. “You owe a full hundred million—that’s a fact!”

The employees outside grew louder with their gossip about me. Just then, my mom walked in, asking in disbelief, “How is that possible? Alex, didn’t you just give me jewelry from an auction two days ago?” I’d forgotten—we were supposed to have dinner at a restaurant together after work today. Moore laughed mockingly. “What auction? Your son bought that with loan shark money!” “Enjoy it now, you’ll be crying later!” “Thank goodness the baby in my belly isn’t from your family, or it would be cursed too!” “What?!” My mom’s face filled with shock. She grabbed Moore as she tried to leave. “What did you say?!” Moore disgustedly shook off her hand. “Are you deaf? I said the baby in my belly isn’t from your family!” My mom already had high blood pressure. Moore’s push made her stumble backward. She clutched her heart and collapsed to the floor. I rushed forward, supporting my mom. “Mom! What’s wrong?” Moore spat. “Always acting. Planning to fake illness and extort money from us? Let’s get out of here, this is so unlucky!” She finished speaking and hurried out with Ruth and Howard. My mom’s face was pale. She couldn’t say a word before slowly losing consciousness. I couldn’t worry about anything else. I picked up my mom and ran to the hospital. In the emergency room, the doctor examined my mom. “She has high blood pressure. Emotional stress caused her blood pressure to spike. She needs to be hospitalized for observation.” I walked out of the hospital room and called my dad, who was on a business trip abroad. “Hello, Alex?” My dad’s voice came through. I explained everything that had happened. The phone went silent for a few seconds. Dad said, “I’ll book a flight back immediately. They’ll regret this.” “Take good care of your mom. Leave everything else to me.” Dad paused. “I’ll also deal with Howard and Moore’s family.” After hanging up, I sat by the hospital bed and canceled the authorization on the credit card I’d given Moore. That credit card was for Moore to buy groceries. I’d told her she could spend ten thousand a month. She only knew I paid off the balance each month, but didn’t know the card’s actual credit limit was a hundred million. My phone suddenly buzzed. Howard had sent several Twitter messages. First was an intimate photo of him with Moore. Then several voice messages: “Really sorry, but you owe too much. I can’t help you. But I suggest you could work as a male escort to pay off the debt.” “Being a male escort would even let you practice your skills. Moore said you’re no good in bed, so she came to me.” I laughed without anger. “I treated you pretty well, didn’t I? This is how you repay me?” Howard laughed heartily. “At first I thought you really were some rich kid, that’s why I became your friend!” “If I’d known you were the type to borrow from loan sharks, I wouldn’t have given you the time of day.” I stopped responding and blocked him on Twitter. The next morning, I went home planning to pack some things before returning to the hospital to stay with my mom. As soon as I opened the door, Moore, Ruth, and Howard were standing in the living room again. Moore slapped me. “You have some nerve coming back. Didn’t we agree to meet at City Hall today? How dare you not show up!” Ruth also kicked me. “Just as I predicted—he doesn’t want to divorce because he wants us to help pay the hundred million!” I pushed them away, gritting my teeth. “My mom was hurt by you and is hospitalized, and you’re still worried about the divorce?”

Moore sneered. “It’s your mom who’s sick, not mine. What’s it got to do with me?” Howard threw a divorce agreement in front of me. “I’ve already written up the agreement. Just sign your name!” Moore found a pen and threw it at me. “I already asked a lawyer. As long as I leave with nothing and don’t get a cent, naturally I won’t have to bear a cent of your debts!” “Hurry up and sign. Don’t delay my wedding with Howard!” I found it laughable and signed the agreement right away. To escape debt, she was willing to leave with nothing—so naturally she’d never get a share of my family’s hundreds of millions in assets. Then Howard came up to drag me away. “Let’s go to City Hall and finalize the divorce! Nothing is more urgent than this!” I shook off Howard. “My mom has surgery today. I don’t have time.” Ruth kicked me. “Cut the crap! Even if your mom kicks the bucket today, you’re signing the divorce first!” They forcibly dragged me out the door, pulling and tugging all the way to City Hall. The whole way, Ruth kept loudly running her mouth, slandering me about owing a hundred million. People around us were watching the spectacle. “This guy apparently owes loan sharks. His wife’s divorcing him.” “I heard he even tried to frame his wife’s brother for the debt to avoid paying!” “So shameless. No wonder his wife and mother-in-law are doing this. If it were me, I’d kick him to the curb too.” The clerk adjusted their glasses. “Have you agreed on all the terms in the divorce agreement?” Moore nodded and handed over the agreement. “Yes, I’m leaving with nothing.” I had no objections and went through the process. Walking out of the office, Moore finally smiled. “I’m finally free! I love you, Howard!” “As soon as the divorce cooling-off period ends, we’re getting married!” She threw herself into Howard’s arms and kissed him in public. “Thank goodness I met you and could start over, or this loser would’ve ruined my whole life.” Ruth was even more arrogant, shoving me. “Get lost! My daughter is pregnant with Howard’s child now.” “From now on she’ll live the good life and never have to look at your poor face again!” I couldn’t be bothered with them and turned to leave. Howard squeezed Moore’s waist, then made a phone call. “Sky Grand Hotel, book me a table for seven tonight to celebrate.” “I want the highest tier menu, and reserve two bottles of 1982 Lafite for me.” He deliberately raised his voice so I could hear every word clearly. After hanging up, Howard said with a smile, “Alex, we’re going to celebrate tonight. Want to join us?” I took a deep breath, turned around and said coldly, “Screw off!” Moore giggled. “Howard, stop teasing the idiot. He owes a hundred million now. How would he dare walk around outside?” “Someone might come to collect the debt any moment, and he’ll end up dead in the street.” Ruth spat. “Serves him right! That’s karma!” Just then, a crowd suddenly surged behind us. Leading them was a bald, muscular man, followed by seven or eight tattooed tough guys. The bald man stripped off his shirt and roared, “Debts must be repaid!” Moore and Howard jumped at the sudden shout. Seeing they were debt collectors, Ruth quickly pulled out the divorce agreement: “He’s already divorced my daughter. Kill him or do whatever you want—it has nothing to do with us.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372030”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

My husband has lost his memory again. This time, he’s forgotten me and remembered his first love, Violet. “Miss Reed, change the room diffuser to rose and cedarwood. Violet loves that scent.” “All clothes must be hand-washed, no detergent with any fragrance. Violet has a sensitive nose.” “Oh, and once you finish making dinner, you can leave. Violet doesn’t like having strangers in the house.” All afternoon, Harrison kept going on about Violet. He treated me like I was just some newly hired caregiver. Naturally, he didn’t remember that five years ago, Violet abandoned him without hesitation when he went bankrupt. It was me who stayed by this man’s side when he hit rock bottom, when he lost his sense of smell in a car accident. I accompanied him through the long rehabilitation. I raised his nephew—the orphan left behind when his brother died in that crash—as my own. I even gave up touching a single drop of perfume for five whole years, all to avoid stimulating his fragile olfactory nerves—me, an award-winning perfumer who’d won gold at international competitions. My world shrank down to nothing but the bland scent of medical soap. Half a month ago, Violet suddenly returned from abroad. Harrison only had to glimpse her through a window, and miraculously, he remembered everything from before. While completely erasing our five years together. I looked at this man whose heart and eyes were full of someone else. Slowly, I removed my sterile gloves. “Fine. I’ll leave after one last therapy session.” Since both times he lost his memory were because of Violet, why shouldn’t I let go and let him have his great love?

“Harrison, I want some of that.” “Alright, open up.” Violet’s long lashes lowered as her cheeks puffed out. She giggled as she swallowed the fruit Harrison fed her. “You haven’t changed at all. Still picky like before.” Harrison’s slender fingers gently brushed her nose, his eyes filled with sickeningly sweet indulgence. When he saw me approaching with the therapy tray, Violet’s cheeks flushed red as she burrowed shyly into Harrison’s embrace. “Oh, stop it! There’s someone else here!” Harrison looked up at me, his gaze instantly freezing to ice. The current him had forgotten that I wasn’t some outsider. I was his legal wife of five years. I gave a bitter smile. I set down the tray and retreated back to the pharmacy. My phone vibrated. A message popped up. “Harrison’s memory has developed selective gaps. He only remembers his past with Violet. His olfactory nerves are extremely fragile. To prevent further stimulation, you need to cooperate.” Frustrated, I slapped the phone facedown on the desk. The moment I turned around, a triumphant face suddenly loomed close. “What a joke. So what if you spent five years with him? One look at me and he forgot all about you!” Violet wore a victor’s smile. She pulled down her scarf with a flourish, revealing a large expanse of glaring red marks. “Your husband is really passionate in bed. Tell me, when the therapy session ends, if he can’t help himself and wants me, won’t that be awkward for you, the caregiver?” My eyes fell on those garish red marks. But my memory dragged me back involuntarily to that rainy night five years ago. That night, Harrison was in a terrible car accident. Bright red blood mixed with rainwater, flowing everywhere. His face was deathly pale. I only saw him for one moment, and my heart nearly stopped from the pain. I threw away the offer letter I’d just received from a top perfume house. I pulled him out of the mangled car wreckage all by myself. I stayed outside the operating room for three days and three nights before he was finally snatched back from death’s door. When he woke up, he’d forgotten the whole world and lost his prized sense of smell. But he remembered only me. Depended on me. I dug my nails hard into my palm, forcing myself to look away. Before I could speak, a tall figure rushed into the pharmacy and pulled Violet into his arms. “Violet, what are you doing in here? There are too many smells here—they’ll bother you. Do you know that for the five years you were gone, my heart was empty? Now that you’re finally back, I don’t want you out of my sight for even a second.” Burning kisses fell without restraint. I stepped back and accidentally knocked over a glass beaker on the table. Shards scattered everywhere. Harrison paused and turned to look at me. His expression was nothing short of disgusted. “Why are you still here?” I looked down in a daze. At the glass shards all over the floor, like looking at my own heart shattered into pieces. Yes. Five stolen years. I should have left long ago. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave right away.” I fled from the pharmacy. But at the corner of the hallway, I ran into a small figure. It was Logan. “You’re really leaving?” He stood with his arms crossed, frowning at me. I sighed and crouched down, trying to make my voice sound gentle. “Logan, if you want, you can come with me.” Unexpectedly, Logan suddenly shoved me hard, pushing me to the ground. “Violet just got back, and you already want to separate us? Violet’s right—if you hadn’t been clinging to Harrison all these years, he would have gone to find her! I hate you! I froze in place. The blood in my body felt like it had been drained in an instant. This was the child I’d raised with my own hands for five years. To take care of him, I’d given up all my social life and career. Now, after knowing Violet for just a few days, he already hated me this much? Fine then. Since he didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t force him. I stood up and dusted off my clothes. I returned to my cramped guest room. I opened the closet and started packing. Nothing but white shirts and black pants. Not a single pattern, not a splash of color. After Harrison lost his sense of smell, overly bright colors also triggered physiological dizziness for him. For five whole years, I hadn’t worn a single colorful dress. As I walked out with my suitcase, Harrison was sitting on the sofa reading a business magazine. From the second-floor bathroom came Violet’s syrupy voice. “Harrison, I can’t find the towels. Can you come in and help me?” In the past, Harrison was extremely fastidious about cleanliness. Except for me, if anyone came within three feet of him, he’d feel nauseous. I thought he would frown and refuse. But he only paused for a second before closing his magazine and calling back, “Sure, coming.” My feet felt like they were filled with lead. Rooted to the spot. Until a gust of wind from outside blew a velvet gift box off the entryway table. My gaze shifted down. The box had opened, and a dazzling diamond bracelet lay there quietly. That was the style I’d lingered on in a brand catalog half a month ago. At the time, Harrison had wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. He’d kissed my earlobe, his voice low and husky. “Like it? I’ll give it to you for our fifth anniversary.” Now, he stopped in his tracks and walked over to pick up the box. He looked at the bracelet inside with complete bewilderment. As if he had no idea how such a thing ended up in his house. “This is…” The clock struck twelve. I summoned every ounce of strength to pull out a proper smile. “Probably a surprise you prepared for Violet.” Harrison nodded without a hint of doubt and pocketed the box. “Probably.” I gripped the handle of my suitcase and walked out the door. It’s not that I hadn’t hoped he was just momentarily confused. But I had to face reality. He didn’t remember. These five years meant nothing to him—just a piece of waste paper he could tear up anytime. The clock had finished chiming. The magic was broken. Cinderella had to return to her swamp. Every future anniversary, he would spend with another woman.

By the time I reached my old house in the suburbs, I was soaked through from the rainstorm. With trembling hands, I unlocked my phone. The first post in my feed was from Violet. It was a close-up photo. Her slender wrist wore that latest-model diamond bracelet. The background was Harrison’s master bedroom and that enormous double bed. Caption: “Round and round, it’s still you.” Below it, Harrison had commented within seconds. “So grateful heaven didn’t let me lose you completely.” Each word was a knife. Stabbing straight into my heart. That bed—Harrison never let me on it. He said he couldn’t stand anyone else’s breathing in his bed, not even mine. But now, with Violet, every prohibition had become foreplay. Every boundary had become a privilege. My heart felt like it was being sawed back and forth with a rusty blade, the pain suffocating me. I took a hot shower. I wrapped myself in my comforter like a cocoon. Eyes open, I lasted until dawn. Early the next morning, I brought two documents and knocked on the door of the Harrison residence again. Beneath my resignation letter was a divorce agreement I’d drafted long ago. I only hoped he’d sign it quickly without even looking. But Harrison merely glanced at the title before coldly throwing the documents back onto the table. “You’ve been my therapist for five years. You know my condition better than anyone. Now that Violet’s back, I need you to stay and help me take care of her health. I heard you used to be a perfumer? Violet wants a one-of-a-kind perfume as a gift for the engagement party. Stay and create the fragrance. I’ll pay you double.” I stood frozen. My blood slowly turned ice-cold. He wanted me, his wife, to create an engagement gift perfume for his new love? Harrison, do you even have a heart? Before I could refuse, the study door opened. Dr. Morgan walked in wearing a perfectly tailored suit, a gentle smile at the corners of his mouth. “Aria, reconnecting with familiar scents is also the best way to stimulate Harrison’s olfactory nerves. I know this puts you in a difficult position, but for the sake of his condition, you’ll agree, won’t you?” Dr. Morgan. Harrison’s psychiatrist, and also his childhood friend who knew everything. And for the past five years, the only person who knew about our secret marriage. I clenched my clothes tightly. No wonder Harrison suddenly wanted me to create fragrances—it was his idea. In Harrison’s love life, I was a substitute he could call on at will. In Dr. Morgan’s friendship, I was equally a pawn he could sacrifice at any moment. Just on my way here, I’d received an offer from a perfume research institute in a southern city. I had five days until I needed to report. Fine then. Why not use these five days to personally bury these ridiculous five years? “Fine.” I looked up and met Harrison’s cold gaze. “Five days. I agree.” For five days, I locked myself in my long-sealed perfumery. Hundreds, thousands of glass bottles filled with fragrance ingredients refracted cold light. I closed my eyes. My mind filled with images of Harrison and Violet. At the highest point of an amusement park, they kissed beneath fireworks. In a deep-sea submarine, they held hands tightly. At a snowy mountain peak, they watched the sunrise side by side. Those heart-stopping romances, those earth-shattering memories—none of them included me. The dropper in my hand hung in midair, unable to fall. For five years, the thing I did most with Harrison was walk in the garden. For Logan’s sake, I’d never even taken a single trip out of state. My memories were as barren as a desert. While Violet’s memories bloomed like a garden. That’s why he could forget me so completely, without any psychological burden. “This scent… why does it feel somehow familiar?” The door was suddenly pushed open. Harrison stood in the doorway, staring intently at a bottle of half-finished perfume on my desk. Pain filled his handsome face as he pressed hard against his temples.

After the car accident, whenever Harrison was exposed to scent stimulation, it triggered severe headaches. Instinctively, I set down the dropper and stood up to get his medication. But he suddenly grabbed my wrist in a death grip. The force was so strong it felt like he would crush my bones. “Don’t leave! Don’t leave me!” His eyes were bloodshot, his expression agonized. But the way he looked at me was like looking at a complete stranger. Who was he trying to hold onto through me? “Harrison! What’s wrong?!” Hearing the commotion, Violet rushed in frantically. Without a word, she shoved me hard. I lost my balance and my lower back slammed into the hard lab bench. A bottle of freshly extracted essential oil shattered on the floor, glass shards flying and cutting the back of my hand. Blood immediately seeped out. Seeing Violet appear, Harrison finally seemed like a drowning man grasping driftwood. He pulled her tightly into his arms. “Violet… medicine, I need my medicine! Second drawer… white bottle…” Violet frantically pulled open the drawer. Inside were medicine bottles of various colors and sizes. She was nearly crying. “Harrison, which one? There are so many white bottles here!” Of course she couldn’t find it. Harrison’s medicine had always been precisely measured and prepared by me each day, placed in individual containers. To prevent him from developing resistance to taking medication, I hid the pills inside various unflavored capsules he could accept. The chasm of five years lay there, bloody and raw. Violet bit her red lip and turned to glare at me with hatred. “Are you just going to stand there?! Hurry up and bring the medicine!” Expressionless, I stepped around the mess on the floor. From the most hidden compartment, I took out a pill, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it over. After taking the medicine, Harrison’s breathing gradually steadied. But Violet’s eyes reddened, tears streaming down her face. “Harrison, I’m sorry. I didn’t even know where you keep your medicine…” Harrison’s heart broke for her. He pressed her against his chest, coaxing her softly. “Baby, don’t cry. Even though you weren’t by my side these five years, no one except you could enter my heart.” He glanced at me coldly, like looking at disgusting trash. “She’s just a caregiver paid to do a job. Once these few days are over, I’ll make her disappear forever. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for these five years of regret. From now on, I only want you.” Blood from the back of my hand dripped onto the floor, drop by drop. It hurt. But compared to the pain of having a piece of my heart violently carved out, it was nothing. I leaned against the cold wall. Watching this couple embrace so tenderly with cold eyes. So these five years that meant everything to me were just a regret to him. A regret without Violet in it. I covered my bleeding hand and silently turned to continue cleaning the shards on the lab bench. Unexpectedly, after comforting Violet, Harrison actually returned. Seeing my pale face and bleeding hand, there wasn’t a trace of emotion in his eyes. Only cold urging. “Can you still continue with the fragrance? Violet hopes to use it at tomorrow’s engagement party. No one knows how important this engagement is to me.” I knew. I picked up a cloth and wiped the bloodstains from the counter bit by bit. I didn’t even look up. “Don’t worry. Since I promised you, I’ll finish it.” Perhaps even if Harrison hadn’t lost his memory, this would still be my final outcome. The unloved—even their breathing is wrong. Five stolen years would eventually have to be returned with interest.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372031”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

I was participating in a live escape room show with my movie star husband when he suddenly disappeared. As I searched anxiously with my pregnant belly, I heard a voice from the baby inside: [Mommy, don’t worry! That bastard dad is hiding in the prop coffin kissing Sophia Reed!] I froze. The baby in my belly could actually talk? [They want to trick you into the haunted house to scare you into a miscarriage, so Sophia can take your place!] [But Sophia has claustrophobia—she won’t last long in there!] I let out a cold laugh and immediately called everyone over: “Everyone, come to this room! There’s a clue here!” My husband didn’t know yet that he was born under an unlucky star, and all these years his bad luck had only been suppressed by my good fortune. Since he wanted to harm me, I’d let him go back to being the unlucky bastard he was meant to be. “Vivian, what clue did you find?” The show’s guests immediately crowded into the room when they heard there was a clue. I pointed at the coffin in front of me and analyzed: “There are nine rooms total, and they’re all basically the same. Only this room has an extra coffin.” “Maybe the key to the plot is in this coffin.” Just then, the little one’s voice rang out again: [Ahhhhh Mommy! What’s in the coffin is so disgusting!] [Bastard dad and that homewrecker Sophia aren’t wearing any clothes!] [Really, nothing at all! And they’re kissing again!] [Sophia’s even saying how exciting it is—Mommy, does that sound right to you?!] I raised my hand and rubbed my belly. How did this three-month-old thing know so much? This escape room variety show was the platform’s major project of the year. They’d even installed large screens in every room to display live comments in real-time. There were six guests this episode. My husband Adrian and I, young actress Sophia Reed, boy band members Marcus Flame and Lucas North, plus veteran actor Samuel Waters. The storyline was about a bride who mysteriously disappeared during the Civil War era. Samuel came over for a look: “Does this mean the bride is already dead?” I nodded. “That’s what I think too. Plus this room has a vanity table.” “Look over there—flowers, a veil. This might be her bridal chamber.” Comments scrolled across the big screen: [Vivian is so smart, analyzing everything even with that baby bump] [No wonder she’s a top student, her brain really works] [Yeah, but where did Adrian go? The movie star disappeared a while ago] [Sophia’s gone too] [Did they get separated? This escape room is pretty scary] I glanced at the coffin from the corner of my eye. The lid was sealed tight—nothing looked unusual from the outside. Marcus asked: “Vivian, what should we do now?” I looked around. “Let’s search this room first. There should be clues.” Samuel nodded. “Right, everyone split up and look. See if the bride left anything behind.” The two guys immediately spread out—one checking the vanity, one looking in the wardrobe. I stood still. My eyes kept drifting to that coffin. The lid remained sealed tight. Nothing visible from the outside. [Mommy, aren’t you going to expose them?] The baby’s voice carried a hint of confusion. [They’re so bad! You should embarrass them in front of everyone!] [Let everyone see what bastard dad and Sophia are doing in that coffin!] I rubbed my belly and thought quietly: “No rush.” [Huh?] “We’ll open it when there are more people around. Better effect that way.” [Wow! Mommy, you’re so evil! I love it!] “We’ve checked everywhere else. Just this coffin left.” Marcus swallowed hard. “Vivian, this coffin… should we open it?” Samuel was also looking at me, his eyes questioning. The baby’s voice rang out again. [Mommy! Bastard dad and Sophia are freaking out!] [Sophia’s claustrophobia kicked in. She’s shaking all over, keeps saying “I can’t take it anymore, I need to get out”] [Bastard dad keeps telling her to hold on just a little longer, they’ll leave soon] [He heard you talking about opening the coffin and now his face is green, he can barely breathe!] I rubbed my belly, both amused and exasperated. This little thing, really…

I cleared my throat. “Don’t open it yet.” I wasn’t ready to end this farce so quickly. Marcus and Lucas both breathed a sigh of relief. Neither of them really wanted to open that coffin anyway. After all, this escape room was creepy enough. Who knew what might jump out of a coffin? I slowly walked over to the coffin. The lid fit perfectly—nothing visible from outside. But I could imagine what those two inside looked like right now. Adrian barely daring to breathe, his legs so weak he could barely stand. Sophia curled up next to him, trembling all over. They must be praying for us to leave quickly. I raised my hand and knocked on the coffin lid. Knock, knock, knock. A muffled thud suddenly came from inside, like someone had bumped into the coffin wall. Marcus jumped. “What was that sound?” I pulled my hand back, looking thoughtful. “I have a feeling there’s something not quite right in this coffin. Let’s listen to what’s going on inside.” The baby laughed hysterically: [Ha ha ha ha ha Mommy you’re so evil!] [Bastard dad just jerked backward and hit his head on the coffin wall—now he’s got a bump!] [Sophia got knocked sideways and her face smashed right where you knocked!] “Knock again?” Lucas was eager to try. I nodded. Lucas stepped forward and knocked on the coffin lid a few times, mimicking me. Knock knock knock. Rustling sounds came from inside the coffin, like someone desperately trying to shrink away. “There’s movement!” Lucas got excited. “There really is something inside!” Marcus also leaned in, pressing his ear against the coffin lid. He lowered his voice. “I think I hear breathing!” Samuel frowned. “Could it be a prop the production crew set up? One of those moving mannequins?” I said: “Possibly, but it could be something else.” “What we can confirm is that this room was the last place the bride appeared.” Marcus scratched his head. “But what if there are clues in the other rooms too?” I nodded. “So I suggest we split into two groups.” “One group searches the remaining eight rooms for clues, one group stays here on guard.” Lucas was eager. “Marcus and I will search! Young people have quick legs!” Samuel looked at me. “Then we’ll stay and watch their progress on the big screen.” Only Samuel and I remained in the room, along with that coffin. Comments kept scrolling on the big screen: [They split up, they split up] [Go Marcus and Lucas] [Wait, only Vivian and Samuel are left in this room?] [So where did Adrian and Sophia actually go?] [Right! Our Sophia baby hasn’t had a single shot!] [Maybe they triggered some hidden storyline!] [Didn’t you see the movie star isn’t around either? Must be a side quest] Samuel walked to the big screen and pulled up Marcus and Lucas’s viewpoints. The screen split into eight small boxes, corresponding to the remaining eight rooms. Marcus and Lucas were searching through boxes and cabinets looking for clues. I walked over beside him to watch the screen together. The baby’s voice popped up again, as excited as if watching a soap opera. [Mommy, mommy! Bastard dad and Sophia are fighting!] [Sophia’s cursing at bastard dad, saying it’s all his fault for insisting they hide in the coffin, and now look—people are guarding outside and they can’t get out!] [Bastard dad asked what can we do then, should we go out now? How would we explain it?] [Sophia said I really feel terrible! This coffin is too small, I really can’t breathe!] [Bastard dad asked what do you want then? Go out now?] [Sophia said… hold me, if you hold me I won’t feel so bad.] [Then bastard dad hugged her.] [Mommy, they’re kissing again.] [This time the kissing sounds are really loud, like little pigs eating.]

When Adrian and I got together, I was already a popular rising actress. He was still struggling in the lowest ranks. Worrying about making a living every day. When he went to auditions, I ironed his shirts for him. When he failed screen tests, I pulled strings everywhere trying to get him opportunities. His career stagnated, so I consulted fortune tellers to read his fortune. That’s when I found out Adrian was born under an unlucky star, destined for bad luck his whole life. If I wanted to help him, I could only use my own good fortune to suppress his bad luck. Over the years, for Adrian’s career development, I gradually withdrew from show business to be the woman behind him. But I never expected he would betray me. Even during a live broadcast, in front of viewers across the country, hiding in a coffin having an affair. I looked down at my belly. Five months along. This little thing inside knew everything. [Mommy, don’t be sad.] [That bastard dad doesn’t deserve your sadness.] [You still have me!] I smiled slightly. That’s right. I still have you. Footsteps came from the doorway. Marcus and Lucas returned, both looking dejected. Marcus scratched his head. “We turned all eight rooms upside down and found nothing.” Lucas looked frustrated too. “Yeah, not a single clue.” Comments started scrolling: [So where are the clues?] [Can’t all be in this room] [Only the coffin left unopened in here] [Open it! Open the coffin!] Samuel frowned, staring at the coffin for a long time: “We haven’t been able to find any clues. Should we open the coffin?” As soon as he said this, Marcus and Lucas both looked at me. I shook my head. “On the contrary. We absolutely cannot open the coffin.” Samuel was stunned. “Why not?” I pointed around us. “Don’t you think it’s strange? There are no clues in this room.” “Even the other eight rooms were empty—nothing found there either.” Lucas didn’t understand. “So?” I looked at the coffin and spoke slowly: “This production crew is crafty. They deliberately didn’t give us clues.” “It’s to manipulate us into opening the coffin.” Samuel’s eyes lit up. “You mean opening the coffin is a trap?” I nodded. “Think about the escape room’s plot. What is it?” “The bride disappeared, her spirit restless. If we open the coffin under these circumstances, what will happen?” Marcus’s expression changed. “It will… trigger something bad?” I said: “Definitely. Maybe as soon as the coffin opens, the plot enters a dead end.” “Or it triggers some horror mechanism that traps us all here.” [Makes sense!] [Vivian’s right!] [The production crew definitely dug a trap] [Can’t fall for it!] [Absolutely don’t open it!] [Let them play by themselves!] Samuel nodded thoughtfully. “Now that you put it that way, it’s very possible.” “These escape rooms often have such traps—looks like a clue but it’s actually a pit.” Marcus slapped his thigh. “Right! They want us to open the coffin, but we’re going to seal it instead!” Lucas got excited too. “Right! Seal it! Let them play by themselves!” As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up: “I saw nails and a hammer earlier!” Marcus got excited too. “Really? Where?” “In the storage room, there was a pile of tools. I wondered about it at the time—turns out they were prepared for us!” Lucas said this and ran out. Marcus shouted after him: “Bring more! Bring more nails too!” The baby said in a sweet little voice: [Sophia panicked as soon as she heard about sealing the coffin!] [Bastard dad’s face went white too. He’s shaking his head frantically, trying to reassure himself it won’t happen.] [Sophia keeps saying, I regret this, I really regret this] Before long, Lucas came running back, panting, arms full of things. “Got them, got them!” He dumped everything on the floor: an iron hammer, a box of nails, and even a wooden board. Marcus’s eyes lit up. “Even a board?” Samuel hesitated. “Are we really going to nail it? Won’t we damage the coffin?” “If it breaks, it breaks.” Marcus rolled up his sleeves. “The production crew didn’t give us any clues anyway. We’ll just do the opposite of what they want!” Lucas was eager too. “Let them set their traps! We just won’t fall for them!” Marcus picked up the hammer, Lucas held the board steady on the side. “Bang!” The first nail went in.

A muffled sound came from inside the coffin. Marcus froze. “What was that?” Lucas heard it too. “Probably the props vibrating.” The nails went in one by one. The noises from inside the coffin grew louder and louder. Thud thud thud, bang bang bang, like someone beating a drum inside. Marcus muttered as he hammered: “These props are really high quality, they even respond with sounds.” Lucas nodded. “Yeah, seems so realistic.” The last nail went in. Marcus nodded with satisfaction. “There. Now let’s see how they can trick us into opening it.” Lucas laughed too. “We’re just not playing by their rules!” Samuel clapped. “Well done!” I smiled too. The baby’s voice rang out, with a hint of confusion: [Mommy, why isn’t Sophia making any sound?] [Looks like she passed out.] [Bastard dad was just calling her name, shaking her, trying to revive her, but she’s not responding.] [And guess what?] [Bastard dad actually breathed a sigh of relief!] [He thinks Sophia finally won’t be a burden anymore!] [Now he’s alone, curled up in a corner of the coffin, trying to minimize his presence, thinking he’ll sneak out after you all leave.] [Mommy, he’s so scary.] I rubbed my belly. He could abandon even me, his wife who’d shared his hardships. How could he care about a mistress? In his eyes, everyone was just a tool. Sophia had just been with him having an affair, giving him thrills. Now she’d fainted, become a burden, so he just tossed her aside. Just then, the loudspeaker suddenly crackled to life. It was the director’s voice. “You idiots! I just went to the bathroom and you caused this much trouble!” Marcus froze, looking at the speaker. Lucas was confused too. Samuel opened his mouth. “Director?” The director’s voice continued, urgent and angry: “That coffin is borrowed! It’s a prop from the crew next door! They need it tomorrow!” [Borrowed???] [Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha] [So this coffin isn’t part of the escape room?] [It’s a prop borrowed from another crew??] The director’s voice continued: “Staff! Get over there and take it apart!” “Open the coffin lid! Don’t damage it! We can’t afford to pay for it!” A flurry of footsteps. Several staff members rushed in, circling around the coffin. “The nails! How did the nails get in so deep?” “Hammer! Quick, get the hammer!” “These nails are too deep, they won’t come out!” “Crowbar! Go find a crowbar!” The room descended into chaos. Marcus and Lucas stood to the side, looking innocent. Samuel coughed quietly and said: “Director, we didn’t know it was borrowed…” The staff were still trying to pry the coffin open. Several people working together, the coffin lid was finally pried open a crack. “It’s open, it’s open! Push harder!” The coffin lid was lifted little by little.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372032”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance

Damien Lancaster kept me for twelve years. Everyone in his circle called me his pet. Beautiful, obedient, never making a fuss. The women by his side changed constantly, but I was always there. He didn’t love me, but he was used to having me around. He even let me carry his triplet sons. The moment they were born, they were sent overseas. Then came that rainy night. I held a simple silver ring in my palm. “Damien, I’m getting married. He knows I’ve had children. I just want a normal life.” He glanced at the ring and let out a quiet laugh. “That delivery guy?” The next second, he tossed the ring into a pot of boiling coffee and pulled me into a fierce kiss. “Who said you could leave me? You’ll always be mine.” Vivian’s POV Damien kept me for twelve years. Everyone in his circle called me his pet. Beautiful, obedient, never making a fuss. The women by his side changed constantly, but I was always there. Damien didn’t like me. But he was used to having me around. He even let me bear his children. I was pregnant with triplets and gave birth to three boys. The moment they were born, they were sent abroad, raised by a top-tier childcare team. I was the kind of mother who had to beg for permission to see her own children. Everyone said that as long as I held on, I would become Mrs. Lancaster one day. That evening, the Lancaster family hosted their first party of early winter. Damien held his new flame in his arms, the famous actress Serena Sterling. Serena was delicate. She’d barely made it through one round of socializing in her four-inch heels before she was already frowning, whining about her feet. “Damien, my feet are killing me…” Her voice was soft, sugary, and perfectly pitched to turn every head in the room. Damien chuckled softly, but his gaze passed through the crowd and landed on me in the corner. I stood there holding his backup suit. “Vivian.” He called my name, his tone indifferent, as if summoning a servant. I walked over with my eyes lowered. “Mr. Lancaster.” Damien pointed at Serena’s feet, then glanced at mine. “Take off your shoes. Give them to her.” The surrounding noise seemed to quiet in that instant. Countless spectators turned their gazes on me. Serena and I were about the same height, with the same shoe size. Serena looked surprised, then covered her mouth and laughed. She looked very pleased with herself. If I refused, I would publicly embarrass Damien. If I complied, I would tear off my own dignity and lay it on the ground for people to trample. But I didn’t hesitate. I bent down and quickly unfastened my shoes. “Serena, these heels are only two inches, with sheepskin soles. They shouldn’t hurt your feet.” I stood barefoot on the cold floor, crouched down, and considerately helped her put them on. Serena stood up and turned in a circle, then linked her arm through Damien’s with satisfaction. “Damien spoils me the most.” From start to finish, Damien never looked at me once. He just pinched Serena’s waist and praised me for being so sensible. Then he led Serena to the dance floor. I stood there alone, barefoot. The cold crept up from the soles of my feet, drilling straight into my bones, making me shiver all over. Others laughed without bothering to hide it. “I heard Damien and Serena Sterling are getting married. This adopted girl’s good days are probably over.” “What a good dog. The master says take off your shoes, and she takes them off without any complaint.” I lowered my head, looking at my reddened toes, and silently shrank back into the corner. Actually, they got it wrong. It wasn’t that my good days were over. It wasn’t that I was about to be kicked out. It was that I didn’t want Damien anymore. My hand slipped into my pocket, tightly gripping an ordinary ring. It was from another man. Even if the ending was bleak, I had to leave this lunatic Damien.

Vivian’s POV Damien seemed to be in a good mood. After the party ended, he took a shower and sat lazily on the sofa, teasing his cat with a toy. The ragdoll cat pounced around playfully, going crazy. I was like that cat. He’d been toying with me using money and power for twelve years. I brought him a glass of water and set it by his hand. My fingers were stiff from prolonged exposure to the cold. Damien frowned. “Damien.” I stood to the side with my hands at my sides, my voice soft but clear. “I want to move out.” Damien’s hand didn’t stop teasing the cat. He didn’t even lift an eyelid. “Because of those shoes? “Serena is a guest, and a big star. You wouldn’t want to see her embarrassed, would you? “Tomorrow I’ll have my assistant take you to pick out some new ones.” His tone was casual. He didn’t even lift an eyelid. “It’s not about the shoes.” I took out a ring and laid it open in my palm. It was from Adrian Grant, bought with three months of his savings. It was everything he could give me. “I’m getting married.” I looked at Damien’s profile and said calmly. “He doesn’t mind that I’ve had children… I want to marry him and live a normal life.” The air froze for an instant. The cat toy stopped at the cat’s nose. The ragdoll let out a sharp cry. Damien finally turned his head, his gaze falling on the ring. Two seconds later, he laughed softly. “Marriage? With that delivery guy?” He knew, of course. My whereabouts had never been a secret to him. He stood up, walked over to me, and picked up the ring with two fingers in disgust. “Vivian, have you lost your mind? Throwing away everything the Lancasters gave you to play house with some delivery guy?” “Could his whole paycheck even buy you one sock?” “No, but he treats me like a human being.” I stared into his eyes without backing down. The smile faded from Damien’s face. His eyes instantly turned sinister. He released his hand. The ring dropped into the boiling coffee pot beside him. The scalding water churned. That tiny silver circle was instantly swallowed by the murky coffee. “If you want to debase yourself, suit yourself.” Damien pulled out a tissue and methodically wiped the fingers that had just touched the ring, as if they’d been contaminated by something filthy. “You can leave if you want. Get out right now.” “But Vivian, have you forgotten something?” He casually picked up a tablet, opened a video call, and tossed it on the coffee table. On the screen were three identical little boys wrestling around a castle of building blocks. Those were my sons. Damien bent down, waved at the children on the screen, and a cruel smile curved his lips. “Say goodbye to Mommy.” “She thinks you’re a burden and is running off with another man. From now on, you won’t have a mother anymore.”

Vivian’s POV The three children on the screen froze. They were only four years old. They didn’t understand what “another man” meant, but they understood “won’t have a mother anymore.” The oldest pursed his lips. The building blocks in his hands fell to the floor. He burst into loud tears. Then the second, then the third. Their heartrending cries came through the speaker like a saw cutting through my nerves. I instinctively lunged forward to grab the tablet. But Damien was faster. His slender fingers tapped lightly and ended the video call. The crying stopped abruptly. Damien crossed his legs and looked leisurely at my hand frozen in midair. “Does it hurt now?” He lit a cigarette. The blue-white smoke blurred his cold eyes. “Vivian, you can’t be too greedy. You want so-called true love and you want the Lancaster children too? Where does that exist?” I bit my lip hard until I tasted the metallic tang of blood. I knew he was forcing me. He was waiting for me to kneel and beg him like before, or cry and say I wouldn’t leave. But this time, Adrian Grant’s eyes-bloodshot yet still determined-floated into my mind. He said, “Vivian, don’t look back.” I took a deep breath, withdrew my hand, and even managed an ugly smile. “You’re right, Damien. If I don’t want them, then I’ll cut ties completely.” With that, I turned and headed upstairs. Behind me came the sound of a glass being violently smashed. But I didn’t stop. News traveled fast. Early the next morning, Damien’s mother arrived. The elegant lady who usually only appeared at charity galas was now sitting on my bed, earnestly holding my hand. “Vivian, you’re being foolish.” She sighed, her well-maintained face full of disapproval. “The Lancaster family raised you. Without the Lancaster family’s money, you would have starved to death in the orphanage long ago. “Damien is playful, yes, but which of those women around him can surpass you? The three grandsons are the heirs of the Lancaster family. You’re their biological mother. As long as you’re obedient, who else could be Mrs. Lancaster besides you?” I’d heard these words at the Lancaster house for twelve years. Like invisible threads, they’d sewn me into a puppet of the Lancaster family. “I’m done waiting.” I pulled out a red piece of cardstock from under my pillow. It was a hand-drawn wedding invitation from Adrian Grant. The paper was ordinary, but the letters were cut neatly and carefully. “Next month on the fifth, I hope you can attend my wedding.” Mrs. Lancaster’s expression darkened instantly. The hand holding mine withdrew sharply. “You’re humiliating the Lancaster family!” “Who gave you the right to think the Lancaster family would attend such a shabby wedding?” A mocking voice came from the doorway. Damien leaned against the doorframe, still reeking of last night’s alcohol. He strode in and snatched the invitation from my hand. With just one glance, the disgust in his eyes deepened. “This handwriting is really ugly.” “Adrian wrote every word himself.” I tried to grab it back, but he pressed down on my shoulder with one hand, rendering me immobile. Damien sneered. The red cardstock tore in half in his hands. “If you’re going to leave, don’t bring this trash into the Lancaster house.” Damien pointed at the door, his eyes cold. “Except for the bones in your body, you’re not allowed to take anything that belongs to the Lancaster family.”

Vivian’s POV Mrs. Lancaster beside him picked up her coffee cup and took a delicate sip. “You want to leave?” Damien suddenly laughed. “Vivian, have you forgotten that the Lancaster family paid to raise you? Without the Lancaster family’s money, you wouldn’t exist.” “Since you want to settle accounts, let’s do it by contract.” A faint smile curved Damien’s lips, but his eyes were ice cold. “After supporting you all this time, you should at least leave some breach-of-contract penalty before you go.” I didn’t understand what he meant. But I soon found out. The next evening, the butler brought me a revealing outfit and told me to put it on. Then I was sent to a club. He said Mr. Warren was waiting for me. My heart instantly sank. Mr. Warren was notorious in their circle-vile and crude. Many girls had ended up in the hospital because of him. Before, with Damien protecting me, no one dared touch me. Now, he was personally delivering me. He was doing this on purpose. When I pushed open the door, Damien had his arm around Serena. He saw me enter but didn’t even lift an eyelid. Mr. Warren’s eyes lit up when he saw me. His greasy gaze stuck to my exposed back. “Is this the canary Damien kept? Truly a beauty.” Mr. Warren walked over with two full glasses of hard liquor, practically shoving them in my face. “Since Damien is willing to part with you, we’d better drink properly tonight.” I instinctively looked at Damien. He was lowering his head to light Serena’s cigarette. The flame illuminated his cold profile as if everything happening here had nothing to do with him. As if I was about to be devoured alive by this pig in the next second. I gave up hope. I took the harsh liquor and tilted my head back to down it. My stomach burned painfully, but compared to the chill in my heart, it was nothing. “Good! Bold!” Mr. Warren’s hand slid to my waist, his damp palm moving under the fabric, the implication clear. “Vivian, you drank that fast. In a hurry, are we?” Laughter erupted around us. Someone egged him on. “Mr. Warren, you’re getting handsy already? Aren’t you afraid Damien will mind?” Damien finally looked up. He played with a metal lighter in his hand and glanced at me with a half-smile. “Mind what? If she doesn’t want to be part of the Lancaster family, she’s just a call girl. “As long as Mr. Warren’s happy, do whatever you want with her.” That sentence was the final blow to my dignity. Mr. Warren completely lost his reservations. His fat hand began forcefully pulling at my straps. Riiip. The sound of tearing fabric was especially harsh in the private room. I struggled desperately, but Mr. Warren pinned me down on the sofa. His alcohol-soaked breath sprayed on my face, making me want to vomit. “Playing innocent? Damien already gave the word. You really think you’re still that high-and-mighty Miss Vivian?” Despair swallowed me like a flood. Just as that filthy hand was about to touch my chest, I grabbed the ashtray from the table and smashed it down hard. Crash! Blood splattered. Mr. Warren screamed and rolled to the floor clutching his head. The private room fell deathly silent. Everyone was stunned. Only Damien sat there and laughed softly. His laughter was chilling, making one’s hair stand on end. He stood up, kicked aside the still-wailing Mr. Warren, and walked over to me, stepping on the broken glass. He gripped my chin and forced me to look up at him. “Is this the freedom you wanted?” “Without me, you don’t even have the right to be someone’s accessory.”

Vivian’s POV I looked at Mr. Warren clutching his bleeding head. He was completely dazed. But he was shrewd enough to survive in this circle. Even though he was in excruciating pain, he didn’t dare curse at Damien. He just stared fearfully at the man still holding half a bottle, his voice trembling. “D-Damien, didn’t you say… I could do whatever I wanted…” “Yes, I did say that.” Damien dropped the glass fragments and accepted a handkerchief from a bodyguard, methodically wiping his fingertips that hadn’t even gotten dirty. He even smiled slightly, his tone as gentle as chatting with an old friend. “But I didn’t say you could break my property.” He walked up to Mr. Warren and looked down at that greasy face. “The Lancaster family spent a fortune packaging her. You made her cry. How should we settle this account?” Mr. Warren’s face turned ashen. I could see he understood. “I’ll pay! I’ll compensate! Damien, please spare me…” Damien didn’t look at him again. He simply waved his hand lightly. Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and silently dragged the still-pleading Mr. Warren out. Mr. Warren struggled and screamed. The private room fell silent. Damien turned around, his gaze falling on me. I huddled miserably in the corner, disheveled and trembling all over. He walked over and reached for the ashtray in my hand. I instinctively flinched. “What? Going to hit me too?” He raised an eyebrow. “That was a decent fight just now. Shows some Lancaster ruthlessness.” “But have you gotten one thing wrong?” He forcibly pried open my fingers and threw the ashtray into the trash. He reached out to smooth my disheveled hair. His movements were gentle yet carried a careless cruelty. His fingertips were ice cold, sliding across my collarbone, causing a shiver. “My possessions-only I can discipline them. “When others touch them even once, they pay a price. “But that doesn’t mean you can resist me.” He chuckled softly, his fingertip brushing the corner of my mouth that was still bleeding. “Besides me, who else would treasure you like this?” Seeing me bite my lip without speaking, the smile in his eyes faded a bit. He glanced at the hard liquor on the table, his tone eerie. “Drink all of these, and I’ll forgive your ignorance today.” “Remember, every sip you drink, every penny you spend, belongs to the Lancaster family.” “If you want to leave, settle this account first.” I looked at him. He sat on the sofa, watching me leisurely. Serena nestled in his arms, also watching me quietly with amusement in her eyes. He was serious. Unless I was dead, I couldn’t walk out that door. “Fine.” Without hesitation, I grabbed a bottle and tilted my head back to pour it down my throat. The first bottle. The second bottle. The harsh liquid burned my esophagus. My stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom and vomited until I was dizzy. Bile mixed with blood streaks poured out. But I wiped my mouth, supported myself against the wall, walked back out, and picked up the third bottle. Damien sat there the whole time. Through the smoke, his expression was dark and unreadable. Until I picked up the fifth bottle. My hands shook so badly I couldn’t hold it. Liquor spilled all over me. Crash. I couldn’t hold the bottle. It fell to the floor and shattered. I knelt on the ground, trying to pick up the glass shards still dripping with liquor, wanting to clean them up. A shoe stepped on my hand. Damien looked down at me, not a trace of anger on his face. His voice maintained that suffocating calm. “Vivian, you’ll be a Lancaster family asset for the rest of your life.” He crouched down to look at me, his eyes a barren wasteland of indifference. “If you drink yourself to death, what will you use to pay your debt?” “Someone, take her back.” He stood up, his tone light. “If she dies here, the children won’t have a mother anymore.” At the mention of the children, I stiffened. He looked with satisfaction at the fear in my eyes and stood up. “Take her back.” He turned and walked out, his back straight and cold. “If she’s not dead, keep her locked up.” “When she’s healed, we’ll settle accounts slowly.”

Vivian’s POV I was carried back to the villa by bodyguards. My stomach still burned. My throat was full of that metallic taste. Damien was using disinfectant wipes to clean each finger. As if the person who’d just forced me to drink until I vomited in that private room wasn’t him. “Sobered up?” His gaze swept over my disheveled appearance and finally stopped at my long hair. He used to love my long hair the most. Every month he took me for treatments. Even the shampoo was imported. He often said this hair felt like silk and had a nice texture. “Since you’re not dead, let’s continue settling accounts.” “You can take those shabby clothes, but anything that belongs to the Lancaster family must stay.” I stood there. The alcohol made my head fuzzy, but I understood what he meant. I lowered my head and began removing my earrings, necklace, and bracelets. Finally, I wore only a thin camisole. “What else?” Damien didn’t tell me to stop. He walked up to me, his slender fingers winding around a lock of hair. “This hair, this skin-which part wasn’t bought with my money?” He leaned close to me, his tone so gentle it was terrifying. “Vivian, if you want to make a clean break, do it properly.” “Taking things I paid to maintain to that man-it makes me sick.” He turned around and took a paper cutter from the drawer under the coffee table. He threw the blade at my feet. “Cut it all off cleanly, and I’ll let you get lost.” I looked at the blade, then at Damien’s emotionless eyes. He was betting I would kneel and beg him. But I bent down and picked up the blade. Without any hesitation. The blade pressed against the roots of my hair, ice cold and bone-chilling. Black strands fell to the floor in large clumps. I hacked away carelessly. The blade cut my scalp. Blood beads seeped out, but I couldn’t feel the pain. I saw the expression on Damien’s face finally crack. He stared at the severed hair on the floor, the hair he’d carefully maintained for twelve years. “Enough!” Just as I was about to cut the last strand, he seized my wrist fiercely. He looked at my hacked-off hair, a towering rage surging in his eyes. It was the rage of a man whose favorite possession had been ruined. “You told me to cut it.” I looked at him, my voice hoarse and calm. “Damien, is it clean enough now?” “Can I leave?” Damien was silent for a moment. Then he sneered and flung my hand away. His voice was sinister. “Get out now!” I didn’t linger at all. I casually threw on an old coat and pushed open the door. Barefoot, I walked into that cold winter night without looking back. Damien, loving you was my biggest mistake.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “372033”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance