Category: English

When my biological parents came to take me home, I looked reluctant. “I’ve heard that real daughters never win against the fake ones and end up suffering terribly. I’d rather not go back.” Hearing this, they rushed to comfort me. “Don’t be silly, Veronica is so gentle and kind. You’re sure to get along wonderfully with her.” I nodded, then pulled out my phone. “To prevent her from harming me, you need to understand the tricks fake daughters use. Here are a hundred web series about fake daughters causing trouble. Once you’ve watched them, I’ll come home with you.” After watching all hundred episodes, Mom and Dad were astounded. “Those are just made-up stories. Veronica would never act like that.” I remained noncommittal, pulling out an agreement. “Then sign this. Every time I’m harmed, you’ll have to compensate me. $5,000 for false accusations, $10,000 for minor injuries, and serious injuries we’ll negotiate.” Mom and Dad were convinced I was overthinking it and signed without hesitation. But they were quickly proven wrong. Less than half an hour after I arrived home, Veronica announced her necklace was missing. Her eyes were red, as if I had truly wronged her. “Eleanor, that platinum necklace was a birthday gift from Mom and Dad! Please give it back to me! I know you’re their real daughter, you can take anything else you want, just please give me back the necklace…” Mom and Dad immediately frowned, looking ready to grill me. I pulled out my phone with a straight face, opened one of the web series, and handed it to them. “See, the plot where someone frames another for theft is right here.” They froze, swallowing the accusations they were about to make, forcing awkward smiles. “Veronica, look again. Eleanor wouldn’t take your things.” Veronica looked genuinely stunned, probably not expecting Mom and Dad to side with me. “Are you all saying I’m lying? I get it now. Eleanor is back, so you don’t want me anymore. Why should I even stay here?” She sprang up abruptly and bolted for the door. I swiped through the clip. “Pretending to run away from home—that’s in here too.” Veronica froze, then burst into even louder sobs, vanishing into the night. “Veronica! It’s dangerous outside, come back!” Dad panicked and chased after her, even losing a shoe. Mom’s eyes welled up, and she couldn’t help but scold me. “Veronica is… you two are both my darlings, can’t you be a little nicer to her?” I felt confused. “She’s the one not being nice to me. She said I stole her necklace…” Before I could finish, Mom cut me off. “Veronica feels insecure right now. As the older one, you need to be more understanding and tolerant.” “Are you implying I should just take the blame for stealing?” Mom sighed. “Regardless, when she comes back, just apologize to her. She’s never experienced such unfairness growing up; I don’t know how upset she must be.” “Plenty of these shows have plots where the innocent one has to apologize to the wrongdoer.” Mom’s expression stiffened, and she didn’t dare say another word. I didn’t forget the agreement, silently opening my payment app. “$5,000 for false accusation. Please transfer the payment.”

I heard Dad found Veronica under a bridge. She was drenched from the heavy rain, her face deathly pale. After Dad carried her back, she threw herself onto the bed, thrashing and wailing. “Leave me alone! You all love Eleanor and don’t love me anymore…” Mom’s heart ached, and she burst into tears, quickly wrapping Veronica in a large towel, coaxing her in a hushed tone to change clothes. Dad kept checking her forehead, worried she might have a fever. “Veronica, sweetie, stop fussing. What’s a necklace worth? I’ll get you a whole diamond set, okay?” “No matter if Eleanor is here or not, you’ll always be Mom and Dad’s precious darling.” Hearing this, Veronica burst into tears. “Don’t lie to me…” Mom hugged her tightly, also crying uncontrollably. I understood then. So, those web series actually got it right. When there’s favoritism, blood ties don’t mean much. Luckily, I was prepared, otherwise, I don’t know how heartbroken I would have been. Dad saw me sitting quietly by myself, not showing any intention to help, and his face darkened as he snapped. “We’re a family! Are you just going to watch Veronica suffer like this?” I shrugged. “What do you want me to do?” “Go to the kitchen and bring the hot herbal tea the housekeeper brewed.” It was a small task, just doing a good deed. I went to the kitchen without a word and brought the herbal tea to Veronica’s lips. She was about to take a sip when, out of Mom and Dad’s sight, she shot me a defiant glare. Oh, here we go. Classic fake daughter move from those shows, right on cue. I remained calm, wanting to see what Veronica was planning. Sure enough, she nudged the bowl’s rim with her index finger, and the steaming hot tea splashed all over her. “It’s so hot! You burned me! Eleanor, you…” Veronica’s face showed a mix of shock and pain, as if in disbelief. Dad rushed over and shoved me aside. “Eleanor! Are you out of your mind? How could you do that to Veronica!” I slammed into the corner unexpectedly, and a huge bump quickly formed on my forehead. He looked like he wanted to hit me again, but Mom quickly grabbed his arm, her tone stern. “Eleanor, you really messed up. Apologize to Veronica!” I didn’t say a word. Instead, I pulled up a video clip, fast-forwarding to a scene where the fake daughter plays innocent to stir up trouble between the parents and the real one. “You watched it, and you already forgot? Your memory is terrible.” “This…” Mom and Dad exchanged glances, not daring to mention an apology again. They were busy getting burn cream and new pajamas for Veronica, and no one noticed the red, swollen bump on my forehead. After they finished fussing, my payment app pinged with another $10,000. Perfect. On my first day home, I’d already collected $15,000.

Feeling guilty about what happened, Mom and Dad showered me with concern for the next three days. Veronica also seemed like a changed person, calling me Eleanor this and Eleanor that, treating me incredibly well. Mom and Dad praised her with relief: “Veronica has matured. This is our good child.” Given her excellent behavior, Mom and Dad bought her a pile of luxury goods. On the fourth day, my younger brother, Sam, returned from his school trip. He excitedly showed off the gifts he’d bought for everyone. “Dad’s lighter, Mom’s perfume, Veronica’s silk scarf—I remembered what you all liked!” Everyone received beautifully wrapped gifts, except for me. Seeing the four of them happily together, I discreetly prepared to go back to my room. It was only when Mom noticed me leaving that she gasped: “Sam, didn’t you buy Eleanor a gift?” Sam pouted, “I only have Veronica.” Just then, Grandpa George, who had just walked in, heard this, and his blood pressure shot through the roof. The old man, who valued blood ties above all else, grabbed Sam’s ear. “You brat! Who taught you to talk like that? Eleanor is your real sister! Veronica was just raised here out of convenience; she’s an outsider! You don’t know who’s family? I’ll beat you!” The word “outsider” deeply stung Veronica. She didn’t dare argue with Grandpa George, only glaring at me, her eyes filled with resentment and hatred. Sam cried loudly from the pain. “I don’t know what an ‘outsider’ is, I only acknowledge Veronica!” Grandpa George twisted his ear even harder. Hearing their son’s ear-splitting cries, Mom and Dad were heartbroken, desperately begging Grandpa George to let go. “Please calm down, we’ll educate Sam properly…” “Hmph!” Grandpa George also couldn’t bear to let him cry further. He pulled me to the sofa. Looking around, he quickly figured out what was going on. “You’re the only one without a gift? Good, good, how could you do such a thing? Eleanor, I’ve got your back! The Sterling family’s heirloom jewelry? I’m only leaving it to you. No one else gets a share!” Veronica’s face crumpled in a show of hurt, tears welling in her eyes. Mom cautiously spoke up. “Veronica, shouldn’t she also…” Grandpa George refused decisively. “My possessions are only for members of the Sterling family. Some people have impure hearts; it’s better to send them away early.” Even with all her brazenness, Veronica couldn’t stay. She ran back to her room, tears streaming down her face. Dad blamed Grandpa George: “You spoke too harshly. I watched Veronica grow up; I know what kind of person she is better than you do.” “Idiot!” Grandpa George sneered. “How did I ever raise such a fool like you?”

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I Died in an Extreme Heatwave My husband locked the basement door, his mistress standing behind him. And my own son sealed the last air vent with his own hands. I woke up reborn, seven days before the apocalypse. He forced me to sign the divorce papers. This time, I didn’t fight for a thing. I just took all the water, all the food, every means of survival. —and watched them devour each other in hell. After dying from dehydration during the heatwave, I returned to the day my husband asked for a divorce. “Olivia is pregnant! I’m warning you, stop clinging!” Daniel shouted at me, his spit flying. His childhood sweetheart, Olivia, hid behind him, offering candies to my son. As I felt the cool air from the air conditioning, the suffocating sensation of being burned alive during the heatwave dissipated. I took deep breaths of fresh air. Looking at Daniel’s menacing face, I suppressed my growing hatred and agreed to the divorce without hesitation. He was taken aback, not expecting me to relent so easily, and looked at me suspiciously: “Really? You’re not planning anything, are you?” I glanced at the calendar on my phone—only seven days until the heat apocalypse. Time was short. “We either go to City Hall now, or I walk away. Your choice, Daniel.” My son, with a disdainful look, urged: “Who cares if she’s planning something? This old woman isn’t fit to be my mom!” “You need to divorce her so I can recognize Olivia as my mom!” Olivia gave Daniel a shy, coy look. Daniel shivered and eagerly drove us to City Hall. On the way, Daniel was grinning foolishly, while my son didn’t even glance at me, nestled in Olivia’s arms, full of attachment. I fought the urge to drive the car off the overpass with the three of them inside. In the last life, when the heatwave hit, Daniel and Olivia locked me in the basement, leaving me to suffer and die from the heat. This time, I swore they would pay for their blood debts.

When dividing the assets, I only took my savings card, which had 400,000 yuan. Daniel couldn’t help but boast, “Look how good I am to you. You’ve freeloaded for so many years, and I never asked for rent.” Internally, I was full of scorn, controlling the urge to slap him. “Since you were so sensible and agreed to divorce, I’ll give you an extra 100,000, so you don’t end up scavenging on the streets.” I gladly accepted the 100,000 yuan Daniel transferred. You can have issues with fools, but never with money. Besides, I knew Daniel was quite wealthy now. Three days ago, he won a thirty million lottery prize. He wanted to live with Olivia before claiming the prize, so he schemed to divorce me. In my past life, I had no idea. I thought I had a decent husband and a third-grade son, so I tried to protect my family as much as possible. Until I saw Olivia posting intimate photos with Daniel on my Snapchat feed, with the caption: “After years apart, after life’s twists and turns, it’s still you.” Daniel’s smiling face in the photo was a stark contrast to his usual impatient demeanor. I thought of how the whole family treated me after Olivia returned: Daniel mocked me for always asking for money and having no self-respect. My elementary school son despised me for not letting him play video games or eat snacks, calling me a “bad woman.” In the previous life, I rushed to the scene, gave Olivia a slap, and called her a “homewrecking sl*t,” only to be locked in the basement by them. One slap couldn’t make up for the pain of being roasted alive! I wanted them to die a hundred, a thousand times more painfully than I did! After leaving City Hall, I watched as my son jumped into Olivia’s arms. Daniel joyfully led them both away, the family of three laughing like they were on top of the world. Laugh now, but soon you won’t be able to.

Back home, I immediately began planning how to purchase supplies to protect myself. Halfway through my plan, Daniel returned with our son. Seeing his smug, satisfied expression, I guessed he had claimed the thirty million. I couldn’t be bothered to deal with the two of them and continued drawing and writing on my tablet. My son ran over, shouting, “I want to go to Miami with Dad. Hurry up and pack our things!” “I’m not your nanny. Find someone else to do it.” My son angrily threw a water cup at me, “You’re my mom; you have to do everything for me! Or I’ll have Dad hit you.” The shattered glass cut my leg. Looking at my son’s righteous expression, I felt like killing this little brat. Before having him, I was a high-ranking executive. But because he couldn’t be left alone, I became a stay-at-home mom for ten years. In the last life, when the heatwave hit, they lived comfortably off the resources I stockpiled, while I was left to die in the basement. I begged my son for a way out. But to please Olivia, he blocked the basement vent, letting me pass out. I didn’t die instantly. I watched them take a cleaver to me, heard them greedily shout: “Get a bowl to catch it! We can drink the blood!” “She’s over 100 pounds, enough for us to drink for a while!” My son jumped first to bite into my vein. Take a step back, and the sea will be vast. But the more I endured, the angrier I got. I slapped my son, swelling his cheek. He tried to bite me, yelling for me to go back to the countryside. I glanced at Daniel, who was watching the drama, and calmly said: “If you don’t control the kid, I won’t get the marriage certificate in thirty days.” Only then did Daniel intervene, “You gave birth to him. What’s wrong with packing his clothes?” “Did I reproduce asexually?” Daniel couldn’t out-argue me, so he awkwardly packed some short sleeves and shorts, dragging our son, who made faces at me, out the door. He pretended to be affectionate, asking me to stay for a while. I didn’t agree. The city apartment would soon lose water and power in the apocalypse, not only becoming useless but also making us targets for neighbors. This time, let it be the Smith family’s grave!

Once Daniel and my son left, I wasted no time rummaging through the basement. During the three special years, I developed a habit of hoarding supplies. I had stored quite a bit of food in the basement. This time, I’m taking everything! Twenty cases of bottled water? In the heatwave, water is most precious—must take! Seven bags of rice, flour, and oil? I went through hell to get these into the basement, so I’m taking them home! The vegetables growing on the balcony? They’re my hard work; no way I’m leaving them for those jerks! Light summer clothes and quilts…wear clothes and cover with quilts in the heat? I packed them into the donation box downstairs, leaving only long sleeves and thick quilts for the Smiths. I also picked up a hammer from the toolbox and gave the air conditioner a few whacks. The already-broken unit let out a few whimpers. I hope the three of them have good endurance, wearing long sleeves at 149 degrees Fahrenheit, with nothing to eat or drink, and still thrive. While emptying the house, I spotted the familiar cleaver. My son loves meat, so I used it to chop bones. But in the past life, it became the tool they used to dismember me and drink my blood. After a moment’s pause, I took it from the cabinet and placed it on the counter. Finally, I looked around the seemingly unchanged house, now empty of supplies. I ordered several surveillance cameras, installing them in hidden spots. Once everything was done, it was past 2 PM. I didn’t care about the heat outside and quickly drove back to my hometown with my things. I’m an orphan. My parents died when I was in high school, leaving me a plot of land. The villagers were kind, pooling together to support me through college. Before giving birth, I worked hard despite Daniel’s objections, building a three-story villa in my hometown. On the day it was completed, I went door-to-door, bowing and repaying the money. When the foundation was laid, most villagers helped. They used the best materials and installed eight solar panels. To avoid potential wild animals from the mountains, they even set up an electric fence around the house. Afraid I’d neglect it for long periods, the villagers planted vegetables and dug a well, maintaining it often. Even though it was 95 degrees Fahrenheit, I stood in the garden full of fruits, laughing out loud. Thanks to my stubbornness back then, this well-equipped countryside villa by the mountains is my strongest support against the heat apocalypse and my hope for rescuing villagers. With a week left until the apocalypse, I began checking the villa’s hardware. I contacted workers to install a water filtration system and bought several home-use large batteries and power banks. Even if the solar panels broke, I could manage with self-generated power. Enough cooling sources were needed. Though the house came with a complete ventilation system, I bought seven or eight stand fans, pairing them with humidifiers to ensure comfort during the apocalypse. With just a week left until the apocalypse, I began assessing the condition of my cottage’s hardware. I reached out to workers to set up a water filtration system and purchased several large home batteries and power banks. This way, even if the solar panels fail, I can still rely on alternative power sources. I also need sufficient cooling options. Although my house is equipped with a complete ventilation AC system, I wasn’t completely reassured, so I bought seven or eight stand fans and matching humidifiers to ensure I can stay cool even after the world ends. The home freezers weren’t enough. I bought an entire row of commercial freezers from the shelves, placing three on each floor of the basement. Thankfully, my house is spacious enough, so storing all this equipment didn’t make it feel cramped. After reviewing my home’s layout, I ordered five extra-large water barrels, four home fish tanks, a row of breeding cages, and a set of indoor gardening tools. I arranged for the workers to deliver these the next day. After purchasing all these items, I found myself out of money. I didn’t hesitate and quickly downloaded loan apps on my phone, borrowing nearly a million from them. By the time the water filtration system was installed, it was already late at night. I hastily ate a meal and lay in bed to rest, preparing for the challenges ahead. The next day, I started stocking up on essentials. Not knowing how long the extreme heat apocalypse would last, I bought items focusing on quantity rather than cost.

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After landing a huge project for the company, I received a ring from my boyfriend. Excited, I posted it on Ins, thinking he was finally going to make our relationship official. But then, his newly hired assistant slapped me, sending my workstation crashing down. “You’re a director, for crying out loud! Stealing a gift my husband gave me? Have some shame!” My boyfriend didn’t just stand there; he agreed, saying I was unworthy of the position. Right there, in front of everyone, he announced that his assistant would take over the big project I’d just secured. That’s when it hit me. He wasn’t going to make us official. It was her. Suddenly, everyone in the office was holding up their phones, enjoying the drama. But I wasn’t angry. Instead, I just smiled, pushing my ID badge into the assistant’s hands. “Oh, so you’re the CEO’s secret weapon, his capable lady? Consider this director position my apology gift. May you two live a long, happy life together.” My colleagues stared, shocked by my bizarre behavior. Liam, my closest co-worker, grabbed my arm, whispering, “Don’t be impulsive, Harper. A lost project is just a lost project; we can land another.” But he didn’t know the full story. I wasn’t being impulsive at all. Yesterday, walking past Julian’s office, I’d overheard his assistant, Chloe, clinging to him. “Julian, I want to make something of myself. Give me this new project you’ve landed. I promise I’ll do a great job and make you proud.” Back then, I just brushed it off. Julian and I had been in a secret relationship for seven years. I’d turned down offers from big corporations to help him build this company from the ground up. I’d secured ninety percent of all the company’s projects. He knew better than anyone how tough the journey had been, and he was always so principled. There was no way he’d ever mess with something as important as a project. Plus, he absolutely despised opportunists, having had a project stolen from him by a suck-up once before. So, when I saw the ring Julian gave me today, I thought he’d finally realized I was the best for him, that he was ready to settle down and marry me. I never expected Chloe to twist the narrative, painting me as a thief and completely humiliating me. And I certainly didn’t expect Julian to abandon all his principles for Chloe, who’d only been working here for a few months. If that’s how it was, there was nothing left for me in this dump of a company. Julian still had no idea I’d seen through their childish little scheme. He probably thought I was just jealous. He frowned at me. “What’s with the snarky comments?” Ever since Chloe showed up, he’d looked at me with this strange prejudice. This time, I didn’t waste my breath. I simply said, “Don’t overthink it, Julian. I really did give it to her.” Both him, and the job. I gave them both to her. I wasn’t planning on sticking around, but just as I was about to leave, Julian, his face cold, dragged me into his office. The office wasn’t big, and the walls weren’t soundproof. The moment he closed the door, the employees outside, eager for more drama, started buttering up Chloe, chatting excitedly about when she and Julian would get married and have kids. Chloe, feigning shyness, replied, “That depends on Julian. He hasn’t officially proposed yet.” She was playing the part of his official girlfriend perfectly, and with Julian’s silent approval, everyone believed her. Julian, hearing this, paused mid-pour with a glass of water. A flicker of guilt crossed his face. He usually acted so dominant, but now, he softened his tone, a rare occurrence, and tried to explain. “Chloe’s just a kid; she doesn’t know any better. She probably said that just for fun. Don’t take it to heart.” “She has relatives at the client company. We wouldn’t have landed this project if it weren’t for her.” I shot him a withering look. Unbelievable! Thunder Corporation, our client, had a professional tech department. They didn’t need outsourcing, which was why they’d initially rejected our collaboration. It was me who wouldn’t give up. I begged and pleaded, sending thoughtful gifts, just to get a meeting with their representative. He generously gave me thirty seconds, and I seized that opportunity to pitch our product. Seeing my expertise, he tried to poach me with a high salary. When that didn’t work, he finally agreed to work with us. I’d pulled all-nighters, traveled everywhere for this project, and he saw none of it. Chloe made one casual remark, and he believed her. If he’d used even a tiny bit of common sense, he’d realize that if Chloe truly had such powerful connections, she wouldn’t be working as an assistant in this small, struggling company. Or maybe he knew all along and was just pretending to be naive. Seeing my prolonged silence, Julian looked down for a moment, then stood up to make me a cup of coffee. He leaned close to my ear, whispering, “It’s all an act with her. You’re the only one I’ll ever marry.” In the past, whenever we fought, his soft voice and promises would always make me forgive him, no matter what. So, he probably thought it would be the same this time. He waved his hand dismissively. “Just go back to work. I’ve got the project covered.” But what he didn’t know was, I didn’t want him anymore. I scraped my chair back and stood up. “No need to go through all that trouble. I’m leaving.” With that, I pulled out a resignation form, filled it out quickly, and without a moment’s hesitation, turned and walked out of the office.

Seeing me go, Chloe rushed to block my path, feigning distress. “Harper, I know you’re an industry expert. You’re right, I don’t deserve this Head of Tech position. Here, take it back.” She grabbed the ID badge and tried to shove it into my hands. I simply pushed her away gently, but she stumbled backward, knocking over a chair and sending a computer crashing to the floor, startling everyone. Chloe got up, brushing off the concerned colleagues with a dismissive wave, saying she was fine. Julian, disturbed by the commotion, sprinted over. After making sure Chloe was okay, he glared at me, a frown on his face. “Harper, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re an old employee.” Hearing him, my colleagues, who’d been watching, immediately chimed in. “That’s right, Harper. Change is good for the company. You shouldn’t bully new people just because you’ve been here a long time.” And the worst of it came from Leo, my apprentice, whom I’d personally mentored. “So what if you’ve landed a few projects? You think you’re the boss now?” “Are you addicted to forming cliques? You even look down on a genius like Chloe?” We’d worked together for years. I was the top salesperson. Everyone used to greet me respectfully. Now, they were all staring at me with schadenfreude, practically wishing me gone. Whatever. Let them say what they want. I wasn’t sticking around to entertain them. I walked out of the company without a word. Julian jogged after me. Once we were away from prying eyes, he rubbed his forehead and said, “You’ve just been too stressed lately. I’ll approve some time off for you. Take a break.” “Today is our seven-year anniversary. Wait for me at home, I’ve got a surprise planned.” Just as he finished speaking, the elevator arrived. I stepped in without saying a word. Back home, I made myself something to eat. I didn’t wait for him specifically, and he didn’t come back until it was dark. I put on my shoes, got ready to meet the client representative, but on my way, I bumped into a colleague. This guy, somewhat slow on the uptake, hadn’t distanced himself from me like the others. He greeted me warmly. “Harper, are you going to the promotion party Julian is throwing for Chloe? Let’s go together, we can split the ride fare!” He happily mumbled about not having to squeeze onto the subway, but I shook my head. “No.” He looked at me awkwardly. “Julian didn’t invite you?” I nodded curtly and walked away. I faintly heard him grumbling, “Julian always plays favorites,” but I didn’t look back. He didn’t play favorites. He just favored Chloe. He’d do anything for Chloe, and breaking plans with me wasn’t new. Once, when I was hospitalized with pneumonia, he said he’d come visit after his meeting. I waited until dawn, but he only arrived late, claiming he was working late, when in reality, he was with Chloe, watching a movie. Another time, we’d planned a couple’s photoshoot. I waited in my dress until the studio closed, and he showed up leisurely, claiming he was delayed by work, but he was actually taking Chloe shopping for new clothes. The list of such incidents was endless. Every time I questioned him, he’d act like “work is most important” and scold me. This kind of relationship was exhausting. At the coffee shop, the client representative looked at the progress report I handed in and exclaimed, “Harper, are you really not considering a jump? I could offer you ten times your salary.” This time, I didn’t refuse. The client representative happily told me we could negotiate any terms. After discussing the benefits package, I returned home. Julian was already sitting on the sofa, waiting for me with takeout. He’d stood me up again. Usually, he’d offer a million excuses, but this time he said nothing. After a moment of silence, he pushed the container towards me. “You must be tired today, too. Don’t bother cooking. Just heat this up; it’s still good.” I glanced down. Inside the plastic container, various dishes were piled together without any aesthetic appeal—some stir-fried, some boiled, and even a soggy piece of what looked like day-old cake floating in soup. Clearly, it was just leftovers, haphazardly packed. He didn’t even bother separating them, just crammed them into one big container. The sight alone was nauseating. I waved him off. “No thanks, I’ve already eaten.” Julian looked at me deeply. Usually so cold, he now reached out, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’m sorry. She just got promoted, and as her boss, I had to acknowledge it somehow.” “I know you felt wronged today. Let’s go register our marriage this weekend.” I scoffed internally. He made it sound so good. When I was promoted to director, I excitedly offered to host my own promotion party. But I waited anxiously in the private room, the waiters reheated the food five times, and not a single colleague dared to show up until the restaurant closed. I sent message after message, but they all went unanswered. A kind colleague discreetly asked if I’d somehow offended the CEO. I was baffled at the time, only finding out later. While I was out of the office, he’d coldly reprimanded every colleague who said they were coming to my party. “Do you have too little work? Are you just idling around?” “All you do is think about eating, drinking, and having fun? Is this company paying you wastes to sit around? You might as well just quit!” The memory made me pull his restless hand from my waist. I spoke coldly. “No need. Julian, we’re done.”

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Julian gasped, his suppressed emotions finally exploding. “I did all this for the company’s development! Other girlfriends would be thrilled, why can’t you get it, Harper?” I ignored his twisted logic. He, however, continued to ramble on, as usual, about the importance of the company’s growth, promising me a place once the company went public. My ears were bleeding from his lectures. I raised a hand to cut him off. “No need. I’m packing my things and leaving right now.” Julian had wielded his authority as a boss for so many years; this was the first time he’d ever been interrupted. His face flushed with anger. He glared at me for a long time before snorting. “Fine! Then I’ll leave!” He slammed the door shut as he left. I didn’t chase after him. I quietly packed my belongings. The client had arranged a free, luxurious single staff apartment for me, ready for immediate move-in. Just as I finished packing and called the moving company, I coincidentally saw Chloe dropping Julian off at his place. They were walking hand-in-hand, laughing and chatting. Julian had shed his usual cold, distant CEO persona, looking down at Chloe with utmost tenderness, completely smitten. Chloe noticed me first and deliberately squeezed his hand tighter. Julian sensed something was off, followed her gaze, and quickly released her hand. He walked towards me, instinctively starting to explain, but when he saw me loading my things into the car, he paused, then changed his question. “It’s so late. Where are you going?” Was he blind? Didn’t he see the huge “Moving Company” logo on the truck? I was about to continue moving my stuff. But Julian blocked my path and suddenly shoved a bag of clothes he was carrying into my hands. Seeing me unresponsive, he pulled out a shirt and held it up against me. “I know you’ve been busy and haven’t had time to shop. I just picked this up for you when I passed by the mall.” For me? This designer shirt was clearly not my size. A receipt peeking out from the bag showed Julian’s credit card number and a price of over ten thousand dollars. He hadn’t “just picked it up for me.” He’d specifically taken Chloe to the store to choose it! He sure was generous. Just two days ago, I bought a two-hundred-dollar shirt and asked him if it looked good. He coldly lectured me for over an hour, calling me wasteful, rambling about how hard it was to make money, and saying that strong ability was more important than fancy clothes. And now? Now making money was easy, huh? My hands in my pockets, I looked at them coldly. “No thanks. As they say, ‘clothes make the man, saddles make the horse, and a bell makes a dog run happily.’ Keep such expensive clothes for Director Chloe.” Chloe, who had been holding the clothes, froze for a moment. When she realized what I’d said, she furiously threw the clothes down. “How dare you insult me?” Her eyes red, she glared at me, charging forward to strike. I didn’t move. One slap sent her sprawling to the ground. “Not just that. I dare to hit you, too.” Chloe’s slender limbs were like matchsticks. The only reason she’d managed to hit me earlier was because I was caught off guard. Now, I’d returned the favor. Julian cried out, clutching Chloe protectively in his arms. “Harper! Let’s talk this out! Why would you hit her?” “If you want to leave, then leave! Don’t you dare come back!” He didn’t need to say it. I wasn’t planning on coming back. I turned and got into the moving truck, speeding off towards my new life.

After leaving, I joined Thunder Corporation directly, entrusted with a vital role. Stepping into Julian’s company again, this time as the client, I was welcomed by the receptionist. As I reached the office area, I saw Chloe, wearing the director’s ID badge, bustling between employee workstations, looking very important. “Make this logo a bit bigger, but also a bit smaller at the same time.” “I told you to adjust the black, but not pure black. I meant that iridescent black, like a raven’s wing.” “After looking at everything, the first version is still better overall. But I like the font from the seventh version, and the color from the sixteenth… Finish it today and send it to me.” The workstations were filled with resentment. Someone couldn’t help but talk back. “This design was already approved by the client. The main problem now is program stability.” Chloe snorted. “The client is just a nouveau riche. What does he know about true art?” “I’m the director, you listen to me. With my superior aesthetic, the client will definitely be satisfied, and maybe even happy enough to give us more money.” Please! Their company was developing a new system to provide convenience for users, not to host an online art exhibition! And besides, with those garish, hard-to-read fonts, were they trying to boost business for eye doctors? The fact that Chloe, with her level of competence, was given such importance explained why the company’s performance was plummeting. The program crashed as soon as it ran, and the quality was a total joke. Some colleagues noticed me. Their former hostile gazes had turned into pleading looks. As for Leo, my apprentice who’d spoken such harsh words, he’d already been kicked out of the core creative team, relegated to buying coffee and running errands with his own money. Chloe glanced at me with disdain. “I guess I’ll have to suggest to Julian that we add a security position. Otherwise, any riff-raff can just walk into the company.” Mia, the receptionist, bowed slightly, about to remind her to watch her words, that I was here representing the client. The next second, Julian strode past me, his leather shoes clicking. Assuming I was here to apologize, he scoffed. “Well, well! If it isn’t Director Harper! Realized it’s hard to find work out there, did you? Thinking of coming back?” Chloe snickered, feigning kindness. “I think highly of Harper’s abilities. I believe we could give her a manager position. If she works hard under me, she’ll surely achieve something great soon enough.” Julian crossed his arms, looking at me with contempt. “Manager? She doesn’t deserve it!” “Coming back isn’t impossible, but she’ll have to start from scratch as a basic employee, with half the salary and all performance bonuses cut.” The other colleagues gasped, quickly distancing themselves from me, afraid of catching bad luck. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Julian still had no idea that I’d transformed into his client, no longer the obedient tag-along he could order around. Julian raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s so funny?” I quietly pulled a contract from my briefcase and slapped it onto the desk. “Let’s reintroduce ourselves. I am Harper James, Head of Technology at Thunder Corporation.” “And I’m here to inform you…” “Project suspended. Contract terminated!”

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At the reunion, they thought I was a disposable wife— poor background, no backing, easy to bully. My husband had the divorce papers ready. His mistress brought money, threats, and hired men. Everyone waited for me to collapse. I simply made one phone call. During the Christmas break, my husband insisted that I accompany him to a class reunion. By the time we arrived at the hotel, most of the classmates were already there. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, making our humble domestic car seem rather out of place. As we approached the entrance, I overheard some derogatory comments, “I just don’t get it. Back in school, Lucas was quite the big shot, how did he end up with someone like Evelyn…” Although the conversation cut off abruptly, the dismissive tone was unmistakable. In the face of such provocation, my husband, who should have stood up for me, was all smiles, chatting with classmates as though I wasn’t even there. After the banquet, the former campus beauty slowly approached and took my husband’s Grantd. “Evelyn, I’m quite interested in your husband. Would you let him go? You can set any condition.” I laughed instead of getting angry. “You might want to rethink that—divorcing me isn’t without consequences.” “Oh wow, you’ve become quite eloquent over the years.” “The money is a token of appreciation for taking care of Lucas all these years, think of it as compensation.” “Do you really think you can threaten me with talk of jail? Do you know my standing in New York?” Just as I was about to respond, I saw my husband pulling the campus beauty into an embrace. “Qingqing, just take the money; it’s better for everyone.” Watching them hold Grantds, a cold laugh escaped me. “So, you two have been planning this for a while, huh?” Lucas had been calling me repeatedly, urging me to attend today’s reunion. Now I see they planned to make me publicly agree to a divorce. No wonder he hasn’t been close to me since our marriage; he had someone else in mind. As soon as I finished speaking, Lucas’s expression cGrantged. “What nonsense! Vivian and I are truly in love!” “If she hadn’t been forced to study abroad back then, we’d be together now.” I was utterly shocked by his words. Everyone at school knew she dumped Lucas, and now it’s a mutual love story? I don’t know why they got back together, but at this moment, Lucas is still legally my husband. I couldn’t swallow this insult. “Lucas, do you realize how serious infidelity in marriage is?” I spoke while looking him straight in the eye, but he couldn’t meet my gaze. Then, the beauty threw herself onto him, looking pitiful, and said: “Stop with the nonsense. You’re just unhappy because the money isn’t enough.” “Name your price. I’m not short on cash!” Facing such a once-glamorous but now somewhat plump campus beauty, I felt like I was watching a joke. “Vivian, let me remind you, if Lucas agrees to a divorce today, you both will be facing legal consequences.” Before I finished, Lucas anxiously said, “Stop with the scare tactics. What could you possibly do to us?” “Since marrying you, we barely met, who knows what you’ve been up to.” “To be honest, if you hadn’t pursued me back then, don’t expect a penny.” If not for his unique status, I’d have slapped him. Lucas’s words drew laughter from the crowd. “See? It’s always said that your abilities determine your partner. A woman like Evelyn, lacking background and presence, is destined to lose her husband.” “Right? Dressed so plainly, how dare she show up here.” “When it comes to wealth and influence, the Vivian family’s daughter is generous with money and has strong backing.” Everyone was flattering the former beauty, and no one stood up for me. To them, I was just a clown for their amusement. Such friends and reunions—better to avoid them.

Ignoring their sneers, I intended to leave. But before I could stand, a Grantd pressed on my shoulder. “Trying to leave? Did you get my permission?” Vivian looked at me with a smug smile and disdain in her eyes. “Evelyn, you have two choices today: take the money and divorce, or I’ll beat you until you do.” “Think carefully and choose one.” Hearing Vivian’s words, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you sure you want me to choose?” Vivian, still not realizing the trouble she was in, remained smug. “Of course, as long as you divorce your husband, I promise you’ll have a good life afterward.” Suppressing the anger within, I said slowly: “I can divorce Lucas, and I don’t want the money, but…” I paused deliberately. “You must first let me make a call because the divorce isn’t solely my decision.” Vivian laughed heartily after hearing me. “Evelyn, you really think you’re someone important, don’t you? Giving you the choice was a courtesy, not a negotiation.” “No matter who you call, you must divorce today, understand?” I detected the threat in her tone but didn’t care, finding it almost amusing. “I’ve already said, I agree to divorce Lucas.” “But this needs approval from higher-ups; I can’t decide alone.” Vivian’s face cGrantged, ready to get rough, but Lucas stopped her. “Dear, we’re magnanimous, let’s not fuss over this.” “Let her make the call. My heart has long been set on you; nothing others say matters.” Lucas thought I was just stalling, looking very pleased with himself. I was about to argue back, but he continued: “Evelyn, don’t say I didn’t warn you, no matter who you call, I intend to divorce today.” I believed I was a good wife to Lucas after marriage. I Grantded over my monthly stipend without fail. He never worked or did chores, spending days shopping and playing mahjong. Despite being home only once a year, he was still unsatisfied. At this moment, my last bit of affection for him vanished completely. “Lucas, don’t flatter yourself, I never intended to persuade you, I just find it disgusting.” “But you and Vivian, I hope after this call, you won’t regret it.” “Because by then, no one will be able to save you.” I thought about giving her a friendly warning, but some people just don’t appreciate it. Like the campus beauty, Vivian. “Evelyn, you’re still putting on airs in front of me, who will regret it?” Vivian was about to continue, but I waved my Grantd to stop her. “Fine, your words are enough.” Then, I pulled out my phone and called my leader.

“Hello, sir, it’s Evelyn.” The person on the other end chuckled upon hearing my voice. “Evelyn? Why are you calling now?” “Sir, there’s a situation I need to report.” I briefly explained how Vivian was forcing me to divorce my husband at the reunion. As soon as I finished, I heard the sound of a glass shattering from the other end. “Who’s bold enough to force you into divorce?” Vivian grabbed the phone. “Listen up, I don’t care what your relationship with Evelyn is, I want her husband, and no one can stop me.” “You’d better mind your own business, or you’ll end up in trouble too!” The leader paused for a few seconds before speaking. “Are you the one forcing Evelyn to divorce?” Vivian, still unaware of who was on the other end, was as arrogant as ever. “That’s right, it’s me.” “Look around New York, anything Vivian wants, she gets.” “A man is nothing; he’s mine, who can stop me?” After saying that, she tossed the phone to the ground and stomped on it several times. It was my first time witnessing such audacity. “Now that you’ve made the call, fulfill your promise.” Lucas, holding Vivian with one Grantd, Grantded me a divorce agreement with the other. “I’ve got all the paperwork ready, just sign.” Looking at the stack of documents on the table confirmed my suspicions. Lucas had been cheating for a while. Facing someone like him, I had no mercy. I signed my name without hesitation and Grantded it back. Lucas looked at me in surprise. “Evelyn, what does this mean?” I looked up at him with a cold tone. “What? Isn’t this what you wanted all along?” “Now I’ve granted your wish, signed and stamped, and you’re blaming me?” “Sign it quickly, before Vivian loses interest in you too.” Lucas’s face turned red with anger. “Fine! I’ll sign, as if I’d miss you!” He immediately signed the divorce papers. Thus, our five-year marriage finally ended. I signed my name without a second thought and Grantded the papers back to him. Lucas looked at me, eyes wide. “Evelyn, what are you doing?” I met his gaze, my voice icy. “What do you mean? Wasn’t it you who wanted this divorce from the beginning?” “Now I’ve given you what you wanted—signed the papers and left my fingerprint—and you’re still blaming me.” “Just sign it already, so Vivian doesn’t leave you too.” Lucas flushed with anger. “Fine! I’ll sign it. It’s not like I care about you!” He signed the divorce agreement without hesitation. Our five-year marriage was finally over. Watching him sign, I felt no regret, only a weight lifted off my shoulders. “I’ve signed the papers, and now you’re free. Can I leave?” “Hold on!” Vivian blocked my way, grinning maliciously. “Now that the two of you are done, it’s time for us.” 0

Hearing Vivian, I narrowed my eyes. Her expression darkened. “You were the one who got me expelled from school, weren’t you?” “If it weren’t for you, my father wouldn’t have sent me abroad, and Lucas wouldn’t have been forced to marry you.” “Evelyn, did you know? I spent three whole years abroad, plotting revenge against that snitch, until Lucas told me the truth.” Vivian slammed her Grantd on the table. “Evelyn! I’ve waited for this day for so long!” Even as Vivian’s arrogance filled the room, I maintained a faint smile. “You’re right, I reported you.” “But I don’t think I was wrong. You were always causing trouble, fighting, even breaking someone’s leg.” “For people like you, I report every time without hesitation.” Vivian’s face twisted in rage. “I admire your arrogance.” “Evelyn, do you know why I called you back?” “This isn’t just a class reunion. I’m here for revenge.” Vivian snapped her fingers, and a dozen well-built men in black burst into the private booth. They looked ready for a fight. I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the table. “Vivian, this is your last cGrantce. Think it over.” “If you touch me today, you won’t be able to Grantdle the consequences.” “Even if you have the entire Harrington family backing you…” The sycopGrantts around us erupted in laughter. “Did you hear that? Evelyn thinks the Harrington family wouldn’t dare cross her.” “This is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. A nobody challenging the elite Harrington family from the capital!” My former classmates quickly took sides, verbally attacking me to curry favor with Vivian. Lucas joined in. “Evelyn, what are you shouting about? Look in the mirror and see what you’re like.” “Forget Vivian, anyone here could put you in your place.” I took a deep breath and slowly removed my wedding ring. “Lucas, from now on, we have nothing to do with each other.” “As for Vivian, she’ll pay for her actions today.” Vivian sneered. “You? Make me pay?” “I’m in charge here. Even if I beat you to death, no one would dare arrest me.” The crowd burst into laughter again. Seeing the familiar faces, I felt a profound sense of disappointment. Is this what they call classmate camaraderie? I was a top student, but I never felt superior. I always answered questions patiently. Now, all I get is mockery and disdain. They don’t deserve to be called “classmates”! Seeing me silent, Vivian thought I was afraid, becoming even more brazen. “Stupid woman, either kowtow and apologize in front of the class, and we’ll let it go.” “Or get your legs broken and crawl out.” My eyes turned cold. “Vivian, you’ve crossed the line too many times. Do you really think you’re untouchable?” Instead of backing down, Vivian got even more arrogant. “Look at the men behind me. Any one of them could knock you down.” “Quit pretending. Even if the king himself came, you’d still have to kneel!” Just then, the booth door opened, and a large man entered. Vivian quickly adjusted her clothes and greeted him with a fawning smile. “Mr. Carter, what brings you here?” Hearing her call him that, everyone turned pale. Lucas retreated to a corner. I remained seated, fingers tapping the table. Mr. Carter scanned the room, and everyone fell silent. He spoke slowly, “Whose Porsche is parked outside?” 0 Everyone turned to look at me. Vivian looked like she wanted to punch me. “Evelyn, are you deaf? Mr. Carter is talking to you! How can you sit there unmoving?”

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My fiancé took me to Las Vegas. I thought it was a vacation. A week later, I was locked in an underground casino, beaten bloody, and left behind to pay off his debt. He ran away with my foster sister. They thought I was finished. But when we met again, I kissed the casino’s owner— right in front of him. “Where’s that bitch? Bring her to me!” I cowered in the corner of the room, trembling. The locked door was being kicked in, one forceful blow after another. A week ago, I never would have imagined that the Las Vegas trip my fiancé planned would lead me to an underground casino. He and Vivian gambled recklessly day and night, but in the end, I was the one who suffered the consequences. With a loud crash, the door flew open. Several burly men in black clothes rushed in. I held up a lamp to shield myself, looking at them fearfully. “Please don’t come any closer. Ethan has gone to get money. He’ll pay off the debt soon!” The leader spat on the ground contemptuously. “Stop lying to me, girl. I fell for your trick last night, thinking they’d pay up if we kept you here. But that bastard ran off with his girlfriend!” “What? They abandoned me and ran away?” “Don’t play dumb. I bet you’re all in on this scheme together!” Cold sweat trickled down my forehead. The “bastard” their leader mentioned was my fiancé Ethan, and the woman who left with him was Vivian, my foster sister who had taken my place in the family for over a decade. They had actually conspired to leave me stranded here alone? “Boss, stop wasting time talking. Let’s teach this little bitch a lesson.” At the leader’s signal, several thugs surrounded me. With a flick of their wrists, they knocked the lamp out of my hands and roughly pinned me to the table. “Don’t touch me! Get away!” In my struggle, I accidentally kicked one of them in the shin. Immediately, a hand slapped me hard across the face. My cheek swelled instantly, and I tasted blood in my mouth. These men were brutal – if I didn’t think of something fast, I might actually die here! The leader approached me with a whip, tapping my face with the handle. “Behave yourself. I’ll show you what happens when you don’t pay your debts!” “Please, I have money! I can pay off the debt, just let me go!” “You think I’d still believe that crap? If you really had money, why would they leave you behind?” As I frantically searched for a way out, I noticed the leader’s phone screen. There was a contact labeled “Casino Owner”. When I saw the number, my eyes widened in shock. I knew that number by heart – it was Julian’s!

Julian was my adoptive parents’ biological son. Before I was reunited with my birth family, he had cherished and spoiled me for over a decade. He even plastered his room with my photos without my knowledge, harboring secret feelings for me. “Your boss is Julian?” I blurted out. “Well, well, you’ve done your homework. This whole casino is the boss’s private business. Not many people know that.” My heart steadied. I shouted at them, “Julian is my brother! We’re on the same side! Let me go now, and I can explain this misunderstanding to him!” The leader exchanged glances with his men, their faces twisted in mockery. Then, he kicked me hard. “How dare a piece of trash like you pretend to be the young miss! You don’t know your place. The young miss is the boss’s weak spot. You know what happened to the last person who tried to use her name? It’d scare you to death!” “Jay, bring me my club. I’m going to teach this audacious woman a lesson for the boss!” The kick left me dizzy, but I persisted through the pain: “I am your young miss! If you don’t believe me, call Julian here to see for himself!” Just then, the leader’s phone rang. The caller was Julian. I broke free from the thugs’ grip and lunged for the leader’s phone. “Give it to me! Let me talk to Julian. He’ll recognize my voice!” The leader slapped me hard and pointed at me, ordering me to shut up. His men pinned me down again. He gave them a look, then answered the phone obsequiously as he walked out. “Hello, boss. I was just dealing with a deadbeat gambler. What can I do for you?” I tried to shout, but only got half a syllable out before a rag was stuffed in my mouth. “We told you to shut up, you stubborn bitch!” Someone shoved me to the ground, and the others started kicking and punching me. I curled up in a fetal position, nearly passing out from the pain. The gag in my mouth prevented me from even crying out. Julian had always pampered me since childhood. He’d worry for days over a tiny scratch on my hand. His indulgence had made me proud and willful. Even after I returned to my birth family, I never suffered any hardships due to my personality. I wondered how Julian would react if he saw me in this pitiful state. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, the leader returned with his phone, looking anxious. “Stop! Stop right now!”

The rain of fists finally ceased. “What’s wrong, boss?” The leader gave me a contemptuous look. “Don’t waste any more time on this woman. The boss says the young miss is missing. She was last seen at our casino. Gather all our men to search for her immediately.” I was stunned, my head still spinning from the beating. Julian had been keeping tabs on my whereabouts even after I left, and he noticed I was missing? I propped myself up on shaky arms, making muffled sounds through the gag. One of the thugs kicked me. “Quiet!” “Boss, what should we do with this woman?” The leader’s face was grim as he pondered. “The boss is already on a plane, coming to look for the young miss himself. This woman claimed she was the young miss earlier…” My face lit up with excitement. Great, Julian was coming! He would not only rescue me but also punish these blind fools. But the leader continued: “We absolutely cannot let the boss see her. He’s already anxious about not finding the young miss. If this crazy woman jumps out claiming to be her, it might set him off and he’ll take it out on us.” “You’re right, boss. Should we get rid of her?” The leader grabbed my chin, examining my face. “She is quite pretty, though.” “Lock her in solitary confinement for now. After the boss finds the young miss and leaves, we’ll train her to be a dealer to work off the debt.” I shook my head frantically upon hearing this. They wanted me to stay and become a dealer? I’d be trapped on this island forever! But no one cared about my opinion. They dragged me away like an animal, heading for the solitary confinement cell. No, this couldn’t happen. Julian was coming soon. I had to find a way to see him. This was my last chance. Once I was locked up, it would all be over! As the two men were about to lock me in the cell, I stumbled to my feet and used all my strength to slam into the door before it closed completely. Then I grabbed a metal pipe from the ground and swung it hard at one man’s head. He clutched his head and collapsed in pain. Before the other could restrain me, I smashed the pipe into his face. After dealing with these two, my adrenaline surged. I ran forward at an incredible speed, as if my life depended on it. The sound of a helicopter came from above. It was Julian. He had arrived!

I ran like a madwoman towards where the helicopter was landing. I saw the cabin door open. Julian slowly descended the steps. My heart was racing, but before I could make a sound, a rough hand clamped over my mouth. Then my hair was yanked back violently. “You little bitch, how dare you hit me! You must have a death wish!” It was the man whose head I had struck earlier. He had caught up! The leader was respectfully waiting to receive Julian. Noticing the commotion, he frowned and looked our way. He silently shook his head at the man holding me. I was immediately dragged behind a wall. Not far away, Julian had come down. He looked travel-worn and worried. The leader immediately went to greet him: “Boss, we’ve pulled all the surveillance footage as you instructed. We’ll definitely find clues about the young miss’s whereabouts.” “Take me to the surveillance room.” Julian strode forward, passing within arm’s reach of me. We were separated by just a wall. He suddenly paused, clenching his fist. As if speaking to me, or perhaps to himself, he said: “Elena, please be safe.” My face was covered in tears and blood. He was right in front of me, but I couldn’t make a sound. In the end, I was thrown into solitary confinement. To prevent me from escaping, they dislocated my arms, tied my legs, and gagged me tightly again. For the next few days, Julian didn’t come. The underground casino was dimly lit, and Ethan had kept me confined to the hotel room during our stay. My face probably wasn’t captured on any surveillance footage. My hope was slowly fading away. But early one morning, I heard hurried footsteps and Julian’s voice. “Boss, how can you be sure that person is the young miss just from seeing her back? Could you have made a mistake? She’s just a nobody left here to pay off a debt.” Julian’s voice was agitated and slightly panicked. “Enough! Where are you keeping her?” “In… in the solitary confinement cell up ahead.” He recognized me! Hope surged within me. I tried to make muffled sounds to get Julian’s attention. But the footsteps stopped about ten paces away from me. “Mr. Ashcroft, we just confirmed with the young miss’s fiancé. He said she’s already back in the country. She was never missing.” It was Julian’s assistant’s voice. “Where does her location show?” “Also in the country. It shows she returned three days ago, but it just synced up due to signal issues.” Ethan had taken my phone when he left with Vivian. It had a tracker Julian had installed. Now he was using the phone’s location to mislead Julian! The leader eagerly persuaded him: “Boss, you must have been mistaken. I knew that woman couldn’t possibly be the young miss!” Julian instructed his assistant: “Contact the pilot immediately to prepare for our return. I need to see Elena with my own eyes to be sure.” “Yes, sir.” Hearing Julian about to leave, I threw caution to the wind. I used all my strength to slam my head against the iron door of the cell, making a loud “bang”. Julian’s footsteps halted. His tone turned cold: “Who exactly is locked in there?” The gang leader forced a smile. “Boss, it’s just a troublesome woman. She’s not worth your attention. You should go find the young miss. I’ll deal with her later.” But Julian didn’t leave.

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The day I was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, my husband was lighting fireworks for another woman. When reporters blocked me outside the hospital ward, I forced a smile. “Don’t misunderstand,” I said calmly. “We’re doing fine. She’s just a relative.” That night, I left the hospital alone and went home. Under the fireworks, I saw him feeding her cake, fixing her hair, holding her like a priceless treasure. He scolded me for ruining the mood. She hid behind him, crying softly. I smiled and spoke quietly. “I just wanted to remind you—today is my birthday.” I first sensed it was over when I landed in the hospital from overworking myself into a bleeding stomach. At that very moment, Matthew was at home, hosting a private fireworks show for Olivia in the backyard. When reporters shoved their microphones in my face, I forced a smile through my pale, exhausted expression. “Don’t speculate,” I said. “Matthew and I are doing fine. The girl you saw with him is just his cousin.” The journalists looked unconvinced, their disdain and disbelief practically dripping off their faces. The truth was, I wasn’t entirely lying. Olivia wasn’t his real cousin, though, just an orphan taken in by Matthew’s family. Our marriage had always been a calculated business arrangement. Matthew had played his role well until Olivia came back three months ago. Since then, he’d stuck to her side like glue, completely forgetting he even had a wife. The “perfect husband” image that the media had painted for him was nothing but a façade. That night, while the entire household staff was preparing fireworks for Olivia, I called Matthew over and over again. He didn’t answer. Left with no choice, I discharged myself from the hospital and took a cab home. The house was alive with celebration, the vibrant colors of fireworks painting the night sky. I stepped into the yard, cold and silent, entirely out of place amidst the revelry. Under the fireworks that illuminated the backyard, I saw Matthew tidying Olivia’s hair and feeding her a piece of cake. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider. The autumn leaves covered the ground. As I stepped on them, they crackled softly. Olivia noticed me first. She jumped out of Matthew’s arms like a frightened rabbit, her delicate expression painted with innocence. “Emily!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling. “Please don’t misunderstand! We were just celebrating the company’s revival!” Huh. Revival? A celebration? Was she serious? The company did revive, yet she had no part in its recovery, none at all. As my disdainful gaze swept over them, Matthew charged toward me, shielding Olivia like she was a priceless treasure. “Emily, can you stop wearing that poker face all day?” he snapped, his voice sharp and full of irritation. “Enough with the innocent routine in front of the cameras. Haven’t you had enough? “What do you want? My sympathy? My pity? Dream on!” Behind him, Olivia clung to his arm, her eyes glistening with crocodile tears. “Matthew, please calm down,” she whispered, trembling. “You’re scaring me.” The scene was absurd, a soap opera unfolding in my own home. But I was too exhausted to focus on this drama. To their surprise, I forced a smile, closing the distance between us. “Matt,” I said softly, my tone full of practiced sweetness, “don’t be mad. I didn’t misunderstand. I just wanted to remind you… today’s my birthday. I know you’ve been busy and must’ve forgotten, but it’s okay. I don’t blame you.” For a split second, he froze. A hint of guilt flickered across his face before being quickly buried beneath his usual indifference. “Birthday?” he repeated, scoffing. “Didn’t you always say you hated celebrating your birthday?” Yes. I used to say that. My mother had died giving birth to me. My birthday was also her death anniversary. My father, who worshipped her, would spend every year mourning her with grand ceremonies. For years, I avoided celebrating my birthday. But Matthew had once changed that. Over the first two years of our marriage, he’d celebrated with me, helping me shake off the shadow of grief. I could still remember his gentle words, whispered in my ear with a warm smile. “Emily, from now on, you’ll never feel alone on your birthday. You’re not a curse. You’re my good luck charm.” Looking at him now, standing in front of me to shield Olivia, I realized those words had long since lost their meaning. But it didn’t hurt anymore. He didn’t know I’d already tricked him into signing the divorce papers a week ago.

The stomach bleeding today wasn’t a fluke. A week ago, I had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, with only three months left to live. That scene was still fresh in my memory. It was our third wedding anniversary, and I sat alone in the hospital hallway. Sweat soaked through the diagnosis report in my trembling hands. My legs felt like lead; I tried to stand several times but failed. My frayed nerves finally snapped after I called Matthew for the tenth time. “Emily! Are you insane? Just because you have nothing better to do doesn’t mean others aren’t busy!” he roared. He wasn’t wrong. I was very sick, and it was indeed driving me insane. Before I could respond, a woman’s honeyed voice floated through the phone, turning my unsaid words into a lump in my throat. “Matthew! I knew you’d come! You missed me, didn’t you?” I heard Matthew’s low chuckle before the call was abruptly cut off. It wasn’t the first time. The first time he stood me up was to pick up Olivia when she returned to the country. The first time he hit me was because Olivia had damaged my piano. At first, I was shocked, but gradually, I stopped caring. The searing pain I once felt dulled into a faint ache. I made excuses for him over and over again, convincing myself it was all because Olivia was his cousin, and he had no other choice. But eventually, I had to face the truth—he wasn’t powerless and chose this willingly. To Matthew, I was nothing more than a distraction when Olivia wasn’t around, a pastime he could step on. My dignity and love were crushed beneath his feet. So, I decided he would taste the bitterness of unrequited love. I would make him fall for me and be haunted by me. If he refused to care about me now, I would make myself a thorn in his heart. While I was alive, I would be a constant, nagging pain. After my death, I would leave him utterly broken. I recorded three videos, preparing to leave Matthew a gift he would never forget.

In my last month alive, I set aside my pride. I tolerated Olivia’s blatant provocations, pretending not to notice. But she wasn’t planning to let me off so easily. One evening, I discovered razor blades hidden in my piano keys. When Matthew came home, he saw me shouting at the teary-eyed Olivia. “Did you really have to go this far?” he scolded, his voice sharp and cold. Silently, I raised my hand, showing him the blood dripping from my wrist. “Matthew! Don’t you know what she…” Before I could finish, Matthew’s gaze fell on Olivia, trembling in the corner with fearful eyes. His face twisted in anger. The next thing I knew, a sharp slap landed across my cheek. “If your hand’s injured, go to the hospital. Stop making a scene here! You really are just a piece of trash with no one to teach you any better!” Every ounce of pride and ambition I had built up in my life crumbled in that moment. The man I had once leaned on now mocked me with disdain. “If you can’t play piano, then don’t. It’s just a tool you use to fish for attention, anyway.” My desperate, hysterical questioning only made me look like a lunatic in his eyes. He scoffed, “How dare you compare yourself to Olivia? She plays piano because it’s her dream. You? You only do it for your pathetic vanity and self-interest.” Olivia picked up a glass of water, pouring it over her head before smashing the glass onto the floor. With her drenched face and trembling lips, she looked pitiful as she turned to me. “Emily, I didn’t mean to… Is this enough for you?” Matthew immediately rushed to her side, cradling her in his arms as he led her away to change clothes. Before leaving, he threw a cold glance my way. “Emily, Olivia is like a sister to me. Watch yourself.” His gaze lingered on my bleeding hand, softening for just a second. Olivia seemed to notice this change. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed dramatically into Matthew’s arms. “Olivia!” he shouted, his voice panicked. Without another word, he carried her away. That extinguished the last flicker of hope in my heart. Left alone, I hailed a cab and went to the hospital to get my wounds treated.

I sent all the pre-recorded videos to my brother, who knew about my diagnosis and was fully aware of my plan. Ours was a family devoid of warmth. Raised under my father’s influence, my brother had always resented me, blaming me for our mother’s death during childbirth. “Emily, your cancer is karma. You should’ve paid with your life for my mom a long time ago.” That was his first response upon hearing the news. I promised him the company, and he promised to play my videos at my funeral. My phone screen blinked on and off, and the messages came in nonstop. They were from Matthew, his location pinging from abroad. [Emily, don’t worry. I’ll make it back for the family dinner tomorrow.] [You’re not mad, are you?] [Emily, you have to understand. Olivia threatened suicide. I couldn’t just ignore her.] [She’s a living person! What kind of man would I be to let her die?] Each new message brought a numbing sensation to my lips and drained the strength from my limbs. As the screen filled with more notifications, I lost consciousness. When I collapsed to the ground, my final question lingered in my fading mind. Matthew, I just wondered how miserable your end would be. My soul detached from my body. I floated above, staring down at my pale face and lifeless body sprawled across the floor. Perhaps my unfulfilled rage moved the heavens, granting me this chance to witness their inevitable downfall. My phone, now running on its last bar of battery, showed over 99 unread messages. The final one from Matthew popped up: [Emily, stop causing a scene. I might be late from the airport. Wait for me at Gabor Estate.] I let out a cold laugh and willed my consciousness to Gabor Estate, ready to watch the drama unfold. Soon, Matthew arrived in a rush, his tie crooked, his breaths uneven as he stormed into the estate. “Grandfather, where’s Emily? I need to speak with her privately,” he asked. Henry’s furrowed brows deepened at his grandson’s frantic demeanor. “Matt! Must you always act so recklessly? And you’d better rein in Olivia’s antics from now on. Our family isn’t yet free from relying on Emily’s family’s support. “If it hadn’t been for Olivia’s tantrums about studying piano abroad and your secret misuse of company funds, the company wouldn’t have ended up in such a dire situation. You can’t afford to push Emily away. Watch your temper!” Matthew’s expression twisted, a mix of annoyance and frustration darkening his features. “Grandfather, is this really the time to bring that up? If Emily hears about this, everything will be ruined!” A pang of bitterness coursed through me. So, the financial crisis I nearly died trying to save them from was Olivia’s doing. Matthew’s past kindnesses were never about love; they were about greed, about using me to revive his failing company. “What?” Henry asked, confused by Matthew’s accusatory tone. Matthew froze for a moment, his composure cracking. “She… hasn’t arrived yet?” He sighed, pulling out his phone. He dialed my number over and over, but no one picked up. By the time he had called three times with no answer, panic began to creep into his expression. “Pick up, Emily! Answer the phone!” He started pacing, frustration boiling over as he stomped his feet in agitation. Henry suggested they sit down, reminding him that the family dinner couldn’t be delayed since everyone was already present. Matthew reluctantly took his seat at the table, but no sooner had he settled than his phone rang. Excitement lit up his face, only to be replaced by confusion and unease as he listened to the voice on the other end. It was my brother, Jacob. “Matthew, make sure to attend Emily’s funeral tomorrow.” The sound of the call disconnecting echoed loudly. Matthew’s hand, still clutching the phone, froze mid-air as if time itself had stopped. Henry tapped his shoulder with his cane. “What’s the matter? Who was that?”

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My personal videos were deliberately leaked and blasted all over the headlines. Overnight, I became public property. To protect his reputation, my husband told me to suck it up and sign an NDA. Every word out of his mouth pushed me lower, like my dignity was just another bargaining chip. He thought money, apologies, and his clout could wipe the slate clean. He also thought that because I loved him, I’d stay— just like I’d put up with the ninety-eight humiliations before. What he never noticed was this: he only ever got ninety-nine chances. When the last chance was used up, the debt for saving my life was finally paid in full. And this time, I didn’t forgive. During a party game, his assistant lost three rounds straight and got dared to lick whipped cream off some playboy’s thigh. She smashed a bottle and held the shards to her throat, swearing, “Ethan, I’d rather die than let someone humiliate me like this!” My usually ice-cold husband panicked and begged me to take the fall for his assistant. “It’s just licking some cream. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.” Everyone was waiting for me to make a fool of myself, but I just agreed, cool as a cucumber. He had no idea this was the 97th time he’d cut me deep. And I was done being his caged bird. I was just biding my time, waiting to pay off that life debt, so we could be done for good. “Wow, look at that, the supermodel’s actually gonna lick it? Ethan sure knows how to keep his women in line!” “What if she backs out? They’re not really gonna make Amber do it, are they? She’s Ethan’s one that got away!” The mocking laughter was a roar in my ears, and the humiliation burned. In the middle of all this disgusting posturing, Ethan knelt in front of Amber, carefully putting a band-aid on her neck. Then he turned those cold eyes on me: “Chloe, don’t try anything. Amber’s waiting for you to finish so we can get back to the game.” Amber, Amber… It was always Amber. He never once asked if I was okay with it. He’d completely forgotten I was his wife. He’d also forgotten that just a few days ago, I’d miscarried because of her, and I was barely holding it together now. Seeing me hesitate, someone shoved me from behind: “What’re you standing around for? Get licking! Don’t tell me you’re chickening out now?” I stumbled but caught myself. When I looked at Ethan again, his eyes were glued to Amber. “96 times. That’s ninety-six,” I counted in my head as I walked stiffly toward the guy with cream on his thigh, the well-known player in our circle. Just as I bent down, the playboy grabbed my chin. He looked at Amber and said, “Miss Amber, this isn’t right. She lost to me three times. One lick isn’t enough.” “How about we play ‘egg roulette’? You convince her to do it, and I’ll call it even.” Egg roulette? What the hell?! A cold dread shot through me, and I instantly looked at Ethan. But in the next second, Amber was already clinging to his arm, pouting: “Ethan, it’s just a silly dare. Can’t you get your wife to play along just this once?” Seeing Amber’s tiny frame trembling, Ethan’s heart just melted. He stared me down: “Chloe, you were willing to lick the cream. Taking on one more little dare for Amber shouldn’t be a problem, right?” “Yay! Thanks, Ethan!” Amber bounced up, her face pure smug satisfaction. Watching Ethan pat her head with that fond look, I almost laughed right then. My dignity was dirt under their feet, and I was just a toy for their amusement. Ethan, how could you be so cold? How could you still want me to do some degrading performance art for her sake? Oh, right. I almost forgot. Amber was his untouchable white moon. He’d chased her for years and struck out, then their families got in the way. Amber left the country overnight. Now that he finally had her back, of course he’d spoil her rotten. How could I ever compete? Pushing down the bitter taste in my mouth, I said flatly: “Does that count as a forgiveness voucher?” Forgiveness voucher? The crowd laughed at the weird ask, but Ethan let go of Amber and suddenly looked straight at me. He knew what I meant. After a beat, he nodded: “It counts.” I smiled, a bitter twist of my lips. “Fine. I’ll do it.” Eight years ago, when I was just starting out as a model, I caught the eye of a big shot and got trapped on an island. Along with other girls, I became a party favor for men at their business deals. I got lucky. Ethan was the first man I met, and it was love at first sight for him. For me, he took over those men’s operations, sent them away, and saved my life. Later, I found out it was because I looked so much like Amber. The night he saved me, I asked how I could ever repay him. His eyes were sincere: “Then marry me.” I pinched him: “I’m serious.” His breath hitched as he pulled me close and said: “Then… give me 99 forgiveness vouchers.” “Forgiveness vouchers?” I clung to him, curious. That’s when he smiled: “Silly, if – and I’m just saying if – if I ever hurt you 99 times, I’ll use these vouchers to get you to forgive me 99 times. Once they’re gone, we’re even.” For the next five years, he poured everything into making me a top model and treated me like a princess. Until two months ago, when Amber came back. Everything changed. Now it was the 97th time. Just two more, and my debt would be clear. We’d be nothing to each other. Seeing Ethan agree, the playboy led me to a back room, dim and draped in silk. The table was covered in hard-boiled eggs, and on the floor lay two or three women, clothes torn, a foul smell rising from them. Ice flooded my veins as I realized what “egg roulette” meant – they were going inside me. Ethan, who’d followed us in, narrowed his eyes and turned to Amber: “Wasn’t this about eating eggs? What’s going on?” But Amber ignored him and pushed me forward. “Mr. Seven, Miss Chloe used to be a dancer. I’m sure her… flexibility will impress you.” “Don’t you want to see for yourself? See how far she can go?” As Amber finished, I was trembling. I looked to Ethan for help. I was still his wife. He’d loved me once. Even after all he’d put me through for Amber, he wouldn’t hand me over to some freak, right? But to my shock, Ethan walked to the bar, poured a drink, and shoved it into my hand. “Why don’t you have a drink with Mr. Seven first? Break the ice.” Break the ice? He wanted me to entertain them? He… actually agreed? Dazed, I saw Amber flash me a vicious grin. “Sis! You deaf? Ethan’s talking to you!” While I was staring at Amber, lost, she suddenly kicked me behind the knee. I lost my balance instantly, and the drink in my hand flew into the playboy’s face. Then I fell onto broken glass, slicing my arm open in several places. My eyes met the twisted, pale face of the woman on the floor. Amber’s shriek filled my ears: “Sis, if you didn’t want to drink, you could’ve just said so. No need to pull a stunt and piss off Mr. Seven. Is this how you act as Ethan’s wife? Trying to make him lose face?” The playboy’s face froze, then understanding dawned and he stared at me, wide-eyed: “You… you’re Ethan’s famous wife?” I said nothing, just sat on the floor, my body and heart aching so bad I could barely breathe. The playboy reached for my arm, but Ethan instantly grabbed his wrist. Ethan glanced at my bloody face, his eyes darkening. He gritted his teeth at the playboy: “Get out.” The playboy backed off, grumbling as he left. “Ethan! You’re insane! If I’d known she was your crazy wife, I wouldn’t have touched her with a ten-foot pole!” As he vanished, I got up to leave, but a large hand clamped onto my arm again. “Chloe, aren’t you happy you’re off the hook? Didn’t those two years on the island teach you how to act? You just had to have one drink, and this would’ve been over. Why the drama? You knew when I told you to drink, I was trying to end this, right? Are you really that clueless?” Looking at a furious Ethan, I met his gaze, my own eyes red. This time, I didn’t hold back. “Ethan! I’m your wife. If you’d just said who I was, this would’ve ended the same way.” My meaning was clear. It was him. He wanted to play along to save Amber’s pride, so he never said a word. Caught off guard, Ethan actually looked guilty. Amber, seeing this, tried to jump in. But Ethan frowned and cut her off: “Enough! Just shut up and wait for me in the car.” After her footsteps faded, he sighed: “Look, I’m sorry, but I need to say this. I really didn’t know what ‘egg roulette’ meant. If I’d known, I never would’ve agreed.” “As for Amber… try to understand. She just got back and saw that I was marr—” Ethan stopped short, but I could guess the rest. He was going to say Amber was upset finding out he was married, so she took it out on me, and he wanted me to let it go. Our eyes met, and Ethan seemed to read the mockery in mine. He sighed again. “Fine. You’re hurt. I’ll have the driver take you to the ER. Amber’s not in a good place, I need to check on her. We’ll talk when I get back.” Without waiting for a reply, he added: “Even though you didn’t finish, I’ll let this count as a forgiveness voucher.” With that, he turned and left. Watching him walk away, I touched my still-bleeding forehead and laughed. But I didn’t care anymore. Just two more times. Once my debt was paid, I was out. From now on, I wasn’t putting up with his crap.

The driver dropped me home late. Ethan wasn’t back, and I didn’t bother asking. The next day, his assistant brought a gift: two commercial property deeds. He made a point to say one was for the cream-licking, the other for the egg mess. Blank-faced, I labeled them 96 and 97 and tossed them into the safe. The maid beside me beamed: “Mr. Ethan really spoils you, ma’am. The gifts are coming more often.” I just smiled. She didn’t know these were just Ethan’s payoffs for hurting me. Looking at the safe stuffed with deeds, I knew I’d be leaving soon. But before I left, I needed one camera. It had stuff I had to destroy. Ethan had his kinks, and in the heat of the moment, he’d sometimes film us. Back then, those videos were just us. But now, I didn’t want them around. If they got out, I’d be ruined. But after turning the place upside down, I couldn’t find that camera. Just as I was about to search again, my agent called, yelling: “Chloe, have you lost it? Check the news! Your private photos are everywhere! How dare you mess around behind Ethan’s back? If you want to die, don’t take the whole agency down with you!” My mind went blank, only catching her words: “You better explain those videos online right now! And explain it to Ethan, or we’re all screwed!” She hung up. I fumbled for my phone. The top trending topic was my private video. With a bold, clickbait headline: [Supermodel Chloe’s Sleazy Rise to the Top] In it, Ethan’s face was blurred, but mine was clear, flushed and wanting. Millions of comments called me a slut, a gold-digger who slept her way up. My legs gave out, and I hit the floor. But right before I collapsed, strong arms caught me. “Don’t look at that stuff. It’s okay, I’ll handle it. Trust me!” The comforting words were barely out when he turned, his face like stone, and roared at the room. “Who did this! Tell me! Who!” Seeing him this furious, my eyes stung. But at the same time, Amber’s casual voice floated over: “Ethan, you mean the videos? I posted them!” The arm around my waist tightened. Ethan and I both stared at Amber. “Don’t look at me like that! I just found them and thought sis’s body was too hot for just you, Ethan. So I shared!” “Beautiful things should be for everyone, right?” Blood rushed to my head. I lunged to slap her, but Ethan caught my wrist. “Chloe! Enough!” Furious and heartbroken, I yelled: “But she—” Before I could finish, Ethan glanced at a smug Amber, then turned back to me, frowning: “I’ll get the topics taken down. Let it go. Don’t make trouble for Amber, okay? You know, she’s also…” “No! Ethan, why should I let it go? She ruined me! Why should I let it go?” “I’m suing her for defamation! She has to pay!” I stared at Ethan, my eyes red, not backing down an inch. “Chloe! You—” Ethan took a deep breath, about to say more. But Amber tugged his sleeve, fake-sobbing with red eyes: “Ethan! Don’t. I know I messed up. Let sis sue me. I shouldn’t have been jealous, jealous she married you. It’s my fault. If only I’d held on back then!” As she spoke, Amber’s eyes welled up, and she started crying for real. “Sis, I’m really sorry. I’ll kneel and apologize. Please don’t make it hard for Ethan.” “If it makes you happy, I’ll turn myself in right now, clear your name! So what if I’m ruined too, just don’t let this break you two up.” Seeing Amber about to kneel, Ethan’s eyes went cold again. He said to me, low and hard: “Chloe! Amber knows she was wrong. Drop it.” “Your rep’s already trash, so just quit the industry and be a rich housewife. Isn’t that good enough?” I was stunned by his blindness, unable to believe he’d still indulge her like this. I was about to speak, but the next second, a hard slap cracked across my face, stinging. His knuckles were red, his breathing ragged, his eyes full of a violence I’d never seen. He threw a disclaimer at me: “Be a good girl and sign this. Once this blows over, I’ll get you back in the game.” “But if you dare go to the cops, don’t even think about leaving this house again!” “I won’t sign!” I ground my teeth, glaring. But no matter how I fought, Ethan forced my handprint onto the paper. As I collapsed, exhausted, A helpless, crushing pain I’d never felt washed over me, like a thousand needles in my heart. They left, but their casual talk wormed into my ears like poison: “Ethan, is sis okay…” “She’s fine. As long as she wants back in, she’ll listen. Worst case…” “I’ll count it as a forgiveness voucher. She’s got plenty left, she’ll behave.” No, there aren’t plenty. Just one more. Ethan, I won’t be your puppet anymore. After sitting on the floor in a daze forever, I finally went to my room and took out my diary. Everyone says the modeling world is just as dirty as showbiz, but I really loved it. On the runway, under the spotlights—that confidence was where I found my worth. But now, it was destroyed. Maybe heaven was telling me it was time to go, to not stick around. Tears falling, I wrote today in the book, ending with the number 98. Every time he hurt me, I’d write it down, to remind myself not to soften. But Ethan’s voice came from behind: “What’s 98 mean?”

Seeing him reach for the diary, I slammed it shut and shoved it in the drawer. “Nothing.” He sensed my panic and seemed to remember something: “You girls and your dramatics, always writing grudges in your little books. Is this that grudge book you mentioned?” He meant after our wedding, when he lost the rings. He’d used two soda can tabs instead. That night, I was so mad I kicked him off the bed: “Ethan, you’re killing me. I’m putting you in my grudge book.” He’d laughed through the pain: “Write all you want, I’ll always win you back.” Realizing he’d misunderstood, I didn’t bother explaining, just nodded. Remembering those newlywed days, his cold face finally cracked a rare smile: “Alright, I said I’d win you back, so no more grudges. Look.” He handed me a property deed and pulled me into his arms. “It’s a new building downtown. Saved it just for you.” “The video’s been taken care of. Next month, I’ll get you back in the game, okay?” The maid peeked in, jealous. But I stayed stiff, saying flatly: “Whatever.” Seeing I wasn’t moved, his brow furrowed, anger in his eyes: “You really want to make this a thing?” I looked up, my eyes dark: “No, how would I dare, Mr. Ethan?” That set him off. “Chloe, I took those videos, and I slipped up letting Amber see them. If you’re mad, take it out on me. Got it?” For a second, it felt like a rock was crushing my chest. He’d do anything for Amber, even beg me, or throw himself in front of her. I was suddenly so tired. I didn’t want this anymore. So I calmly said: “Got it.” Seeing his punch land on cotton, he glared, jaw tight, before finally slamming the door on his way out. The next day, Ethan texted me to come to the golf course. I was about to say no, but the next message came: “I’ll count it as a forgiveness voucher.” Seeing that, knowing it was the last time, I went. As soon as I walked into the private course, I didn’t see Ethan. Instead, someone kicked me from behind, and I hit the dirt. Amber’s voice floated over: “Don’t bother looking. I invited you.” As she finished, two bodyguards pinned me. Then clubs rained down on my legs. I screamed as blood splattered. Through the pain, I shouted: “Amber, are you insane!” She smiled sweetly, but her eyes were poison: “Chloe, how dare you! You’re already trash, but Ethan still won’t divorce you. He even says he needs to make it up to you, get you back in the game.” “Chloe, tell me! How dare you?!” Ethan treats her like a queen, and his half-assed words to shut me up are worth this? Fed up, I said coldly: “I’m not competing with you.” Seeing I knew my place, she snorted, haughty: “But I just can’t stand you. You’re a supermodel, right? I’ll break your legs and see how you seduce Ethan then!” Looking at the blood on my pants, she gagged. Her eyes landed on a golf ball nearby. Like she’d had an idea, she smiled, eerie. “Strip her!” Her voice was a shriek. “Last time we didn’t get to the egg. Too bad. There’s a ball right here. Chloe, I promise you’ll feel amazing today!” She stroked the golf ball and told the bodyguards to strip me. I fought like a wild animal, roaring. Amber giggled in my ear, grabbing my face, her nails drawing blood: “Don’t scream! You’ll feel so good soon, better than any man! I promise you’ll be addicted!” Looking at her ugly face, I flashed back to all the times Ethan had scolded me, looked at me with disgust, iced me out because of her. Tears poured out, giving me the guts to say screw it. I was leaving anyway. Why should I take this? Just as my pants were coming down, strength came from nowhere. I shoved the bodyguards and charged Amber. Then I bit down hard on her hand. Amber screamed, trying to pry my mouth off. But I held on. The taste of blood filled my nose as I bit off half her finger. “What the hell?” Ethan’s roar came from behind. Rushing in, he saw my bloody face and half-stripped legs. Realizing Amber was behind this, he was shocked! He kicked the bodyguards away and yanked up my pants, his eyes full of panic. “Chloe, what happened? Don’t be scared, I’ll… get you to the hospital!” But Amber shrieked, showing him her bloody half-finger, her cries piercing: “Ethan, she bit my finger off! My hand is ruined!” “It hurts! Ethan, please, help me!” Ethan’s face changed. He looked at me, shocked, torn. But after a second, he tossed me a few words and scooped up Amber. “Finger reattachment’s time-sensitive. I’m taking her first. Call an ambulance. I’ll come back for you.” Hearing that, my heart dropped into a black hole. So, he knew exactly how vicious Amber was. He was just picking sides. I looked up at him, my eyes empty: “Ethan, this is the last time.” Ethan looked at my stone-cold face and felt a pang, like he’d lost something big. But feeling the broken girl in his arms, he still chose to leave me. As he left, he looked at me, pleading: “I know you’re hurt. I’ll make this right.” “Just… don’t call the cops… please.” Watching him disappear, I didn’t go to the hospital. I just dragged my busted leg back to the villa. Sure enough, as soon as I got home, the maid handed me the 99th property deed. It was for this villa. I locked it in the safe. With my diary, divorce papers, and contract termination, I put them on the table. I left a note: “The life debt is paid, love is done. Ethan, let’s divorce.” I packed a small bag and booked a flight to Yunnan. Ethan, this is how we end. As the plane cut across the sky, Ethan came home, wrecked. The place was empty, silent. He called me, confused. He saw the note on the bedroom table and reached for it as a cold, robotic voice came from his phone. “Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service…” And the next second, when he saw the big words on the note, his eyes went wide!

“The life debt is paid, love is done. Ethan, let’s divorce.” Ethan’s mind blanked, barely registering the word “divorce.” He picked up the paper, turned to the last page, and only then saw the three words signed: Chloe. He finally got it. Chloe really wanted out. Looking at the contract termination in front of him, he smashed his phone in a rage. Then he called my agent, roaring: “You terminated her contract behind my back. You have a death wish?” The agent was terrified, stammering: “Mr. Ethan, didn’t you say Amber was hurt bad, and unless the sky was falling, not to bother you?” Ethan froze. He remembered getting a call when the specialists couldn’t help Amber. But he’d been so panicked he’d cursed and hung up. Who knew it was about Chloe’s contract? “How could you let her leave without me signing the termination?” Ethan was out for blood. The other end sighed: “Mr. Ethan, did you forget? You signed that contract five years ago.” “She’s your wife. You gave her a special termination clause back then, even paid the breach fee out of pocket…” Ethan’s lips were white, teeth grinding. That did happen. But he’d forgotten. Back then, he was head over heels for Chloe. He signed her to his own label, poured everything into making her a star, just to give her the best, make sure she wasn’t trapped. He’d even blown through his cash, pissing off his grandpa who’d whacked him twenty times with the family cane. After he healed, Chloe was so worried she got a fever in the night, almost died. He was terrified, called in every favor in the city to save her. He’d cried at her bedside like never before: “Chloe! You can’t die, you can’t. Even the grim reaper can’t take my wife!” And when Chloe woke up, her one sentence made him cry with joy: “Is this your idea of a proposal?” Remembering, Ethan’s eyes stung. His so-called spoiling had almost killed Chloe back then, and now it had made her vanish. Didn’t Chloe say she loved him? Then why did she leave… His nails dug into his palms, but he felt no pain, just the ache in his chest. The world felt like those dark days when the Jin family had him surrounded, fighting for power. The darkest days of his twenty years, suddenly thrown into a frozen hell, all warmth gone. Only Chloe stayed, loving him. She stayed up with him, coaxed him to sleep, took him to therapy, did extreme sports with him. She gave him love, became his rock. How could someone like her leave? Ethan crouched, head in his arms, asking the air over and over. But no one answered. The phone on the floor was still ringing: “Sigh, Chloe’s pitiful too. Her legs were beaten so bad she’s crippled. Can’t model anymore.” “But at least she retired as an international supermodel at her peak. People will remember her, so she won’t be too lonely.” A tear hit Ethan’s phone as he desperately needed to know: “How bad are her legs?” The agent’s voice turned angry: “It’s sick. They specifically aimed to ruin her. Didn’t touch anything else, just destroyed her legs. It’s a sin!” “Could’ve been treated, but who knows why it took so long to get her to the hospital. Her right leg’s done for now.” Only her legs? Specifically to end her career? Ethan’s heart ached, knowing Amber was behind it. His chest felt squeezed, guilt washing over him. But right now, he just needed to find Chloe!

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For ten years, I built my life around Julian Evans, a man six years my junior. He hated condoms, but promised he’d marry me the day I got pregnant. On Christmas Eve, I held a positive pregnancy test, planning to surprise him. Instead, I saw him wrapped around a younger girl outside a bar, kissing her passionately. His friends laughed and cheered them on. “Julian’s got good taste! Chloe is so young and hot!” “You should’ve seen it. When Julian brought up marriage, that desperate Stella practically launched herself at him.” “Even if Stella did get knocked up, she’d be nothing next to Chloe. Am I right?” I clutched the pregnancy test in my hand, my fingers digging in, my knuckles white. I could barely breathe. Julian chuckled dismissively. “Are you kidding? Who’d be stupid enough to marry his old practice girl?” “Julian’s only with that old lady because she’s loaded and does whatever he says. The age thing? That was never a factor.” “Can’t even imagine her in bed. It’s gotta be stale.” I stood rooted to the spot, the blood in my veins turning to ice. Old woman. Sugar mama. I’d never thought those words would come from Julian. Not from his mouth. “Big night, Julian! Aren’t you spending Christmas Eve with Chloe?” My phone screen lit up. A text message from Julian popped up. “Working late. Don’t wait up.” I stared at the words, a sick, cold dread tightening around my chest. My pale face stared back from the dark screen. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes tonight, I would never have believed that every “working late” was a lie. Julian pulled the girl onto his lap, his hand gripping the back of her head as he kissed her like he was drowning. “Stella’s pathetic,” someone cut in. “Just end it. Dragging it out is crueler.” Julian pulled back, lighting a cigarette. The rising smoke blurred his expression. “She loved me for ten years. She helped me build this from nothing. She gave me her youth.If I dump her now, she’ll break. Just give it a little more time.” A ringing filled my ears. I hurled the pregnancy test into the trash, grabbed a bottle, and charged at their booth. The glass exploded against Julian’s skull. Shards rained down as a dark line of blood snaked from his temple. I blinked. Then the tears came, hot and sudden, against my will. Julian went rigid. He shoved Chloe Miller off his lap as if shocked by a live wire. “Baby, what are you… what are you doing here?” Chloe glanced at me sideways, a smirk tugging at her lips. “It was just a joke, Stella. Don’t tell me you’re that petty?” Julian’s face darkened. “Shut up!” Ignoring the blood on his face, he gently wiped away my tears. His voice softened. “It was all just a game, don’t take it seriously.” “Don’t cry, I’ll take you home to celebrate Christmas Eve right now, okay?” Chloe, teary-eyed, tugged on his arm. “What about me?” “She ruined our Christmas Eve! Typical old hag, always sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong!” Julian turned his back, shrugging dismissively, his fingers flying across his phone in his guy’s SnapChat group. “Can’t help it. Older women are just petty and hot-headed.” “I’ll go back and handle her.” I turned and walked away. My chest ached, numb. My mother’s words suddenly echoed clearly in my mind. “Stella, was it really worth giving up your family fortune for a man who had nothing?” “If he truly loved you, he would have married you already. Why wait until now?” “Listen to your mom, come back and agree to the arranged marriage.” I wiped away my tears, pulled out my phone, and called my mother. “Mom, I was wrong. I’ll come back soon. The marriage… I’ll do whatever you say.”

Half an hour later, Julian found me on the rooftop. He always knew. Whenever we fought, I’d hide up here, letting the cold wind clear my head, forcing myself to calm down. He rushed over like a madman, pulling me away from the edge of the stairs. We stumbled, falling to the ground. His embrace was warm, but my heart was utterly cold. Without a word, a torrent of accusations rained down on me. “Stella, are you out of your mind?!” “It was just a joke! Did you really have to try and jump?” I froze. “What?” He reined in his anger, his voice softening. “Good thing you’re okay…” He sighed, pulling me to my feet and holding me tight. “My silly girl, how could I ever think you’re old? I’ve just been so busy lately… Once this period is over, we’ll get married.” “Besides, in my heart, you’ll always be my eighteen-year-old princess.” As he said this, his face held a rare tenderness. It was as if the humiliating scene at the bar had never happened. I suddenly couldn’t tell which side was the real him. But none of it mattered anymore. Suddenly, he pulled a cake from behind him. “Today marks ten years since we got together.” “The first year I started the company, I got taken for everything. Everyone laughed. They said I deserved it. But you never left. You believed in me when I had nothing.” “Without you, I would have given up.” “Money was so tight back then, but I always got you the cake.” “No matter how hard it got, I couldn’t let my little princess go without.” “Stella, you’re my life. Thank God…we made it.” His voice was low, hoarse, with a barely perceptible catch. So, he remembered. He remembered all those dark, cold winters in that damp basement, with me by his side, when he couldn’t see the light. He had everything now. And the first thing he wanted was to replace me. “Make a wish.” he said, his eyes bright with expectation. I met his gaze, my voice level. “Let’s break up.” Splat. The cake hit the floor. The two little frosting figures, once nestled side by side, split cleanly apart. Just like us. The tenderness in his face cracked, then fell away completely-shock flooding in, chased instantly by a scalding rage. “Stella, you better not regret this!” He turned and stormed downstairs, heading home. He trashed the apartment we’d decorated together as our future home. He ripped up our photos, smashed the clay figurines we’d made together… The final crash was him slamming the door shut as he stormed out. Thirty minutes later, Julian, who almost never posted on Ins, updated his story for the first time ever. “Clothes are best new, and so are women.” The photo showed him and Chloe locked in a passionate kiss beneath a sky full of fireworks. I forced out a cold laugh. Casually, I liked it and commented, “Congrats.” A friend request popped up on my phone. I recognized Chloe’s profile picture immediately. “Thanks for giving him back to me.” Julian called right away, his voice harsh. “What do you mean?” “Exactly what it sounds like. Congrats on getting back together.” “You’re the one who broke up with me. Don’t come crying back, begging me to return!” Julian’s voice returned to its usual nonchalant tone. He probably thought I was just playing games, and casually hung up. I had naively thought that even if the whole world turned against me, he wouldn’t. But the truth was, I had been so utterly wrong.

Looking around the house that once held so much promise, it suddenly felt foreign. This was never my home. That night, I tossed and turned in the messy apartment, unable to sleep. That year, Julian worked six jobs a day, just to get us out of that dark, dismal basement. Now, we could afford the most luxurious homes, but some things could never be bought back. For ten whole years, I’d been used to revolving my entire life around him, giving him everything I had. And now, it was time to let go. Tears streaming down my face, I burned all our photos. All the keepsakes holding our memories went into the trash too. I pulled out my phone and booked an abortion for the next day. But in the hospital hallway, I ran into Julian and Chloe. Unlike before, there was no hysteria this time. I pretended not to see them, not caring why they were there. Julian walked over, sneering. “Didn’t we agree it was over? What’s this? Stalking me now?” “You flatter yourself.” I didn’t bother to look up. “Stella, just say the word, beg me, and I’ll come back.” A cold laughter burst out of me at his nonchalant expression. Those words. He’d said the exact same thing five years ago, the day I caught him. The day I caught Julian cheating was my birthday, and also the day I had my first miscarriage. I had hidden the ultrasound photo inside a gift box. I’d booked a hotel room, decorated it with care, dreaming of a perfect surprise. But when I opened the door to our floor, I saw him with another woman, heading into the room next door. In that moment, I charged forward like a madwoman. I grabbed her hair, slapping her hard several times. Then I repeatedly punched Julian’s chest, breaking down in tears. “Why?! Why are you doing this to me?!” He frowned, pushing me away. “Enough! Acting like a lunatic, aren’t you ashamed?” “Can you stop being so dramatic?” “What successful man doesn’t have a few women on the side?” He wanted me to kneel and beg him. Looking at his cold face, I panicked completely. I was so insecure, terrified of losing him, and even more terrified of my child growing up without a father. In the end, I spoke in a hushed, pleading voice. “I’m pregnant…” “Just cut ties with her, and I can pretend none of this ever happened.” A sinister flicker crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by a gentle expression. He helped me back home, doting on me, preparing nutritious meals. But that night, without any warning, I miscarried. We both thought it was because I was too weak, compounded by extreme emotional distress. He held me tight, kneeling on the floor, crying as he apologized. “I’m so sorry, Stella, it’s all my fault…” “I’ve already ended things with her.” “I swear, I’ll only ever be good to you, never again.” I was so stupid to believe him. Thinking back, that woman was Chloe all along! For five years, they were never truly apart! The hospital announcement called my name, pulling me from my memories. I turned to leave, Julian’s disdainful voice trailing behind me. “Let’s see how long you can keep up that tough act!” I swallowed all my tears and lay on the operating table. I wondered if the baby would have looked like me. But now, there was nothing… When I walked out of the hospital, my face was utterly devoid of color. I opened my phone, and a car surveillance video popped up.

In the video, two intertwined figures were eagerly tearing at each other’s clothes. “If I got pregnant, would you drug me to miscarry, just like you did to Stella?” Chloe pressed a finger to Julian’s lips. “How could she ever compare to you? Old and boring. You’re my sweetheart.” “If it wasn’t for her status as a Hayes heiress, how could I have endured that old hag for so many years?” “Once we’re married in a few days, we’ll figure out how to completely ruin her health. Then everything from the Hayes family will be ours.” Julian eagerly pinned her hands behind her back, his movements growing more intense. Heavy breathing filled my ears, mingled with the sounds of their bodies colliding. Tears fell uncontrollably onto the phone screen. My throat felt constricted, unable to make a sound. So, my first miscarriage was never an accident. Julian didn’t just want my support; he wanted to take everything from me, to essentially inherit my family’s fortune and discard me! I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, trembling as I saved the video. Soon after, the police station called. “Miss Hayes, a vehicle registered to you is involved in an assault. We need you to come in for questioning.” I rushed to the police station. The front of my Bentley was utterly wrecked. It was my 30th birthday gift to myself, truly special. The police said the person hit was still in the hospital. Chloe, snuggled into Julian’s embrace, tearfully recounted her story to the officers. “I really didn’t mean to hit anyone. We were… in the car at the time. I panicked and accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake.” “Besides, this isn’t even my car.” All my rage exploded. I clenched my fists and lunged, slapping Chloe hard across the face. “Ah!” Her head snapped to the side, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek. Julian ignored my pale face, immediately shielding Chloe behind him. His face grim, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the police station. “Stella, are you insane?! This is a police station! How dare you hit Chloe!” “What were you two doing in my car?” I stared straight at him. His eyes flickered away, but Chloe’s sobbing instantly ignited his fury. “It’s just an old car! How many years have you had it? Why are you still treating it like a treasure?” “Stella, you’re older, you should be more mature! More magnanimous!” “The girl was publicly humiliated. You’d be smart to take the fall for her, after all, it’s your car!” I raised my hand and slapped him. “Julian, you bastard!” I could barely believe those words came from his mouth. He once said, “I’ll never let you suffer even the slightest grievance.” “I’ll give you the best future, promise you the most magnificent wedding.” The vows had long rotted away. The young man who once loved me like his own life was long dead. He froze for a second, then his tone grew even colder: “I’ll get you a top lawyer. You’ll only be in jail for a few days anyway.” “Chloe isn’t like you. She’s so timid; if she went in, she wouldn’t want to live once she got out.” “Dream on!” I shrieked, my voice raw, and turned to leave. “Stop her!” “Don’t let her get away!” Julian’s bodyguards rushed over, twisted my arms behind my back, and pinned me to the cold ground. Smack! Smack! Julian’s hand came down twice, hard. The blows cracked against my cheek, and I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth. A sharp, pulling pain tore through my lower abdomen, locking my body in a violent tremble. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, glaring at him. Julian calmly wiped my blood from his hand. “I told you not to touch her!” Before I could move, he seized my wrist, forced my thumb down, and pressed my print onto the statement. “When you get out, we’ll get married.” I watched Julian walk away with Chloe, tears and blood streaking down my face. My fists clenched until my nails bit into my own palms. I threw my head back and laughed, a raw, ugly sound ripped from my throat. It turned into a cough, and I tasted blood. A whole week crawled by before Julian finally remembered I existed. He stood outside the police station, bouquet and diamond ring in hand. He waited from dawn till dusk, but I never showed. A passing officer informed him. “Don’t you know? Miss Hayes was picked up by her fiancé days ago.” Julian froze. Then his phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a news alert. His pupils shrank to pinpoints. For the very first time, raw, gut-wrenching fear flooded his eyes!

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Five years into my marriage with Clara, my company went public. And I bought her a million-dollar sports car for her birthday. But she just tossed the car keys onto the table, eyes narrowed in accusation. “A million dollars? How could you be so reckless?” She linked her arm through Leo’s, the financially struggling university student she sponsored. “Leo survives on less than five hundred a month. Imagine the good that money could have done for him.” I frowned. “I earned every cent. You’re my wife. I wanted to give you something spectacular.” “And what?” I added, my voice dropping. “Should I sponsor every struggling student in the city? Is that my job now?” Seeing my lack of remorse, Clara lost it. She demanded I hand over all my bank cards. “We’ve been married five years, and I’ve never questioned your spending. But from this moment on, you don’t spend a single dollar without my approval.” Then, I turned and handed the car keys to Chloe, Clara’s best friend. “Your birthday’s next month. Consider this an early gift.”

Chloe froze, her eyes darting nervously toward Clara. Clara stood with her arms crossed, a statue of cold disapproval. “Why are you looking at me? If he gave it to you, it’s yours. Keep it.” Chloe hesitated, trying to gently dissuade Clara with a smile. “Liam’s just joking, Clara. You know him.” A chorus of nervous agreement rose around the table. “Come on, Clara, it’s your birthday! Let’s not let anything ruin the mood.” “The cake! Liam special-ordered it from that place you love.” Clara cut through the chatter, her tone final. “No cake. Leo has a crucial interview tomorrow. I’m taking him back to prepare.” A heavy silence fell. Every pair of eyes at the table shifted to me. They all knew how much I’d done for Clara. Five years of marriage, I worked relentlessly, all to give her a better life. So why was she still treating me like this? Did she really value Leo, that struggling student, more than me? “Clara, everyone’s here for you,” Chloe tried again. “Don’t spoil the night. Liam planned this for a month. You’re the guest of honor. You can’t leave him like this.” Clara looked at me. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes. She was actually hesitating. A bitter laugh tore through me. Leo smiled. “Clara, you should stay. My interview tomorrow is nothing.” “”Nothing?” Clara’s expression sharpened. “It’s your first interview. It shapes your entire future. How could I not make sure it’s perfect?” Seeing my face darken, Chloe laughed lightly. “When Clara sponsors someone, she sees it through.” See it through? Watching Clara’s undisguised worry for Leo felt like a fist squeezing my lungs. I couldn’t breathe. Leo was her charity case. Her “project.” Of course she felt responsible for him. And I? I was her husband. The man she’d vowed to build a life with. Shouldn’t she feel responsible for me? She left anyway. Just as she reached the door, she turned back.. “Oh. Hand over the keys to that new sports car. Leo needs something to drive.” I laughed then. A short, hollow sound. I shoved the keys directly into Chloe’s hand. “Sorry, I already gave the car to Chloe.” I said, my voice flat. “And if memory serves, the funds you’ve funneled to Leo over the years could have bought him a fleet of his own. He doesn’t need mine.”

Clara’s face twisted. “Leo has no money. If you don’t want to give him the car, just say so. Don’t hide behind Chloe.” “Fine,” I said. “I don’t want to give it to him. And I don’t believe he’s broke.” “You’ve sent him $30,000 a month for four years. That’s 1.44 million. You claim his rent and expenses are under $500. So, Leo…where did it all go?” Leo’s face paled. “Where did it go?” Clara’s voice was ice. “Not everyone is like you, throwing money around while forgetting their family. Every dollar I gave Leo, he sent home. He used it to build a better life for his parents and his village. He understands responsibility. He thinks of others.” “You only ever think of yourself.” Only thinks of myself? Clara’s words hit me like a punch to the chest, knocking the air from my lungs. So this was her verdict after all my years, all my sacrifices. Selfish. It was ridiculous! It was ironic! I took a deep breath, looking at the new Chanel clothes Leo was wearing, the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, a mocking curve forming on my lips. “Is that so?” “Of course, he-” Leo quickly cut her off. “Clara, it’s your birthday today. We’ve already missed out on celebrating because of me. Please, don’t fight with Liam because of me again.” Then he looked at me. “Liam, every mistake is mine. Blame me, just please don’t be angry with Clara because of me.” “What mistake have you made?” Clara pulled Leo behind her, her gaze at me chillingly indifferent. “Liam, you really should learn more from Leo.” With that, she pulled Leo and walked away. Watching her leave, I almost lost my footing. I leaned heavily on the table to keep from falling. Chloe rushed to support me, expressing her displeasure at Clara. “Clara was out of line. How could she say such things?” “I’m going to make her apologize to you.” I stopped Chloe, who was about to chase after her, and shook my head with a bitter smile. “Forget it.” At that moment, a thought came to mind. Those who don’t love you can’t see your worth, and certainly not your efforts. I looked at Chloe and the others. “The guest of honor might be gone, but we’ll still have fun. Let’s just pretend nothing happened.” Even though I said that, the atmosphere had clearly shifted. After a strained while, everyone gradually dispersed. Since I’d had quite a bit to drink, Chloe offered to drive me home. I accepted. On the way, she said, “Liam, Clara wasn’t trying to hurt you. You’ve known her for years, you know what she’s like.” I shook my head. It was precisely because I knew Clara that my heart ached even more. She wasn’t like this before, but ever since she started sponsoring Leo, she changed. Every time we had a gathering, she would bring Leo along. And every time, Leo would say something inappropriate. “A plate of fruit costs fifty dollars? So expensive. You guys are really rich.” “This wine is too expensive. It pains me to drink it. I’ll just stick to water.” “My family is poor, I can’t afford such fancy places. Don’t make fun of me.” He always played the victim, as if we were flaunting our wealth in front of him. And every time, Clara would step forward to defend him. “Don’t pick on Leo, he’s shy.” “He said he’s not drinking, why are you forcing him? If you want to drink, I’ll drink with you.” “Leo, just be yourself. Let’s see who dares to laugh at you.” Scene after scene flashed in my mind. I leaned back wearily against the seat, slowly closing my eyes. “Sigh!” Chloe’s sigh filled the car.

Chloe dropped me off at my doorstep and handed me the car keys. “Talk things out with Clara. You’ve been married for five years, it’s not worth…” I cut her off, pressing the car keys back into her hand. “I already said it was a gift for you. How can I take it back now?” “But…” Suddenly, the door opened, and Clara walked out with a smiling Leo. Chloe’s unfinished words caught in her throat. Clara saw my hand still clasped with Chloe’s, and her smile instantly vanished. She demanded coldly, “What are you two doing?” Chloe hastily pulled her hand back. “Clara, don’t misunderstand, we…” “I wasn’t asking you. I was asking him.” Clara’s gaze was fixed on me. My attention, however, was entirely drawn to Leo beside her – specifically, the tie around his neck. It was my tie! The first gift Clara ever gave me after we started dating. A sharp pain pierced my eyes. I spoke in a hoarse voice, “That tie looks familiar. I think it’s mine.” Clara replied dismissively, “It is yours, but don’t you think it suits Leo perfectly?” I lowered my head, a self-deprecating laugh escaping me. “It certainly does!” If the tie suited him, did the person wearing it also suit her? Chloe glanced at me, then anxiously turned to Clara. “Clara, how could you give Liam’s tie to Leo? Don’t you know you shouldn’t just give away ties like that?” “What’s the big deal?” Clara shrugged. “It’s just a tie. Liam doesn’t wear it often anyway. And don’t you think Leo looks really handsome in it?” “Clara!” Chloe was about to say more, but I stopped her. I smiled at Clara. “Yes, he looks very handsome. Your taste is as good as ever.” Polished. Borrowed. A carp might glitter in borrowed scales, but it would never be a dragon. The attempt was almost pathetic! “Of course it is,” Clara said, preening. “Oh, and Liam,” she added. “I’ll be helping Leo with his final prep tonight. Don’t wait up.” I went very still. My wife, not coming home, for another man? On her birthday. The air grew thick. “You’re serious,” I said, my voice low and dangerously calm. “When am I not?” With a dismissive wave, she hooked her arm through Leo’s. “No time to waste. Let’s go.” “See you later, Liam!” Leo said over his shoulder. The glance he threw me wasn’t a smile but a trophy held aloft. I held his gaze until they were gone, my own smile not wavering. Then I turned to Chloe. “Find out which company he’s interviewing with tomorrow.” Chloe studied my face. “What are you going to do?” I smiled. “Just a quality check. Let’s see what my wife’s four-year investment has actually produced.”

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After eighteen years in the slums, my sister’s billionaire father came to claim her. The day she left, Serena-the sister I’d never gotten along with-insisted on taking me with her to that better life. Everyone was jealous. They thought I’d finally escaped this place. But I refused. My parents stared at me, caught between fury and despair. “We’re handing you a future, and you’re throwing it away? You want to rot here forever?” Even our relatives saw a chance. “If she won’t go, just send my Chloe instead!” I didn’t budge. “I’m not going.” I knew what awaited there was danger. My repeated refusals drew a frost over Mr. Sterling’s expression. A man of his stature didn’t beg. He certainly didn’t beg a poor, unrelated girl. He crossed his arms. “Ungrateful,” he spat, the word hanging in the air like a verdict. Seeing his anger, Mrs. Davies trembled. She stepped forward and slapped my shoulder, her voice a low, furious hiss. “What is wrong with you? People would kill for this chance, and you say no? Are you insane? What is so good about this dump that you must stay?” I kept my head down, silent, as they yelled and hit me. This rundown place truly was awful. We scraped by, working through scorching summers and braving winter blizzards to tend the livestock. But I still wanted to stay. At least… Mr. Davies gritted his teeth and shoved me. “You have to go! This isn’t up to you. If you go, it’ll ease the burden on this family. Your mother and I won’t have to break our backs paying for your education anymore!” “Lily, stop being stubborn! This is for your own good.” Tears filled my eyes. I knew they meant well. They wanted a better life for me. But I still shook my head, my voice thick. “I can’t!” My aunt Rachel saw her chance. She pushed her daughter Chloe forward, her shrewd eyes darting between us. “Since Lily won’t go, why not Chloe? She’s every bit as good!” Before Mr. Sterling could respond, Serena frowned and cut in. “No! I only want Lily to come with me!” Anyone else might have seen a devoted sister. But I, shrank back into the corner, broke into a cold sweat.

Normally, Rachel would have yelled in Serena’s face for using that tone. But things were different now. Serena was the billionaire’s daughter, her status transformed. Rachel was too busy currying favor to protest. She edged closer, her voice sycophantic. “Serena, just take Chloe. She’s hardworking. She’ll look after you. Far better than that lazy Lily!” As she spoke, a look of pure disgust landed on me. I didn’t feel angry. If anything, a quiet relief settled in. Serena dismissed the idea without a second thought. “No, I only want Lily with me!” With that, she intimately linked her arm through mine. It felt like a cold, slimy snake coiling around me, suffocating me. “Lily, please come with me. It’s such an amazing chance to change your life. Why do you keep refusing me?” She blinked, a probing look in her eyes as she stared at me. I yanked my hand away as if she burned me, stumbling back a few steps before I regained my composure and spoke. “I’m not going. Find someone else, or just go by yourself.” She put on a wounded expression, her eyes welling up, looking incredibly hurt. “No, Mom and Dad always taught us to share. Now that I have a good life, I keep thinking of you, and you just keep refusing me.” “Did I do something wrong to upset you? I’m sorry, okay? Just come with me.” “You can try it for a while. If you don’t like it, you can come back, okay?” Rachel watched me, her eyes thick with an envy so potent I could taste it. She wished Serena had asked her. I cleared my throat, firm. “I’m not going. My life is here. I wouldn’t belong there.” Serena’s composure shattered. “What life?! Slaving at dawn, pinching cents for a flicker of light at night, wearing rags until they fall apart! What is worth clinging to here?” “Lily, look around! Every girl here is married off the moment she’s of age. Is that what you want? To be sold to some stranger twice your age?” Every accusation struck a deep, familiar chord. I didn’t want this life. It was a grinding, colorless struggle. But I feared the mansion more than the hardship. A gilded cage was still a cage. I would not go. I sighed, taking a long moment before speaking slowly. “I’ve said it many times. I just don’t want to go. No matter how good the life is, I don’t want to go. How many times do I have to tell you before you understand?” My parents shot me a look of furious disappointment, practically gnashing their teeth as they asked me. “Then why don’t you want to go? Tell us, what’s so special about this place that you’re so attached to it?” I rubbed my red eyes, hesitating repeatedly before swallowing the truth, knowing no one would ever believe me. I could only find another excuse to give them. “I want to stay here with you, okay? If you both leave, who will take care of you if you get sick?” Mr. Sterling’s expression finally softened, and he cleared his throat. “That’s not a problem. We can take your parents with us to live a good life. Consider it our way of repaying you for raising Serena all these years.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me dazed. My parents instantly grinned from ear to ear. “R-really? We can go too?” Mr. Sterling nodded, but a flicker of inexplicable disdain was hidden deep in his eyes. Seeing this, my parents slapped their hands together and turned to me, smiling. “Lily, now our whole family can go. You can rest easy now, right?” Serena unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, a genuine smile on her face, and chimed in. “So Lily was worried about this. You should have said something earlier! Taking care of Mom and Dad is my responsibility too; I would never abandon them.” But I couldn’t smile. I only wished I had found a different excuse, I’d fallen right into their trap. Serena started pulling my parents towards the car. I rushed forward to stop them. “No, you can’t go!” Serena’s smile froze on her face. She looked at me in surprise, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. “Lily, didn’t you say if Mom and Dad went, you would too?” “Why are you disagreeing now? What else do you want?” I ignored her, just grabbing my parents’ hands and pulling them back. “Don’t go, and I won’t go either. Can’t we just stay in the slums?” My parents stared, confused. “Lily, what is this? You just agreed to go if we went.” “We said yes. Now you’re stopping us?” Serena clasped her hands, tears glistening in her eyes as she approached me. Her voice trembled with hurt. “If you don’t want to go, fine. But why would you take this chance from Mom and Dad? Why are you being so selfish?” “I only want what’s best for all of us, and you’ve blocked me at every turn! Why?” I gritted my teeth, fury burning in my chest. If my parents went alone, I’d never have a moment’s peace. This was Serena’s new strategy. If I wouldn’t go, she’d take my parents instead. She had me completely cornered, certain that if my parents went, I would follow. Her act of being so devoted to my well-being made me seem ungrateful in the eyes of the other relatives. They stood by, arms crossed, loudly mocking me. “Lily was just never meant for a good life. I say she should just find a man and get married.” “I know, right? If something like this happened to me, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. She’s such an idiot.” “Serena, if she won’t go, fine, just take us! We all want a good life!” Serena ignored them, her eyes meeting mine, with a hint of scrutiny. I quickly masked the fear in my eyes, not wanting her to notice anything amiss. Mr. Davies yanked his hand from mine, gasping for breath as he angrily questioned me. “Lily, what are you doing?! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” Mrs. Davies’ face was ashen. “Lily, my patience is wearing thin. You won’t go, and you won’t let us go. Are you crazy?!” I was furious and desperate. The truth sat bitter and heavy on my tongue, but I couldn’t force it out. All I could do was cry and repeat myself, a broken record of desperation. “I don’t want to go! And you can’t go, either!” “If we go… if we go there, it will-” “It’ll what?” Serena cut in, her smile sharp and probing. I flinched. The words shriveled in my throat. I turned my face away, sealing my lips in a tight, final line. My mother raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face, then made her final decision. “Alright, I’ve decided. Our whole family is going. Lily, stop messing around!” The tension drained from Serena’s face, and a relaxed smile appeared.

But I couldn’t just stand by and watch my parents go to the billionaire’s house. Without a word, I rushed to the balcony, swung one leg over the railing, and threatened to kill myself. “None of you are allowed to go! If you go, I’ll jump from here!” My parents were startled by my actions. But the person even more agitated than my parents was Mr. Sterling. He quickly raised a hand to stop me. “Lily, don’t be impulsive, don’t be impulsive! Let’s talk this through!” I didn’t look at him, only stared at my parents, demanding they change their minds. “Mom, Dad, promise me we won’t go, okay? If Serena wants to go, let her go by herself, okay?” My parents looked hesitant, even starting to wonder. “Is this kid possessed?” A profound sense of helplessness welled up in my heart. My voice rose to a shout. “If you don’t promise me, I’ll jump from here right now!” With that, I leaned further out, my whole body hanging precariously from the balcony. One gust of wind and I’d be gone. My parents were still deliberating, truly unable to understand why I would refuse a good life and insist on staying in this poor place. After a long time, my tears nearly dried, my parents finally nodded. “Fine, if she doesn’t want to go, then we won’t. We’re not meant for that kind of life.” My strength gave out, and I crumpled to the floor. Mr. Sterling looked at me with a complex expression for a long time before speaking. “Since she’s unwilling to go, I won’t force it. Serena, let’s go home.” Serena was the first to object. She shrieked, her voice hoarse. “No! Lily has to come with me!” Her face twisted as she rushed over to me, frantically shaking my shoulders. “Lily, why won’t you go? You don’t want a good life, are you crazy?!” Her nails dug deep into my shoulder, and I gasped from the pain. Mr. Sterling spoke up, displeased, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “Serena, that’s enough!” His words acted like a tranquilizer. She froze. A fine tremor ran through her body. She released me, her grip going slack. Her eyes were red-rimmed, still burning with defiance. “Why? Are you insane? You’re throwing away a fortune, a future.” To an outsider, it might have looked like genuine concern. My parents stepped forward, patting Serena’s shoulder soothingly, forcing a smile. “Serena, if Lily doesn’t want to go, fine. Just remember to take care of yourself when we’re not around.” Serena shoved them away, her voice rising to a shout. “Don’t tell me what to do! I offered you a way out and you threw it in my face! You’ve brought this on yourselves!” My parents opened their mouths, then closed them, the words dying into a helpless sigh. Serena stood abruptly, shot me a venomous glare, and let her new father lead her away. A wave of relief finally broke across my face. But my parents couldn’t smile. They looked at me with disappointment, before turning back to their work. The day’s turmoil left me drained. I collapsed into bed, fell into a deep sleep, only to wake up staring at the roof of a car. My eyes snapped open. My parents’ voices cut through clearly. “Thank goodness Serena had the foresight to drug her. Once Once Lily wakes up in that mansion, she’ll never want to leave. Just stubborn, that girl!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “320038”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #励志Inspiring