Category: English

Just before the wealthy Davenports came to the orphanage to find their lost son, my childhood friend Stella pressed a jade crest pendant into my hand. “The director said this was with you as a baby,” she whispered. Suddenly, glowing text appeared before me: [She’s giving the male lead’s heirloom to the side character? So the side character gets adopted?] [Yes. The real heir has a fresh back tattoo—he needs time to heal.] [What noble family wants a son with bleached hair, piercings, and a flashy tattoo?] [Let the side character take the fall. Once the heir’s tattoo heals, he’ll reveal the imposter and take his place.] [Too bad the side character can’t read this. He’s about to be called a scheming usurper.] That was my past life. I took the pendant, was welcomed into the Davenport family, and was showered with love. But two years later, at my birthday gala, the “real heir” Rhys Davenport burst in, weeping. He said I’d stolen his life. Stella stood beside him, calling me a cold, calculating fraud since childhood. Overnight, I became a social-climbing snake, blacklisted in every industry. I died broke on the street. Now, opening my eyes, I was back. Stella offered the pendant again. A slight smile touched my lips. I took it. 1 “Here, Nathan. For you.” Stella pressed the cool, smooth jade into my palm, her face a mask of gentle concern. “The director said this was the only thing you had with you when you were brought to the orphanage. I thought… maybe it could help you find your family.” I looked down at the familiar crest, the transparent text once again floating in my vision. [Here we go! The classic pendant hand-off! The imposter is officially online!] [Stella is ruthless. She came up with this whole ‘trading the prince for a pauper’ scheme just so Rhys could have a few weeks for his ugly tattoo to heal.] [Poor Nathan. Used as a shield for two years only to be discarded.] My hand clenched around the pendant, my knuckles turning white. I looked up at the woman who had personally orchestrated my doom, her eyes glinting with a cunning she concealed so well. “Really?” I sniffled, forcing my eyes to redden with unshed tears. “Stella, thank you! I… I don’t know what to say!” I pressed the pendant to my chest, feigning the same overwhelmed gratitude as before. A flicker of triumph flashed in Stella’s eyes. She had taken the bait. “Silly,” she murmured, her voice dripping with false affection. “You don’t have to thank me. We’re friends.” Just then, a black Rolls-Royce purred to a stop at the orphanage gates. A regal-looking couple stepped out—Harrison Davenport, CEO of the Davenport Corporation, and his wife, Eleanor. Just like in my previous life, Eleanor’s gaze landed on the pendant I was clutching, and she froze. She rushed toward me, her voice trembling. “Young man… that pendant…” I took a deliberate step back, my expression a mixture of fear and confusion. “Ma’am? Do I know you?” Harrison caught up, placing a steadying arm around his emotional wife. He looked at me, his eyes a storm of complex emotions that finally settled into a heavy, solemn promise. “We’re your parents, son,” he said, his voice thick. “We’ve been looking for you for nineteen years.” Eleanor could no longer contain herself. She pulled me into a fierce embrace, her body wracked with sobs. “My boy… my sweet boy… Mother has finally found you…” Over her shoulder, I met Stella’s gaze from across the yard. She offered me a small, encouraging smile. I lowered my eyes, hiding the icy contempt that swirled within them. 2 The Davenport mansion was even more opulent than I remembered. Eleanor led me by the hand into a bedroom so vast it felt more like a suite. “Nathan, you’ve suffered so much,” she said, her voice choked with emotion as she pressed a black card into my hand. “This is for you. A little something to make up for lost time.” “There’s no pin, no limit,” she whispered. “Buy whatever you want. Don’t you dare try to save money for my sake.” Harrison, who had followed us in, nodded gravely. “The card is yours. From now on, you are the one and only heir to the Davenport family.” [Here it comes, the unlimited black card! Last time, Nathan was too scared to spend a dime, terrified of being seen as a gold-digger.] [And what did that get him? They still thought he was an unsophisticated nobody who couldn’t handle himself.] [In the end, Rhys got the card and blew tens of millions on luxury goods without batting an eye.] [Spend it! Go on! If you don’t, someone else will spend it for you!] A small smile played on my lips as I read the comments. They were right. In my past life, I had treated this card like a hot potato, pathetically trying to win their affection with obedience and humility. How naive I was. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.” I accepted the card with a calm poise, showing neither hesitation nor excessive excitement. My composure seemed to startle them. They had probably expected a boy from an orphanage to be stammering with joy. I didn’t give them long to study me. Taking the card, I retreated to my new room and opened the brand-new laptop they had provided. I needed money. A lot of it. And this black card was my first lever. Drawing on the memories of my past life, I quickly identified several projects that were initially overlooked but were destined to become colossal successes. NovaCore Tech’s “Oracle” chip project. Luminary Pictures’ high-concept series, Midnight Sun. And a small biotech firm on the verge of bankruptcy, soon to be acquired and restructured. Without a moment’s hesitation, I began funneling vast sums of money through a complex network of channels. [Whoa! He’s actually spending it! Nine figures right off the bat?] [Is he insane? NovaCore is a notorious money pit! The Davenports will break his legs if they find out!] [Wait a minute… isn’t Midnight Sun that show that became a global phenomenon? The return on investment was something like 30,000%!] [To the guy above, I just checked. That biotech firm is being acquired by the Chen Corporation next month. They’re about to announce a breakthrough cancer drug. The stock is going to the moon!] I worked fast. In less than half an hour, a staggering amount of money had flowed out of the black card’s account. As expected, a sharp knock came at my door. Harrison Davenport strode in, his face a thundercloud. In his hand was a fax from the bank, detailing my recent transactions. “Nathan.” He slammed the list onto my desk, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. “I just had your spending records pulled. The Davenports are not short on cash, but that doesn’t give you the right to squander it.” He had clearly done his research on the companies I’d invested in. That’s why he was so furious. I didn’t even glance at the list. I simply looked up, my expression calm as I met his fiery gaze. “Father, this isn’t squandering. It’s investing.” “Investing?” Harrison laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. “What does a boy straight out of an orphanage know about investing?” “Do you know how much money NovaCore has burned through? And Luminary Pictures is a third-rate production house. Are you playing games with me?” “By the end of this month, NovaCore will announce a major breakthrough in their 2nm chip technology, securing a massive investment from the military.” “And while the production team for Midnight Sun may be underfunded, their director is Li An, a genius who just returned from winning an award at Cannes. I believe it will be the biggest hit of the year.” The anger on Harrison’s face slowly froze, replaced by a look of sharp scrutiny and disbelief. “As for the pharmaceutical company, within a month, the heiress of the Chen Corporation, Victoria Chen, will personally lead the acquisition.” “Father, you’ve been in the business world for decades. You know what that implies.” The room fell into a dead silence. Harrison stared at me, searching my face for any sign of panic or deceit, but he found none. My expression was as placid as a still lake. After a long moment, he turned and left my room without another word. Within the gilded cage of a dynasty, affection was a fleeting rumor. Value was the only true currency. 3 Just as I predicted, within a month, all three of my major investments exploded with spectacular news. NovaCore officially announced its breakthrough in 2nm chip technology. A military-backed fund made a high-profile investment, and the company’s valuation multiplied tenfold overnight. Luminary Pictures’ underdog series, Midnight Sun, with its masterful production and mind-bending plot, became a viral sensation, breaking viewership records and becoming a massive cultural export. And the bankrupt biotech firm was acquired by the Chen Corporation for a breathtaking sum, all because it had developed a revolutionary new cancer-targeting drug. For the second time, I was summoned to Harrison’s study. “These are your investment dividends,” he said, pushing a set of documents across the desk toward me. “Nathan, tell me. How did you know?” I simply smiled. “Father, would you believe me if I said it was just luck?” He fell silent. A true businessman doesn’t believe in luck; he believes in strength and information. The more mysterious I appeared, the more valuable I became in his eyes. From that day on, Harrison began taking me to exclusive business galas and private banquets. Eleanor, too, was eager to introduce me to the city’s most eligible heiresses, her matchmaking intentions crystal clear. In my past life, I had felt like a product on a shelf, awkward and tongue-tied before the scrutinizing gazes of the city’s elite. This time, I was the one doing the judging. “Mr. Davenport, what are your thoughts on NFTs?” a man in gold-rimmed glasses asked, trying to sound profound. I swirled the wine in my glass. “A bubble over-inflated by capital,” I said coolly. “When the fad dies, so will the fools who bought into it.” The man’s face stiffened. “I hear you’ve just returned to the Davenports, Mr. Davenport. Where were you employed before?” another trust-fund kid asked, his tone dripping with condescending curiosity about my origins. I looked him straight in the eye. “Where I was before is irrelevant. What matters is that my name is Davenport now.” I paused, letting my gaze sweep over him. “And from what I hear, Mr. Ashton, your family’s quarterly reports aren’t looking too good, are they?” Their stunned and humiliated expressions bored me. It wasn’t until a business gala hosted by the Chen Corporation that I met Victoria Chen. As the host, she was conversing with several industry titans. Dressed in a flawlessly tailored suit, she exuded an aura of cool confidence and innate control. [It’s her! The male lead’s future partner!] [In the last life, Nathan never had the status to attend events like this, so he never met Victoria.] [Wait, isn’t Stella the male lead’s partner? Why are the comments saying it’s Victoria?] [Oh, right, I remember now. Stella was just the early-game partner. Rhys eventually dumps her and tries to climb his way up to Victoria, but she never gives him the time of day.] As I was reading the comments, a grating voice sounded behind me. “Well, well, if it isn’t the country boy the Davenports just dragged in. Learning how to hunt for a sugar mama already?” I turned. It was Blake Ashton, the heir to the Ashton Group, a thorn in my side in my previous life. I couldn’t be bothered with him and turned to leave. But he blocked my path, raising his voice to draw attention. “What? Did I hit a nerve? I guess for someone with your background, all you have is a pretty face and the Davenport name, right?” He had succeeded in attracting a small crowd, including, I noticed, Victoria Chen. I stopped and looked at him, a slow smile spreading across my face. “You’re right, Blake, one can’t choose their background. But one can choose to use their brain.” “Instead of wasting your time obsessing over my past, you should be more concerned with the Ashton Group’s precarious stock price. I hear your line of credit is about to be cut, isn’t it?” The color drained from Blake’s face. “You… What nonsense are you spouting!” “You and I both know it’s not nonsense,” I said, my smile vanishing, my eyes turning cold. “If you want to leave with any dignity, I suggest you do it now.” Just then, Victoria Chen approached, a wine glass in her hand. She ignored the shell-shocked Blake, her gaze landing directly on me. “Mr. Davenport, a pleasure,” she said, raising her glass. “Your analysis of the Ashton Group’s situation was quite astute.” “You flatter me, Ms. Chen.” “What I’m more curious about,” she said, her sharp, intelligent eyes glinting, “is how you managed to buy up the majority of that biotech firm’s scattered shares right before my acquisition. Your intel was better than mine.” So, she had already investigated me. “Perhaps,” I replied with the same well-worn excuse, “I’m just very lucky.” Victoria laughed, a sound of genuine appreciation, the kind one gives an equal. “Harrison has kept you hidden for too long. We should have dinner sometime, Mr. Davenport. I believe we’ll have a great deal to talk about.” After that night, Victoria and I began to meet frequently. We didn’t talk about trivialities; we discussed corporate mergers, future technologies, and global economic trends. Many of my insights surprised, and even impressed, her. A month later, Harrison summoned me to his study again. He wore a complex expression I had never seen before. “Nathan,” he began, his voice sounding almost surreal, “Victoria Chen just called me.” I watched him calmly, waiting. “She wants to merge our families,” he said, the words hanging in the air. “She wants to marry you.” The news was a bombshell, cementing my unshakable position. The massive returns from my investments had also started to roll in, doubling the Davenport family’s assets. Soon, my twentieth birthday arrived. The Davenport and Chen families decided to co-host a lavish gala in my honor, which would also serve as my and Victoria’s official engagement party. Standing before the mirror, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, I knew that the night that had plunged me into despair in my past life was about to play out again, but this time, on my terms.

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Boredom is dangerous. To kill time and make extra cash, I took an online cat-sitting gig. Easy enough, I thought. But entering the client’s apartment, the first thing I saw were couple photos on the wall. I didn’t recognize the woman. But the man… I knew him all too well. Jack, my boyfriend of seven years. Just as my world tilted, the client texted: “Are you at my place yet?” Bitterly, I replied, “Yes. About to scoop the litter.” “Great! After, could you spray air freshener? My boyfriend hates the cat smell.” Then: “And take the trash out? Thanks!” Her words led me to the kitchen bin. Inside, among the rubbish: a used condom wrapper. My composure cracked. I had to ask. “Is the man in the photos your boyfriend?” She replied instantly. “Yes! That’s Jack. We’ve been together a year.” “We’re deeply in love, getting married this year. How about you? Have a boyfriend?” A tear hit the screen, blurring her text. “I did, before I walked in,” I typed. “Not anymore.” 1 A single question mark emoji was her immediate reply. I quickly wiped my eyes, aimed my phone at the little ginger cat hiding in its plush bed, and snapped a photo. I sent it to her, desperate to change the subject. “Your cat’s a little shy.” Again, an instant response. “I know, right? But she absolutely adores my boyfriend.” “He’s actually allergic to cats, but every time he comes over, she just has to cuddle up in his lap. Poor thing has to pop allergy pills every other day because of her.” “What about you? I saw on your profile that you love cats. How come you don’t have one?” Why don’t I have a cat? Probably because the man I loved, who was also named Jack, was allergic to cat hair. Because I was so desperately in love with him that three years into our relationship, when we decided to move in together, I was the one who suggested giving my cat of five years to my mom. I only went to see him when the ache of missing him became unbearable. I’d snap a few pictures, then spend my nights scrolling through them, pretending to stroke his fur through the cold glass of my phone. And only now, standing in this stranger’s apartment, did I learn there was another solution. A simple one. Jack could just take an allergy pill. That familiar, sour ache returned to my chest, sharper this time. I couldn’t waste another second on this charade. “Sorry, I need to get back to work,” I typed, then shut my phone off. I moved on autopilot, scooping the litter, refilling the water bowl, pouring fresh kibble. After all, she’d gone to great lengths to orchestrate this little play, hasn’t she? No matter how many times I tried to steer the conversation away, she dragged it right back to Jack. It would be a shame not to give her what she wanted. I had to satisfy her. I had to document everything in this home she shared with Jack. I had to gather all the evidence I could. It was the least I could do to repay her for all her meticulous planning. 2 I left her apartment half an hour later and had just reached the gate of the complex when my phone buzzed. It was Jack. He told me he was working late tonight. Don’t wait up for dinner, he said. Don’t stay up waiting for him to come home. The photos I’d taken on my phone were more than enough proof. The walls of her apartment were a shrine to their relationship. Vacation snapshots from trips they’d taken. Date night pictures from right here in our city, some from restaurants I’d been to with him countless times. There was even a group photo with his best friends, our friends. And there, on her nightstand, sat the matching ring he’d worn for seven years, the one he told me he’d lost months ago. Even with all of that, a stupid, hopeful part of me needed to see it with my own eyes. I waited outside her apartment complex until 8 PM, shivering in the biting spring chill, but he never showed. Defeated, I finally hailed a cab and went home. The moment I stepped through the door, I saw him. The man who was supposedly “working late” was sitting on our couch, his fingers flying across his laptop keyboard. My heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand tiny needles. He looked up at the sound of the door and his face broke into a smile. He stood up immediately. “Where have you been? It’s so late.” He walked over, his voice laced with concern. “My client tonight wasn’t that important, so I rescheduled to come home and be with you.” He took my cold hands in his. “You know, you’re pregnant. You’re not even three months along yet, you shouldn’t be running around like this. You should stop with that online cat-sitting stuff for a while.” “The doctor said the first trimester is the most critical time.” He bent down, pulled a pair of slippers out from the shoe cabinet, and gently placed them on my feet. He was always like this, so thoughtful and gentle. When he was home, he doted on me, trying to do everything for me. He could even read my most complex, tangled emotions before I’d even sorted them out myself. And tonight was no different. After putting on my slippers, he led me to the couch. He draped a soft blanket over my legs before speaking in that warm, soothing voice I used to love. “You’re worrying about being a good mom again, aren’t you?” “Don’t worry,” he murmured, stroking my hair. “I’m here. Everything will be okay. That stuff you see on TikTok is just the algorithm. It feeds you what you’re already scared of.” “All you need to do right now is take care of yourself. Once you’re past the three-month mark, you can relax and focus on being my beautiful bride.” The pregnancy had unearthed a deep-seated fear of marriage and motherhood in me. It wasn’t a surprise, really. My parents divorced when I was five because my father cheated. I grew up with my mother, and for the next twenty-odd years, any time I dared to disobey her, she would launch into the graphic, horrifying story of my birth. How she nearly bled to death. How the doctors had to manually, painfully pull the afterbirth from her body. She even managed to twist the narrative so that my father’s affair was somehow my fault. She claimed that being pregnant with me meant she couldn’t satisfy his “basic needs as a man,” leaving him with no choice but to find comfort elsewhere. That’s why he chose his mistress over her. Because of that shadow, I’d been with Jack for seven years, living with him for four, and turned down dozens of his marriage proposals. I just couldn’t find the courage to take that step. Until this. An accidental pregnancy. Until Jack had knelt before me, tears streaming down his face, begging me to keep the baby. He’d sworn he would never let me end up like my mother. And I’d finally, finally let myself believe him. I’d decided to keep the baby. I’d decided to marry Jack. But just as I started to embrace the idea of a future, a family, he cheated. A tear escaped and rolled down my cheek, landing on the crisp fabric of his suit. More followed, soaking a dark patch on the blanket over my legs. Seeing me cry sent him into a panic. “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he said, fumbling for a tissue to wipe my face. “Shh, don’t cry, don’t cry. I’ve got you.” He pulled me into a tight hug. The familiar warmth of his body only made the pain in my chest burn hotter. I couldn’t take it anymore. I pulled back, my mouth open, ready to confront him about the other woman. But as I looked up, my eyes caught something just below the collar of his slightly unbuttoned shirt. A dark, purplish mark, partially hidden. A hickey. A wave of revulsion washed over me, so powerful it stole the words from my throat. I shoved him away, a primal instinct taking over, and scrambled towards the bathroom, collapsing in front of the toilet as my body heaved violently. And then it all clicked. His strange behavior over the past month. Ever since the doctor had advised us to abstain from sex during the first trimester, Jack had started coming to bed later and later. He always waited until I was fast asleep. I’d thought he was just being considerate, afraid he wouldn’t be able to control himself. Now I knew the truth. He was afraid I’d find the marks she left on his skin. The pain in my chest intensified. From outside the closed door, I could hear his urgent knocking. “Ava? Are you okay?” “Ava, is it the morning sickness again?” Before I could answer, his phone rang. I heard the muffled sound of him picking it up. “What? To the office now?” he hissed. “I don’t have time for this, my fiancée is pregnant and sick in the bathroom.” There was a pause. “What do you mean the client insists on seeing me tonight? They’ll find another lawyer if I don’t go? Fine. Fine! I’m on my way.” He hung up. The knocking started again, more frantic this time. “Ava, please open the door. Let me just see you, make sure you’re okay.” “I don’t care if you’ve been sick, I just need to know you’re alright.” My chest ached, and my body was limp from the force of my retching. But the thought of seeing his face right now was unbearable. I choked back a sob and forced my voice to sound calm. “Is it work? If it’s urgent, you should go. I’m fine, it’s just the pregnancy sickness. It’ll pass.” “Don’t worry,” I added, “I’ll call you if I need anything.” His work must have been truly urgent. After a few more hurried words of concern through the door, I heard his footsteps retreat towards the front of the apartment. A few moments later, the heavy thud of the front door closing echoed through our home. The tension drained from my body, and the tears I’d been holding back finally came, silent and steady. Jack and I had known each other since high school. He was the valedictorian; I was the salutatorian. The whole school gossiped that we were a couple, but we weren’t. Back then, my world revolved around my grades. And Jack… though he always looked at me with a softness in his eyes, a kind of protective warmth, he never actually asked me out. So in college, I dated someone else. It wasn’t until two years later, after a stupid fight led to a breakup, that Jack finally confessed. He told me he’d been in love with me for six years. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from the cat-sitting client. From Sienna. “Did you steal my diamond ring when you were at my house today?”

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In the fifth year of my mission to win over the male lead, William Donovan forgot my birthday. Again. Instead, it was the designated villainess, Stella Rhodes, who sent a message right on time. “Your birthday? So what? I snap my fingers, and he still comes running, doesn’t he?” This time, I didn’t follow the System’s recommendation to break down in tears. Instead, I replied to her: “Thanks. You’re the only one who remembered my birthday today.” She replied instantly with a: ? Then my phone started buzzing nonstop. “Wait, did you send that to the wrong person?” “Seriously? Are you for real? That’s pathetic.” “So, what do you want for your birthday then?” “Ugh, fine, I’ll come find you. You’re allergic to mangoes, so I’ll order a strawberry cake, okay?” “Honestly, you’re such a pain!” … The moment the doorbell rang, I gave the System a small smile. “You only said I had to win over the main character of this world. You never specified it had to be the male lead, did you?” … The usually chatty System went quiet for a moment. Then it stammered, trying to explain, “What… what do you mean? The target is obviously the male lead! You and William are destined to be happy together!” I couldn’t help but laugh, a bitter, self-mocking sound. Ever since I arrived at the Donovan estate five years ago, the System had been selling me a fantasy, insisting that the current neglect and grievances were just tests of love, that William and I were fated for a happily-ever-after. Too bad. Now, I wasn’t so sure I wanted that ending anymore. I ignored the System and got up to answer the door. But the face that greeted me was William’s, etched with impatience. He shot me a cold glare. “Even if I forgot our arrangement, you didn’t have to pull a stunt like this, using Stella to force me to see you. Ava, I never knew you were so manipulative.” I froze. To get him to spend this one birthday with me, I had worked almost nonstop for three months, finally achieving a breakthrough in Donovan Corp’s chip development. William had been ecstatic. He asked me what reward I wanted. I had timidly asked if he could spare one evening for me. He agreed readily, and I was overjoyed, thinking our relationship was finally about to take a step forward. I never expected to be left waiting for nothing, only to be met with his breezy, “I forgot.” The click of high heels sounded from behind him. Stella, holding a massive cake box, was panting as she reached the sixth floor. She stood awkwardly between William and me, a strange expression on her face. “So, you didn’t stand me up to be with her… you just completely forgot it’s Ava’s birthday today?” William frowned, his tone dripping with entitlement. “Why would I need to remember her birthday?” Stella turned to look at me again, her expression complicated. After a moment of tense silence, William looked down at me, his voice condescending as if granting charity. “Considering your dedication to Donovan Corp, if you have a wish, just say it.” I looked up, meeting his eyes. “Any wish?” William paused, unconsciously rubbing his nose and looking away. “Of course.” The System screamed in my head. OMG! OMG! He’s blushing, did you see that? Quick, tell him you don’t want anything, just for him to spend one day with you! An amusement park! Fireworks! The affection points will skyrocket! Aaaah! But I just looked at him quietly for two seconds and took a deep breath. “Then could you give me some money?” William’s smile froze. “What?” I lifted my eyes calmly. “Give me some money. I need to pay my rent.” His face instantly darkened. He ground his teeth. “So your true colors are finally showing. And you claimed you weren’t after my money.” William’s fists clenched, cracking audibly. He sneered. “Too late, Ava. You want to be Mrs. Donovan, don’t you? Then you’ll spend the rest of your life slaving away for Donovan Corp.” He turned and stormed off, leaving Stella to awkwardly hand me the cake. “Um… Happy birthday.” I managed a weak smile. “I know you only came to laugh at me, but thank you anyway.” I closed the door, and the System started wailing again. Oh my god, what were you just doing? He forgot your birthday, he was clearly feeling guilty! Why didn’t you use that to your advantage instead of saying something like that? I glanced down at the overdue rent notice from my landlady. “What else was I supposed to do? A girl’s got to live.” For all these years, William had despised me. I was the chief engineer at Donovan Corp, yet my salary was lower than the cleaning staff’s. The System was taken aback. But that’s just the male lead giving you a hard time! He loves you but doesn’t know it yet! Once you’re married, everything he has will be yours, won’t it? The doorbell rang again. A delivery guy holding a cake box peeked in. “An order from a Mr. Donovan.” The System grew smug. See? I told you he has you in his heart! Look, he even ordered you a cake. You’re the one who pushed him away. Aren’t you going to call him and coax him back? I stared at the cake, which was completely covered in sliced mangoes, and fell silent. Then I looked up at the System. “Do you remember five years ago, the day I first arrived?” I arranged to meet Stella at the coffee shop downstairs from her company. The System was spinning in circles in my head. [Host, are you absolutely sure about this? Are you really going to Rhodes Industries? Stella is only taking you in now to keep you away from the male lead. Later, when your feelings for him deepen, she will come after you even more viciously!] I pulled on my coat, replying casually, “But at least she’ll treat me fairly. I won’t starve to death in a strange city. Besides, for Stella to beat out all her siblings to inherit the company, she can’t be some brainless socialite. And also…” I didn’t finish the thought. Five years ago, I came to the capital alone to find my relatives. The security guard at the mansion looked down his nose at me and shamelessly kicked me out. It was William who appeared like a savior, scolding the guard and bringing a terrified me back to the Donovan estate. That’s why for five years, no matter how coldly he treated me, I always craved that first glimmer of light. Of course, I had also never forgotten that five years ago, the person walking beside William, who held an umbrella over my head and draped a coat over my shoulders, was Stella. Perhaps without that absurd decision five years ago, the three of us wouldn’t be in this situation. Stella sat across from me, slowly stirring her coffee. “You really want to come to Rhodes Industries? Why? Isn’t Donovan Corp your life? For the past few years, you’ve practically chained yourself to that lab. You come whenever William calls, more obedient than his family dog.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Because I don’t want to be a dog anymore.” Stella paused. After a long moment, she handed me a contract with a complex expression. “Ava, I genuinely dislike you. But sometimes, I also admire you.” “I’ve always kept business and personal matters separate. As a woman, I won’t make things difficult for you at work. But emotionally, we are still rivals.” She stood up and extended her hand. “Welcome to Rhodes Industries.” I looked up, smiled softly, and took her hand. Before I appeared, Stella and William were the undisputed main characters of this world. Childhood sweethearts, a perfect match from powerful families. Until five years ago, when the old Mr. Donovan was targeted in an attack. It was his driver who took the fatal blow for him. With his dying breath, the driver asked the Donovan family to take care of his only daughter. And so, in front of everyone, Mr. Donovan announced that William was to marry me and take care of me for the rest of my life. William’s face turned ashen. The man who had been gently comforting me the night before now looked at me with nothing but disgust. Back at the company, my assistant Paige started making frantic faces at me the moment she saw me. Confused, I pushed open my office door to find William sitting there, his face a cold mask. “Leaving your post during work hours, Ava. Is this your professional attitude? You won’t be getting paid this month.” I pursed my lips but said nothing. He continued with a sarcastic sneer. “Oh, I forgot. Without a salary, you can’t pay your rent. What, are you planning to shamelessly move back into the Donovan estate?” The System suddenly piped up. [He never comes to the R&D department! He’s giving you an out! And he’s talking about rent, he obviously wants you to move back in! It’s just an excuse from a prideful male lead!] But I suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. Five years. I didn’t want to live like this anymore. “Let’s just forget it.” Both the System and William froze. “Forget it. Since I violated company policy, I’ll resign.” William shot to his feet, grinding his teeth. “Do you think playing hard-to-get will soften me? Who do you think you are? You want to resign? Fine. Get out and don’t ever think about coming back.” He swept everything off his desk in a sudden rage and slammed the door on his way out. I silently bent down to pick up the scattered documents. My phone buzzed with a message from Stella. [Monday is good for your first day, right? I bought you some clothes and had them sent to your place. Dress professionally when you come to work. Don’t embarrass me!] I looked at the message and suddenly, I smiled. On Monday morning, I stood before the Rhodes Industries tower. The System was still chattering away. [Host, are you absolutely sure? This is Stella’s territory. According to the original plot, she will…] I walked into the building and asked casually, “She’ll what?” [On your first day, she’ll provide you with a full set of office supplies, arrange your workstation, and have her assistant buy you breakfast… wait? Now that I think about it, she doesn’t seem that villainous…] I couldn’t help but chuckle. I knew five years ago that Stella was never some spoiled, cruel socialite. If the System hadn’t set us up in these inherently opposing roles, perhaps things would have been different. The elevator doors opened. Before I could step out, Stella was already waiting. She looked me up and down, her brow furrowing. “Didn’t I buy you clothes? Why are you still wearing that?” I looked down at my own white blouse. “Those clothes were too expensive, I…” She cut me off. “I told you to wear them, so wear them. Stop making excuses. Come with me, your office is on the eighteenth floor.” I was stunned. “An office? I’m just an engineer, I don’t need…” Stella didn’t even turn around. “I say you need one. Rhodes Industries is not Donovan Corp. We don’t make our chief engineer sit in a cubicle. Also, your salary card…” She turned and handed me a bank card. “A three-month advance to pay your rent. I don’t want you getting evicted and embarrassing me.” I stared down at the card, my fingers trembling slightly. The System whispered, [Host, something feels off. Aren’t those supposed to be the male lead’s lines?] I sat at my new desk in a daze. An assistant, Chris, poked his head in. “Ms. Stone, Ms. Rhodes wanted me to tell you that you’ll be having lunch together. The chef in our company cafeteria makes amazing Cajun food.” My head snapped up. The Donovans preferred bland food, and William had serious stomach issues. I was from Louisiana, but in the last five years, it felt like I’d never once tasted the food from home. At lunch, Stella and I sat across from each other. Chris came over, cheerfully carrying a steaming bowl of jambalaya. Stella frowned. “I forgot to say, no cilantro.” I was taken aback. “How did you know I don’t eat cilantro?” She gave me a look like I’d asked the dumbest question in the world. “What kind of question is that? I have eyes. I’ve seen it.” A bitter smile touched my lips. My phone suddenly buzzed with a call from William. I let it ring until it stopped. A moment later, Stella’s phone rang. She chuckled and declined the call. “He probably just saw our company’s announcement about the new chief engineer. I never thought after all these years of William’s pride, I’d get to see him so flustered.” I chewed on my fork in silence. “I thought you really liked him.” She raised an eyebrow. “In our circle, he’s a decent match. At first, I was just unwilling to be upstaged by someone like you. But being able to crush Donovan Corp in business? That brings me more joy than I can say.” William’s call came again. I still didn’t answer. The System asked meekly, [Host, are you really not going to answer? He’s starting to panic now that you’re really gone.] I stared at my phone, thinking of the countless nights I had waited over the past five years. Waiting for his call, for his message, for even a single glance. I waited for five years. He never knew where I lived. He didn’t know what time I went to sleep, or that I went to the hospital alone for my appendectomy. He didn’t know I worried about rent every month. He didn’t know I hated cilantro, that I was allergic to mangoes. He didn’t know I was afraid of the dark and had to sleep with a nightlight on. There was so much he didn’t know. But Stella knew all of it. I let out a long breath, popped the tab on a can of soda, and raised it to her. “To a successful partnership, Ms. Rhodes.” Then, I blocked William’s number. In the three months I worked at Rhodes Industries, William didn’t contact me again. Stella gave me the best team and the highest level of authority. I threw myself into my work, forgetting to eat or sleep. Any news I heard of William was through other people’s social media posts. When someone deliberately brought him up in front of me, I would just smile it off. Gradually, even the System seemed to give up and stopped bothering me.

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The day before my wedding, my boyfriend went cycling to relax. That evening, I saw an update from his childhood friend on social media. “Successfully checked in for the 165th day of cycling! Exhausted during the day, so it’s time to truly unwind tonight.” In the photo, a mirror reflected a room with a strong atmospheric vibe. In a corner next to it, a man was undressing, and on his exposed waist, a vibrant, dark rose tattoo bloomed. I don’t know what someone commented, but she replied, “Hehe, ever heard of seven times a night?” I quietly liked the post and commented, “Sounds good. Have fun.” 1 After commenting, before I could calm down, Harry called. As soon as I answered, a barrage of accusations came through. “Sharing a room was arranged by the cycling captain. Everyone’s assigned that way. Don’t make trouble out of nothing.” “And, as a fellow woman, why are you so malicious? Olivia, you’re truly disgusting.” Hearing his full-on accusations, my breathing hitched, and a dull ache spread through my chest. He had said that morning that he was feeling heavy-hearted and wanted to relax one last time before the wedding, and he promised he’d be back soon. But by evening, I had cooked dinner and waited for him, only for him to say that the cycling team was having a party tonight, and as vice-captain, he couldn’t get away. He wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. He had also told me to wait patiently at home, and he would pick me up for the wedding venue on time tomorrow. Now, however, everything felt utterly repulsive. I took a deep breath and asked him, “Is it against the law for guys in your team to stay with other guys?” It was a perfectly normal question, yet on the other end, I heard choked sobs. “Since Olivia doesn’t like me, I’ll leave right now, Harry. You don’t have to worry about me.” Harry instantly bristled, his voice deep and stern: “Don’t mind her. She’s going through menopause.” With that, he hung up directly, not waiting for me to speak. Staring at the screensaver that reappeared from the call page, the air around me seemed to turn bitter. His words were like ice-cold water infused with a thousand years of frost, rushing at me, extinguishing all my hopes and joy. A man and a woman, alone in a room. I dared not imagine what might happen. Because the more I thought, the more disgusted I felt. As things stood, marriage was out of the question. I looked at the wedding room I had meticulously decorated bit by bit, a self-deprecating smile on my face. I had thought marriage was a matter for two, but now it seemed I was the only one immersed in a beautiful dream I had woven for myself. I took a deep breath and took off the traditional gown. Then I took out a suitcase from the wardrobe and packed my clothes. Once packed, I sent him a message, “Let’s break up.” Message sent. I deleted his contact information one by one. As if doing so could completely erase him from my world. I didn’t go home; instead, I found a hotel to stay in. Whatever happened next, it had nothing to do with me. The next day, I was still sound asleep when my phone on the bedside table rang urgently. I picked it up and saw it was a call from my mom. After a moment’s thought, I answered, and a barrage of accusations followed. “Olivia, where have you and Harry been messing around? Why haven’t you come to the hotel yet? His phone is also unreachable. What in the world is going on with you two?” Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment. 2 I quickly realized he must have been too engrossed in pleasure last night, perhaps overly exhausted. I pursed my lips and told her, “Harry and I broke up. The wedding is off.” “What nonsense are you talking about? Get your butt over here right now!” Just as I expected, my mom didn’t approve of my decision to break up. She insisted I find Harry and go back to have the wedding. Hearing her furious scolding, I remained quite calm, “Don’t even think about the wedding. He’s seeing someone else.” At this, she paused. There was a moment of silence on the other end, then she said, “Then come back, and we’ll talk properly.” I hummed in response, hung up, and got up to wash. After I was done, Harry sent me a message using someone else’s phone. He completely ignored my breakup message from last night, selfishly stating: “You were too much yesterday. You made that girl cry for a long time. It took me ages to calm her down. When we get back, you need to treat her to dinner and apologize.” “As for the wedding, consider this a punishment for you. Next time, don’t bully people so casually.” Looking at his message, my eyes filled with mockery. What did I do to make him think I couldn’t live without him? I lowered my head and replied, “We’ve already broken up. What you do has nothing to do with me. Don’t contact me again.” After sending the message, I blocked that number as well. Done with that, I took my luggage and checked out of the hotel. When I got home, my mom was still pacing angrily in the living room. I thought she was on my side, standing up for me, so I said softly, “Mom, don’t be angry. I’ve broken up with him. We won’t have anything to do with each other ever again.” These words were like lighting a fuse. My mom instantly flared up, glaring at me with disappointment. “Because of such a small matter, you want to break up? When you’re being unreasonable, did you ever think about where I’d put my face?” Hearing this, I froze, looking at her with wide eyes and utter astonishment. It turned out her anger wasn’t because of Harry’s despicable actions, but because I had decisively broken up with him. In an instant, my whole body started trembling uncontrollably. “Mom, are you saying I should just tolerate it?” “What else? It’s normal for men to be unfaithful. You’re the one he’s about to marry. Why bother with those common mistresses outside?” My mom earnestly tried to persuade me, but I felt a chill shoot up from the soles of my feet. My dad was a scoundrel in his youth, always having affairs. At first, my mom would argue and fight with him, but later, after seeing it too often, she got used to it, only asking him to send money home on time each month. To this day, he lives freely outside, with her as his wife in name only. Which neighbors haven’t gossiped about us behind our backs? She knew how painful it was to be stuck in such a marriage, so why did she want to drag me into it too? “Mom, this isn’t the marriage I want! I want a loyal husband…” “What dream are you living in?” My mom impatiently cut me off. “I don’t care what you think, you will get married whether you want to or not! The invitations have already been sent out. If you back out now, you’re disgracing me!” “No more talk, come with me now to find Harry. We’ll apologize to him, and once he forgives you, we’ll discuss the new wedding date.” Her words infuriated me so much I almost couldn’t breathe. 3 But I firmly stated my position, “I’m saying it again, Harry and I have no future! No matter what you do, it won’t change that fact!” Her attitude was equally stubborn, insisting I apologize. Annoyed, I picked up my luggage and left again. I walked aimlessly down the street, everything familiar blurring as my emotions were released. Harry and I met on a blind date. He had the unique charm of a mature man. Although sometimes he lacked romance, he was never a buzzkill. He loved cycling, and I couldn’t even ride a bike. To keep up with him, I would often practice riding whenever he wasn’t around. Even after countless falls and bruises, I persisted. Later, when I finally learned, I wanted to go cycling with him to relax, but he said, “You’re a beginner, unsteady on the bike. Joining us would slow us down. You should practice more first.” He rejected me without hesitation, yet turned around and taught Clara how to ride, even frequently inviting her out for rides in his free time. I argued with him several times over this. At first, he would try to appease me, but over time, he grew increasingly impatient. He told me, “Those with a dirty mind think everything is dirty.” I was unfairly accused, but because I liked him enough, I chose to silently endure it. Because in a relationship, one person always gives more than the other. He wasn’t good at expressing emotions, so I would. Gradually, I became accustomed to this giving, and he began to take it for granted. But I just wanted a home of my own; why was it so difficult? I choked up, raising a hand to wipe away the tears from my eyes. I couldn’t stay at home. Until I found a suitable apartment, I could only continue living in a hotel. Fortunately, I still had a stable job, which was the only solace in my chaotic life. The day after my emotions stabilized, I went to work. After a meeting, I was about to start working when I saw the manager walk in with a beautiful woman. She had a bright smile on her face, greeting everyone in the office one by one. When her gaze fell on me, her smile widened. “Olivia, what a coincidence, you’re here too.” Seeing Clara greet me, my calm demeanor rippled slightly. She was a new employee, yet the manager personally introduced her. He clearly wanted to tell everyone that her status was out of the ordinary. I didn’t respond to her, and she didn’t get angry, her gaze shifting away from me. In the afternoon, as I was leaving the company, Clara walked towards me. She smiled and said, “Harry is coming to pick me up later. Let’s go together.” I showed no emotion. “No, it’s not on my way.” Clara covered her mouth in surprise, her face still smiling. “Olivia, are you still upset about us staying in the same room that day?” “We’re adults. Don’t be so old-fashioned…” I sneered, “Your open-mindedness is your business, and who you flirt with is also your business. Don’t try to morally blackmail me.” The moment those words left my lips, I felt a burning gaze from behind me. Harry strode over, his face dark, staring at me. “I thought you would realize your mistake, but you’re still so unreasonable! We’re both women. Don’t you think spreading such false rumors is despicable?” 4 I gave him a cold look. “If the dog doesn’t bark, why would I curse it? Mr. Hayes, please control your woman and tell her not to bark.” I rolled my eyes at both of them and turned to leave. But someone grabbed my arm directly. His face was terribly dark, and the anger in his eyes seemed ready to erupt. “Olivia, who told you to curse like that? Apologize!” “Let go! Why should I apologize?” I felt I had said nothing wrong, done nothing wrong. Why did everyone expect me to apologize? The disgust in my eyes was exceptionally clear. Harry’s face froze slightly, and he looked at me sinisterly. “Fine! Very well. I hope you can remain this tough in the future.” With that, he released my hand, turned, and left with Clara. They hadn’t walked two steps before Clara smiled and linked arms with him, not forgetting to cast a provocative look back at me. Honestly, such behavior was quite childish. But unfortunately, some people fell for it. My heart sank, and I turned to leave. In the evening, after showering, I began to work on the unfinished design from today. Just as I was deeply engrossed in my sketches, my phone on the desk suddenly lit up. It was a video from Clara. I hesitated for a moment, intending to delete it, but accidentally clicked on it. As the video played, a familiar voice drifted out. “Oh, Harry, all of this is my daughter’s fault. She’s not thinking clearly right now, so please don’t take it to heart. She only said she wanted to break up, but she doesn’t really mean it. As her mother, I have the most right to say so. This child has always been like this, quite annoying…” Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but tremble. Why would she do this? Why would she so cruelly bring up my pain in front of others? My dysfunctional family was already a hurdle I couldn’t overcome, a reality I didn’t want to face. There were many things I hadn’t told Harry until now. But she revealed everything, displaying my pain without reserve in front of others. Clara only sent a video, but I could imagine how triumphant she must be feeling right now. My mind crashed, and my cold hands and feet trembled helplessly. By the time I reacted, the video had finished playing. I stumbled to my feet, grabbed my phone, and rushed out to find her. The moment I hurried into the elevator, I noticed in the reflection that my face was already streaked with tears. I choked back sobs, trying to wipe away the tears, but they only flowed more fiercely. So much so that when I got into the taxi, the driver sympathetically said, “Young lady, please accept my condolences.” I didn’t speak, just kept wiping my tears. When I got out, I quietly said thank you. Yes, I should accept my condolences. A mother like her, in a way, was no longer there. I rushed to Harry’s house. As soon as I entered the password and stepped inside, I saw a woman about to kneel before Harry. And Clara standing nearby, enjoying the spectacle. My face darkened, and I strode over, pulling her almost bent body up. “What are you doing?” My mom saw me and, as if seeing a savior, grabbed my hand and said, “You came at the right time. Hurry and apologize to Harry. This was your fault, and apologizing isn’t shameful.” She pressed on my back, desperately trying to push me to the ground. Harry frowned deeply, saying indifferently, “No need to apologize to me. Just apologize to Clara. After all, she’s the one who was verbally attacked.” “Oh, right, hurry and apologize to Miss Clara.” She dragged me, then apologized to Clara. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I directly shook off her hand and roared, “Enough!” My mom was stunned by my shout, looking at me in shock. Harry’s frown deepened, and Clara instinctively shrank behind him. “Olivia, don’t be angry. Auntie means well…” “Yes, see how sensible Clara is? Why don’t you understand my good intentions?” My mom patted her chest, heartbroken. “Everything I’ve done, I did because I want you two to be happy. Otherwise, how could I put aside my pride as an elder to help you apologize?” “Auntie, please go home. Olivia is emotionally unstable right now. I’ll talk to her properly once she calms down.” My gaze swept over the three people standing united before me, and I let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Talk about what? About your illicit affair with her, or about when you two got together?”

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My mother had been ill for years, her only wish to witness her daughter’s wedding. For this, I pursued Liam for five years. On the hundredth time he turned me down, I finally decided to give up. I then turned to Ethan, my childhood friend who had always waited for me. We were deeply in love for a hundred days, and he promised to make me the happiest bride in the world. Just when I joyfully believed I had finally found happiness, I overheard his conversation with Sarah. “As long as you and Liam can be happy, it doesn’t matter if I marry someone I don’t love.” “Let me arrange your last birthday party. I want to see you happy with my own eyes, even if the one making you happy isn’t me.” It turned out the wedding he meticulously planned for me was nothing but a deception. A hundred days of pretense, merely to clear the path for Sarah and the man she loved. Tears streamed down my face. I messaged Mom, telling her the wedding was off. I don’t know how she learned the truth, but in her distress, she passed away on the spot. The funeral and Sarah’s wedding coincidentally fell on the same day, at the same hotel. Just a wall away, Ethan entered as a groomsman, caught a fleeting glimpse, and his face instantly went ashen… 1 By the time Mom’s arrangements were handled, night had fallen. When I returned home, Ethan hadn’t arrived yet. My phone only showed a message from him, saying he had to postpone the wedding. Before I knew the truth, he said it was due to issues with the props, and I believed him. But now I understood. The postponement was merely for Sarah’s birthday party. She had booked the venue. All the guests originally invited to my wedding were now celebrating Sarah’s birthday. My dream wedding had utterly become a joke. The man who once argued and fell out with Liam for me, who promised me happiness forever. He, too, became an accomplice in hurting me. The moment I received the hospital’s call, I rushed there, but couldn’t even say goodbye to Mom. I don’t want this wedding anymore, and I don’t want Ethan anymore either. Just as I finished packing my bags, Ethan hurried in with a gift. He didn’t notice the suitcase by the door. He instinctively pulled me into his embrace, his voice soft and tender, whispering against my ear: “My dearest Amy, guess what gift I brought back for you?” Before I could speak, he kissed my earlobe. I subtly avoided his touch, my gaze falling on the gift box in his hand. A designer perfume, Sarah’s favorite scent. But I never wore perfume; I was allergic to alcohol. He had always forgotten that. “Would you wear this on our wedding day? I want to smell you.” He was looking for Sarah’s shadow in me again. First it was clothes and jewelry, then cosmetics and handbags. Back then, I just thought the items he sent looked familiar. But only when I accidentally opened Sarah’s social media did I realize she had identical items. Also from Ethan. Noticing my low spirits, his voice softened further. “Is my Amy still upset about the wedding postponement? Don’t worry, I’ve already straightened them out. There won’t be any more delays this time.” “I’ll explain to your aunt, you don’t need to worry.” A cold smile touched my lips. “No need to trouble yourself. Let’s just cancel the wedding. You don’t have to see my mother; she wouldn’t want to hear your explanation anyway.” He hadn’t expected me to be so resolute. His movements froze for a moment, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. “Amy, I’ve been planning this wedding for three months. The invitations have all been sent out. How can you joke like this?” “The prop mishap was an accident; I’ve tried my best to fix it. I understand you’re upset, but don’t be unreasonable. My patience has its limits too.” Watching him lie so shamelessly, I felt a wave of weariness. “Ethan, was it really just a prop malfunction?” He paused for a second, about to argue, when his phone rang. He looked down, a faint smile unconsciously curving his lips. Without saying goodbye, only promising to make it up to me, he rushed out of the house. I didn’t need to guess; only Sarah could make him so frantic with a single message. This wasn’t the first time he’d abandoned me. But before, immersed in the joy of impending marriage, I hadn’t noticed. Now, looking back, he didn’t even bother to hide it. After he left, I gathered all the gifts he had given me over the past hundred days. I planned to return them to him the next day. But early in the morning, I received a call from the bridal shop. They said my custom wedding dress had arrived and I should come for a fitting. “No need. Return it. The wedding’s canceled.” The sales clerk on the other end hesitated for two seconds, then spoke hesitantly: “This is a high-end custom dress. The deposit alone was five hundred thousand. If you wish to cancel, you’ll need to come to the store in person to fill out the paperwork.” When I arrived, just after I signed the forms, I saw another, even more exquisite wedding gown being brought in. The clerk’s envious voice immediately reached my ears. “Miss Sarah is so fortunate! I’ve never seen such an expensive wedding dress before! It must be millions, right?” “More than that! I heard two men paid for it together! Oh, when will such good fortune come to me…” 2 My nails dug deep into my palm, clutching the pen, but I couldn’t even feel the pain. When I went to Ethan’s office with a box full of gifts, the receptionists kept calling me “Mrs. Hayes.” Envious whispers rose and fell. “Mrs. Hayes, didn’t you know? Mr. Hayes took a whole month off for your wedding, something he’s never done before!” “I heard he spent half a million at an auction for a piece of jewelry. It must be to match your wedding dress. You’re so lucky, I can only dream of such things.” “I’ve never seen Mr. Hayes so devoted to anyone! He revised the wedding plan dozens of times!” But I wrote our wedding plan myself; he never asked about it. That plan was probably revised for Sarah, wasn’t it? I didn’t speak, silently listening to everything he did for another woman. While waiting for the elevator, Sarah’s playful voice came from behind me. She unreservedly linked arms with Ethan. “Ethan, thank you for the jewelry, but it’s really too much! My neck almost can’t hold up!” Ethan affectionately tapped her nose, messing up her long hair. “You little rascal, didn’t you say the bigger the jewelry, the better, to give Liam some sense of urgency?” In an instant, the air around us almost solidified. The employees looked at me with a hint of mockery. Ethan finally noticed me, but still didn’t let go of Sarah’s hand, his gaze merely growing colder. “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you not to come to the office? Your presence distracts the staff.” Catching sight of the box in my arms, he frowned. “Why are you still holding a pile of rubbish? Security? Can’t you see? Quickly, throw it away.” I followed his gaze downward, only then realizing that the brand logo on the packaging box, which I hadn’t dared to unwrap, was peeling. It turned out everything he gave me was fake. No wonder he didn’t recognize them. Before I could speak, a security guard had already snatched the box from my hands and deftly tossed it into the trash. Liam rushed in through the door, witnessing this scene. His face instantly darkened. “Ethan, your wife is standing right here, and you’re embracing my fiancée. Isn’t that inappropriate?” Sarah immediately let go. A flash of hurt crossed Ethan’s eyes. “You still remember Sarah is your fiancée? Then why were you messaging another woman in the middle of the night?” “You swore to me repeatedly that you would take good care of her, which is why I entrusted Sarah to you. But how have you done? And now you have the nerve to question me?” As he finished speaking, Sarah suddenly looked up at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Amy, I know you and Ethan have been childhood friends, but since you’ve already accepted Ethan’s proposal, why are you still entangled with Liam?” I froze for a moment, realizing I had sent him a wedding invitation. Just as I was about to speak, Ethan’s accusatory gaze stung me. “You don’t trust me?” He didn’t respond to my words, but the disgust in his eyes deepened. In an instant, all the unspoken grievances choked back. Liam’s words became the last straw that broke me. “I told you, I don’t like Amy. I never did, I don’t now, and I never will.” “You are the only one in my heart.” His public humiliation and undisguised disdain made me want to disappear. Sarah’s eyes were clearly filled with triumph, yet on the surface, she cried out pitifully. Leaving only a single sentence: “I don’t believe your nonsense. You two are childhood friends; I’m an outsider. No matter how hard I try, I can’t be a part of your past! I’m just a burden!” And then she ran out. Liam shot me a warning glance, then hurried after her. In the vast hall, only Ethan and I remained. “Amy, this time you’ve gone too far. You know Sarah is insecure, why did you have to send that message to Liam?” “Let’s break up.” “What??” He seemed unable to believe his ears, frowning and widening his eyes. “I said, let’s break up. The wedding’s off. I won’t marry you, and I won’t bother Liam anymore. You can rest assured.” A flicker of surprise and relief quickly passed through his eyes. But on his face, he still looked heartbroken. “Amy, what are you being so ridiculous about? The wedding’s already halfway planned. Don’t you know how hurtful it is to joke like this?” “I know you’re anxious because your aunt is seriously ill. Let’s just cool off separately for a while before the wedding.” With those words, he got into the elevator without looking back. I also turned and left the company. The goodbyes had been said; the rest was none of my concern. 3 Upon returning, I hastily rented an apartment and prepared to move. But then Sarah came knocking. Her face was full of triumph, a stark contrast to her demeanor in front of Ethan and Liam. Her high-heeled foot directly stomped on my suitcase. “You’re really tough, aren’t you? Your own mom died and you still won’t leave? Can’t live without a man?” My movements froze, my fists immediately clenched, shaking with anger. “How did you know?” I hadn’t told anyone about my mother’s death. Remembering the letter she received before she passed, my gaze instantly turned icy. “You wrote that letter?” “You’ve already got Liam; why are you doing this?” A sneering smile played on her lips, and she let out a cold snort. “I just felt sorry for the old woman, couldn’t bear for her to be deceived, so I simply clarified the facts.” “Let her understand that her daughter is worthless trash no one wants. Who knew she couldn’t handle such a small blow? Really getting useless in her old age!” I could no longer contain the hatred in my heart, raising my hand and delivering a sharp slap across her face. After a crisp sound, her smile grew even more sinister. She pulled a pair of scissors from her bag. And deftly cut off a lock of her own hair. The moment the scissors clattered to the floor, I was violently slammed against the wall by someone rushing from behind. The pain left me almost numb. Yet, Ethan’s anxious voice rang in my ears. “Sarah, where are you hurt? Does it hurt?” Sarah was sobbing uncontrollably, covering her swollen cheek and shaking her head. “Ethan, please don’t blame Amy. I know she’s angry I took Liam, and she didn’t mean it. My hair is fine; it doesn’t matter, I’ll just tie it up for the wedding…” By the time I recovered, Ethan had already picked up the scissors from the floor and was walking towards me with a dark expression. “Amy, apologize to Sarah!” I looked at him in disbelief. “Are you insane? Do you know what she did? She killed my mom—” Before I could finish, he sharply interrupted. “No matter what she did, you shouldn’t have laid a hand on her! When did you become like this?” “I’ll say it one last time, apologize!” I never imagined that after twenty-five years, he would deny me even a chance to explain, all for another woman. Blood seeped from the corners of my lips, yet I gritted my teeth and spoke: “Impossible! Hitting her was letting her off easy, otherwise I—” Ethan slapped me across the face. Cutting off my words, and cutting off my last shred of hope for him. “Amy, I’ve indulged you too much. You’re simply too disobedient…” He brutally struck me on the head with the luggage-filled box. The next second, I fainted from the pain. 4 When I woke up again, Ethan had moved me to the bedroom bed. My waist-length hair was completely shorn, leaving only patchy, ugly scalp. Tears fell uncontrollably, stinging like fire as they ran down my face. I scrambled to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and saw the multiple slaps had left their mark on my face. My nails had torn my skin, and thick scabs of dried blood had formed. I fought back tears, searching the entire room, but couldn’t find my packed luggage. Going downstairs, I discovered the suitcase had been thrown into the trash can. I didn’t bother to retrieve it, turning and leaving the complex. Enduring the strange glances of passersby, I entered a pharmacy and bought a box of masks. After covering my scars, the tears still wouldn’t stop flowing. I hid in the rented apartment like a rat in a gutter for three days. Only on the day of my mother’s funeral did I venture out, wearing a mask. As I arrived at the hotel entrance, I saw Sarah and Liam’s wedding photo. I suppressed the hatred in my heart and turned into the private room next door. Dressed in funeral attire, I listened to the eulogy. Just a wall away, a grand wedding was being held. Midway, I went to the restroom, but on my return, I ran into Sarah. Seeing my funeral attire, her eyes immediately reddened with feigned sorrow. “Amy, I know you hate me for taking Liam, but you can’t wear funeral clothes to my wedding!” Her shouts attracted the attention of many passersby. In a blink, I was drowned in a torrent of curses. “This woman is too malicious, isn’t she? If you can’t get the man, don’t curse others to die!” “Born without a mother’s care, no wonder Mr. Thorne didn’t fancy her! Such a venomous heart!” “Since we’re here, shouldn’t we support Mr. Thorne and Mrs. Thorne? Come on, everyone, let’s strip off her funeral clothes!” Before I could explain, people swarmed forward, trying to tear off my clothes. Someone snatched off my hat, revealing my patchy scalp. Laughter erupted instantly, and I screamed, clutching my head, begging them to return my hat. But no one listened. Flashbulbs targeted my head, capturing frantic photos. I stumbled into the funeral room, utterly humiliated. The door was forced open, and the white scene inside made them stop. Ethan, as a groomsman, rushed over at the commotion. “What’s going on? The wedding is next door; you’ve come to the wrong place.” His voice, initially meant to maintain order, died in his throat the moment he saw my mother’s name on the funeral banner. All color drained from his face. “Amy? What in the world is going on? Why are you here?”

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Bound by a ruthless love for money, I was deaf to anything else. In any gathering I attended, the conversation invariably revolved around finance, never sentiment. On my eighteenth birthday, my family arranged a business marriage for me with a man worth billions. This fiancé, however, had a childhood confidante, a “best friend” by his side since forever. At a party, she held a wine glass, seemingly casually, and flaunted to me, “Vivian, John has an unlimited black card. The secondary card is always in my wallet.” A friend immediately yelped, “John, aren’t you being a bit too bold? Aren’t you afraid your official queen will get angry?” John scoffed, his gaze sweeping over me with disdain. “Her? She’s only after my money, isn’t she? Who she spends it on makes no difference.” At his words, the entire room erupted in laughter. I slammed my wine glass down, stood up, and walked over to him, my eyes cold. “You’re right. Who she spends it on makes no difference.” I pulled the primary card directly from his pocket. “I’m going to buy an entire building right now and see if it’s truly unlimited.” 1 I clutched the thin black card and turned to leave. Behind me, a deathly silence fell, followed by John’s exasperated roar. “Vivian Baranski, you stop right there!” I didn’t look back. My steps even quickened. The so-called friends in the grand hall, who had just been laughing, were now struck dumb. Especially Alice, I could see her pale face out of the corner of my eye. She probably expected me to cry, make a scene, or swallow my pride. Unfortunately, in my dictionary, there were never words like “injustice,” especially when money was involved. No one could tell me otherwise. I walked straight out of the brightly lit club. I pulled out my phone and called my father. “Dad, send our lawyer, Mr. King, to the Skyward Tower sales office.” My dad paused on the other end. “What trouble have you gotten into now?” “No trouble,” I said, my voice light. “Just buying a house.” I hung up, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the most expensive residential building in the city. “Skyward Tower,” two hundred thousand per square meter, was designed for anything but ordinary living. I walked into the opulent sales lobby, and a salesperson immediately approached me. “Miss, are you here to view a property?” Her scrutinizing glance flashed over me; she probably thought I was too young and not dressed like a wealthy woman. I didn’t bother with pleasantries, cutting straight to the chase: “Which is your most expensive unit?” The salesperson was taken aback but maintained her professional smile. “That would be the penthouse sky villa on the top floor, with 360-degree panoramic views and an infinity pool.” “What’s the discount?” I interrupted her. “We can offer you the maximum 5% discount, plus three parking spaces and a full smart home system.” I did some quick mental math. The total price for this unit would be around 120 million, and the discount would save me a few million. Not bad. “Card.” I slapped the black card on the table. “Charge it, full payment.” The entire sales lobby instantly fell silent. All the salespeople and customers looked over. The salesperson’s eyes widened, and she stammered, “M-Miss, are you sure?” “Do I look like I’m joking?” I raised an eyebrow. Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. John and Alice had arrived, chasing after me. His face was livid as he rushed over, trying to snatch the card from my hand. “Vivian, are you insane?!” I deftly sidestepped, avoiding his grasp. “Don’t be so hasty, Mr. Grenier,” I said, waving the black card in front of him. “Didn’t you say it makes no difference who spends it? I’m just helping you verify the truth of that statement, aren’t I?” “You!” He was too angry to speak. Alice quickly stepped in, playing the peacemaker, tugging at his arm and speaking softly. “John, don’t be angry. Vivian is just joking with you.” She then turned to me, her eyes red-rimmed, looking on the verge of tears. “Vivian, please, I beg you. It’s all my fault. I was thoughtless and made an inappropriate joke. John has already been scolded terribly by his parents because of this.” As she spoke, she made to bow in apology to me. I leaned back, avoiding her. “Don’t,” I held up my hand. “I can’t accept that. If you bow to me, I might think you’re lighting incense for me ahead of time.” Alice’s face was indescribably ugly. I took out my phone and played an audio file. “Vivian, John has an unlimited black card. The secondary card is always in my wallet.” Alice’s clear, boastful voice echoed in the living room. This was followed by the surrounding people’s surprised yelps and John’s dismissive “She’s only after my money, isn’t she?” Finally, the laughter of the entire room. I turned off the recording and looked at the two of them. “A joke, that led to everyone in the room humiliating me?” I stood up and walked towards them. “I’m a straightforward person. You say I’m a gold-digger? Fine, I’ll be a gold-digger for you to see.” John’s pupils contracted sharply. He probably hadn’t expected me to record it. Now, they couldn’t even use the excuse of “just joking.” His face turned utterly grim. “Vivian, don’t push your luck. You know what the marriage alliance between our two families means. Behave yourself. It’s better for everyone.” I smiled. “The alliance is for money, yes. And I’m currently very seriously pursuing money.” I looked at him and chuckled. “Or, we could be straightforward and simply cancel the engagement. I have no objections at all.” John’s expression froze. I, of course, knew he couldn’t cancel. The Grenier family had a major project recently, and they were waiting for our Baranski family’s investment to launch it. Canceling the engagement would immediately break their capital chain. He glared at me. Finally, he said nothing, dragged the still-stunned Alice, turned, and slammed the door shut as they left. I looked at the closed door, the smile on my lips deepening. This was just the beginning. As someone who transmigrated into this book, destined to be the stepping stone for their love, the villainess, I had no intention of following the plot. You’re the protagonists, aren’t you? Then let me see what you have left without the plot armor and the author’s bias. Things unfolded exactly as I expected. The Grenier family remained silent, implicitly accepting the fact that I had bought the building. John was probably given a harsh dressing-down by his father. As for me, I began to prepare for my next move. I had been in this book for some time now and knew the main plot inside and out. John Grenier and Alice White were the melodramatic protagonists of this story. He, domineering and deeply affectionate; she, kind and resilient. And I, I was the shallow and malicious fiancée destined to hinder their emotional development. According to the original plot, I would, out of jealousy, spill red wine on Alice at the engagement party, then be publicly humiliated by John, eventually abandoned by my family, and meet a miserable end. Alice, on the other hand, would not only use John’s money to save her family’s already bankrupt company but also leverage the charity foundation John established to earn herself a reputation as “beautiful and kind.” Ha, a charity foundation? That was nothing more than a tool they used to transfer assets, avoid taxes, and even launder money. I hired the most reputable private investigator in the industry. But I didn’t ask him to investigate John and Alice. Instead, I had him look into Alice’s father’s company and that so-called “Grenier-White Charity Foundation.” At the same time, I instructed him to anonymously “feed” all the information I found to a few sharp financial reporters. Having done all this, I calmly awaited the engagement party between our two families. That would be the stage to ignite everything. The engagement party was grand, a gathering of business elites. I wore a custom-made gown. John stood opposite me, his expression stiff, but he still managed a forced smile. Alice was also there. Today, she wore a white gown with light makeup, looking every bit the cunning ingénue. She sat at the main table as “John’s best friend,” her position even more prominent than some of the Grenier family’s relatives. She saw me and offered a “friendly” smile. I returned an even brighter one. The banquet proceeded as planned. During the media Q&A session, everything was still under control. Until a reporter wearing gold-rimmed glasses stood up. He was one of my people. “Mr. Grenier, hello. As is widely known, you are passionately involved in philanthropy at a young age, having established the Grenier-White Charity Foundation. Could you share your insights with us?” The question was positive and safe. John was clearly pleased. He took the microphone and began to speak eloquently. He talked about the foundation’s philosophy and his understanding of social responsibility. On the giant LED screen behind him, a promotional video for the foundation was playing. Just then, the screen suddenly “fizzed” and flickered. The promotional video disappeared. In its place were several clear screenshots of bank transfer records. Large sums of money, transaction after transaction, were transferred from the “Grenier-White Charity Foundation’s” account into a company account named “White Industries.” The total amount was in the hundreds of millions. The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the screen, then collectively turned to the main table. White Industries, wasn’t that Alice’s family company? Using charity foundation money to fill your own company’s holes? This wasn’t just simple embezzlement; this was fraud! John’s speech abruptly stopped. He turned back stiffly, staring at the transfer records on the screen. And beside him, Alice’s “kind and innocent” face was now completely distorted. I raised my champagne flute and took a delicate sip. The show had only just begun.

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My husband, Thomas Ford, is 39 years old, 5’9” tall, and weighs 230 pounds. Since seeing my adFordd liver cancer diagnosis, he suddenly became enthusiastic about fitness and weight loss. I advised him to act within his limits, but he said lovingly, “I need to get my body in shape so I’ll have the energy to take care of you.” Everyone praised him for his loyalty and foresight, and I, too, was moved to tears. Until I inadvertently overheard his conversation with his best friend: “Maya said I have to lose 30 pounds before she’ll marry me.” Maya is his young assistant, Maya Thorne. It turned out they had already started planning their happy life after my death. And I was still fantasizing about a couple enduring hardships together. Alright, weight loss, huh? 30 pounds isn’t enough. In the next few months, he might lose 227 pounds! After all, an urn only weighs about 3 pounds, doesn’t it? 1. That day, Thomas called to say he was having dinner with a few good friends and wouldn’t be home. I repeatedly warned him not to drink, and he promised he wouldn’t. But I was still worried, so I headed to the hotel. As I reached the private dining room, just as I was about to push the door open, I heard laughter and teasing from inside. “Thomas, your weight loss efforts have been impressive lately! You’ve really shed some pounds!” “Haha, can’t help it. Gotta lose it, even if it kills me! Maya said if I don’t lose thirty pounds, she won’t marry me!” Maya is his assistant, Maya Thorne, only twenty-four, young, beautiful, and charmingly petite. Immediately, Maya’s sweet, cooing voice chimed in: “I don’t care! You absolutely have to lose thirty pounds, or else, when I wear my wedding dress and you’re wearing your suit, fat like a pig, my girlfriends will die laughing!” Thomas’s voice, slurred with drink: “Alright, alright, whatever you say. We still have a few months, don’t we, darling? Don’t rush, I promise to get it done!” “Come on, come on, let’s toast to Thomas! May he soon win the heart of his beauty!” “Thomas, congratulations! An old bull chasing fresh grass, must be amazing!” I stood frozen in place, my mind a blank! Thomas, had already hooked up with Maya Thorne?! He was counting down the days for me to die, for me to vacate my position, for him to marry his mistress? But what he didn’t know was that *he* was the one with liver cancer, and it was advanced stage! A while ago, Thomas had a poor appetite and often complained of bloating. He thought it was indigestion and bought medicine to take himself. I was worried, so I coaxed him into getting a check-up with me, and also arranged a full body scan for him. To my shock, he had liver cancer, advanced stage! The moment I received the diagnosis, it felt like a thunderbolt striking me! He was only thirty-seven, the father of my eight-year-old son, and the man I had defied my parents for, desperate to marry him! A year ago, he finally climbed to the position of company VP, with an annual salary of two million. Just as his career was soaring, he got liver cancer? In the hospital office, tears streamed down my face. The hand holding the diagnosis shook slightly; I simply couldn’t accept this cruel reality. At that moment, only one thought echoed in my mind: *No, I can’t lose him. I’ll exhaust all our finances if I have to, to get him the best treatment!* The doctor, seeing my determined gaze, sighed. “Prepare yourself mentally. In cases like this, treatment has little meaning. Life expectancy is probably within a year. If you insist on surgery, because the cancer cells have already metastasized, the success rate is very low, and you’ll need to wait three months until all his indicators are stable.” A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. “Okay, I agree to the surgery.” “During this time, the patient’s mental state must remain stable. We recommend keeping his condition a secret for now, to avoid causing severe emotional fluctuations.” On the way home that day, I pondered how to hide this diagnosis so Thomas wouldn’t see it. Suddenly, a curious thought arose: if I were the one with cancer, how would Thomas react? He would surely be very sad, wouldn’t he? I wanted that feedback; I wanted his affection for me to be the last warm memory he gave me in his lifetime. Leaving the print shop, the diagnosis had been changed to my name. Sure enough, when Thomas saw the diagnosis, he hugged me tightly, his throat choked with emotion. “Honey, let’s get it treated quickly; you’ll definitely get better!” My heart was a mix of joy and sorrow. Joy that his reaction was exactly as I had hoped, and sorrow that such a wonderful man might be gone forever. Now, the most important thing was to get his body in prime condition for the surgery in three months. I started preparing nutritious meals for him daily, varying the dishes, and giving him his medication as prescribed. Of course, I lied and told him he only had a mild stomach ulcer that required medication. But he, from the very next day, suddenly started frequenting the gym, lifting weights to lose weight! These past few years, he had been engrossed in socializing and drinking, his body steadily expanding from 140 pounds at our wedding to a formidable 230 pounds. I had repeatedly urged him to lose weight, but he always ignored me. Now, he was actively starting to lose weight?! I thought he must have deeply realized the importance of health through my cancer diagnosis. For half a month straight, he went to the gym every day, posted check-ins on social media, showcasing his decreasing weight. He came home drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted, every single day. While the doctor had told me he needed to increase his exercise moderately for fat loss, his relentless effort seemed excessive. When he returned from the gym once more, collapsing onto the sofa in exhaustion, I advised him that weight loss should be gradual, and exercise should be within one’s limits. But he, panting and wiping sweat, looked at me with deep affection and said, “Honey, I need to get my body in shape so I can take better care of you and accompany you through your treatment!” That day, several relatives, upon hearing Thomas mention my illness, came to visit me. Hearing his words, they were greatly moved, praising his loyalty and profound foresight. I couldn’t help but wipe away my tears. *To have such a husband, what more could a woman ask for?!* 2. To think, the slap in the face came so quickly! I stood at the private dining room door, feeling weak, my hands and feet icy cold. Inside, the revelry continued, the atmosphere intensely lively. Then I heard Maya’s seductive voice again: “We’ll have to buy another apartment later. The one she lived in is bad luck! And the apartment you bought me before is too small! Also, the purse you gave me last time came out in khaki; I want another one.” Thomas’s voice, slurred with drink: “Alright, alright, whatever you say. I’ll follow your every command; how’s that?” “Hahahaha…” A burst of laughter echoed from the room again. Hahahaha, standing outside the door, the moment my heart died, I also laughed. It seems fate is not entirely unkind, letting me see Thomas Ford’s true colors. I will no longer shed tears for him, no longer suffer from losing him, and will no longer immerse myself in longing and reminiscing about him for the rest of my life. Yes, that’s good. Drinking? Drink up. Drink more. Soon, you won’t be able to drink or eat. Thomas, cherish this final countdown party. The torment of illness will soon make your life a living hell! Buying purses? Buying houses? Dream on! Maya Thorne, you just wait. I’m going to make you spit out every bit of flesh you’ve eaten, along with the bones! Leaving the hotel, the cold street wind blew, chilling my heart to the bone. Thomas’s words pierced me like a knife, but I couldn’t fall. Because I held a strong hand, like an impenetrable shield, not only deflecting blows but also swiftly throwing back more, sharper knives! The person I faced was no longer my lover, my husband, but an enemy who wished for my death. Dealing with an enemy, naturally, I couldn’t be soft-hearted! At this moment, I was no longer the fragile stay-at-home wife, but a goddess of vengeance, holding the winning hand and utterly ruthless! Thomas and I were college sweethearts. He came from a rural background, his parents old and frail, and his family was dirt poor. My parents firmly disapproved of me marrying him. But I loved him, believed in him, and resisted by going on a hunger strike. Finally, my loving parents relented, compromised, not only agreeing to the marriage but also providing the down payment for our marital home. After marriage, Thomas and I struggled together in our careers. Our salaries were meager, but deeply in love with him, I was content with love alone. From a city girl who couldn’t do anything, I transformed into a virtuous wife and loving mother, capable of handling all household chores. After our son was born, his parents, being older, didn’t adapt to city life well. My parents also had poor health, and our son was sickly from birth. I had no choice but to quit my job and return to the home, shouldering the heavy burden of housework. For the next ten years, his parents took turns falling ill, and I had to spend years running between hospitals, unable to work, until they passed away six months ago. Meanwhile, Thomas’s career flourished. He steadily climbed positions within the company, finally reaching the Vice President role last year. Friends and family praised my foresight, saying I married a man with potential, and now, finally, our hardships were over, and I could comfortably be a wealthy wife and enjoy life. Who would have thought he had already secretly hooked up with his young assistant! The deeper the love, the greater the hate! My heart trembled. Thomas, if you didn’t love me, you could have told me. We could have peacefully separated and divided our assets. Why did you deceive me? Why did you scheme against me? Even if you no longer loved me, I was your wife, sharing your bed for ten years. How could you be so heartless, wishing for my death?! These ten years of genuine affection were ultimately wasted on a dog! 3. Back home, I went into my study and opened the computer. The browser search history was full of Thomas’s queries about liver cancer. “How long can someone with advanced liver cancer live?” “How much does liver cancer surgery cost?” “How long can someone live with liver cancer without surgery?” “What is the success rate of liver cancer surgery?” “Is there a possibility of curing liver cancer?” If it were before, I would have certainly thought he was concerned about my condition and been moved by it. Now, I finally knew he was calculating days and times, and costs, anticipating when his happy life would finally begin. A heartless dog! I logged into his online banking. Over the years, I had given Thomas complete trust, never checking his whereabouts, his phone, or his bank cards. So, he felt quite secure with me and hadn’t changed his banking password. Line by line, I reviewed the transaction history, and my heart was pierced again and again. In just one year, he had transferred one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars! His current balance was just over fifty thousand. He only gave me a thousand dollars a month for household expenses, yet he transferred one hundred and thirty-seven thousand to his mistress! How ironic! I had told him several times that the household allowance wasn’t enough, but he always told me to be more frugal. He said his money was invested in various financial products, which would generate annual income, allowing our son to study abroad in the future, supporting his growth, and providing us with a peaceful and happy old age. I believed him. But now, those one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars in transfers felt like a heavy slap, disorienting me! Then, it transformed into a raging fire in my heart! Endure? Impossible! Thomas, since you treat me this way, I will no longer have any attachment to you. At 10 PM, Thomas entered, hiccuping from drink. Seeing my grim face as I sat on the living room sofa, he assumed I was upset about him drinking. He chuckled, removing his jacket. “They just dragged me along for a few drinks, just a little, heh heh.” I looked at him coldly. He grew a bit impatient, frowning. “You just worry about your own health now; you don’t need to worry about me.” I struggled to suppress my anger, staring intensely at him, speaking each word distinctly. “One hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. In one year, you gave Maya Thorne one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars!” He suddenly stiffened, abruptly looking up. “You, you, what did you say?!” My eyes blazed with fury, glaring at him. “Thomas Ford, are you even human?! One hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars! Joint marital property! Maya Thorne, you *must* return it!” His drunkenness completely faded. He desperately tried to conceal his inner panic, shouting at me, “What hundred and thirty-seven thousand? What madness are you talking about?!” “Keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can keep it up! See for yourself!” I showed him the online screenshots on my phone. “Apartment purchase, eighty thousand! February 14th, transfer 52,000! March 8th, transfer 10,100! And 1314, 520! Thomas, twelve years of marriage, what have you ever given me?!” Tears again streamed down my face. My throat choked, and I wept uncontrollably. “I worked so hard managing our home, yet you cheated, giving your mistress one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars!” “Thomas Ford, I trusted you so much, but you treated me like an idiot! You’re heartless!” Thomas glanced at my phone, then flared up in anger. “Helen Fairfax! You checked my accounts! So what? You have cancer, what’s the point of worrying about all this? What you should be thinking about now is how to save your life, not me. What’s the point?” He finally dropped his façade of a good husband, revealing his true colors before me. I waved my phone. “Thomas Ford, this money *must* be returned. Otherwise, I’ll go to your company and ruin your reputation. Do you believe me?” Thomas seemed a little uneasy, but still bluffed. “If I lose my job because of your drama, then there won’t even be money to treat your illness. Won’t that just hurt you in the end?” Making a scene means no treatment? Haha, he’s the one who needs treatment, and he’s threatening me now?! I sneered. “Treatment my ass. I won’t get treatment. I demand she return that one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. Otherwise, I’ll not only make a scene at your company but also file a lawsuit against her!” Seeing my uncompromising stance, Thomas softened his tone. “I, I was just playing along, wasn’t I? My heart is with this family; what are you afraid of?” “Heart? Your heart is worse than a dog’s!” “But, but she can’t come up with over a million right away.” “Then it’ll be a court judgment and forced execution.” Thomas suddenly sneered. “Then go ahead and sue. From filing to a court judgment, it will take at least several months. I’m just afraid that the money won’t be recovered, and you’ll already be… hmph.” “Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow. “Shall we see about that then?!” Thomas didn’t want to waste any more words with me. He stiffened his neck. “Fine, do whatever you want. Want to make a scene? At most, I’ll resign. With my reputation in the industry, finding another job will be easy.” I sat there, unmoving. “Very well. Then, let’s do it tomorrow. You wait.”

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After being bound by the “Soul-Swapping System” of the class beauty, I first took scissors and slashed my own flawless face. Then, with a swift, decisive chop, my left hand was severed. Finally, I leaped from the top floor, breaking both my legs, coughing up blood, and falling into unconsciousness. Soon after, our souls swapped, our bodies exchanged. My eyes glinted with venom: “You like swapping, do you? I’ll give you enough to last a lifetime.” 1 Right now, I sit before my vanity, looking at my own exquisite face in the mirror, weeping with joy. Everything feels so real. I know I have been reborn. The next second, my face contorts in sudden horror. “No, after being bound by the class beauty’s soul-swapping system, there’s no escape, no way to break free. I’m still destined to lose this body.” I look at the wall clock. Eleven o’clock sharp. Only one hour remains until my soul swaps with the class beauty. By then, this body of mine will, as in my previous life, become hers. Suddenly, I feel lost. The thought of the tragic fate I suffered after the soul swap in my past life sends shivers down my spine. “What should I do?” My heart is filled with despair. My unfocused gaze suddenly drifts to a family photo. In the picture, I sit in the center. My father, mother, and brother surround me. Our family smiles brightly, radiating immense happiness. However, when I see their faces, a cold dread seizes my entire being, chilling me more than the soul swap itself. In my previous life, after my soul was swapped with the class beauty, Alice Lin, I descended into utter madness. I rushed into my home in Alice’s body, accusing Alice of her crimes. I told them that I was Mom and Dad’s real daughter, my brother’s beloved sister. Unfortunately, I was violently thrown out. Of course, I didn’t give up. I pursued and confronted them again and again. Yet, I only received more merciless beatings. They called me a complete lunatic. Later, Alice, accompanied by my family’s bodyguards, cornered me in an alley and broke my legs. I screamed for them to just kill me. Alice’s foot pressed against my chest, her face contorted, teeth gritted. “No, Victoria Rodriguez, I want you to live, to watch me enjoy your wealth and prestige, to enjoy everything you have. I want you to live a lifetime of unbearable pain. Why are you the campus belle, and I’m just the class beauty? Why are you a wealthy heiress, and I’m a farmer’s daughter? Do you know? I hate seeing that aloof, nonchalant way you spend money, it irritates me so much I can’t sleep. But now everything you have is mine, hahaha.” I wailed, but no one pitied me. Alice’s parents took me to the hospital, caring for me meticulously, but I told them to get lost. A thought suddenly struck me, and I found Alice, who was occupying my body, threatening her: “Swap me back quickly, or I’ll torment your parents until they wish they were dead.” Alice burst out laughing: “Be my guest. Those poor parents are a disgrace to me anyway. Go on, go quickly. After you kill them, I promise not to call the police.” Hearing that, I fell into despair. At this point, I quickly opened the drawer. I pulled out a photo from my diary. In the photo, a handsome young man embraced me. His gaze towards me was tender and infatuated. Stephen Noth, my fiancé, my greatest love. But my eyes were filled with deep-seated hatred. “In my previous life, my death was truly horrific.” I stared intensely at Stephen Noth’s photo, my teeth grinding. I still remembered. When my brother threw me out of the Rodriguez family home once again, I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was in a dark basement. I was terrified, but then I saw Stephen. I wept with joy then, pouring out my past to him, telling him the little secrets only we two shared, telling him that I was the true Rodriguez family heiress, begging him to help me. Stephen smiled slightly: “Of course, I know you are the real Victoria Rodriguez.” Just as I thought my ordeal was over, his tone shifted. “Do you think your parents don’t know? Do you think your brother doesn’t know? The current Victoria Rodriguez’s demeanor has plummeted, she can’t play the piano, she’s forgotten how to paint, her singing sounds like a duck. With such obvious abnormalities, how could they not notice? They’re not fools.” My expression was blank: “Then why don’t they acknowledge me?” Stephen calmly undressed, a sneer on his lips: “The marriage alliance between the Rodriguez family and the Noth family is paramount. Since Alice occupied your body, she got the benefit. But for me, conquering your soul is what matters most.” With that, amidst my screams and struggles, he defiled me. Thus, in that sunless basement, I endured Stephen’s endless humiliation and torment. Until one day. I saw my brother in the basement. I harbored one last hope, pleading with him for help. Because I never believed what Stephen said. I didn’t believe my biological parents and brother, after recognizing me, would still abandon me. But my brother was utterly indifferent, kicking me away: “Victoria Rodriguez, since your soul was swapped, that’s your destiny. You have to accept it. Whose soul occupies my sister’s body isn’t important. What matters is that her body can bring endless benefits to the Rodriguez family. So, serve Stephen well. Consider it another contribution to the Rodriguez family.” At this, my last shred of hope completely shattered. I began to refuse food and drink, like a living corpse, and was choked to death by an enraged Stephen. Memories faded. My heart, strangely, settled into peace. The excitement of newfound life vanished in an instant. “What good is it to break the soul-swapping system?” “Who would even care for such a family and fiancé?” My eyes were blank, devoid of any emotion. I glanced at the clock; it was close to midnight. Without a doubt, Alice Lin, the class beauty, was already waiting at the entrance of my villa. My lips curved into a smile: “You like swapping, do you? Then I’ll give you enough to last a lifetime.” My right hand had already found the scissors on the table. In the mirror, I looked at my beautiful face, without a hint of regret. The next moment. The sharp scissors plunged directly into my skin. Blood welled up, slowly flowing out. Intense pain coursed through me, but I didn’t utter a sound. Because this pain was trivial compared to the agony of my previous life, it barely registered on my numb nerves. A streak of blood appeared on my face as the scissors slid. I didn’t stop. One, two, three… Until my face was covered in blood and completely disfigured, only then did I stop. I smiled silently, the blood flowing even more profusely. I stood up and walked out of the room. The house was utterly silent. I walked from the fourth floor to the third. Hearing the sounds of intimacy from my brother’s room, my eyes remained indifferent, unmoved. Reaching the second floor, my parents were already sound asleep. I didn’t pause, walking to the first floor without a hint of lingering attachment. Blood continuously flowed, marking my path. I passed the maid’s room, entered the kitchen, and saw the cleaver hanging on the wall. Without hesitation, I took it down. Then I placed my left palm on the cutting board. The next second. My hand rose and fell. The cleaver flashed coldly. From top to bottom, it struck my palm with brutal force. In an instant, my left hand was severed at the wrist. Yes, the cleaver was very sharp, excellent quality. The gushing blood made my head spin. Feeling for a rag, I firmly pressed it against the severed limb. I bit my tongue, barely managing to regain a shred of consciousness. I began to return, slowly making my way back upstairs. Back in my room, I climbed onto the windowsill. I saw a familiar figure standing in the distant light. “Alice, you’re here.” I mumbled, an indescribable excitement in my voice. I looked back at the clock. Ten seconds left until midnight. No longer hesitating. I leaped from the window. My legs hit the ground, the brittle snap of bones piercingly loud in the darkness. Both legs shattered, left hand severed, face disfigured. This body, you’re going to love it. Then, I fell unconscious. My unconsciousness lasted less than a second. I felt my body lighten. My soul floated into the air. The intense pain in my body vanished. I saw my blood-soaked, unconscious self. I saw bodyguards from the shadows rushing frantically, shouting. In that instant, a pulling sensation came. My soul visibly entered Alice Lin’s body. I moved my hands, examined my new body, and smiled faintly. “It’s been a while.” The villa was now bustling with commotion. My parents’ wails and my brother’s cries echoed, one after another. I chuckled, turned, and walked away. In this life, though my soul has also been swapped, I want to live a completely different way. Of course, with the Rodriguez family’s immense wealth, I believe my original body will not die. Next, what I look forward to most is seeing Alice’s expression after she regains consciousness. I also anticipate how my parents and brother will treat this broken “Victoria Rodriguez.” As for Stephen Noth? You go around telling people you love me more than life itself. So, this ruined body, do you still like it? I left. Guided by the memories of my previous life, I arrived at Alice’s home. I took out the key, opened the door, and was met by two pairs of expectant eyes. “Alice…” They were a plain-looking, honest middle-aged couple. They both stood up simultaneously, looking at me cautiously, their gaze filled with apprehension and carefulness. These two were Alice’s biological parents. In my previous life, I had interacted with them. At that time, I had just had my legs broken, and they were weeping uncontrollably. They borrowed money everywhere to gather my medical expenses. Then, day and night, they guarded my hospital bed, never leaving my side. Even when faced with my insults and physical attacks, they never retorted or retaliated, tending to me without complaint. Until Stephen Noth captured me, I never saw them again. Alice’s family was from a rural area. Now, they rented a place in the city, both working in a nearby factory. Everything they did, I could see, was so Alice could study well. I could genuinely feel their selfless love for Alice. That’s why, in my previous life, I used them to threaten Alice. I never expected that Alice saw them as a disgrace, wishing I would kill them. Before I died in my last life, I thought of my parents’ and brother’s heartlessness. I also thought of the unconditional love Alice’s parents had for their daughter. The contrast between the two left an indescribable emotion accompanying me to my death. “Alice, are you hungry? Shall Mom make you a bowl of noodles?” Alice’s mother asked me, her face full of anxious concern. I looked up at her; she forced a smile, her eyes filled with care and anticipation. “Yes, I’m hungry.” I nodded. She immediately beamed with delight: “Good, good, good. Mom will go make it for you right away.” She joyfully bustled into the kitchen, as if she had received the greatest news. Alice’s father was the same, rushing to the refrigerator to pull out a bag of lychees. “Alice, these are the lychees Dad bought today. Come and eat them quickly; they’re chilled, so delicious.” I said nothing, took them, peeled them, and ate. Alice’s father immediately beamed, his smile wide. Clearly, Alice usually didn’t treat them well. Now, merely accepting their efforts made them seem overwhelmed with gratitude. At this moment, I understood Alice’s living environment even more deeply. Her parents’ love for her had no bottom line; it had reached a point where she could take whatever she wanted. Yet, she still disliked her parents, disliked them for being too poor. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Alice was the head of this household. Even a little kindness from Alice would make her parents deliriously happy. “It seems this family isn’t bad at all.” A thought came to me. I didn’t resist this feeling; in fact, I rather enjoyed it. I was indeed hungry and quickly finished eating. “Mom, this bowl of noodles is delicious.” This one sentence actually made Alice’s parents start wiping away tears. “As long as you like it, Mom will make it for you every day.” “Alice, as long as you don’t dislike me and your dad, we’re willing to do anything for you. We’ll work hard to earn more money, definitely buy you brand names, give you lots of pocket money, just give Mom and Dad a little more time, okay?” Alice’s mother opened up, speaking more and more excitedly, almost swearing to the heavens in the end. Alice’s father also nodded frequently beside her, genuinely sincere. I was torn between laughter and tears. It seemed this Alice was truly something; at merely a high school senior’s age, she had completely tamed her biological parents. My heart softened, and I shook my head. “No need. Work in moderation. Your health is most important.” With that, ignoring the stunned couple, I entered the room. After closing the door, I heard their excited crying. They kept saying, “Alice has finally grown up.” The crying soon faded. I knew they were afraid of disturbing my rest. The room had no luxurious decor, only cleanliness and neatness, which I found strangely appealing. I fell into a dreamless sleep. Because the past was dead, and the future was promising.

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I am a direct disciple of a renowned programming guru in the industry. In my previous life, my girlfriend put a large dose of sleeping pills in my milk. While I was asleep, she stole the code I had spent over a dozen all-nighters completing, then turned around and gave it to the company’s genius programmer. During the staff meeting, colleagues looked at our identical code, exchanging bewildered glances. The genius programmer sighed: “I can’t believe a junior colleague in this company would steal my work. It’s truly disheartening.” The incident spread online, causing a huge uproar. Countless fans began doxxing my address, carrying knives, wanting to avenge their genius programmer. I had no choice but to stop working and move repeatedly. But I still couldn’t escape the rabid fans. In the end, they stabbed me to death with multiple knives, dumping my body in a dark alley. In this new life, I’ve returned to two days before the code was finished. Looking at the milk my girlfriend offered me, I coldly smiled. 1. I closed my eyes, feigning sleep, my ears constantly listening to the sounds from the next room. My fists clenched tightly. In the next room, the moans of men and women mingled. “Mm… Did you manage to give him the sleeping pills?” “Don’t worry. That idiot drank it without even asking. Ah… gently… he must be sleeping like a log now!” “Good… this code… no one else in the company could write it… that kid is pretty skilled…” “Nowhere near as good as you, honey. He only makes peanuts every month, completely useless…” The woman cheating in the next room was my girlfriend, Lily Thorne. In my previous life, I loved her to the point of obsession. She didn’t have to work, didn’t have to do housework; every day was spent getting manicures and shopping. I even worked overtime, sleeping only three or four hours a day for half a month straight to write code and win a bonus. When I woke up, I still had to wash her clothes and cook for her. But no matter how hard I tried to treat her well, she was always dissatisfied with me. I never imagined she had already hooked up with Vincent Vance, the “genius programmer” at the company. Not only that, but she also stole my code and exposed my home address. In the end, she caused me to be stabbed to death by radical fans. In this life, as soon as I was reborn, I quickly swapped out the code on my computer. I pretended to drink the milk. The code I had stayed up all night to write was now on my USB drive. I just needed to go to an internet cafe tomorrow to make a few minor modifications, and it would be ready to submit on Monday. As for Vincent Vance? The code he had now was utter nonsense. Genius programmer? Heh. He could just wait to be the laughingstock at Monday’s staff meeting! 2. Three days later, the boss, hearing that Vincent Vance had finished the code, beamed like a flower. He eagerly praised him in front of us new employees: “Look at him! Truly a genius programmer! No wonder our company paid so much to get him; he’s just that good!” “And then look at you lot! Just eating away all day!” On the surface, I listened to the boss’s lecture, but inwardly, I thought viciously: *Go ahead and praise him. The harder you praise, the harder he’ll fall!* At the staff meeting, Vincent Vance arrived half an hour late. The boss, usually hot-tempered with us, showed no irritation, instead bowing slightly. Vincent Vance, in slippers, casually opened his computer, sneering, “What’s wrong with you new employees? Such simple code, and not one of you could write it. I had to step in!” He slowly clicked on a file. After seeing the content of the file, my expectant mood for the show instantly plummeted. How was this possible?! His file wasn’t the one Lily had stolen. Instead, it was exactly the same as the file I had modified at the internet cafe! In that instant, I felt dizzy. I was certain that no one had seen me when I modified the code at the internet cafe. But now, the identical code proved that he had indeed stolen my code. After Vincent Vance ran the code, a chorus of praise erupted: “Truly a master! He’s incredible!” “Oh my god, he can even do it this way! The master’s mind is just too brilliant!” The honor that should have been mine now belonged to someone else. Everyone was genuinely amazed, but my heart was dead. Vincent Vance pointed at me, his face filled with a winner’s smugness: “This young colleague, I heard you also wrote this code? Why don’t you show it to everyone for their appreciation!” I gritted my teeth. It was the same in my previous life; I presented my code and confronted him. But on one side was a genius who had written countless divine codes, and on the other, an unknown junior programmer. Who would you believe? Naturally, public opinion overwhelmingly sided with him, accusing me of plagiarism. Heaven had given me another chance; I couldn’t risk it. Everyone’s eyes were on me, whispering: “Him? How could a new employee be that good?!” “Tsk, just bragging, I guess. Didn’t expect Mr. Vance to call him out. If I were him, I’d want to crawl into a hole!” “He has nothing. Let’s see how he handles this!” The pain was like a thousand knives cutting through my heart. I forced a faint smile. “No, you’re impressive.” Hearing my words, those around me showed undisguised disdain. “Wimp!” 3. When I got home, I was seething. Lily eagerly met me at the door, her tone unusually gentle: “Honey~ How was it? I heard your company’s Vincent Vance successfully ran that incredibly difficult code!” Her face was full of pride. I sneered: “What, does whether he ran it or not have anything to do with you?!” Without waiting for her reaction, I snorted and went back to my room. Although Lily and I lived together, we always slept in separate rooms. She always said she was a traditional girl, and couldn’t be intimate before marriage. I believed her. Heh, she was certainly vocal when she was with Vincent Vance. Back in my room, I thoroughly checked my computer and USB drive. Making sure they were free of viruses. I checked the room, the computer, my clothes, even the furniture and lightbulbs. There were no hidden recording devices or cameras. I clutched my head, trying to figure out where things went wrong. Or was all of this truly just a coincidence? Impossible! Even if the code content was a coincidence, how could the comments be identical, word for word?! It had to be Lily and Vincent Vance playing tricks! Outside, Lily was banging on the door. “Adrian Miller, what do you mean?! You dare to talk to me like that?!” “Get out here and make dinner for me!” I rolled my eyes. She acted so gentle and sweet in front of Vincent Vance. With me, she couldn’t pretend at all. I opened the door, ignored her shouting, and went to an internet cafe again. But the surveillance footage showed no anomalies. I was a bit confused. I called my mentor—the industry’s most renowned senior programmer, Mr. Sterling. “Teacher, do you remember the code I asked you for help with a few days ago?” In other words, the final code, my mentor and I each had a copy. My mentor chuckled heartily when he heard about the code. “Of course I remember! You, you nearly surpassed your old teacher, how could I forget!” I tentatively said, “Teacher, at the team meeting today, someone in the company presented this code before me, and it was exactly the same as the code you and I made. His name is Vincent Vance. Do you recognize him?” If the surveillance and everything else was clear, then the only explanation was that my mentor gave this code to an acquaintance, and it eventually found its way to Vincent Vance. Otherwise, there was no other possibility. But Mr. Sterling only hesitated slightly before firmly denying it. “Impossible! You are my most gifted student; I would never casually give such code to anyone else.” The confusion in my eyes deepened. All possible paths were blocked. 4. Soon, before I could figure out what was going on, the company’s annual evaluation was approaching. The company conducted an annual evaluation, linked to the year-end bonus. If scores were too low, termination from the company was a possibility. A few years prior, an employee scored zero on the evaluation and was now flipping pancakes across the street. And Vincent Vance was always first place every year. Because of the previous incident, everyone in the company now said I was a boastful good-for-nothing. I narrowed my eyes, determined to clear my name. The questions were difficult. My brain worked rapidly, and I only finished and submitted just as the timer ran out. Although I was slow, I was certain that my answers were 100% correct. After all, by a strange twist of fate, I had recognized the esteemed Mr. Sterling as my mentor. I had studied with him for four years. He was truly a top figure in our industry, leagues ahead of Vincent Vance. Colleagues passing by were discussing: “Oh my god, these questions were too hard!” “I only managed to do one question.” “Me too, me too!” A group of people looked distressed until they saw me. They puffed up again: “Oh, Adrian, how much did you do? Don’t tell me you didn’t even manage one question!” “Hilarious, he was just bragging in front of Mr. Vance. Now he’s publicly humiliated, huh?” “Don’t you dare get a zero. Oh no, I hope I’ll still see you around the company later!” I couldn’t be bothered to respond to them, turning to walk back to my workstation. They found it boring and happened to run into Vincent Vance. “Mr. Vance, Mr. Vance, how were the questions?” Vincent Vance lowered his voice, pondering for a moment. “They were alright, not too difficult.” He glanced at me again. “Of course, for some good-for-nothing idiots who don’t know anything, it might still have been a bit challenging!” From the moment I joined the company, I felt Vincent Vance’s subtle hostility towards me. At first, he treated all new employees to bubble tea, but not me. I thought he had simply forgotten and went to get mine, but he cursed at me in front of the entire company: “Are you out of your damn mind with poverty? If you want bubble tea, buy it yourself!” Later, he always deliberately assigned me various odd jobs, which had almost nothing to do with my profession. This made everyone believe that I was a professionally unqualified waste. This evaluation, I would definitely prove myself! I looked at him coldly. “Who’s the good-for-nothing? That’s still up in the air!” 5. But when the evaluation results came out, I was completely dumbfounded. Not because my score was low. It was because Vincent Vance’s and my submitted answers were exactly the same! My breathing hitched. How could this be?! If the previous code issue was Lily’s doing, this was the company! Lily’s reach couldn’t extend here! If Vincent Vance had accessed the system after I submitted, but… he submitted his paper three minutes before I did! How was this possible?! Vincent Vance looked at me, sighing with disappointment. “Oh, you… I didn’t blame you for bragging before, but now you’re plagiarizing too!” “Are you really mentally deficient? Copying it verbatim!” “Tsk, I really don’t know how people like you get hired by this company!” The colleagues around me began to loudly mock me: “Oh, oh, oh, talking big one moment, getting slapped in the face the next!” “If I were you, I’d want to crawl into a hole!” The loud commotion quickly drew the attention of the boss. “What’s all this shouting about?!” One of the colleagues pointed at me and cursed, “Boss! He copied Mr. Vance’s answers, and didn’t change a single word!” The boss, his eyes wide and round, glared at me, his mustache bristling. “What’s wrong with you?! Have you no shame?! You even dare to plagiarize! You, pack your things and get out! Our company doesn’t need a black sheep like you!” I clenched my fists, my mind a blank mess. I couldn’t even utter a single word of defense. I hadn’t even reacted, but Vincent Vance was already anxious, blurting out without thinking: “Don’t fire him!” Noticing everyone’s reactions, Vincent Vance rubbed his nose, putting on a benevolent act. “I mean, it’s not easy for anyone. This young fellow just made a mistake in the heat of the moment. We should give him a chance!” I sneered inwardly. He’s afraid that if I leave, he’ll have no one to copy from! Since Vincent Vance had spoken, the boss reluctantly rolled his eyes at me. “Still not apologizing to Mr. Vance? He’s so magnanimous!” “Always stooping low, like a rat in a sewer!” I stared fixedly at Vincent Vance. “Who says I copied?! I clearly wrote my date of birth in the comments. Or are you saying, Mr. Vance, that you copied even that?” I emphasized “Mr. Vance,” filling it with sarcasm. Vincent Vance was astonished, clearly not expecting this move from me. And he himself had already copied everything, word for word. 6. Afraid they wouldn’t believe me, I pointed at the computer screen and said to them: “For this question about calculating birth years, I intentionally wrote my own birth year in the comments, just for fun. Or, is Mr. Vance going to claim even that from me?” The reason, of course, wasn’t just for fun. After the last incident, I was always afraid Vincent Vance would plagiarize. So I deliberately added a unique identifier in the code. But no one believed me; instead, they laughed even louder: “Hilarious! That’s just a string of ordinary numbers; you’re really using that as evidence?!” “Mr. Vance probably just typed it absentmindedly when he wrote it. Who would’ve thought he’d face such undeserved trouble!” “Damn it, can’t this arrogant guy just die off? He plagiarizes, then accuses the original author of plagiarism. You can’t even make up rumors like that!” Vincent Vance’s brief panic, hearing everyone’s words, turned into calm again. He squinted at me, full of triumph. I gritted my teeth hard, until my gums bled. I had thought they might hesitate and then choose to believe me. I had also thought they might hesitate and then choose not to believe me. But I never imagined they wouldn’t even hesitate. Each of them, as if bewitched, believed Vincent Vance. Just because he was a renowned genius programmer, did that mean we little programmers had no recourse when wronged?! The boss’s face grew even darker. He grabbed my collar and pulled me in front of Vincent Vance. “Have you made enough of a scene?! Apologize to Mr. Vance now!” “No!” I stiffened my neck, looking up at him. The head that had bowed before would not bow again! A true man, for justice, could not call a deer a horse. The boss’s face became even blacker. “If you don’t apologize, then pack your things and get out! Our company doesn’t need scum like you!” I gritted my teeth, scoffing. “Fine, I’ll leave. This lousy company isn’t good enough for me anyway!” I was telling the truth. When I was looking for a job, many big companies, believing in my talent, offered me positions. But Lily insisted this company was good, having seen it online, and forced me to come here. I wasted over half a year here, with low pay and too many trivial tasks. I had wanted to leave for a long time! 7. When I returned home, Lily was eating strawberries amidst a pile of trash. Seeing me back, she seemed quite surprised. “Why are you back?” “I quit.” Lily panicked, jumping up from the sofa. “What? How can you quit? If you quit, what about Vincent Vance?!” I narrowed my eyes, walking towards her step by step. “My quitting, what does that have to do with Vincent Vance? Or rather, what’s your relationship with Vincent Vance?!” Lily, frightened, collapsed onto the floor, her eyes darting around. “I… I mean…” Realizing I was actually interrogating her, Lily got angry. She stood up, hands on her hips. “Adrian Miller! Are you suspecting me now? Who gave you the guts?!” She thought I would pacify her as before. But from the moment she conspired with an outsider to scheme against me, I had completely given up on her. Without any love left, seeing her snorting and huffing like a pig, I felt utterly disgusted. I pointed at her, completely devoid of my former meekness. “You, leave my house now!” She froze, as if in disbelief. “You’re telling me to leave? Do you know what you’re saying?” I looked at her, speaking each word distinctly. “We’re over! You, get out now!” She glared at me for a long time, then suddenly stood up to gather her things. I followed behind her; anything she shouldn’t take, she wouldn’t. She could only take a pitifully small pile of clothes, threatening me, “Adrian Miller! Remember what you said today! Even if you beg me in the future, I won’t come back!”

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My usually fastidious Ragdoll cat has been consistently peeing on my husband’s pillow lately. Scolding and even punishment didn’t work, and the vet found no issues. Desperate, I consulted a famous pet influencer online. After watching a video I sent, he messaged a single line: “The cat is marking its territory. Your man smells of a cat in heat, and your cat is threatening it by covering the scent with its own urine.” My heart sank. I cautiously asked my husband, who was washing the bedsheets, “Did you upset Muffin? Why does he only pee on your side, not mine?” His hands stiffened. He feigned composure. “Maybe it’s my mother visiting. She always has a strong dog smell about her.” I didn’t call him out. The next day, I went straight to his office. The moment I pushed open the door, I saw a young woman, a scholarship student we sponsored, cradling a cat and leaning against him coyly. “Mr. Kingston, my Mittens only stops meowing when you hold her. Please comfort her a little more.” Mystery solved. It wasn’t just the cat in heat. I walked over, smiling, and picked up the hot coffee from his desk. “So much discomfort. Let me help you cool down, sweetheart.” … The scalding Americano coffee splashed entirely onto Michael Kingston’s custom-tailored suit. He shot up from his executive chair. “Vivian… what brings you here?” His features contorted for a split second, clearly from the burn. Without bothering to wipe the mess from his suit, he strode over in two steps, trying to shield the young woman. “Don’t misunderstand, it’s really a misunderstanding. This is Jasmine, the scholarship student we sponsor, Jasmine Han. She found a stray cat and didn’t know how to care for it. The cat was in heat and meowing wildly, and she got scared, so she brought it to ask me.” Michael adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, speaking rapidly, his eyes avoiding mine. I didn’t look at him; my gaze swept past him to Jasmine in the corner. I remembered Jasmine; she was the prettiest among the many scholarship students. It was ironic; three years ago, she was digging coal with her father. Now, she was wearing a seasonal Chanel tweed dress. Hearing Michael’s words, she flinched, lowered her head, her long hair obscuring half her face. I walked towards her. Jasmine took a step back, her back pressing against the wall. I reached out, my fingertip hooking the silver necklace around her neck. The pendant was a small woven ball, stuffed with catnip. “This necklace, I bought it for my dog. Why is a person wearing it? What nonsense!” My fingers tightened, and I yanked hard. The delicate chain snapped, leaving a red mark on her pale neck. Jasmine gasped, clutching her throat. Tears streamed down her face, but she bit her lip, saying nothing. I tossed the necklace, still warm from her skin, into the nearby waste bin. “Darling, a Chanel dress isn’t something a scholarship can buy, is it?” My tone was calm, without inflection. “You’re about to graduate from university. I arranged an internship for you, paved the way for your career. Is this how you repay me? Coming into the CEO’s office to… well, heat up with a cat in heat?” Jasmine abruptly looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot, her mouth opening, then timidly glancing at Michael. Michael quickly interjected, “Vivian, why are you speaking so harshly? She’s just a young girl who doesn’t know any better; she got lost and came here. She’s always looked up to you as an idol, wanting to get close to us. There’s nothing terribly wrong with that.” He walked over and put his arm around my shoulder, pressing his palm firmly. “I’ll have someone escort her out right away. She won’t be allowed back. Darling, I swear, I only love you in this life.” I twisted away from his hand, took a wet wipe from my bag, and meticulously cleaned each finger that had touched the necklace. “No need for ‘later’.” I threw the wet wipe on the floor. “Notify HR. Jasmine Han’s internship is terminated. Her post-graduation job recommendations are also canceled. Since she loves caring for cats, she can go work at a pet store.” Michael’s face stiffened, but quickly returned to normal. He waved a hand at Jasmine. “Aren’t you going to thank Vivian for her guidance? Get out!” Jasmine bit her lower lip, her eyes watering as she glanced at Michael, then abandoning the cat, she scurried out of the office. Michael breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the matter was over. He let go of me and turned to the break room to find a spare pair of trousers. I straightened my collar and walked out of the office. Just as I was about to leave, I saw that same orange cat emerge from the general office area, a pair of fishnet stockings in its mouth. The curious employees who had been peeking out instantly recoiled. The entire office fell silent. Michael, having changed his trousers, came out just in time to see this. His reaction was lightning fast. In a few strides, he kicked the orange cat in the stomach. The cat shrieked, dropped the stockings, and darted out the door. Michael bent down, picked up the crumpled stockings, and tossed them into a waste bin. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The speakerphone was on. “Marcus! What the hell is wrong with you?” Michael roared into the phone, veins bulging on his neck. “I was kind enough to lend you my office for interviews, what are you doing bringing those random women in here? Things got left in my office, and now Vivian’s completely misunderstood! Get over here and explain yourself!” The other end was silent for a few seconds, then Marcus’s slurred laughter came through. “Oh, Michael, my apologies, my apologies. Had a bit too much to drink last night. Is Vivian there? Vivian, don’t be mad, it’s all my fault, won’t happen again, won’t happen again.” Michael hung up the phone, looking helplessly at me, spreading his hands. “See? I told you it was that jerk, Marcus. He’s been going wild lately with his wife divorcing him. I clearly picked the wrong friends. I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind when I get back.” He walked over, took my hand, and kissed it. “Darling, don’t let outsiders ruin what we have. I’ll have HR process Jasmine’s termination immediately. Is that alright?” I pulled my hand away. “Fine. If it’s Marcus’s business, then let’s move on.” Michael visibly relaxed, immediately summoning administration and HR. In front of me, he processed Jasmine’s termination paperwork, even having security watch her pack her belongings and leave. Everything seemed professional and decisive. That evening, I had a spa appointment with Marcus’s wife, Gina. The scent of essential oils filled the room as Gina hummed contentedly on the massage bed. “Vivian, you’re just lucky. Michael is famously devoted to his family. Not like my deadbeat husband, useless at everything.” I closed my eyes, casually asking, “Marcus has been quite busy lately, hasn’t he? I heard he was working late at the office last night?” “Working late my ass!” Her voice was loud, and she suddenly sat up, her towel half-slipped. “My mother’s birthday was these past few days. He’s been at her old house in the countryside, slaughtering chickens for her! Last night he drank too much and threw up all over the bed, didn’t even know where he’d thrown his phone. I had to find it for him. He’s not going to the office until tomorrow. Is everything alright?” I opened my eyes, looking at the chandelier on the ceiling. Indeed, that scoundrel! Back home, Michael was in his study, reviewing reports. Seeing me enter, he took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. “Darling, you’re back? I warmed some milk for you.” A warm glass of milk sat on the table. I picked up the cup, my gaze sweeping over the open ledger. “The company’s entertainment expenses are quite high lately, aren’t they?” I asked casually. Michael’s hand paused, then he smoothly replied, “We’re negotiating that tech park project, you know. Entertaining clients and giving gifts is part of it. Once we land the project, this money will all be repaid twofold.” I nodded, carrying the milk away, but didn’t drink a drop. Back in the bedroom, I opened my laptop and pulled up the electronic statements for our family account. Michael was very cautious, deleting all obvious transfer records. But he made one oversight: he forgot that bank statements would show ATM withdrawal locations. For the past three months, even without any apparent entertainment expenses, his supplementary card had frequently been used to withdraw large amounts of cash from the same place: West Creek Gardens branch. That was the most expensive neighborhood near Jasmine’s university. Over the next week, Michael was impeccable. He came home promptly every day, turned down all social engagements, and even voluntarily took on the task of brushing Muffin’s fur. Muffin was my Ragdoll cat, whom I’d raised for five years, usually very clingy to Michael. But these past few days, whenever Michael approached, Muffin would puff up his fur, growling low in his throat, even trying to scratch him. “Is this cat sick? Such a temper.” Michael recoiled, looking at a red scratch on the back of his hand, frowning. “Maybe it’s shedding season. He’s in a bad mood.” I sat on the sofa, trimming flower branches, not looking up. When I left work on Friday, it suddenly poured rain. As I stepped out of the office building, I saw Michael’s car parked by the roadside, its hazard lights flashing in the downpour. He wasn’t carrying an umbrella; he clutched a brown paper bag and hurried towards me. The rain drenched his hair and shoulders, his suit clinging to him, making him look a bit disheveled. “Vivian!” He ran up to me, presenting the steaming paper bag like a treasure. “Freshly roasted chestnuts, from your favorite place. I queued for half an hour and kept them warm in my coat. They’re still hot.” I looked at his rain-streaked face, momentarily lost in thought. Ten years ago, we were like this too. We had just started our business, broke as can be. I worked late into the night, and he would wait downstairs for me, holding a bag of hot chestnuts just like this. Back then, we couldn’t even afford a car; we’d squeeze onto a second-hand electric scooter, sharing a bag of chestnuts. Though it was cold, our hearts were warm. Whenever I was upset, he would use this trick to comfort me. And I would always soften. “Get in quickly, don’t catch a cold.” Michael shielded my head with one hand, pulling open the car door with the other. The heater in the car was on full blast. He took a towel and gently wiped the raindrops from my hair. “Darling, try one. I specifically peeled it for you.” He offered me a golden chestnut. I took the chestnut but didn’t eat it. Using the interior reading light, my gaze fell on his hand, which he had just pulled back. Clamped between the index finger and thumb of his left hand was a single orange cat hair. Our Muffin is white. And in Michael’s office that day, the cat Jasmine was holding was an orange tabby. “Husband.” I squeezed the chestnut, my voice very soft. “You have another cat outside.” Michael, about to start the car, his hand suddenly jerked, almost dropping the keys. “Vivian, what are you talking about? Muffin is the only cat I have…” I raised my hand, holding up the orange cat hair I had pinched between my fingers, right in front of his eyes. “You’re truly disgusting.” Michael stared at the hair, his pupils constricting violently. He frantically grabbed a tissue to wipe his hand, rubbing so hard his skin turned red. “This… this is that… oh, right! I remember now!” He stammered an explanation. “When I was buying chestnuts just now, there was a stray cat by the roadside. I felt sorry for it and gave it some food. It must have gotten on me then. Vivian, you know I’m a clean freak. How could I possibly keep another cat? I’m going to wash my hands! I’m going to wash my hands right now!” He pushed open the car door, rushed into the rain, and ran to a public water tap by the roadside, furiously scrubbing his hands. His spare phone lay on the passenger seat. The screen lit up. A message popped up. The sender was labeled “Service Provider.” [The cage is rented. Your stray cat is too much trouble. The new cage cost tens of thousands. Bro, you owe me for this!] I looked at the line of text and smiled. Stray cat. Cage. Rental. Michael, you’re calling Jasmine a stray cat, and disguising your secret lover as a rented cage. Do you think this is still ten years ago, and I’m still that fool who could be placated with just a bag of chestnuts? It’s time for a clean break. I called my lawyer.

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