Category: English

“Ma’am, perhaps it’s best if you don’t finalize this today…” We were at City Hall, about to get our marriage license, when Ethan’s phone buzzed. A picture of a pregnancy test report from his precious ‘mentee,’ Ella, flashed onto the screen. Without a shred of hesitation, he ditched me right there, rushing off to take her home so she could “rest and take care of the pregnancy.” Not long after, a cozy photo of them appeared on social media. The familiar background? Our bedroom—the one that was supposed to be ours. Then, Ethan’s message popped up: “I had too much to drink at the success party that night. Ella’s pregnant, and I need to be there for her. She wanted to keep it from me, have the baby, and raise it alone, but she’s so young, with a future as a top cardiothoracic surgeon… I can’t ruin her, and I can’t abandon an innocent life.” When I didn’t reply, he added: “Didn’t you want a baby soon? After she gives birth, I’ll send her abroad for advanced studies. You can raise the child. It will only ever know you as its mother.” He even remembered to say: “About the license, we’ll probably have to reschedule after Ella has the baby.” I stared at my phone, my eyes burning, but a laugh escaped me. Did he really think that I, Sarah Sterling, the only daughter of the Northwood Sterlings, couldn’t live without him? Without a second thought, I dialed Jason Jiang’s number. “Marriage license. You in?” … When Jason showed up at City Hall, cursing under his breath, I knew I’d really put him out this time. I heard he was at the airport, about to fly to Italy for a crucial business conference, only to be dragged here by my call. Seeing him grind his teeth, a wave of guilt washed over me. “Sarah Sterling, what in God’s name did I do to deserve you? I chase you for eight damn years, you barely give me the time of day, and now you suddenly want to get married, just like that?” I glanced at the time. “They’re about to close. Are you in or out?” He deflated instantly. “In! I’ve got my papers, rescheduled my flight, and my parents already know. Might as well, right?” Ethan must have finally noticed my silence because he called, his voice tight with an urgency he couldn’t hide. “Sarah, don’t overthink this. You’re the only one for me. What I feel for Ella is just admiration, pure and simple. That night was a genuine accident.” “Mm, I get it,” I said, my voice as flat and lifeless as a stagnant pond. “Men, you know? These things happen.” Silence on his end. After a moment, I heard him take a sharp breath. “Where are you? I’ll send a driver. Ella’s having some morning sickness, and I really can’t leave her…” I cut him off. “Don’t bother.” His tone chilled instantly. “Sarah, are you throwing a tantrum? I’ve explained everything. Ella will leave after the baby is born. What more do you want from me?” A dull ache spread through my chest. I instinctively clutched the brand-new marriage certificate in my hand, forcing myself to stay calm. “Ethan, let’s break up.” He was stunned for a second, then let out a cold, sarcastic laugh. “You know damn well how I’ve treated you all these years, don’t you? Yes, I made a mistake, but what man doesn’t? I’m already trying to make up for it. Do you have to be so aggressive?” I bit my lip, saying nothing. My continued silence made him lose his patience completely. “Fine! Have it your way! Break up then! You’ll come crying back to me in less than half an hour!” The call ended abruptly, leaving only a harsh dial tone ringing in my ear. I took a cab back to our—my former—home. Not to reconcile, but to pack my things and leave for good. The scene that greeted me as I opened the door was a stab to the eyes: Ethan, wearing an apron, a table laden with exquisite dishes. He and Ella were sitting across from each other, laughing and talking. He gently placed food on her plate, even carefully feeding her a bite. That adoring expression, I once thought, was reserved only for me. I remembered how, when I used to cook for him, he’d always hug me from behind, whispering in my ear, “My poor baby, working so hard.” But in five years, he hadn’t so much as poured me a glass of hot water. His excuse was always, “A surgeon’s hands are for operating; they must be protected.” Even holding hands was a careful affair. Now, he was willing to roll up his sleeves and cook for Ella. When Ethan saw me, he shot me a disdainful look that screamed, “See? I knew it.” Ella, on the other hand, greeted me with a sickeningly sweet smile, “Oh, Sarah, you’re back! Want to join us for dinner?” I walked straight past her, heading for the bedroom. “Stop!” Ethan shot up, his face dark. “Ella’s talking to you. Have the decency to respond. Have you lost all your manners?” I turned slowly, a cold laugh escaping me. “How do you want me to respond? Thank her for eagerly volunteering to have my fiancé’s baby so I can be a mother douleur-free? Or should I march over there, slap her, and call her a cheap homewrecker?” “You!” Veins pulsed on Ethan’s temples, he was so angry. Just then, Ella suddenly covered her mouth, gagging, tears welling in her eyes. Ethan immediately rushed to her side. “Ella, what’s wrong? Are you feeling awful?” “Ethan, darling, I’m okay…” She clutched his sleeve, her voice trembling, but directed her tearful accusation at me. “Sarah, it’s all my fault. I didn’t want to live in your house either, but I truly have nowhere else to go. I… I’ll leave as soon as the baby is born. I’ll never bother you and Ethan again…” Then, stroking her belly, she sobbed, “Baby, I’m so sorry. Mommy doesn’t want to leave you, but Mommy did something bad, so she has to accept the punishment… I’m sorry…” She started gagging violently again, collapsing into Ethan’s arms. The look Ethan gave me was filled with loathing, as if I’d committed some heinous crime. “Are you satisfied now?” I scoffed and turned to leave. My attitude completely enraged Ethan. He snatched a glass from the table and hurled it at me. A sharp pain exploded in the back of my head, followed by the sound of shattering glass. I stumbled and fell hard onto the stairs. The piercing pain brought a cold sweat to my brow; for a moment, I couldn’t even get up. “Stop faking it! Get up!” Ethan barked impatiently from behind me. Ella approached, feigning concern. “Sarah, you… you should be okay, right? I think the glass just grazed your shoulder…” “Shut up!” I bit out, gritting my teeth and forcing myself to stand. Seeing me treat Ella so harshly, Ethan’s eyes turned icy. “Ella’s lost her appetite. Go make her your specialty, that fish soup with tofu. And remember, no onions. She doesn’t like them.” “I’m not doing it,” I refused without hesitation. “That’s an order!” Ethan’s face was terrifyingly dark. “Sarah, do you think you have a choice?” I clenched my fists, looking him straight in the eye. “I’m just not doing it. What are you going to do about it?” A dangerous glint flashed in Ethan’s eyes. He strode forward, roughly grabbed my arm, and shoved me hard into the kitchen. Slam! The door was slammed shut. “Don’t even think about coming out until that soup is made!” “Ethan, you’re insane!” I pounded on the door, screaming “Let me out!” at the top of my lungs, but was met only with dead silence. My palms were red and throbbing. Finally, I slid down, defeated, leaning against the cold door. Through the door, I could hear their voices clearly. Ella, in a soft, gentle voice: “Ethan, darling, isn’t this a bit too harsh on Sarah? If she doesn’t want to make it, then don’t force her. I’m fine without the soup.” Ethan sighed. “Ella, she’s just been spoiled by the Sterlings all these years. I have to break her of that princess attitude. If she’s going to marry into the Miller family, she has to follow Miller family rules. Otherwise, how will she be a good mother to our child?” “The Millers are a medical family; we’ve always valued kindness and good relations. But she’s too blunt… My mom never really liked her.” Ella asked, puzzled, “Ethan, honey, then why don’t you just break up with her?” Silence fell outside. I held my breath, motionless, leaning against the door. Yes, if I was so unbearable in his eyes, why did he put up with me? The silence stretched on for a long time. Ella prompted cautiously, “Ethan?” Ethan’s calm voice, like a knife, pierced my heart: “The Sterling family’s influence in Northwood is second to none. They’ve been a huge help to my career over the years…” I clutched my chest, tears finally breaking free. So that was it. All these years, he’d valued the Sterling family, not me. In a daze, I remembered the year my grandfather had a sudden heart attack. It was Ethan’s bold surgical plan that saved his life. I was instantly smitten with this young, accomplished, and skilled doctor. I only sent a commendation plaque to express my gratitude, never expecting him to start pursuing me so intensely. He never actively asked for the Sterling family’s help; all those behind-the-scenes maneuvers were arranged by me, without his knowledge. How laughable. I’d even worried he’d refuse it if he found out. The kitchen door opened. Ethan was visibly startled when he saw me, then frowned. “You cry this much just making soup? Get out, you’re annoying to look at!” I fought back a wave of dizziness and stood up, stumbling towards the bedroom. The moment I pushed open the door, a chill ran down my spine. The bedsheets had been changed to a pink lace set I detested. My photo on the nightstand was replaced with a picture of an unfamiliar baby. In the closet, not a single piece of my clothing remained. Ethan’s voice came from behind me: “The guest room is too small. It’s inconvenient for Ella with her big belly. She needs to stay in the master bedroom for now.” Ella added timidly, “Sarah, you… you wouldn’t mind, would you? Don’t worry, as soon as the baby is born, I’ll…” “Oh,” I cut her off. “Where are my things?” Ethan looked away. “I had the maid move them to the storage room. The nearest guest room is being converted into a nursery. You can pick another guest room.” I was silent for a long moment, then nodded. “Fine.” In the storage room, my couture gowns were carelessly tossed on the floor. My jewelry was scattered in a grimy corner, like unwanted trash. I took a deep breath and looked sarcastically at Ella, who had followed me in. “Couldn’t wait, could you? Couldn’t even wait for me to leave?” A flicker of embarrassment crossed her face before she put on an innocent expression. “Sarah, what are you talking about? Ethan asked the maid to pack these. I didn’t do anything.” I scoffed, pointing at a shoe print on one of my gowns. “Did the maid do this too?” “So what if I did?” She suddenly lowered her voice, a venomous glint in her eyes, yet she feigned fear and backed away. “Sarah, I’m begging you, please let me go!” With that, she let out a sudden shriek and pretended to fall backward. Ethan rushed in just in time to catch her. Ella immediately clutched her stomach, sobbing. “Ethan, darling, I didn’t do anything! Why would Sarah push me… Thank goodness you came, otherwise the baby…” “I didn’t push her!” My throat tightened, and I explained instinctively. Rage flared in Ethan’s eyes. He grabbed my neck, slamming me against the wall. “You think I’ll believe you? That Ella would use her child to frame you? When did you become so vicious!” His grip was terrifyingly strong. I could barely breathe, desperately struggling to force out a few words. “I really… didn’t…” “Enough! I don’t want to hear your excuses!” He laughed, a chilling, furious sound, then shoved me to the floor. “Go back to the Sterlings and be your precious little princess! Don’t come back until you’ve learned your lesson!” I stumbled to my feet, looking at him in disbelief. Eleven o’clock at night, and he was kicking me out? I remembered how, in the past, he would insist on accompanying me even if I just wanted to take a walk at night. But now, his chin was high, and he wouldn’t even spare me a glance. My nose suddenly stung. How many times had he lost his temper with me today because of Ella? No matter what I said or did, in his eyes, I was wrong. And today… today was supposed to be our wedding day. I closed my eyes, didn’t even grab any clothes, and fled that suffocating place without a backward glance. … I had just gotten back to the Sterling mansion when my phone vibrated. It was a video from Ella. I knew I shouldn’t open it, but my finger pressed play uncontrollably. In the video, Ethan was gently holding Ella, his eyes closed as he softly kissed her forehead, his face a mask of bliss and tenderness. His voice carried a hint of regret: “Ella, if I had met you sooner, I wouldn’t have ended up with Sarah. You’re so talented in medicine, so pure and driven. And her? She just throws her weight around because of the Sterling family’s backing, doing nothing productive all day.” “The Miller family has been in medicine for generations. If I really married her, our reputation would be ruined sooner or later.” Every word was like a poisoned needle, precisely striking my most vulnerable spots. Ella, using her family’s connections in the medical field, had easily become his personally mentored student, his ‘little sister.’ That was his definition of “talented.” And I, who had given up family resources to start from the bottom and climb my way up to Director of Investments at Sterling Corp… In his eyes, I was “doing nothing productive.” So, in his heart, I had always been worthless. How could he have ever genuinely loved me? I put down my phone, tears soaking my pillow. I tossed and turned all night. Just as dawn was breaking, Jason called. “Morning, wifey. Sleep well?” His voice was practically buzzing with unconcealed joy. “Just landed in Milan. I was too excited to sleep a wink on the plane—that was over ten hours. I still can’t believe you actually married me.” His tone suddenly softened. “Wifey, I’m already missing you. Do you miss me?” Wifey? The word jolted me awake. Only then did I remember: yesterday, in a fit of anger, I had married Jason Jiang. “Wifey? Why aren’t you saying anything? You… you don’t regret it, do you?” His voice was filled with a mountain of hurt. “No,” I answered softly. Jason and I had grown up together. While I wasn’t sure if he truly loved me, at least we knew each other inside out. The Jiang family was a good match for mine; he was indeed a suitable husband. He audibly sighed in relief on the other end, his energy returning. “I’ll be back tomorrow! We’re going to pick out wedding rings! Even though getting the license was rushed, the proposal, the wedding ceremony—we’re not skipping a single thing!” “You just focus on being the most beautiful bride. Leave everything else to me.” I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, agreeing to his plans. That was Jason. With him, he’d arrange everything. I only ever needed to follow. And Ethan… My memories were always of his retreating back. Even getting married was something I had to bring up. At the time, he’d frowned and said, “It’s only been five years. Isn’t it too soon to get married?” The difference between being loved and not being loved… it was so painfully clear. For an entire day, there was no word from Ethan. His mother, however, eagerly called, her tone dripping with condescending superiority: “You know about Ethan and Ella, don’t you? Now that Ella is carrying the Miller family’s first grandchild, we certainly won’t let her be wronged. We’ll make sure Ethan marries her. It’s a good thing Ethan didn’t get the license with you yesterday. This is fate!” “I told you long ago you two weren’t suitable. The Sterlings have been in business for three generations, while the Millers have been doctors for generations. Our family legacies simply don’t match, don’t you agree?” I let out a cold laugh. “Mrs. Miller, Ethan and I have already broken up. In the future, please don’t contact me unless it’s something important.” She was clearly stunned, probably not expecting me, usually so docile, to talk back like that. Just as she was about to fly into a rage, I decisively hung up. She immediately called back several times. I blocked her number without hesitation, then proceeded to block all of Ethan’s contact methods as well. I deleted all our photos together. Five years of love dissipated along with them. The next day, while I was at a jewelry store picking out wedding rings, I unexpectedly ran into Ethan and Ella. He was excitedly helping Ella pick out an expensive set of jewelry and had even ordered a custom baby charm for their unborn child. Seeing me trying on rings, Ethan’s face instantly darkened. “Sarah! I told you to go home and reflect on your actions, and instead, you’re out buying wedding rings? You think I’ll still marry you with this attitude?” He roughly grabbed my hand, forcibly took off the ring, and handed it back to the salesclerk. “We’re not buying this ring, thank you.” The edge of the diamond scratched my finger, and blood welled up immediately. The clerk hurried to tend to my wound, but Ethan stopped her coldly. “It’s just a scratch, don’t bother.” I ignored him. Wiping away the blood, I told the clerk, “Please get me that other ring.” Ethan seized my wrist, roaring, “Didn’t I make myself clear? You’re not buying any rings today!” Customers around us started whispering: “That pregnant woman must be his wife, right? This other woman is pretty brazen, daring to pick out wedding rings so openly.” “Shameless. Being the other woman and still wanting a title. See, her man just shut her down.” Seeing this, Ella feigned conciliation. “Sarah, please stop making a scene. It’s embarrassing with so many people watching. How about I give you the ring Ethan just bought me? See if you like it?” The salesclerk also chimed in, “Ma’am, if you keep this up, we can’t do business.” Ethan’s grip tightened, and he was about to drag me away forcefully. I wrenched my hand free. “Ethan, what business is it of yours if I buy a wedding ring? Please mind your own damn business!” “None of my business? Fine! I’m officially calling off our engagement! You’ll never need to buy a wedding ring now!” With that, he shoved me hard. Just as I stumbled and was about to fall, a pair of strong hands caught me. Jason’s voice sounded by my ear, “Honey, sorry I’m late.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392573”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My wife, Sarah, was a lifeguard. A deep-sea specialist. After she led me into the depths, she suddenly left me alone. I thrashed desperately in the water, my oxygen running low, frantically mashing the call button on my radio, sending out an S.O.S. Finally, a response, but it was her impatient rebuke: “Have you had your fun yet? Someone’s choking on water, I’m in a rush to save them! You’re spamming the emergency channel, tying up public resources! Obstructing a rescue is a jailable offense!” Over the cacophony in the background, I heard her ex-boyfriend’s choked, emotional voice. “I knew it, Sarah! I knew you still had feelings for me, that you’d come save me.” At death’s door, I didn’t argue. I kept sending out distress signals. The lifeguard who finally answered told me with regret, “Someone’s drowning in the shallows, all the nearest lifeguards have rushed over. I’ve notified HQ to send someone. You have to hold on.” If I remembered correctly, the shallow area was barely five feet deep. I stared down into the abyss below me, my last bit of oxygen depleting in a haze of despair. Before the blackness of suffocation consumed me, I left Sarah one final message. “I’m done making a scene, Sarah. I wish you two happiness.” The sharp pain of suffocation suddenly vanished. I saw my own body, floating in the seawater. My limbs were still contorted in a struggle for life. Fish and shrimp swam past. With a flick of a tail, my body drifted uncontrollably a little further down. The face under the oxygen mask was a ghastly blue-gray, lips swollen and white from the saltwater. So, I was dead. An hour ago. My wife Sarah and I had come here to dive. As a highly skilled deep-sea lifeguard, she led me into the deep-water zone. But shortly after we arrived, she abruptly left on her own. I wasn’t a strong swimmer and couldn’t handle the deep-sea pressure. I simply couldn’t keep up with Sarah’s speed. In the blink of an eye, she vanished without a trace. Relying on tips she’d given me before, I slowly kicked my legs, managing to hold on for a bit, but I barely moved. Then my leg got tangled in seaweed. Panicking, I gasped for air, and the red light on my oxygen mask flashed – the warning that my air was about to run out. I hurriedly pressed the radio, sending a distress signal to Sarah. After all, she knew my location best; it would save precious search time. However, there was no response from the other end. I remembered when she confessed her feelings for me: “Alex, my job is to save people. As soon as I receive a distress signal, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” “This is your exclusive device.” “Whenever, wherever, if you send a signal, I will cross any distance to be by your side.” I’d thought about setting the signal range to maximum, but decided to keep pressing. Sarah was in charge of this area, and too wide a signal would make pinpointing my location harder. Finally, Sarah’s voice came through, but it was an interrogation. “Alex, what the hell are you doing, mashing the signal button? It’s giving me a headache!” Only then did I realize I’d been pressing too fast, a purely instinctual survival response. I struggled to take a breath to speak, but my throat felt like a rusted pipe; I could only manage a hoarse whisper. My oxygen was nearly gone, but Sarah didn’t seem to notice my distress. When she heard no reply, she grew impatient. I clenched my jaw, forcing out a few words: “Sarah, I’m almost out of air… save me…” But she yelled back, “Have you had your fun yet? Someone’s choking on water, I’m in a rush to save them! You’re spamming the emergency channel, tying up public resources! Obstructing a rescue is a jailable offense!” “And you say you’re out of air? I filled your tank myself, you think I don’t know how much is in it?” “Can you tell the truth for once, instead of just lying?” In the background, I heard her ex-boyfriend, Ryan, his voice thick with emotion. “Sarah, I knew you still had feelings for me, you’d definitely come save me.” Between us, who was the one full of lies? For the past three months, Sarah had often been MIA. Even on dates, if I looked away for a second, she’d be gone. When I asked, she always said a colleague needed her. But I’d clearly seen messages pop up on her phone from a guy – Ryan. My intuition was usually spot on. It cost me a bit, but I found out who he was – her on-again, off-again boyfriend of three years. The woman I was about to marry was still entangled with her ex, running around for him, yet she’d abandoned me in the deep sea and berated me when I called for help. The irony was bitter. The radio let out a piercing shriek as Sarah unilaterally ended the call. Before my oxygen completely ran out, I gritted my teeth and set the distress signal to its maximum range. Finally, a lifeguard responded, but after checking the signal location, he said, as expected, that this area was Sarah’s responsibility and he’d transfer me. “Transfer failed? What’s Captain Sarah doing? How come I can’t reach a single lifeguard in this sector?” “Impossible, Captain Sarah is a trained professional, she wouldn’t make such a rookie mistake!” On the other end of the radio, the lifeguard was discussing it with his colleague. The signal was intermittent, and the suffocation made it hard to hear the rest. I bit my tongue hard, regaining a sliver of consciousness. I heard him say urgently, “Sorry, someone’s drowning in the shallows, all the nearest lifeguards have rushed over. I’ve notified HQ to send someone. You have to hold on.” My vision was already clouding with large black spots. “How long…?” I asked, my voice a mere thread. “I’m… almost out of air…” “We’ll be as quick as possible. Your distress signal is quite far out, making it hard to pinpoint your location, but we’ll reach you and start the rescue within twenty minutes at the latest. You absolutely have to hold on.” He tried to soothe me with words. He even suggested some self-rescue techniques. I looked down at my legs, increasingly tangled in seaweed, trying to breathe steadily, to conserve my minimal energy… I didn’t have the strength to tell him I’d already tried those when I was first abandoned. His words replayed in my mind. “Someone’s drowning in the shallows…” If I remembered correctly, the shallow area was barely five feet deep. Even if a child were drowning, any nearby adult could pull them up, not to mention there were other lifeguards patrolling the beach. But Sarah still went. I remembered a fortnight ago, Sarah missed our wedding. On the dais, to my right, stood my dad, leaning on his cane, his leg still bad. To my left, her parents, looking impatient, constantly checking their phones. Below were our relatives and friends, Sarah’s and mine. Every invitation, Sarah had handwritten and delivered personally. Every step of the reception, she had rehearsed. Even the officiant’s speech, Sarah had meticulously crafted after reading countless books. But after the dry speech ended, when it was time to exchange rings, Sarah’s colleague came up on stage. “Alex, I’m sorry. Captain Sarah had an emergency. Here’s the ring. She said if you put it on, the wedding is complete.” I looked at the wedding ring, so carefully chosen by Sarah. My heart felt like it was submerged in water, sour and swollen. Sarah, did she care about me, or not? After the wedding. Sarah sent a cold, brief thank you. “Alex, thank you for holding the wedding together on your own. I’m sorry about this. Tonight, you can punish me however you want.” Then, in the empty bridal suite, I waited for her all night. The next day, I opened social media and saw Ryan had updated his status. “Your groom wasn’t me, but your wedding night was mine.” Below it was a photo: Sarah, asleep. And Sarah, using her main account, liked it. That evening. Sarah came home for dinner. I sat across the table from her, calmly expressing my views on marriage, on love. I said that since we were married, we had to take on the corresponding responsibilities. But she held her chopsticks in one hand, shoveling food into her mouth, while her other hand was busy replying to messages. She yawned. I stared at her. On the screen, the account labeled “Colleague” sent a message. “You worked hard last night. I won’t be so difficult next time.” The dam of my suppressed anger finally burst. I threw the social media evidence at her, questioning her, arguing with her. She flew into a rage, slammed the door, and left. I looked at the mess on the floor, an endless weariness washing over me. Since Sarah couldn’t make a choice, I would make it for her. I sent her a divorce message and started packing to move out. But Sarah knelt before me in the pouring rain, and right in front of me, blocked all of Ryan’s contact methods. She said, “Alex, I love you. Let’s put the past behind us, start fresh. I messed up the wedding, I’ll make it up to you with a honeymoon, okay?” And then, she took me to the deep sea, and abandoned me again. The lifeguard on the other end of the radio couldn’t hear my response and his tone grew anxious. “Can you still hear me? I’m doing my best to get there, please don’t give up hope.” Just as he said that, the signal cut out due to the distance. I didn’t want to give up hope, but reality didn’t bend to my will. The red light on my oxygen tank blinked faster and faster. I gritted my teeth and thrashed my legs, but I couldn’t break free from the damn seaweed. My consciousness began to fade, my body spasming from oxygen deprivation. In an instant. The light on the oxygen tank stopped blinking. It was completely empty. Many images flashed before my eyes, finally settling on Sarah’s back as she turned and walked away without hesitation. With my last breath, I pressed the distress signal and spoke my final words. Perhaps it was too much regret. My soul drifted higher and higher, following my last words, to Sarah’s side. The shallow area was bustling with people, forming a circle. In the center of the crowd, Ryan and Sarah were playing out a chase scene. Sarah gripped Ryan’s hand tightly, hugging him close. “Ryan, don’t test anyone with your own life. You need to love yourself, understand?” The crowd was just watching the spectacle, but Sarah’s colleagues looked like they were swallowing something bitter. Finally, someone couldn’t stand it anymore and pushed through the crowd. He reminded her, “Captain, we need to go. HQ sent a message twenty minutes ago. Someone’s out of oxygen in the deep-sea zone, ordering us to launch a rescue.” I remembered him; he was the one who brought the ring to the stage at the wedding. His name was Mark. Sarah frowned, bent down to tuck the blanket around Ryan, then turned around impatiently. “I made myself clear. No one is out of oxygen in the deep-sea zone. I just came from there to rescue him. I know better than you!” Mark’s face flushed red. “But HQ keeps pushing. It’s a matter of life and death, we can’t be careless.” Hearing this, Sarah’s face darkened. She felt her authority was challenged and said sarcastically, “What a coincidence, two lives in danger at the same time. Someone must be lying. If you want to question my decision, rush to grab the credit, then get lost. I’m not stopping you!” “It’s a life-or-death situation, how did it become about grabbing credit? Besides, you’re in charge of this area. One order from you, and we all have to come witness your love story with your… partner. You think anyone dares to leave?” Mark was young and fiery, his words dripping with sarcasm. “You!” Sarah’s face turned ashen. She grabbed Mark’s collar. The crowd recoiled in fear, and her colleagues rushed forward. Ryan gently tugged at Sarah’s sleeve, swaying it back and forth. “Sarah, don’t be mad.” “Mark’s not a bad guy, he just wants to save people. I think… we should go.” And just like that, after his two sentences, Sarah let go of Mark. Ryan smiled brightly, turned, and bowed to the crowd. “Thank you all for saving me just now. You’ll all be rewarded. I’ll cherish my life and never trouble anyone again.” With that, he winked at Sarah. He wouldn’t trouble others, but Sarah… she wasn’t “others.” The twenty-minute rescue window HQ had told me about had completely passed. Only then did Sarah and her team set off in the rescue boat. As she buckled her life vest, Sarah muttered impatiently. “Always causing trouble, wasting time.” My smile was bleak. Sarah, I am already asleep beneath the waves. I won’t cause any more trouble. The rescue boat sped across the sea. Sarah helped Ryan adjust his blanket. “Sarah, your radio suddenly went silent earlier. Alex isn’t really in trouble, is he?” Ryan tilted his head, feigning concern. Sarah sneered. “He’s doing it on purpose.” “A perfectly good honeymoon, and he has to make such a drama out of it. Just now on the radio, he was saying something about not making a scene anymore. I don’t get what’s going on in his head.” Hearing this, Ryan lowered his head, a smug smile playing on his lips. But his tone was still soft and weak. “Is it because of the wedding? Sarah, I really didn’t mean to. You know I have depression. How about… you ask Alex to come out, and we can clear things up?” He struck a magnanimous pose, his eyes slightly red. Sarah gently stroked the corner of his eye, shaking her head. “No need. You’re sick. You don’t have to accommodate anyone.” With that, Sarah let go of Ryan, sat to one side, and began to define the search area. She suddenly frowned, tapping her finger twice on a specific location, then took out her radio, trying to reconnect to the distress signal. But it failed. I saw her sigh, take out her phone, open her messaging app. The wallpaper was a photo of me. She opened a chat window labeled “Hubby” and typed: “Alex, life needs a little drama to be exciting. The honeymoon I promised you has just begun. You wanted to see snow, right? We’ll leave tomorrow.” A faint smile unconsciously touched her lips. If we could share the snow, this life would count as growing old together. The rescue boat suddenly stopped. A wave crashed over it, flooding the boat. Sarah, quick as lightning, grabbed Ryan, holding him protectively. The message she’d just typed hadn’t been sent; her phone, soaked, went black. Ryan coughed violently, his arms wrapped tightly around Sarah’s waist. Sarah patted him soothingly, pried his hands off, and stood up from the rescue boat. The lifeguards climbed back in, one by one. The radar was off, but they were still checking for other victims. One lifeguard climbed onto Sarah’s boat, ripped off his oxygen mask, and threw it aside. He panted, questioning her: “Captain Sarah, this is your sector! Lifeguards from further out rushed here, but you were missing! What the hell were you doing?!” My body was pulled out, bloated and grotesque from the seawater. A female lifeguard covered me with her jacket, preserving my last shred of dignity, only my arm hung limply. Sarah’s gaze fell upon me, and when she saw the wedding ring on my ring finger, she froze. The lifeguard was still speaking up for me. “According to the signal trajectory, you were the first to receive the victim’s distress call. Why didn’t you save him? You call yourself a senior lifeguard? Watching a life end right before your eyes! To put it bluntly, this is tantamount to intentional homicide!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392591”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

“Can you, a transmigrator, just disappear already?!” Liam glared at me, his face filled with disgust, as he swatted the cake I had personally baked to the ground. The two small figures I had painstakingly drawn on it lay smashed and jumbled. I stared blankly at the ruined cake, my face, I realized, was wet with tears. “Don’t you dare cry in front of me. It’s truly annoying!” “You’ve taken over my beloved’s body, stolen everything that was hers. I wish I could kill you!” But I was innocent. Transmigration wasn’t something I could control. Why was I being blamed for everything? 1 “What do you think I should get Liam for his birthday?” I asked Jenny, hugging a pillow to my chest, my face flushed with shyness. “Oh, looking shy, are we? So, you’re going to confess to my brother on his birthday?” I buried my face deeper into the pillow and softly hummed a “yes.” Liam and I had grown up together, childhood friends. Our families were close, and everyone pretty much assumed we were a couple. It was no surprise that I had fallen for him. Jenny leaped up from her chair, excitedly exclaiming, “Riley, you’re finally going to be my sister-in-law! My best friend is my future sister-in-law. Is there anyone luckier than me in the world?!” I blushed, smiling shyly. “It’s not a done deal yet. Maybe Liam doesn’t even like me.” Jenny thumped her chest, assuring me, “Riley, don’t worry. My brother, that ice block, definitely likes you. I’ve never seen him be as gentle with anyone else as he is with you.” “What do you think about me baking a cake myself? Liam isn’t short on expensive gifts, nor on people to give them to him. So, I think the thought counts most. What do you say?” “Of course! I bet my brother wouldn’t even want to eat it then! Want me to come help you?” “No, I want to do it all by myself. That way, it’ll truly be from the heart.” For the next few days, every moment outside of classes was spent at baking lessons, learning how to make the perfect cake. From awkwardly shaped blobs at first to something reasonably presentable now, I finally finished the cake on the morning of Liam’s birthday. On top, I’d drawn two small figures, holding hands, with the words “Ten fingers interlocked, tightly embraced, accompanied for a lifetime” written below in English. Liam always preferred low-key celebrations, so for his birthday, he’d only invited a few close friends for a get-together. After carefully packaging the cake, I set it aside, constantly checking my phone for a message. I waited from morning until night, but no invitation from Liam arrived. I felt a strange sense of unease, refreshing my phone repeatedly. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I quickly opened it, only to see a message from Jenny. My eyes dropped, disappointment clearly visible. “Riley, my brother’s birthday party is almost over. Why haven’t you shown up?” “Liam didn’t invite me.” I stared at Jenny’s message, reading each word in disbelief. The hope I had clung to finally shattered completely. “Huh? How could that be? Did my brother forget to send it to you?” Forget? No way. He invited the same people every year. Unless it was intentional, he wouldn’t forget. But why would Liam do this? My heart felt like it was crawling with countless ants, sending sharp pains through me. Unbeknownst to me, my eyes had already welled up, blurring my vision. My fingers trembled as I typed, trying to find an excuse for Liam, but my tears wouldn’t listen, splattering onto the phone screen. “Can you send me the address? I’ll head over.” “Okay, in private room 4416.” Jenny then sent a location pin. I looked at the address, called my family’s driver, and turned off my phone. I quickly wiped the tears from my face, picked up the cake, and walked out the door. My phone, still in my jacket pocket, kept vibrating with notifications, likely Jenny trying to comfort me. But I didn’t want to look. My mind was a tangled mess, and all I wanted was to get to Liam and ask him what was going on. The evening weather had suddenly turned cold. I had rushed out, only grabbing a thin jacket, and shivered in the biting wind, pulling my collar tighter to ward off the chill. Thankfully, Uncle Bob arrived quickly. I swiftly got into the car, closed the door, and finally felt a bit of warmth. “Uncle Bob, to the Grand Hotel. Please, a little fast, thank you.” Uncle Bob glanced back at the cake on the seat beside me and casually asked, “Miss, going to Liam’s birthday?” I forced a smile. “Yes.” “No wonder you’re in such a rush. Don’t worry, Miss, I’ll get you there in time. That Liam, really, not even bothering to tell you in advance. Making you rush like this. He needs a good talking-to,” the driver chuckled. “Yeah.” 2 I stood nervously outside the private room, taking several deep breaths, trying to plaster a smile on my face. I knocked, then pushed the door open. Liam’s birthday party was clearly over. Liam wasn’t a fan of flashy decorations, so the room had no special setup, only a pile of gifts on the floor. I stepped inside and saw Liam sitting on the sofa, texting someone. A gentle smile played on his face, and his eyes shimmered with a soft glow. My heart sank, but I kept my expression neutral, maintaining my smile. “Liam, how come you didn’t invite me to your birthday? That’s so rude!” Liam looked up when he heard my voice. The gentleness vanished from his face, replaced by a slight frown. “Why are you here?” The coldness and distance in Liam’s tone were undisguised. I froze, my smile faltering, trying to suppress the ache in my chest. I walked up to Liam, offering him the cake. “I came to bring you a birthday cake. I made it myself…” Before I could finish, Liam abruptly stood up and knocked the cake to the floor. “Get away from me!” I stared blankly at the ruined cake on the ground, my face, I realized, was covered in tears. Why had it come to this? Everything had been fine just a month ago. All I’d been doing was learning how to bake a cake, and now, suddenly, everything had changed. “Crying? How dare you even cry?” I looked up at Liam in disbelief. The disgust in his eyes was like a sharp sword, piercing my heart. It hurt so much, so much… “Why?” Liam scoffed as if he’d heard a joke. “Fine, you want to know why? I’ll tell you.” His voice was low and menacing. “My kindness towards you for the past three years was all for this moment, to humiliate you right to your face.” His eyes narrowed. “Riley Jenkins, every time I called you ‘Riley’ I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to kill you with my own hands!” He snarled. “You’ve taken over my beloved’s body, stolen everything that was hers. I’ll make you, a shameless transmigrator, pay the price!” Yes, I was a transmigrator. In my original world, I was an orphan, alone and friendless. After a car accident, I woke up in this world. The Riley Jenkins of this world was born into a family that adored her, surrounded by loving parents and friends. No one knew how terrified I was when I first woke up in that hospital, facing unfamiliar surroundings and people. But gradually, I began to acquire all of the original Riley’s memories, almost forgetting my past life. Over time, I truly started to believe I belonged to this world. So, I shamelessly usurped “Riley Jenkins’” life. I thought this secret would forever remain mine, but it turns out, it was a joke from the very beginning. I don’t remember how I got back. After Liam finished speaking, I just left, abandoning myself there. I only remember how cold the wind was that day, its chill seeping through my skin and into my heart. 3 “Riley, Riley! Can you hear me? You have a fever. We need to go to the hospital, okay?” So, that’s why I felt so awful. I had a fever. I struggled to open my eyes and saw Jenny’s worried face. I tried to force a smile, hoping to reassure her. “It’s nothing. I just need to lie down a bit longer.” “No, we have to go to the hospital. You’re burning up. It must be a high fever.” Jenny touched my forehead, her expression serious. Jenny asked our two other roommates to call in sick for us, then helped me out of bed and called an Uber. I wore a mask, leaning weakly against Jenny, my head throbbing. “Jenny, if I weren’t Riley, would you still be this good to me?” Jenny frowned, checked my forehead again, then hers for comparison. “You really are burning up. No wonder you’re talking nonsense.” At the hospital, my temperature was 103.1°F. I lay in the hospital bed, an IV drip in my arm. I watched Jenny bustling around the room for me, pouring hot water, buying me porridge. My eyes welled up. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Jenny, finishing her tasks, stretched and noticed my tears. She rushed to my side. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere else?” I bit my lip hard, trying to hold back the tears. But as I saw the worry in Jenny’s eyes, the tears still rolled down like broken pearls, my shoulders beginning to tremble, my body shaking uncontrollably. “Riley, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me.” Jenny hugged me, patting my back, repeatedly asking what was wrong. After finally calming down, I pulled away from Jenny, wiped my tears, and explained, “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just touched.” Jenny paused, surprised by my answer, then laughed. “Because when I was little, I got sick once. My family wasn’t home, and you found me and took me to the hospital.” Jenny’s words struck me like a lightning bolt, leaving me utterly shattered. Jenny saw my stunned expression and thought I had simply forgotten the incident. “Oh, it’s not a big deal, really. But from that day on, I decided we’d be best friends for life.” My mind was a tangled mess, I didn’t know how to speak. Jenny’s worried gaze felt like countless sharp swords, slowly tearing me apart. Just then, the door opened. I turned my head and saw Liam walk in. Panic flashed in my eyes as I lay helplessly in the hospital bed. Why was he here? Was he here to expose me? “Bro, you’re here.” “Yeah.” “Well… I’ll head out then. You two chat.” Jenny winked at me, then left the hospital, leaving Liam and me alone. I wasn’t so naive as to think Liam had come on his own. Jenny must have tricked him into coming. We stared at each other for a long time. I wanted to say so much, but in the end, I swallowed all the words. “I’m sorry…” I couldn’t stand the oppressive atmosphere in the room anymore and spoke first. A thousand words could only be condensed into those three. Liam’s eyes were beautiful. When he smiled, the corners tilted up, like charming, soulful eyes. But when he didn’t smile, his gaze became cold, sharp, calm, and indifferent. When he heard my apology, his suppressed anger seemed to ignite. “Riley Jenkins, does ‘sorry’ help? Can you get out of her body and give her back to me?” I didn’t know what to do. I could only cover my face and cry, begging him not to tell anyone. “I’m so sorry, so sorry. Please, don’t tell Jenny and my parents…” Liam scoffed as if he’d heard a joke. “The day you took over her body, you should have expected the day you’d be exposed.” His voice was chilling. “Not only will they know, but I’ll make sure everyone you know finds out what a selfish, disgusting person you are.” “Liam, I beg you, please don’t tell them? I promise I’ll stay far away from you.” I ripped out the IV needle in the back of my hand. My legs gave out as I tried to get out of bed, and I fell to the floor, having to brace myself with my arms. Liam walked over and knelt down, pinching my chin. He saw my tear-streaked face and smiled with satisfaction, then forcefully shoved my face away. The fingers that had touched my face vigorously rubbed on my clothes, as if I were something dirty. His grip was strong, and the skin where he had touched burned with pain. I gasped. Liam seemed very pleased with my pathetic state. “This is just the beginning. From now on, I’ll make you pay back double, make you regret ever coming to this world.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392607”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I had loved Julian Sterling for a decade, clawing my way to marry him. I even ruthlessly drove away the idealized first love he cherished. Six years into our marriage, women around him changed like a revolving door, yet no matter how he hurt me, I never considered leaving. Until that day, pregnant, I saw him bring another woman home, twisting and turning on our marital bed. I broke down and questioned him, but he sneered, “Aurora Hayes, don’t forget what you said when we married—as long as you could marry me, you wouldn’t interfere with my private life.” “If you feel short-changed, you’re free to go find someone else.” He glanced at my swollen belly, his voice utterly contemptuous, “Remember to use protection. Don’t defile the Sterling bloodline.” I lunged forward, losing control, but he coldly pushed me away. I stumbled down the stairs, leading to the tragic loss of both mother and child. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I saw him bring that woman home. This time, I resolved to let go of a decade of obsession, to both fulfill Julian’s desires and reclaim my soul. 1 During my anomaly scan, I learned I was having a daughter. Overjoyed, I bought a heap of pink baby items from the store, eager to surprise Julian. The moment I stepped through the door, a faint, lingering scent of perfume tightened my chest—a smell I couldn’t bear during my pregnancy. I climbed the stairs, step by step, and saw scattered clothes in the hallway: men’s ties and trousers entwined with women’s lingerie and slip dresses, trailing all the way to the slightly ajar master bedroom door. Unbearable sounds drifted from within. My palms clenched, nails digging into my flesh. Looking down, the newly bought baby items had somehow slipped from my grasp, mixing with the clothes on the floor, a glaring sight. At this moment, I finally understood: I had been reborn. In my previous life, I had impulsively burst through that door, grappling with the couple inside, only to die consumed by hatred. This time, I merely leaned against the wall, slowly descending the stairs, and quietly sat on the sofa to wait. Time stretched on. Julian finally appeared at the top of the stairs, clad in a bathrobe, the nauseating scent of their recent intimacy clinging to him. He watched my dry retches with an impassive face. I wiped my mouth, my voice eerily calm: “You have a guest?” He nonchalantly nodded, slowly walking towards me. I clutched my belly, stepping back. “And this guest is in our room now?” He paused, likely surprised by my unusual composure. Just then, Chloe Peterson, a woman who could have walked off a movie screen, glided down the stairs, wrapped in my silk nightgown. Her chest was covered in red marks from their pleasure. She deliberately asked in a delicate voice, “Mr. Sterling, who is this…?” Julian squeezed her shoulder, his eyes full of provocative intent: “Her? Oh, she’s my wife—no, Mrs. Sterling, I should say.” Chloe gasped, her voice trembling artfully: “You’re so naughty! Why didn’t you tell me your wife would be back…?” Julian kissed her neck, then smiled at me: “Mrs. Sterling, didn’t we agree? This marriage is a mutual arrangement, no interference.” “You haven’t lost out these past six years. The Sterling family has been more than generous to the Hayes family.” He was right. Had it not been for the staggering sum from our prenuptial agreement, Hayes Industries would have long gone bankrupt, and my parents and brother wouldn’t be living in such luxury today. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “I understand. I apologize for interrupting.” I put on my shoes and pulled open the door. From behind me, Julian’s voice came, with a barely perceptible tremor: “Wait!” I didn’t look back. Julian, this time, I won’t wait for you. 2 Dragging my heavy body, I stepped out of the gated community and hailed a cab. Before opening the car door, I took one last look at that mansion—perhaps this was the best ending. At least it wouldn’t be like my previous life, where I sacrificed my life for someone who never loved me. Unable to go back to my parents’ house, I could only return to my small pre-marital apartment. I threw the sheets and duvet covers into the washing machine, then wiped down tables and mopped the floors, leaving no corner untouched. By the time everything was tidied, it was already late night. A cramping pain subtly radiated from my belly. I curled up in bed, clutching a pillow, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. A cold, wet sensation on my face surprised me; it was tears. Ten years of bitter, unrequited love ending so abruptly. My heart ached. I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, tossing and turning through a sleepless night. But Julian, meanwhile, was lost in Chloe Peterson’s tender embrace, seemingly forgetting all else. The trending actress had been frequently flaunting her happiness on social media: candlelit dinners, expensive jewelry, designer handbags… The backgrounds of her photos and videos were all too familiar—my marital home. There was even one photo where the reflection of a tall, imposing man preparing a late-night snack in the kitchen was visible on the glass window. That particular photo had delighted her fans for a long time, and it had left me stunned for equally as long. The man who wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook for another woman. A week later, on a Monday, the day of Sterling Corp.’s board meeting, I took the opportunity to return to the mansion. I quickly packed my bags, grabbed my documents, and headed downstairs, only to run straight into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the items in my hand, he let out a cold laugh, snatched my luggage, and flung it aside. I frowned at him. “What are you doing?” “Aurora Hayes, I should be asking you what you’re doing!” “Are you so childish that you’re still playing the ‘running away from home’ game?” “What’s your next move? Are you going to threaten suicide again, like before?” Julian’s brows furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he chastised me. “Why would I kill myself?” I scoffed, gripping the stair railing tightly. The old me truly wasn’t clear-headed enough. To win him back, I repeatedly used my life as a threat. But after living through my previous life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to experience the despair of hitting rock bottom again. Moreover, a cold-hearted, unfeeling man like Julian was simply not worth my lingering affection. Julian sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. “What new trick are you pulling? I’m busy. I don’t have time for your drama.” “Those tactics of yours, they might work once or twice, but too many times, it’s just crying wolf.” I looked directly at Julian, explaining: “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to pack my things and move out.” “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” Julian, uncharacteristically, froze for a moment, then looked at me with increased impatience. “Divorce? You’re carrying a Sterling heir, and you’re bringing up divorce now? Do you think you can use this child to flaunt your status?” I didn’t respond to him. I carefully walked downstairs, from my bag, I pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared in advance and handed them to him. “Yes, I want a divorce.” “I don’t want anything from the Sterling family. I just want to separate from you.” Julian and I had been married for six years, but during those years, aside from the routine maintenance of this villa, he hadn’t spent any significant money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Sterling, but only I knew that every penny I spent came from my freelance online writing. Since I hadn’t spent Julian’s money during our marriage, I certainly had no desire for financial entanglement with him in a divorce. Julian quickly scanned the document, his expression unreadable, and set it aside. A scoff escaped his throat, its cold echo like an ice pick piercing my heart: “Leave with nothing? Aurora Hayes, are you thirty years old and still so naive?” He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly rose, looming over me, his shadow completely engulfing me: “Without the mighty Sterling family, do you think your father and brother can stand firm in the business world?” “After the divorce, how will your family sustain your current extravagant lifestyle?” I leaned back, avoiding his approach, the emotions swirling beneath my eyelashes solidifying into frost. I stubbornly pressed my lips together. “Julian, even if you use my family as leverage, you can’t trap me anymore.” As if stunned by the resolve in my eyes, Julian stepped back, his expression growing colder and harder. “Reason?” He paused, then conceded: “Because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I apologize. This time it was my fault. I promise I won’t let them appear in front of you again.” My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I laughed openly and defiantly. “No need, Julian.” “For these past six years, I’ve had enough of your emotional torment and abuse. I’ve had enough of daily waiting for a man whose heart was never truly with me.” I suddenly pulled off the only string of beads he had given me. The round beads clattered onto the carpet. “Even if it means my entire family has to work as dishwashers or sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again.” 3 Julian, unable to suppress his rage, slammed the door and left. I thought, given his proud nature, it wouldn’t take more than a few days for him to contact me to finalize the divorce papers, eager to sweep me out. To my surprise, the first call I received was from my mother. Her voice on the phone bubbled with delight: “Aurora, your husband just sent me the new season’s clothes and bags from the top luxury brands! He got your brother a new supercar, and even let your father develop that piece of land in the Southside!” “Your father, he’s so happy he can’t stop smiling. He keeps saying how much easier you make things for him, how you know how to keep the Sterling family’s golden goose happy.” “Aurora, you truly are capable! When I go out with those wealthy ladies now, who doesn’t flatter me on my good fortune, having such a wonderful daughter like you marrying into the Sterling family?” A wave of sadness washed over me. It turned out that my value as a “good daughter” was merely to marry into a rich family and appease my unloving husband for my family’s benefit. Forcing down my anger, I told my mother, “Don’t accept anything from Julian Sterling anymore. We’re getting a divorce.” I couldn’t hide my grievance, telling my mother that Julian didn’t love me, that he still resented me for driving away his idealized first love, and that he had been retaliating with a string of affairs all these years. My mother, however, was dismissive. “Don’t throw a tantrum. Julian holds a high and powerful position; it’s normal for a man like that to have a few women around.” “Just be more generous. Holding onto your position as Mrs. Sterling is what matters most!” “Besides, you have a child now. If it’s a boy, who can shake your position in the Sterling family? If it’s a girl, then you just try harder and get pregnant again soon.” My mother’s words left me sobbing. I questioned her, heartbroken: “Mom, just for the Hayes family’s prosperity, you forced me to marry Julian. Now you want me to use my child as a patch for our marriage?” “But Mom, I loved Julian for ten years. I really can’t accept him constantly being with other women!” I hung up the phone and went straight to Julian’s company. Seeing me, he showed no surprise, leaning casually back in his leather office chair, twirling a pen between his fingers. His dark tie made his eyes appear even more refined and cold. “Come to admit your mistake?” “This time, considering you’re pregnant, I’ll forgive you. Don’t bring up divorce again. Just go home and be a good Mrs. Sterling.” He pulled out a card and pushed it towards me. “There’s five million in it. It’s your compensation.” I didn’t take his card. I just looked at him calmly. “Julian, you don’t love me, you even detest me. Wouldn’t it be better if I willingly vacated the position of Mrs. Sterling now?” Julian’s eyebrows furrowed into sharp angles, his jawline tense, signaling suppressed rage. “Aurora Hayes, is this your new tactic to play hard to get?” “You don’t need to compete with other women out there. I can tell you clearly: after Ivy and I broke up, I won’t fall in love with anyone else, and no one can shake your position.” “You should understand that a respectful, non-interfering partnership is the best outcome for you and me. You don’t need to hope for love from me.” “If you have any other demands, you can make them.” His feigned concern sickened me. He played the role of a deeply devoted man who couldn’t forget his first love, while simultaneously entangled with various women. Like a clumsy actor, playing a charade of deep affection for so many years. I looked at Julian coldly, stating calmly, “No, thank you, Julian. I only want a divorce.” “That is my only request.” The air in the entire office solidified into ice. Julian’s obsidian eyes swirled with a cold, oppressive intensity. After a long moment, he picked up the divorce papers and quickly signed them. “Fine, as you wish, we’re divorced.” A wave of relief washed over me. I carefully put away the agreement. I smiled at him genuinely. “Julian, thank you.” Thank you for making me understand that a heart full of fervent love will ultimately become a sharp blade piercing one’s chest. 4 Leaving Sterling Corp., I headed straight to the prenatal clinic to schedule an abortion. The doctor repeatedly confirmed with me, “The child is already six months old and very healthy. Are you sure you want to proceed with the procedure?” My heart felt as if it were being pricked by countless tiny needles. I clenched my fingers, knuckles white from the effort. How could I bear to part with this child? But I absolutely would not give birth to a child destined to be used as leverage. Better a quick, painful end than prolonged agony. I signed the consent form for the surgery. The next morning. I arrived alone at the private hospital for the procedure. I ran into Julian, carefully escorting Chloe Peterson, whose abdomen was still flat. Seeing me, Julian seemed momentarily awkward, but his expression quickly returned to calm. He casually told me, “Go straight home after your check-up. You’re far along; don’t run around.” With that, he averted his gaze and, shielding Chloe, prepared to leave. But Chloe suddenly spoke in a sweet, cooing voice: “Honey, I left the vitamins I need to take every day in the car. Could you please fetch them for me?” Julian, suspecting nothing, affectionately stroked her hair and turned to leave. Chloe chuckled, walking closer to me: “What a coincidence, you’re here for a prenatal check-up too?” The word ‘too’ was subtly used. No wonder Julian agreed to the divorce so readily; he wanted to legitimize his outside relationship. But now, I no longer cared. I walked past Chloe, not intending to engage with her. She blocked my path, continuing her provocation: “Judging by the baby items you prepared at home, your baby is a girl, right?” “I already got a blood test in Hong Kong; it’s a boy.” “Oh, and that nursery you decorated, Julian said it’s for our son. You don’t mind, do you?” “And all those little girl dresses you bought, they take up too much space. They were an eyesore, so I burned them yesterday. You probably won’t need them anyway—” Her sweet, cunning smile made my eyes sting. Before she could finish, my palm had already connected sharply with her meticulously made-up face. Chloe stumbled, leaning on the wall to steady herself, her malicious eyes instantly brimming with tears. The next second— “Are you insane?!” Julian yanked my wrist with immense force. I staggered backward, my back slamming against the fire hydrant on the wall. The metal edges dug into my spine, making it numb. Intense pain exploded in a flash of white light before my eyes. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, clutching my belly. Julian, however, didn’t spare a glance at my disheveled state. He carefully helped Chloe up, then turned to glare at me: “Aurora Hayes, you were the one who insisted on a divorce! What are you doing here now, competing for attention?” “Chloe is pregnant now. If anything happens to her, I’ll make your whole family pay!” “Julian.” I tried to stand, leaning on the wall, but the pain made my vision blur. “Control your trophy mistress—” Chloe suddenly began coughing violently, her pale fingertips clutching Julian’s sleeve: “Julian, I just wanted to ask about her health…” “You’ve been through too much,” Julian said, picking Chloe up. “Aurora Hayes, you’re free. Tomorrow morning at ten, we’ll finalize the paperwork at the registrar’s office.” His voice was cold as ice, not even sparing a glance for me, curled up against the wall. Just then, the piercing sound of the hospital’s public address system blared through the hallway: “Patient Aurora Hayes, Operating Room 2 is ready. Please proceed immediately for your procedure!” Julian naturally heard the announcement. He looked up at the name scrolling across the screen, his throat bobbed twice, his gaze instinctively flickered towards me. But in the end, he continued to carry Chloe away, fading into the distance. I got up, stumbling into the operating room, and signed the pre-surgical consent form. Lying on the operating table, the doctor confirmed with me again. “Ms. Hayes, the baby is already twenty-four weeks. It could survive if born now. Are you sure you want to terminate the pregnancy?” The fetus in my womb suddenly moved violently, as if protesting the impending separation. My nose ached, and tears finally fell uncontrollably, dripping onto the cold operating table. “I’m sure.” Just as the anesthetic was about to be injected into my veins, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside…

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392626”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My A-list actress wife, Seraphina Sterling, had always maintained strict boundaries: no man other than me was permitted to touch her. Even in group photos with male co-stars, she kept a discreet arm’s length. Until my birthday. That day, her new co-star, Sebastian Reed, posted an update. The photo showed Seraphina allowing Sebastian Reed to embrace her from behind, his arm circling her waist. The caption read: 【Eight years a fan, now sharing the screen with my idol? Manifest that dream, Sebastian Reed! Keep chasing your light (fist emoji)!】 I commented with a single question mark: 【Is that your wife you’re clutching onto?】 Seraphina’s call came through almost instantly. “My co-star, he’s like a little brother, just got carried away with the excitement of working with an idol. Don’t be so narrow-minded. Be a good husband, delete the comment.” The internet crowd swiftly condemned me for being overly possessive. Sebastian swiftly updated his post: 【The path to dreams is often paved with misunderstanding, but my guiding star reminds me not to lose heart.】 Watching the overwhelming wave of positive comments drown out any dissent, I made a call. By the next day, Sebastian’s lead role was gone. 1 “Do you know how important this role was to Sebastian? He prepared for two years just to nail that audition! And you, with some bogus charge, you’re just going to ruin all his hard work?!” This was Seraphina’s first real fight with me, and it was over a fresh face in Hollywood. I let out a cold laugh. “The power to greenlight or axe projects rests with me. Since I possess that power, why shouldn’t I use it?” This particular production held immense commercial potential. The director had secured Seraphina, an A-list actress, and had then brought me in as an investor. At least within the confines of this project, my word was law. Why would I forfeit my advantage, to “fairly compete” with some rookie who dared to post pictures embracing my wife? The internet mob might be unaware, but this young man, whose career I had funded and supported, knew exactly who my wife truly was. “Seraphina, listen closely.” I rose, cupping her face in my hands. “I am your husband. And while ours might be a marriage of convenience, that doesn’t mean you’re exempt from giving me even the most basic respect.” Besides, our union wasn’t entirely devoid of genuine emotion… “I told you, there’s genuinely nothing going on between us,” Seraphina insisted, pushing me away, a sharp, decisive gesture. “We’re playing a couple on screen. Am I not even allowed to act with him? Why do you always jump to the worst conclusions?” “Nothing at all?” I took out my phone and showed her the barrage of online comments. Under Sebastian’s post, countless netizens were wildly celebrating: 【Oh my gosh! That scene wasn’t in the script! His hand was practically wrapped around her waist! If that’s not love, what is?!】 【So sweet, I could die. Everyone knows Seraphina never lets men touch her, and Sebastian practically had her in his arms!】 【Rumors floated around that the A-list actress had a secret marriage. Thank god I didn’t fall for that!】 … Seraphina frowned. “The internet mob always twists things. You can’t take any of that seriously!” “And you, Seraphina?” I pressed, stepping closer. “You’ve navigated Hollywood for years. Are you really unaware of the impact that post would have?” She faltered. I let out a cold laugh. “You knew exactly how people would interpret that, you knew I had a possessive streak, yet you let it happen!” “Julian Thorne, for such a trivial matter, are you really going to be this unreasonable?!” CRASH! The vase shattered on the floor. Seraphina looked at me, startled. “Why do you get to define my ‘trivial matters’?” I asked, my voice dangerously low. For five years, we had lived in respectful harmony. Though our union began as a business arrangement, countless moments of shared intimacy had forged a genuine bond over time. She had even told me she only allowed me to touch her. This was our first real fight, the first time I’d ever laid a hand on her. All because of a boy I’d once sponsored. “Just calm down,” Seraphina snapped, snatching her bag, and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her with a sickening thud. In the living room, my birthday cake sat on the coffee table, still untouched, its box pristine. 2 The very next day, a new trending topic exploded online: Seraphina Sterling walked off the set. Trolls mocked me mercilessly: 【Seriously, though. That leech thinks he’s so rich he can just axe Sebastian? The A-list actress just put her foot down and walked off!】 【Who does he think he is, anyway, hahaha!】 【Does this confirm it? Seraphina and Sebastian are actually a thing?!】 【Still asking? Seraphina never lets men touch her, and Sebastian practically had her in his arms! I’m melting…】 The entire internet condemned me. Due to the nature of our arranged marriage, our families had agreed to keep our union private. This led many netizens to mistakenly believe I was Seraphina’s “delusional fan,” even dragging my name through the mud on social media for days. Each time, Seraphina had them taken down. But I knew her true colors—this was her defiant way of showing me. The director called me, practically in tears, begging me to persuade Seraphina to return. But honestly, I had no idea where she was. She’d vanished after her announcement, wouldn’t even pick up my calls. Just then, my phone buzzed. Sebastian had a new post. In the photo, he was perched in a helicopter, sunglasses on, a skydiving pack strapped to his back, his hand firmly clasped with another. Seraphina, who typically shunned extreme sports, had a faint smile playing on her lips. Her gaze wasn’t on the camera, but on Sebastian. The caption read: 【They say hearts beat truer under pressure. Will my guiding light feel the same pulse for me, in this very moment?】 I replied to the director. “Sebastian just posted something. The photo should give you a clue where he is.” “Huh? Mr. Thorne… no, he hasn’t.” “What?” My mind went blank. The director sent a screenshot. Sebastian’s last public post was three days ago. I quickly messaged a few mutual friends. Sure enough, only I could see that particular post. Sebastian had set it to “viewable only by me”… Seraphina couldn’t possibly be unaware of the photo’s implication. Yet she simply smiled at him, letting him capture the moment. It was a deliberate provocation from both of them. Two years prior, I could have just cut off his sponsorship allowance. But now he was self-sufficient, and my financial backing had shifted to resource allocation, which was no longer effective in controlling him. My assistant cautiously asked, “Mr. Thorne, are you… alright?” “Of course.” I let out a cold, dismissive laugh. In business, taking a hit or being double-crossed was just part of the game. If I couldn’t handle that, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The director was still wailing on the phone. My brow furrowed. “Alright! Enough dramatics. This afternoon, I’ll personally bring you the new lead!” 3 After a week of playing hide-and-seek, Seraphina finally deigned to return. But what greeted her was not a frantic production team and a hysterical me. Instead, she found a set already in full swing, and a young woman meticulously attending to me. The director, beaming, rushed to my side. “Thank god, Mr. Thorne, for finding such a perfect fit! Otherwise, this whole production would have gone down the drain!” Seraphina saw Willow Greene delicately lighting my cigarette. In a flash, she snatched the cigarette from my lips and flung it to the ground. “Julian Thorne.” I merely glanced up. Trailing behind her was Sebastian. Seeing another woman by my side, a flicker of triumph, quickly masked, entered his eyes. “Yes?” I replied with a detached air, gesturing for Willow to bring me another drink. Seraphina’s temple pulsed. “What do you mean ‘yes’? Shouldn’t you be explaining yourself?!” “Explain what?” I asked, a genuine question. “When two leads abandon a project, I naturally have to find replacements.” “Do new actors need you to personally supervise them?! Where do you find the time for that?!” Seraphina, her face ablaze with anger, pointed accusingly at Willow. Willow recoiled two steps. I moved to shield her. “Don’t frighten her. She’s new to the industry; she needs guidance.” “Heh…” Seraphina looked as if she hadn’t heard me right. “Guidance from you? Julian Thorne, what kind of impression do you think this gives others?” My patience wore thin. “I sponsored her career. What’s wrong with me teaching her?!” “Sponsored?” Seraphina froze. Seeing Willow cower behind me, her anger flared. “Does sponsorship require such… intimate service? Are you truly blind to her intentions?!” “Mr. Thorne, I didn’t…” Willow quickly tried to explain to me. I smiled reassuringly at her, nodding slightly. Then I turned, frowning at Seraphina. “I sponsor her, and she’s kind to me. Is that not normal? Or are you expecting everyone to be like the man behind you—accepting my patronage, getting promoted to a major production, then openly posting pictures embracing my wife?” Seraphina and Sebastian froze, as if struck by lightning. Seraphina cast a complex, unreadable glance at Sebastian. “You… sponsored him?” Willow spoke up. “Mr. Thorne has sponsored many talented individuals, not just me and Sebastian.” “Shut up!” Seraphina glared fiercely at Willow. I pulled Willow firmly behind me. “I told you, don’t bully my people!” Seraphina was not one to make a scene in public. Even at her breaking point, she still suppressed her fury, then took Sebastian by the arm and walked away, leading him out of my sight. That evening, I returned home. The first thing I saw was Seraphina, her eyes distinctly red-rimmed. I frowned. “What’s wrong with your eyes?” “Julian.” Her voice was a little rough. “I was wrong. Let’s make peace.” 4 I hadn’t expected such a drastic shift in Seraphina. “Why the sudden change of heart?” “Seeing you with Willow today… it made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. But there’s genuinely nothing going on between us.” “I know, and I believe you.” She pulled out her phone and handed it to me. “But it was enough to drive me insane. I imagine that’s how you felt, watching me and Sebastian. I’m so sorry, I was completely out of line before.” I opened her phone. It was Sebastian’s message history. He was still relentlessly messaging her. 【Seraphina? Why suddenly ghost me? We had so much fun out there, didn’t we?】 【??? Answer me! Seraphina! Did Julian say something to you? I swear, I only see you as an idol, a beacon of inspiration!】 【Seraphina, you have to believe me. I’ve been your fan for eight years; you’re my guiding light. I would never do anything to jeopardize your marriage… please, just talk to me…】 … Messages continued to pop up. Seraphina snatched the phone back and instantly blocked him. The phone finally fell silent. “I’m so sorry…” She tentatively moved closer to me. When I didn’t pull away, she gently embraced me. “I just wanted to get a reaction from you, to needle you. It wasn’t until I stood in your shoes, watching you and another woman, that I truly understood how much I hurt you… Julian.” She looked up, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Can we please stop fighting?” “Okay.” This marriage was, at its core, a business arrangement. I wouldn’t sever it lightly. Besides, it wasn’t entirely devoid of emotional connection. This whole incident was simply a matter of her being misguided. Ultimately, the damage wasn’t irreparable. I had only intended to teach her a lesson. A harsh lesson learned, a goal achieved. No need to make a bigger mess than necessary. The very next day, chaos erupted on set. Sebastian returned to the set, blocking my path, his eyes red-rimmed as if he’d cried all night. “I know it was you. Why can’t you believe I’m just a genuine fan pursuing an idol? Do you really believe everyone who gets close to her has ulterior motives?” He finished, then pulled a knife from his sleeve. Willow gasped, attempting to push me out of the way. But he plunged it into his own wrist. Blood welled up, spilling onto the ground, painting a crimson stain. Everyone froze, horror-struck. He held up his bleeding wrist, looking at me with an expression of profound grievance and long-suffering. “Is this enough to prove my innocence, Mr. Thorne?” “Call an ambulance. Don’t let him die on my set.” I turned, my voice calm, giving the order. My eyes met Seraphina’s. She had appeared, silent, at some point. “Seraphina!” Sebastian’s eyes flared with hope. I frowned, watching Seraphina. She cast a cool, dismissive glance at Sebastian. “It was my decision. Don’t bother him again.” Sebastian’s face was a mask of utter disbelief. Seraphina stepped between me and Willow, a deliberate barrier. She took my hand and led me away. She didn’t even spare Sebastian a backward glance. 5 Sebastian became an overnight joke. He had intended to create a scene, to humiliate me. But instead, Seraphina had completely shut him down. After returning home, Seraphina publicly announced our marriage. Sebastian was instantly roasted by the entire internet. He had only reached the spotlight through my patronage. Without my backing, even low-budget web series wouldn’t touch him. What did that have to do with me? He dug his own grave. If he had been half as compliant as Willow, I wouldn’t have abandoned him. Lately, however, Seraphina had often been seen frowning at her phone. She had indeed severed all contact with Sebastian. When she wasn’t looking, I discreetly peeked. It was a mutual friend. They had sent a series of photos and screenshots of Sebastian’s social media posts. In every picture, Sebastian was disheveled, working on small, obscure sets. His eyes would be red-rimmed as he endured verbal abuse. After filming, he would kneel on the ground to scrub the floors. Big-name actors would slap him across the face without hesitation. Another screenshot of his social media read: 【No matter the disgrace, my guiding light taught me not to surrender. Keep moving forward, and hope will always appear.】 The last message in the chat was Seraphina’s: 【Don’t send me these anymore.】 I allowed myself a faint smile. Seems the lesson had taken root. As a reward, the very next day, I visited Seraphina on her set. I even personally cooked her favorite ribs soup. The moment I arrived, Seraphina, her eyes red, confronted me. “Why would you do something like this?” “What?” “Don’t pretend you don’t know!” She swiped her hand, sending the thermal lunchbox I carried flying. It made me stumble. Scalding ribs soup splashed onto my hand and chest, instantly blooming into an angry red rash. “Mr. Thorne!” My assistant cried out, rushing forward. “Ms. Sterling! Mr. Thorne is injured!” “It’s just a little scald, hardly as severe as Sebastian’s injuries!” With that, she yanked a disheveled, dusty young man towards her. 6 I hadn’t expected Sebastian Reed to be an extra on Seraphina’s set. The filming was kept under wraps; most people shouldn’t have known about it. It clicked. Just half an hour before my arrival, Seraphina had stumbled upon Sebastian, acting as a stunt double. He was thrown onto a rooftop, tumbling down, again and again. The director was never satisfied. Thus, he would violently throw himself onto the rooftop, over and over. Seraphina initially had no intention of intervening. But when she saw Sebastian, covered in bruises, still gritting his teeth and throwing himself into the stunt, a wave of empathy washed over her. She remembered her own days as an extra. Those days, repeatedly throwing her body until her bones felt like they were shattering, enduring endless verbal abuse from directors, only to throw herself again and again—it was a past she could never bear to revisit. So she stepped in front of Sebastian, demanding to know whose idea this brutal sequence was. The director, terrified, didn’t dare breathe a word. Seraphina pointed a cold, accusing finger at my name on the investor list. “You don’t have to say it. I know. Julian Thorne, do minor actors deserve this fate?” Now, Seraphina stood over me, looking down, shielding Sebastian securely behind her. “I’ve given you more than enough love and respect. Why must you persist in destroying him completely?” My assistant grew frantic. “Ms. Sterling! Mr. Thorne never…” “Don’t explain!” I pressed a hand on my assistant, enduring the pain, and stood up, looking at her with cold eyes. “If you believe it’s me, then let it be.” Sebastian’s eyes lit up, and he quickly looked at Seraphina. Seraphina’s brow twitched, she let out a cold scoff, then took Sebastian by the arm and walked away. My assistant was frantic. “Mr. Thorne! You didn’t do anything! Why didn’t you explain?!” “Explain?” I let out a cold laugh. “Does she even deserve an explanation?” The director tormenting Sebastian due to his personal biases wasn’t Sebastian’s fault. But Seraphina, without even asking me a single question, instinctively pushed the blame onto me because of a name on an investor list. This showed that she didn’t truly respect me. Explanations often make some people think you’re trying to curry favor. And I wasn’t about to grovel for someone like her. 7 That very day, I became a trending topic, and not in a good way. A mysterious source leaked Sebastian’s stunt double footage, along with a video of Seraphina publicly confronting me on set. The internet erupted in outrage. 【Who does he think he is?! Don’t extras deserve to live?!】 【Seeing this, my heart aches for stunt actors. Honestly, the third take was probably fine, but the director made him do it a dozen more times. Must have been Thorne’s idea.】 【I’m crying, my hands are shaking! What’s the difference between this and attempted murder?!】 The poster was untraceable, but I knew. It was Seraphina’s tacit approval. Only my wife would dare to post such content without fear of my reprisal. When Seraphina returned home, I was already sitting on the sofa, silent. Half an hour later, she finally broke the silence. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” “Yes.” Her expression softened slightly. I slid the divorce papers across the table. “Sign it. All joint marital assets will be split equally. The marriage will be annulled, but it won’t affect the ongoing collaborations between our families.” “You want to divorce me?!” I nodded. “Why?” She moved closer to me. “Don’t tell me it’s because of such a trivial matter!” “Precisely because of this trivial matter.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392643”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 Early release. A reward for good behavior, they said. As the gates swung open, the first thought that truly solidified in my mind wasn’t freedom, but Ivy’s upcoming birthday. My little sister. I needed to find her the perfect gift. So, hiding my true identity, I slipped into a high-stakes charity auction, a glittering facade for the city’s elite. But the very first item on display, plastered across the massive screen, was a collection of hundreds of intimate photos of my sister. Her eyes, hazy with a vulnerability I’d never seen, her body contorted into a dizzying array of poses—all of it paraded as a grotesque exhibit for sale. My jaw clenched, a knot tightening in my stomach. Then, from the crowd below, I heard my brother-in-law, Brandon, his voice dripping with venomous mockery: “Ivy Anderson, you loved being in the spotlight, didn’t you? Well, these hundreds of photos should give you all the illumination you could ever want.” “If you’re so bothered, buy them all back. After being ‘illuminated’ hundreds of times, why pretend to be pure?” Ivy’s face was chalk-white. She stood rigid, her fists clenched at her sides. My eyes locked onto Brandon, his arm wrapped possessively around a young college girl. So, this is what they’d done in my absence. They’d dared to push my sister to this breaking point. I looked at the leering, depraved faces around me, the hunger in their eyes. Tonight, I would make them remember my name. Tonight, they would remember who I was. “Ugh, this chick’s got fire!” “What a body. Wonder what the starting bid is?” Below, Brandon’s arrogant voice sliced through the murmuring crowd, each word a fresh wound to my ears. He had a young college girl draped over his arm, a triumphant smirk plastered across his face. “Heard you loved being in the spotlight, Ivy, back when your brother was around? These hundreds of photos—enough light for you now?” A wave of raucous laughter erupted from the crowd, a chorus of crude jeers echoing through the hall. “Brandon’s really showing off! Sharing a prime piece like this!” “Damn, that figure, that expression… looks like a wild ride!” My sister, Ivy, stood a short distance from the raucous crowd. Her face was ashen, her body trembling, her hands clamped tight onto the fabric of her dress. She wanted to explode, to lash out, but she held it all in, tears brimming in her eyes. The humiliation threatened to drown her. My heart twisted with a pain sharper than any blade. This was my little sister, the one I had raised with tenderness, cherished like a fragile porcelain doll. Before I went away, she was a carefree princess, a ray of sunshine. Now, she stood exposed, enduring this public, exquisite torment. Brandon continued his performance. “If you’re so ashamed, go ahead and buy them back yourself!” He paused, his voice rising, laced with deliberate insult. “Oh, right, you probably don’t have the cash, do you? Your company? That’s mine now!” “After being in the spotlight hundreds of times, what’s with the innocent act, sweetie?” Ivy’s body convulsed, her legs threatening to give out. I forced myself to remain calm. Rushing out now would only tip my hand, accomplish nothing. My gaze swept over Brandon and his new trophy, then to the pompous auctioneer, and finally, to every leering face in the audience, every one of them reveling in her pain. Good. All of you. Very good. The auctioneer picked up his gavel, his voice booming. “Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Ivy Anderson’s precious private collection! Starting bid, one million dollars! Minimum increment, one hundred thousand!” “One point one million!” A bidder’s paddle shot up instantly. “One point two million!” “I bid one point five million!” The room ignited. These so-called philanthropists and esteemed socialites, their true, ugly faces now laid bare. Ivy closed her eyes, a gesture of utter despair. Silently, I pressed the earpiece hidden beneath my hair. “Move. Dig up everything on Brandon from the past few years. And the dirt on this auction house. Leave no stone unturned.” I squeezed out the words, my voice tight, devoid of any discernible emotion. But I knew, in the core of my being, that my rage was about to burn through the very heavens. Brandon. And all you other pieces of trash. I would make you understand the true meaning of regret. I would make you remember: I, The Dragon, am back. And this? This is just the beginning. 2 The auction roared on, prices climbing relentlessly. “Two million!” “I bid two point one million!” Ivy suddenly opened her eyes, and with a trembling hand, she raised her bid paddle. “I… I bid two point two million.” Her voice was choked with tears, filled with utter helplessness. Brandon, seeing this, a cruel smirk twisted his lips. He signaled to a slick, greasy-haired man beside him. The man immediately raised his paddle. “Three million!” Ivy’s face instantly drained of all color. She looked at Brandon, despair in her eyes, her body swaying precariously. Brandon tightened his arm around the college girl, kissing her cheek triumphantly. “See, babe? That’s what happens when you don’t know your place.” “Back when her brother, The Dragon, was around, I used to give him some respect.” “Now? The Dragon’s just a broken man, fresh out of prison! He can barely protect himself, let alone his sister!” He turned to Ivy, his voice cold. “Ivy Anderson, do you honestly think you’re still that high-and-mighty princess?” “Truth be told, these past few years your brother was locked up? I systematically dismantled your company, piece by piece.” “And these photos? I made you take them. If you didn’t obey, I had plenty of ways to make you comply!” Ivy’s voice rose in a heartbroken accusation. “Brandon! You ungrateful animal!” “If it wasn’t for my brother, his money and his efforts, you wouldn’t be where you are today!” ” My brother treated you like good friend, and I treated you like family! Is this how you repay us?” Every word she uttered was steeped in blood-soaked grief. Brandon scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. “Brother? Family? Don’t make me laugh!” “Business is war. There’s only eternal profit, no eternal brothers.” “Your brother, The Dragon, was big stuff back then. But what is he now? Just a common prisoner!” “Ivy Anderson, I advise you to face reality. Right now, no one can save you.” With every word he spoke, Ivy’s face grew paler. My subordinate’s voice crackled through my discreet earpiece. “Dragon, we’ve got some intel on Brandon. He’s hooked up with an offshore outfit these past few years. Nasty reputation.” “The auction house owner’s name is Big Mike. He’s in deep with Brandon, running all sorts of dirty deals. We’ve got some key evidence coming in.” I stated flatly, “Keep digging. I want every single piece of dirt they have.” Ivy was backed against the wall by Brandon, tears blurring her vision, on the verge of collapsing. But she gritted her teeth, holding on, refusing to fall. I knew she was waiting. Waiting for me. An indescribable ache twisted in my chest. Brandon continued to babble, boasting about his “victories,” and the crowd around him egged him on. “Brandon’s right! Smart people know when to give in!” “Miss Anderson, just agree to Brandon’s terms. You’ll live a life of luxury. Isn’t that better than this?” The sheer ugliness of these people’s faces made me sick to my stomach. I looked at Brandon’s smug, self-satisfied face, and murderous intent boiled in my chest. The auction price had already soared to five million. Ivy was utterly defeated. She lowered her paddle, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Brandon grew even more triumphant, his arm around his new girl, as if she were a trophy. “Ivy Anderson, see that? That’s what happens when you defy me.” “Don’t worry, these photos are just an appetizer. If you keep acting up, I’ve got even more ‘exciting’ videos.” Ivy’s body began to tremble violently. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Brandon, you have successfully infuriated me. Now, it’s my turn. I whispered into the earpiece. “Prepare for action. Seal all exits.” “Tonight, no one leaves this place.” 3 Inside the venue, some of Brandon’s usual associates, or those who feared the power behind him, began to openly chime in. “Miss Anderson, Brandon’s doing this for your own good. Don’t be stubborn.” “That’s right. Just cooperate. Everyone saves face, and you’ll suffer less.” These words were like dull knives, slicing into Ivy’s heart, and into mine. Big Mike, the auction house manager, stepped forward. He sported a beer belly, a forced smile plastered on his face, and spoke with feigned concern. “Brandon, Miss Anderson, let’s keep the peace here.” “Auctions are about fairness and integrity. Since Miss Anderson has withdrawn her bid, then these photos go to…” He hadn’t even finished his sentence when Ivy suddenly exploded with emotion. She shrieked, “Those are my things! You can’t do this!” She lunged, like a wild woman, attempting to rush the auction stage, desperate to reclaim those photos. Two burly security guards immediately stepped forward, roughly restraining her. One even gripped her arm so hard that angry red marks appeared on her fair skin. My eyes widened in terror. I could barely suppress the violent surge within me. “Let her go!” The words almost escaped my lips. Brandon, seeing this, smiled even more cruelly. He stepped forward, shoved the security guard aside, and grabbed Ivy by the hair, forcing her to look up at him. “Ivy Anderson, looks like you haven’t learned your lesson.” He lowered his voice, speaking just loud enough for only the two of them to hear. “I’ll warn you one more time: behave yourself.” “Otherwise, after these photos, there are even more ‘exciting’ videos. When that time comes, I’ll invite ‘friends’ to my private party to ‘enjoy’ them.” Ivy’s body stiffened, her eyes filled with terror and despair. “Private party.” Those two words coiled like venomous snakes around my heart. The intent to kill, in that moment, solidified into a tangible presence. Just then, my trusted subordinate’s voice crackled through my earpiece. “Dragon, we’ve got it! Brandon’s linked to a notorious offshore organization called ‘Black Scorpion.’ Big Mike’s auction house has been laundering a lot of their dirty money. We’ve got some crucial evidence.” A cold smirk touched my lips. Good. You had a path to heaven, but you chose to storm the gates of hell. Brandon, and Big Mike, your time is up. I subtly signaled to my men. Several of my brothers, already infiltrated in the venue, nodded imperceptibly, moving discreetly towards the key exits and the surveillance room. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly oppressive. Ivy, terrified by Brandon’s threats, slumped weakly to the floor, muffled sobs escaping her lips. The people watching this scene, some showed expressions of discomfort, but most reveled in schadenfreude. Some even began to whisper, discussing how “exciting” Brandon’s “private party” would be. The ugliness of humanity was laid bare. Brandon seemed quite pleased with the chilling effect he had created. He released Ivy’s hair, straightened his collar, and nodded towards the auctioneer. “Continue.” The auctioneer snapped out of his trance, quickly picking up his gavel. “Ahem. Since there are no further bids, then this valuable collection of photographs shall go to…” The storm was about to break. Silently, I put on the mask I had prepared. Tonight, I would make this city remember the name “The Dragon” once more.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392659”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 It was after a night of heavy drinking that Caroline Harrison became pregnant with her intern’s child. When I found out, her belly was already three months along. The woman knelt before me, her face full of shame, pleading: “Ethan, I’m so sorry. I drank too much at that business dinner and mistook him for you. I swear it was just that once!” “Don’t be angry. I’ll get rid of the baby immediately, then send him abroad. I promise he won’t be an eyesore for you!” Ten years we’d been together. I believed her. Six months later, I returned from a business trip. During a routine check-up at the hospital, I unexpectedly saw the intern embracing Caroline, who was heavily pregnant. Seeing me, she immediately shielded him: “Ethan… he’s still young. I took his virginity… I have to be responsible for him…” “Even if I can’t give him a proper status, I have to ensure the baby in my belly stays with him. For the sake of our years together, please promise me you won’t make things difficult for him…” In that moment, looking at the woman I had loved for ten years, I felt a weariness I’d never known. So I didn’t cry or rage. I calmly replied, “Alright.” And turned to cancel the scheduled IVF procedure. While waiting in line, I dialed a number I hadn’t contacted in a long time: “I’m looking for a new wife. Are you interested?” The person on the other end was silent for a long time before finally speaking: “Are you serious, Ethan? Don’t joke around. Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?!” I calmly said, “I’m serious. Come pick me up in Seaside City in three days. Remember to bring your household registration.” I hung up. The hospital’s paging system called my name: “Mr. Chen, your sperm quality has returned to normal. You can proceed with IVF.” The image I had just seen in the hallway flashed through my mind: Caroline Harrison leaning familiarly against that young intern, her face beaming with the joy of impending motherhood. And the child in her belly was not mine. The suppressed tears could no longer be held back. I shook my head. “No, I’m not doing it.” “My wife… she’s already dead…” The doctor looked at me sympathetically, no longer trying to persuade me. He helped me cancel the IVF procedure scheduled for two days later. Coming out of the office, I passed by the ultrasound room and clearly saw Caroline Harrison lying on the hospital bed, the other man kissing her belly. She probably found it cold, as she let out a surprised gasp, then shyly nestled into the man’s embrace. The doctor nearby chuckled, saying the couple’s affection was heartwarming. Caroline nodded. “Yes, he’s young, but he knows how to cherish me.” As she said this, the tenderness in her eyes deeply pierced mine. Once upon a time, she spoke of me the same way to others, but now, all that love was given to another man… I couldn’t bear to look anymore and fled in a panic. Only when I got into the car did tears silently stream down my face. Caroline and I, young lovers, started from scratch. We once shared a tiny basement apartment, and she swore she would only ever have me. A woman’s vows are not to be trusted; I always knew that, but then, I stubbornly believed them. Over the years, the company gradually got on track, but I developed weak sperm due to excessive alcohol from years of business entertaining. On my first day of treatment, I coincidentally ran into Caroline Harrison and her intern in the obstetrics and gynecology department. The woman immediately knelt on the floor, desperately pleading, saying she was wrong, that it was only a night of drunken folly that led to the absurdity. In that moment, I seemed to forget how to breathe, biting down hard on my lip. After a long time, I forced myself to endure the wrenching pain in my heart and spoke: “Caroline Harrison, I forgive you.” But what she didn’t know was that I would only forgive that one time. So today, when I saw them, I knew our marriage had reached its end. My thoughts slowly returned to the present. I turned the car around and went to the law firm, personally drafting divorce papers. 2 It was already evening when I arrived home. Caroline Harrison eagerly opened the door, pulling me into a hug: “Ethan, where have you been? I called your phone, but you didn’t answer.” The moment she got close, I smelled a pungent perfume on her, exactly the sandalwood scent I disliked most. I subtly shifted away, saying flatly, “Nothing, just stopped by the law firm on the way.” Caroline’s eyebrows furrowed. “Next time, just have Liam run that errand. Why bother you with such a small matter—” Before she could finish, I coldly interrupted, “Caroline Harrison, let’s get a divorce.” She looked up at me in disbelief. “What did you say? You want to divorce me?” “Because of this small matter? I told you, what happened between him and me was just an accident. Now he’s asking to keep the baby, and I thought, since you have low sperm count, why not let me have the baby? We can bring the child back for you to raise after it’s born, and then send him abroad. It’s not too late.” Hearing Caroline say she wanted to bring back a child conceived with another man for me to raise, my heart constricted, and my fingers involuntarily tightened around the medical report in my bag. “I’m not joking. Here’s the divorce agreement. Take a look.” Caroline Harrison’s face suddenly turned cold. “Ethan, are you throwing a tantrum with me? I’ve explained it very clearly. Nothing will change, and we’ll have a child. Isn’t that good?” “Ethan, I’m really tired today. Can you please stop being so unreasonable?” I couldn’t help but want to laugh. Now that she’d cheated, I was the one being unreasonable. I shook my head, placing the divorce agreement in front of her. “No, it’s not good.” “Caroline Harrison, I find you unclean.” As soon as I said this, her temper ignited instantly. “Unclean? Ethan, do you know how many men out there are waiting for me to get into their beds? This was just one time! Why can’t you be more generous?!” With that, she tore the divorce agreement into shreds. “I’m telling you, I won’t agree to a divorce, never!” “Besides, Ethan, look at yourself. You’re thirty now, and you have low sperm count. Who else would want you besides me?!” “I’m going to pretend this never happened. Don’t ever bring it up again!” With that, she slammed the door shut and left, leaving me alone to clean up the shattered pieces on the floor. Just as I finished, my phone vibrated. The sender had sent two photos of pigeon-egg-sized diamonds for me to choose from. I glanced at them and replied, “The left one.” Then, I took off the wedding ring I had worn for seven years and tossed it into the trash. The next morning, I went to the company, finished handing over my work, and was about to leave. My assistant, Lisa, rushed over, saying a client wanted to see me. So she took me to the club. When I opened the door, I saw Caroline Harrison standing in the center, holding a large bouquet of roses. Around her were people I knew well; even Caroline’s mother, who usually disliked me, was present. Caroline stepped forward, her face full of remorse: “Ethan, it’s my fault. I was anxious yesterday and said the wrong things. Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. Can you forgive me?” Seeing my silence, Caroline’s mother spoke impatiently into my ear: “Alright, so Caroline had another man’s child, so what? Besides, it’s your own fault, you can’t blame her. She’s apologized to you, what more do you want?” “Ethan, a man needs to know when to advance and when to retreat.” I forced a bitter smile. Just as I was about to say, I don’t want anything except a divorce, Caroline’s gaze drifted to my empty finger. “Ethan, where’s our wedding ring? Did you forget to wear it? Luckily, I bought you a new one.” She began searching her person, but a male voice from behind interrupted. “The ring is with me.” 3 I turned around, and Caroline Harrison walked past me first. “Why are you here? Didn’t you say work was very busy today?” The man reached out and stroked her waist. “I saw the ring on your bedside table and thought you might need it today, so I brought it over.” “Caroline, I’m a bit thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water?” Caroline hurried off to find a waiter to get water, but he walked towards me. “Hello, Ethan. My name is Liam Green.” I didn’t respond. He opened a ring box in front of me. I looked inside, and coincidentally, it was identical to the one on his own finger. “Ethan, this is a ring Caroline specifically customized for your seventh wedding anniversary.” With that, he offered me the ring. I didn’t take it. The next second, the ring fell to the floor, and he knelt directly in front of me: “Ethan, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have slept with Ms. Harrison when I was drunk. I truly didn’t mean to.” “But I don’t want anything. I just beg you to let her give birth to the baby in her belly. Even… even if you want to adopt him under your name, I’m willing…” Tears immediately welled up in his eyes, as if he had suffered some immense grievance. Caroline Harrison came over and witnessed this scene. The cup in her hand shattered on the floor. She rushed over and gently helped Liam Green up, then looked at me with a coldness I had never seen before. “Ethan, any grievances you have, direct them at me! Why are you making things difficult for him?!” The love and protectiveness in Caroline Harrison’s eyes were too obvious. I knew that even if I did nothing, in her eyes, I was already condemned. Too lazy to explain, I turned to leave, but Caroline’s mother rushed up and slapped me across the face. “Useless! I thought you were sensible, but you’re so wicked! You actually made him kneel before you!” “I’m telling you, the child between him and Lucy will be born into our Hayes family! If anything happens, I will never forgive you!” Because of the sudden force, I was knocked backwards into a giant tower of wine glasses. In an instant, all the glasses crashed down on me, countless shards of glass slicing into my body. Caroline Harrison froze, instinctively wanting to help me up. But the Liam Green beside her immediately clutched his stomach. “Ah! My stomach hurts so much, Caroline! I feel so awful, please help me!” The woman, who had been standing, instantly crouched down, then helped him up and left without a backward glance. I lay on the floor, accompanied by Caroline’s mother’s sneering voice, looking at our wedding photo on the big screen. At 23, Caroline Harrison told me: “Ethan, I must marry you. After we marry, if I ever make you bleed or cry, I will die to atone for it!” But 30-year-old Caroline Harrison, even as I bled and cried before her, no longer had me in her eyes. How ironic! After a long time, I forced myself to get up, enduring the pain, and limped to a hospital. While getting bandaged, every touch made me tremble with pain. Nearby, two nurses were chatting idly. “Did you hear? In the VIP room upstairs, Ms. Harrison is absolutely doting. The moment he said he was in pain, she had high-end luxury items from all over the city brought to his room for him to pick from!” “Oh, yes, I know! I was there when she first found out she was pregnant. Ms. Harrison actually cried tears of joy. They must be so in love!” I looked down at the countless wounds on my body, chuckling self-deprecatingly. So love and not-love, it was that obvious. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t want her anymore anyway. 4 Because of the crowd at the hospital, it was already late night when I got home after having my wounds treated. Opening the door, I saw Liam Green sitting on the sofa I had personally chosen. He quickly stood up: “Ethan’s back! Caroline’s in the kitchen boiling bird’s nest soup for me. Do you want a bowl?” Before I could speak, Caroline Harrison, having heard my arrival, rushed in. “Ethan, the doctor said I’ve been having some prenatal depression lately and haven’t been sleeping well, so I wanted to bring him home to stay with me for a few days.” “I promise, once the due date arrives, I’ll take him away. You…” Before she could finish, I pulled out a blank divorce agreement from my pocket. “Alright, but you have to sign this.” Caroline froze. Just as she was about to look at it, Liam Green spoke up: “Caroline, I’m hungry. When will the bird’s nest soup be ready?” Hearing him, the woman hurriedly signed the document, then turned and went to the kitchen. I stood there, watching her, her hands, which I had always protected so well, unskillfully stirring. Seven years of marriage, and this was her first time in the kitchen. “Ethan, aren’t you envious? Caroline said that from now on, she’ll take care of all the daily needs of me and the baby.” I turned my head, seeing Liam Green’s challenging and triumphant gaze. It only filled me with disgust. Because this home, which Caroline Harrison once said belonged only to us, had ultimately changed. So I quickly went upstairs, intending to pack my things and leave. But I found my personal belongings haphazardly piled at the room’s entrance. And the wedding photo on the wall was savagely torn and lay in the trash bin. “Caroline said I could pick any room, and I thought this one was pretty big, so I chose it. So Caroline threw out the extra stuff.” Liam Green followed close behind, his face triumphant as he looked at me. “Ethan, this wouldn’t happen to be your and Caroline’s marital bedroom, would it? I didn’t know, I’m sorry… I’ll move my things out right now…” If this had been before, I would have certainly argued loudly with Caroline Harrison. But now I was leaving, and who lived in this room was no longer my concern. I replied flatly, “No need. You stay here. It’s fine.” Then, in front of him, I threw all my things into the trash can. Just as I was about to enter the room to retrieve my mother’s portrait, I found the drawer empty. I frantically knelt on the floor, searching, but Liam Green stood over me, looking down. “Ethan, are you looking for this?” I looked up at the familiar photo frame in his hand. Just as I was about to get up, he loosened his grip, and the portrait shattered on the floor. “Oh, Ethan, I’m so sorry, it slipped. I thought this thing looked unlucky and was worried it might upset the baby in Caroline’s belly, so I told her about it, and she said I could dispose of it as I pleased.” “So, Ethan, who is this dead person in the photo? Do you know them?” I looked at Liam Green’s feigned innocent face, unable to bear it any longer. I raised my palm to slap him across the face. But before I could touch him, he suddenly threw himself backward, tumbling down the stairs. “Ah—Caroline, help me!” He clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. Caroline Harrison rushed from the kitchen. Seeing Liam Green, she angrily ran up and kicked me to the ground, shouting, “Ethan! Are you f***ing done with this nonsense?!” “How much more do you want to hurt him?! Do you have to cause us to lose our baby before you’re satisfied?!” Before I could speak, Liam Green had already shed tears. “Caroline, if I die, you must give birth to our child…” “You absolutely must… absolutely must protect him…” Caroline Harrison listened, her face filled with tenderness as she helped him up, her voice gentle. “Be good. I’ll never let anything happen to you or the baby.” With that, she walked out of the villa. As she left, she told the bodyguards at the door: “Drag Mr. Chen to the storage room and make him reflect overnight. No lights allowed!” I looked at her in disbelief, screaming, “Caroline Harrison, have you forgotten I have claustrophobia?! You’re trying to kill me!” She paused, but didn’t turn her head. “I know. But you hurt Liam, and you have to pay a price.” With that, she left. The bodyguards, receiving their orders, walked towards me, dragged me to the storage room, and as the door closed, darkness quickly swallowed me. At that moment, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. Only then did I realize Caroline Harrison’s kick had landed squarely on my groin, and now red liquid was flowing out. I frantically rushed to the door, screaming wildly, “Help… help!!” “My lower body hurts so much, I’m bleeding now! Take me to the hospital, quickly!” The bodyguard, hearing this, urgently called Caroline Harrison. The woman’s cold voice came through: “Don’t believe him. He’s definitely faking it.” “Remember, don’t open the door without my command!” The call ended. I curled up on the ground, in pain, my lower half soaked in blood all night. The next morning, the housekeeper came to get something and was horrified by my appearance, rushing me to the hospital. The same doctor who helped me cancel the IVF the other day, seeing me, immediately arranged for surgery. As the cold anesthetic was injected into my body, I heard a nurse’s joyful voice from the hallway: “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes! Mother and child are safe!” At the same time, in my operating room, doctors were frantically trying to stop the severe hemorrhage I was suffering due to the long delay. “What do we do? His wife is dead, and he’s hemorrhaging severely below. We need family consent!” Just when they were at a loss, a Maybach pulled up to the hospital entrance, drawing exclamations from the nurses. “Who is that woman? To have the Chief of Staff personally come to invite her.” “Didn’t you see the famous male health specialist from Capital City behind her? They say someone once offered him five million to see a patient, but he refused.” “Oh my goodness, who is her husband? He must be so lucky to marry a woman like that, with such wealth and power.” As she spoke, the operating room door swung open. Summer Reed carefully wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. “Uncle Liam, I’m entrusting my man to you.” “Don’t worry, I guarantee he’ll be unharmed.” A month later, Caroline Harrison held the baby’s one-month celebration. Only then did she remember me. She snapped a picture of the baby and sent it to my phone, only to find she had been blocked. She was certain I was still sulking from that day and prepared to say a few soft words to coax me. Just as she was about to pull out her phone, her assistant rushed over, holding an invitation. “Ms. Harrison, Mr. Chen is getting married. The date… the date is today!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392675”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 When Mom was terminally ill, her only dying wish was to see me married. I begged my boyfriend, John, for twenty-seven days. Finally, he agreed to go to City Hall with me. But I waited there until closing time. He never showed. That same day, John’s childhood sweetheart, Tiffany, posted their marriage certificate on social media, captioning it: “Can’t believe it’s almost been a month already. Three more days to our one-month anniversary!” It hit me then. The very first day I’d asked him, he’d already married his childhood sweetheart. A text from John popped up: “Emily, Tiffany’s family is forcing her into an arranged marriage. I couldn’t just watch her go through hell. We’ll be divorced in three days. Then, I promise I’ll marry you.” Three days later, John, dressed in a sharp suit, stood at the City Hall entrance. All he received was my message: “John, goodbye forever.” In the morgue, I gazed at Mom’s peaceful face, tears streaming down. She’d raised me alone, asked for nothing, and I’d failed her most sacred, dying wish. When she was sick, I’d begged John, my boyfriend of six years, to marry me. I wanted her to know I’d be cared for. But he’d put me off for twenty-seven agonizing days: The first day, Tiffany’s car broke down and he had to pick her up. The second, he had to help Tiffany move. On the twenty-sixth, Tiffany had a stomach bug and needed looking after… If Tiffany hadn’t posted that marriage certificate, I’d still be completely in the dark. I knelt by Mom’s hospital bed until dusk. John called, his voice still infuriatingly gentle: “Where are you so late? I’ll come get you.” Usually, I’d whine and play stubborn, but now, I couldn’t utter a single word. When he heard I was at the hospital, he promised to rush over. Ten minutes later, a text popped up: “Emily, I have to deal with Tiffany’s family right now. Next time, I promise I’ll see your mom.” For the past two years, “next time, for sure” had been his go-to excuse. Missed our anniversary? Next time. Blew off seeing Mom? Next time. Put off getting married? Tomorrow, for sure. He knew I’d always forgive, always bend, and that’s why he broke me with such casual cruelty. Mom wouldn’t have a “next time,” and neither would I. 2 That night, I stayed at the hospital, watching over Mom. John sent countless messages and made countless calls. I ignored them all. First thing next morning, I arrived at the company, ready to draft my resignation. John founded this company. I’d been by his side since he had nothing, building it from the ground up. Now, my presence felt utterly meaningless. My vanishing act would barely cause a ripple in his world. As I printed the documents, John suddenly appeared behind me. I calmly picked them up, but he didn’t seem to notice my sudden distance, still speaking in that infuriatingly gentle tone: “Done printing?” He called me to his office. When he tried to embrace me, I stepped back. “Mr. Hayes, this is the office.” He frowned, then promised: “Don’t be mad. I’ll go with you to see your mom tonight.” I shook my head. “No need.” Mom was gone. More than anything, I couldn’t bear for her to know I was now labeled “the other woman” because of John. I’d always despised people who broke up families; after all, that’s exactly why my own father abandoned Mom and me. John seemed to sense something was off, quickly scrambling to explain: “Just two more days until I can divorce Tiffany. Then we’ll get married, I promise.” He handed me a gift box. “This ginseng is for your mom, to help her recover.” His “sincerity” came too late. Mom didn’t need it anymore. He was about to say more when his phone rang, interrupting him. He glanced at me, then answered the call and left. Whispers drifted from nearby desks: “Mr. Hayes is married now.” “No wonder Emily kept their relationship secret – she’s the other woman!” “She always claimed to hate homewreckers, what a hypocrite!” I stood frozen, a bone-deep chill seeping from my soles, crawling through my veins. I knew that was Tiffany calling. After all, she was John’s legal wife now. My heart remained still. Empty. Because I simply didn’t care anymore. After that, I submitted my resignation. Vice President Davies seemed oddly prepared for my sudden request. “Emily, I’m sure Mr. Hayes has everything arranged for you.” I bit my lip, the absurdity of it all hitting me. It was as if everyone had decided I was John’s ‘kept woman,’ a gilded cage canary at the company. They thought he’d prepared my gilded cage. But they couldn’t grasp that I was his rightful girlfriend, a woman now utterly broken, about to leave. Leaving the company, I ran straight into John and Tiffany at the elevator. 3 Seeing me, John’s gaze flickered, and he instinctively started to explain: “Please don’t misunderstand, I brought Tiffany here to…” Before he could finish, Tiffany slipped her arm through his: “Just showing my husband around his company,” she purred. I said nothing. Tiffany spoke again: “Emily, you don’t mind, do you?” She fixed me with a taunting stare. Silently, I stepped out of the elevator, clearing their path. John watched me, hesitation clouding his eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but Tiffany tugged him away before he could. That afternoon, at the crematory, I watched Mom’s body turn to ash. I laid her to rest in the cemetery. Night fell. John never showed. Not a word, not a text. I didn’t care. Without his presence, Mom’s passage felt more peaceful. I knew her spirit, wherever it was, wouldn’t want me to be entangled with him anymore. She wouldn’t want to see me marry him. Our six years together, they had to end. Here. Now. Leaving the cemetery, I walked all the way home. It had been a long time since I’d walked alone at night. First, I held Mom’s hand. Then, I leaned on John’s arm. From now on, I’d walk by myself. I knew I’d get used to it. It was past midnight when I finally got home. The living room light was on. John was sprawled on the couch, texting. The moment I walked in, the anxious frown on his face softened, and he rushed toward me, reaching for my hand: “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your phone, didn’t reply to my texts. Do you know I was about to call the police?!” I flinched, pulling my hand from his grasp. “I was with my mom,” I said, my voice flat. “I didn’t want her disturbed.” At the mention of Mom, John’s face contorted with guilt, remembering his empty promises from earlier. Suddenly, he looked at me with an almost desperate hope, pulling a small box from his pocket and solemnly presenting it. I took it, opening it instinctively. Inside, a diamond ring shimmered. My breath hitched. He’d once held my hand, swearing he’d put a ring on my finger, hand me a marriage certificate, and let Mom witness my happiness. I’d waited countless days, hoped countless times. But that was before. I closed the box and handed it back. John’s brow furrowed slightly, as if something clicked, and he said, a touch awkwardly: “It’s past midnight now. Just one more day, and I can divorce Tiffany.” “Don’t worry,” he added, “I’ve always remembered my promise. Tomorrow, I’ll put this ring on your finger myself, and then we’ll go get married.” His empty words of devotion didn’t touch me. I simply stated, detachedly, “Alright, I get it. I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” John’s smile froze. For the first time, he seemed to sense my indifference. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, and he reached for my hand. Just then, Tiffany emerged from the bedroom, wearing my pajama set. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but she glanced at me, then immediately linked her arm through John’s, whining: “John, Emily’s back already. Let’s just get ready for bed.” John quickly looked at me, scrambling to explain: “Tiffany had a fight with her family. I just let her stay in the guest room for the night.” 4 He stared at me intently, as if afraid I’d misunderstand. I nodded, indifferent. “It’s fine,” I said. “I can stay at Mom’s place for the night.” John froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so readily. But Tiffany wasn’t about to let me backtrack. She turned, a triumphant smirk on her face, and darted back into the bedroom. When I pulled my suitcase toward the door, John was still standing in the living room, frozen. His lips were pressed thin, his grip on my hand tight, unwilling to let go. The guilt in his eyes deepened, growing heavier. Finally, urged by Tiffany’s impatient calls from the bedroom, he spoke: “Tomorrow, after we get married, we’ll go see your mom together.” Dawn broke. I finished packing and headed back to the company for final handover. The moment I stepped inside, colleagues watched me with strange, knowing looks. As I walked past, hushed whispers and pointed fingers followed me. It wasn’t until I saw Tiffany sitting at my desk that I understood the bizarre atmosphere. Everyone was staring at their computer screens, yet their eyes kept darting toward the unfolding drama. Seeing me, Tiffany looked up, a smug, arrogant gleam in her eyes. “I’m starting today,” she announced. “I’ll be sitting here. You can find somewhere else.” I looked at her, then nodded calmly. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll just clear out my things.” The company colleagues, witnessing my composure, mistook it for cowardice in the face of the ‘rightful wife.’ With Tiffany and me standing there, no one dared speak aloud. Instead, they typed furiously on their keyboards, their disdain for me palpable even in silence. I wanted to set the record straight, to explain everything, but the words wouldn’t come. After all, Tiffany was John’s legal wife. Any more explanations would only humiliate me further. As I finished packing and prepared to leave, John walked over. Seeing me with my box, his face tightened. “Where are you going?” “I—” Before I could answer, Tiffany cut in, “She’s making space for me. I like this spot.” Seeing me about to leave, John quickly grabbed my arm. “No, this desk is yours. No one can—” I cut him off before he could finish. “If she likes it, she can have it.” After all, I’d resigned. Who sat where was none of my business. John, however, stood frozen, his expression unreadable. Only after my back, carrying the box, disappeared from view did he snap back to reality. John shoved Tiffany aside, who had been humming as she cleared her desk. Then, in front of everyone, he slapped her hard across the face. “Did our sham marriage give you the wrong idea, make you think you could walk all over me?!” “Did you forget?” he snarled, “I warned you not to mess with Emily!” After I left the company, my phone buzzed with texts from John. “I’ll be waiting for you at City Hall tomorrow.” “I’ve arranged for specialists to see your mom tomorrow.” “After we get married, we’ll go see your mom together.” I smiled, a sudden, bitter taste in my mouth. John, goodbye. I gathered my luggage and headed for the airport. The next day, John stood at the City Hall entrance, clutching his freshly signed divorce papers.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392692”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

At the class reunion, my boyfriend’s mom suddenly burst in, flanked by a crowd. Waving a photo, she screamed that I was a home-wrecker. The picture was taken at my birthday party, showing my dad’s colleague handing me a gift. She stood on a chair, pointing at me, her voice shrill with fury: “This woman is a shameless tramp, a family-wrecker!” With that, she hoisted a chair and hurled it straight at me. I winced, enduring the pain, and tried to explain: “You’ve got the wrong person! I’m your son’s girlfriend!” Her fury only seemed to swell. She slapped me harder. “You trash! Trying to claim kinship with me? Pah! My son and his girlfriend are childhood sweethearts! What in hell are you?” I lowered my gaze, shielding the ice in my eyes. 1 “Riley, that dress must’ve cost a fortune!” At the class reunion, Skylar’s eyes gleamed as she stared at me. I smiled faintly. “My dad got it for me for my birthday.” “Balenciaga’s new collection? Riley, since when did your family hit the jackpot?” Brittany, my long-time rival across the table, sniped, her voice laced with venom. We’d been at odds since high school, and I usually just ignored her. But she kept digging, her words sharp and cruel: “You didn’t, like, land yourself a sugar daddy, did you?” Her words spiraled into absurdity. Just as I was about to shut her down, the private room door burst open. A furious voice ripped through the air: “You shameless harlot! How dare you seduce my husband!” A woman in her thirties stormed in, flanked by a small entourage. The man behind her glanced at a photo, then pointed at me. “Brenda, that’s her.” “You filthy tramp, I’m going to beat you to death today! Get her!” Before I could even react, her hand connected with my cheek, a searing slap. Then a kick to my stomach sent me sprawling to the floor. I clenched my jaw, enduring the pain, and choked out, “You’ve got the wrong person! I don’t even know your husband!” She grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. “Oh, I haven’t got the wrong person! Your trashy face, I’d recognize it even if it were dust!” As I finally saw her face clearly, a flicker of familiarity sparked, but I couldn’t place where I’d seen her before. “Open your damn eyes and look! Isn’t that you, you piece of trash, in this photo?” 2 The photo was from my birthday. My dad had invited a group of people to celebrate with me. It showed Mr. Harrison, my dad’s colleague, placing a sapphire necklace in my hand, my face alight with a happy smile as I admired it. “You’re all this harlot’s classmates, right? Take a look! Isn’t this her in the photo?” She thrust the photo towards the classmates huddled in the corner, gawking. Brittany took one look and dramatically gasped: “Oh my god, that is Riley in the picture! I can’t believe she’s like this! How shameless! Hooking up with a married man! She used to flirt with other guys even in high school. No wonder she’s always decked out in designer clothes. I always suspected she was a mistress!” “Mistresses deserve to die! Ma’am, go ahead and hit her! We won’t lift a finger to help her!” Skylar declared, puffed up with righteous indignation. The others quickly chimed in, echoing her words. “Hear that, you filthy tramp? Don’t play innocent!” Brenda snarled, then commanded, “Beat her!” Immediately, her posse swarmed me, raining down punches and kicks. Some even found sticks, brutalizing me. I curled into a ball on the floor, the pain so intense I wanted to scream for help. But I saw the faces of my classmates, warped with schadenfreude, standing by. My heart turned to ice. I couldn’t believe they were just watching, doing nothing. In high school, I’d always kept a low profile. No one knew I was the heiress to ApexCorp. They just thought my family was average. It had saved me a lot of hassle, so I never bothered to correct them. But now, it was causing me serious trouble. 3 “You’re mistaken,” I gasped, pain lancing through me. “He’s my father’s friend. That was my birthday party.” “You damned harlot! You finally admit it! Beat her to death!” Brenda seemed to go berserk, utterly deaf to my explanations. Punches rained down on my head and body like a relentless storm. My throat constricted, and then I coughed up a mouthful of blood. “Stop if you know what’s good for you! My dad is the CEO of ApexCorp!” Revealing my identity was the only way to make her stop now. But she just acted crazier, clawing at my throat and sneering: “Trying to scare me? Who in this room would believe that garbage? You shameless seducer! You deserve this. You classless, unhinged piece of trash!” At that, something snapped inside me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I fought back, lunging for her hair and pulling with all my might. She seemed shocked by my resistance. Her eyes blazing red, she shrieked at her cronies: “Get this trashy harlot off me!” I clung on, refusing to let go. Seeing this, one of her goons grabbed a nearby stool and smashed it down on my arm. A searing pain ripped through me, my arm felt like it had snapped. I curled into a ball on the floor, trembling with agony, fear gripping my heart as I stared at my mangled limb. I was an artist. My right hand was everything. Brenda kicked me again and again, like a maniac. “You trashy harlot, still fighting back? Strip her!” A few of them lunged forward, clawing at my clothes. I clutched my clothes tight, trying to hold them together despite the pain. “Hey, sis, mind if I go live and show everyone this home-wrecker’s true colors?” Brittany asked, a gleam of cruel delight in her eyes as she looked down at me. “Go for it,” Brenda casually agreed, glancing at me. “Good for everyone to see what happens to a mistress.” Her eyes suddenly went wild again, and she lunged, her hands clamping around my throat. “He never gave me a gift like that. But he gave it to you?” I was close to suffocating, my vision blurring. I fumbled in my pocket, found my phone, and pressed the power button five times, sending a distress signal to my dad. Meanwhile, Brittany, her voice sickeningly sweet, aimed her phone’s camera right at me. “Hey, fan fam! Today, I’m bringing you a live broadcast of my high school classmate getting caught red-handed as a home-wrecker!” Instantly, Brittany’s livestream viewership soared into the tens of thousands. “Wow, so juicy!” “How can that woman be so shameless, ruining someone else’s family?” “She looks like she’s selling herself, probably trash through and through.” “Go, Queen! Beat that filthy tramp to death!” The comments section exploded, people furiously cursing me. Brittany watched her follower count skyrocket, her eyes gleaming with unconcealed excitement and thrill. 4 Brenda pulled a pair of scissors from her bag, her lips curling into a slow, chilling smile as she stared at me. “Since you’re so shameless,” she purred, “I’ll just shred your clothes off and throw you out onto the street, stark naked.” Horror seized me. I never imagined she could be so vicious. As her scissors lunged towards me, a sudden realization hit: I knew where I’d seen her before. My boyfriend had once shown me a picture of his mom. The woman in front of me was identical to the one in the photo. A surge of desperate hope filled me. “Auntie,” I blurted, “I’m Riley! Your son’s girlfriend!” She burst into maniacal laughter, as if I’d told the funniest joke. “You filthy tramp! Seducing my husband wasn’t enough, now you’re after my son too? You shameless hussy!” Her face twisted into a grotesque smile, and she started cutting at my top with the scissors. I writhed in pain, still trying to explain: “Your son’s name is Ethan! Call him if you don’t believe me!” She hesitated for a moment, then her eyes glazed over with renewed madness. “My son would never like trash like you! He’s had a girlfriend for ages! Chloe grew up with him! And you still want to break up my son’s relationship? I’m going to teach you a lesson today!” I froze. Ethan and I had been together for three years. How could he have betrayed me? She frantically snipped away at my clothes. My top was in shreds, exposing large patches of skin. I frantically crossed my arms over my chest. In Brittany’s livestream, people were cheering and clapping. “Queen’s so fierce!” “Mistresses deserve a lesson! Serves her right!” “Exactly! And she even tried to seduce the son!” I looked at the cluster of former classmates standing in the corner. Their faces were a mask of morbid curiosity, enjoying the show. My heart felt heavy with dread, but I still begged them to call the police. Not one of them moved. I pleaded again with the woman looming over me: “Auntie, I really am Ethan’s girlfriend. Just call him, please! You’ll see! Ethan told me about you…” She hesitated, then finally dialed Ethan’s number. It rang twice, then someone picked up. “Mom, what’s up?” Ethan’s voice echoed through the phone. I wanted to scream, to call out to him, to beg him to save me. But as I opened my mouth, a hand clamped over it. “Son, tell me, are you dating anyone?” “Mom, you know that already, don’t you? Chloe and I have been together for five years.” At his words, she shot me a smug, triumphant look. 5 I felt a sudden, profound chill. He had betrayed me. All along. “Mom, Chloe’s actually right here with me.” “Hi, Auntie! I was just dropping off some beef jerky my mom made for you.” A soft, cheerful female voice chirped from the other end of the line. My heart shattered into a million icy pieces. “Chloe, honey, I’ll be home in a bit. If that boy gives you any trouble, you tell Auntie, okay?” The call ended. Brenda’s eyes, full of malice, locked onto me, and she raised the scissors again. “You trash! Still lying? This time, I’m going to slash your face. Let’s see you try to seduce anyone then! Hold her down!” I thrashed wildly, pure terror seizing my core. In my struggle, she suddenly caught sight of the bracelet on my wrist. Her eyes widened, and she started slashing wildly with the scissors. “Slut! Slut! That bracelet on your wrist, was he the one who bought it for you too?” With a yank, she ripped it off my wrist. I tried to stop her. “That was my mom’s! Give it back!” But Brenda glared at me, her face a mask of viciousness. “You trash! Still daring to lie? I’ll teach you a lesson!” She flung the bracelet to the floor in a fit of rage, then stomped on it, crushing it under her heel. I watched the pieces scatter, my heart aching with an unbearable pain. It was the last thing my mother had left me. Brenda dragged me out onto the street, then leaned down, her lips brushing my ear. “Say you’re a shameless hussy, that you deserve to die, and I might let you off. Otherwise, I’ll strip you bare.” Brittany followed close behind, her camera still trained on me. The street wasn’t too crowded yet, but passersby stopped, drawn by the commotion, their eyes fixed on us. I was forced to my knees, made to look like I was begging for forgiveness. I had no choice. Choking back my humiliation and tears, I did as she demanded. “I’m sorry,” I choked out, “I shouldn’t have ruined someone’s family.” A wave of disgusted stares washed over me. I thought I was free. But Brenda’s voice, slow and sinister, cut through the air: “I only said I wouldn’t strip you. I never said anything about not slashing your face! Ha ha ha ha ha!” She was a lunatic. She lunged, the scissors arcing towards my face. A searing pain ripped across my face. In an instant, blood and tears blurred my entire vision. I was at my breaking point, on the verge of blacking out, when I heard it – my dad’s voice, as if from a dream. “Riley, Dad’s here.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392710”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 It was summer break, and I’d brought my seven-year-old daughter, Luna, to our private beach for some snorkeling and fun. But then, a popular actress barged in with a whole entourage. “This private beach was specially approved by Ethan for my VIP guests! You two peasants, get out of here!” she shrieked, arrogant and overbearing, using my husband’s name to threaten me. Even worse, after finding out who I was, she mocked me, calling me a parasite, clinging to my husband! I nearly laughed from sheer indignation. I, the rightful heiress of the top family in Silverwood City, a true powerhouse, reduced to a man’s parasite? And for the record, his film company and all his resources? Those came from me! But when my husband finally arrived, he actually teamed up with that actress, pressuring my daughter to perform a synchronized swimming act for some sleazy investor. I let out a cold laugh. Without a second thought, I called the Sea Shark Security Team – an elite unit only the most powerful figures could summon. “Sea Shark Security, Crescent Cove. Clear the area. Immediately!” … “Luna, look what Mommy got for you!” I held out a chilled coconut water, but as I turned, I saw my daughter cornered in knee-deep water, her face etched with panic. Leading the group was a young woman in a skimpy swimsuit, her makeup heavy, her expression impatient. “Where did this wild brat come from? Get lost!” she spat, pointing at Luna. “Crescent Cove is booked by Ms. Manny today for a party. If you know what’s good for you, clear out now, before you soil our place!” A tall, skinny woman, clearly a minion, echoed her. “Ms. Manny”… The name flashed in my mind. She was the rising star Ethan’s company had been pushing lately. Rumor had it, she’d exploded after a web series, and her temper had grown with her fame. My brows instantly knitted, a wave of annoyance washing over me. I hurried forward, pulling Luna behind me. “This is my private beach. You’re the ones who need to leave!” I struggled to keep my fury in check. But some people just love to poke the bear. “You? Your private beach?” Manny scoffed, looking me up and down with disdain. Seeing my simple T-shirt and ordinary shorts, she laughed even more triumphantly. I narrowed my eyes dangerously and took a step forward. “Do you know who I am?” My aura seemed to momentarily intimidate Manny; she flinched. But then her lackey whispered something to her, and her fear instantly transformed into brazen arrogance. “Who do we have here? Oh, it’s just Ethan Lockwood’s old, drab wife, Sarah, who only knows how to spend money!” The bodyguards and cronies behind her burst into mocking laughter. “What, didn’t Ethan tell you I’m using this place today to entertain some important guests?” Manny deliberately raised her voice. “Right, a leech like you, he probably couldn’t be bothered to inform you. Listen up, I’m hosting my VIPs here today. You and your wild brat, get out now, or don’t blame me for getting nasty!” Her smug, victorious face made my stomach churn. I forced down the anger boiling inside me and looked at the well-dressed group trailing behind her—presumably her “VIP guests.” A few men and women were pointing at us, openly amused. One portly middle-aged man with a beer belly and a thick gold chain was staring at Luna, who was peeking out from behind me, with a repulsive, predatory look. Manny immediately caught his gaze and sidled up to him, fawning. “Mr. Chang, do you like this little girl?” She turned, pointing at Luna, challenging me. “How about she performs a little synchronized swimming to get things started for Mr. Chang? If she makes him happy, I’ll tell Ethan to ‘reward’ his money-spending wife tonight!” 2 “Animal!” I lunged forward, ready to slap her, but two burly bodyguards at my side clamped down on me. The next second, Manny gestured to the two bodyguards closest to Luna. They understood, closing in on Luna, preventing her from getting back to shore. Luna, who’d never seen anything like this, instantly paled, clutching my shorts tightly. Her small body trembled, and she whimpered, “Mommy! Mommy, save me!” “I don’t want to perform!” Rage surged within me. “Let go of my daughter!” Slap! A searing pain erupted on my cheek. Manny shook her wrist, a contemptuous smirk twisting her lips. “You should worry about yourself!” My eyes burned, watching helplessly as the bodyguards pushed my daughter into the water. She clearly lost her footing, choking on several mouthfuls of seawater, and began to cough violently. My eyes burned, and I clenched my fists until my knuckles were white. “I’m saying it again: let my daughter come up!” “Otherwise, you’ll face the consequences!” Seeing my anger, Manny didn’t back down at all. Instead, she grew even more arrogant and reckless. “Consequences? What consequences could you possibly bring?” She extended a hand, brutally slapping my face again. “An old, ugly housewife like you dares to threaten me, Manny Shen?” She then snarled, “I’m telling you, if she doesn’t make Mr. Chang happy today, she’s not coming out of that water! Even if she drowns, Ethan Lockwood—oh no, Mr. Lockwood—he won’t shed a single tear for this wild brat!” She scoffed, “He’s probably praying I keep Mr. Chang and his moneybags happy!” “Ethan will make you pay for treating our daughter like this!” But my words had no effect, only making Manny laugh louder. “Hilarious! Mr. Lockwood already said that an old hag like you can’t satisfy him. He loves me! Besides, if he wants kids, I’m young and pretty, I can give him one anytime!” I stopped wasting breath on these rabid, irrational dogs. Every word was an insult to myself. I violently shoved the bodyguards restraining me, then lunged into the icy water. The frigid seawater instantly enveloped me, yet it couldn’t extinguish the furious blaze in my heart. Manny Shen, I swore I would make her pay! I swam quickly to Luna, scooped her out of the cold water, and held her tightly in my arms. Luna’s face was red, and she coughed uncontrollably. She clung to my neck, whimpering. “Mommy… cough, cough… I’m so scared…” I gently patted her back, shielding her from the chilling sea breeze with my body. Manny, seeing me ruin her plans, flew into a rage. “Damn it! Who told you to pull her out?” she shrieked. “You useless idiot! You ruined Mr. Chang’s mood! Can you take responsibility for that?” She shrieked, “Believe it or not, I’m calling Ethan right now to have you and your wretched daughter thrown out!” She brandished her phone, making as if to dial. However, before her words finished, a powerful roar of an engine rumbled from afar, growing steadily closer. A white speedboat sped towards Crescent Cove, coming to a steady stop not far from the shore. Ethan Lockwood, dressed in casual beachwear and sunglasses, disembarked from the speedboat, surrounded by several assistants and bodyguards. His arrival instantly drew all eyes on the beach. Manny, seeing Ethan, immediately adopted a look of immense grievance, on the verge of tears. She scurried over, dramatically flinging herself at Ethan. She grabbed his arm, her voice so cloying it made me nauseous. “Mr. Lockwood! Mr. Lockwood, you’re finally here!” she simpered. “You wouldn’t believe it! This woman of yours and her kid just popped up out of nowhere, claiming Crescent Cove is hers!” Her talent for twisting the truth was truly masterful. “She even offended Mr. Chang and our other important guests! I tried to kindly reason with her, but she actually tried to hit me!” She pointed to non-existent injuries on her face, dramatically accusing me of crimes. 3 Ethan took off his sunglasses, his face etched with impatience. He first glanced at Mr. Chang and the others behind Manny, whose expressions were clearly annoyed. Then, he casually swept his gaze over a disheveled Luna and me. “Ethan!” “Daddy…” Luna and I called out to him simultaneously. But he only frowned, his voice instantly accusatory. “What’s wrong with you two? Who told you to come to Crescent Cove?” He continued, “Don’t you know I booked this place today to entertain important guests? Now, hurry up and take the child and leave. Don’t embarrass me here!” Luna’s eyes instantly welled with tears. The father before her was utterly unrecognizable. I, too, was stunned in place. “Ethan, this is clearly my private beach, how could you—” “Enough!” He cut me off, his gaze sweeping over my daughter and me with disgust. But then, he turned, offering an apologetic smile to Mr. Chang and the others. “Mr. Chang, Director Chen, I’m so sorry. Please excuse these two unruly commoners for disturbing your enjoyment.” He added, “I’ll make them leave immediately!” Hearing his words, I looked at him in disbelief. Luna cowered in my arms, terrified. “Mommy, why did Daddy say we’re commoners? Is Daddy abandoning us…?” My brows furrowed. To save face for his guests and his mistress, he would actually put my daughter and me in such a humiliating position. A bone-chilling cold roared up to the crown of my head. In that moment, all my efforts and tolerance for him over the past decade felt like a monumental joke. It was my fault, too. For years, I had given him whatever he wanted, even pretending to be an ordinary stay-at-home wife just to let him focus on his career. I had let him believe he could walk all over me! But he had forgotten, I was still the head of the powerful, hidden elite family of Silverwood City, the Whites! I smiled. “Ethan Lockwood.” I enunciated each syllable of his name, my voice terrifyingly calm. “Are you sure you don’t recognize me?” I pressed. “Don’t you recognize the wife you relentlessly pursued, swearing to protect her for life? Don’t you recognize this daughter you once held so tenderly in your arms?” I stared him down. Ethan’s body visibly stiffened, a flicker of panic in his eyes. But he quickly averted his gaze, unable to meet mine. Manny, seeing Ethan not refute her words and instead scold us, was even more convinced he was on her side. She began to crow triumphantly. “Mr. Lockwood has spoken! Did you hear that, you useless hag?! Now get out!” She shrieked, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security to throw you two beggars into the sea to feed the sharks!” I stood still, holding my daughter, only watching Ethan, who dared not meet my gaze. “Ethan Lockwood, I’m giving you one more chance. Are you going to clarify our relationship to them or not?” Seven years of marriage, and my saying this was already granting him immense dignity and an easy way out. But he remained stiff, his back to Luna and me. Manny grew even more brazen, barking orders at the bodyguards. “What are you waiting for? Drag these two eyesores out of here! Move it! Don’t ruin Ms. Manny’s party or Mr. Chang’s mood!” Her lackeys echoed her, cheering her on. I watched Manny, cold and still, as she leaped and screeched. Then, I cast a deep, prolonged look at Ethan, who stood silently, unwilling to meet my eyes. Fine. Ethan, this is your choice. I raised my wrist, revealing my custom-made communication watch. The strap bore the White family crest, a unique piece issued only to core family members. Calmly, I pressed a speed-dial button I knew by heart. The call connected almost instantly. A steady, powerful female voice answered, “Ms. White?” I uttered seven plain words: “Sea Shark Security. Crescent Cove. Clear the area.” Manny, hearing me make a call, paused, seemingly confused. Then, she burst into even more exaggerated laughter. “Oh, wow! What an act! Calling for backup?” Tears streamed from her eyes as she laughed. Her sycophantic friends and “VIP guests” joined in, ridiculing me. “Who are you going to call? Your broke relatives to back you up?” they jeered. “Or are you going to ask Mr. Lockwood to reimburse your taxi fare so you can leave with dignity?” “A loser is a loser. Still trying to act tough when death is at your doorstep! How pathetic!” Ethan evidently thought I was just putting on a show, making him look even worse in front of his important clients and beloved mistress. He smiled apologetically at the portly Mr. Chang. “Mr. Chang, just ignore her. She’s just a crazy woman.” His words further solidified their contempt for me. Especially Mr. Chang, who bared a mouthful of yellowed, smoke-stained teeth and leered, pointing at Luna. “The adult can leave, but leave the girl!” “You wouldn’t dare!” I snapped, my voice sharp. Luna buried her face in my arms, trembling. “Mommy, I’m scared…” But to my shock, Ethan actually hesitated! My watch vibrated, a sign that the Sea Shark Security team was close. I took a deep breath, scanning the group surrounding us. “Ethan Lockwood, are you really going to use your own daughter to curry favor with a client?” Ethan awkwardly averted his gaze, muttering, “It’s just playing with Mr. Chang, it’s not like she’ll lose a limb…” His attitude was clear. I scoffed. “You’re truly beyond help!” Manny grew impatient and quickly beckoned her men to grab Luna. “Quickly, bring the girl to Mr. Chang!” “Mommy!” Luna gripped my arm tightly. I patted her back, reassuring her. “Don’t be scared, Mommy’s here.” Just as a burly man was about to grab my daughter’s arm, a dart whizzed through the air and embedded itself sharply in his forearm. Blood spurted, and I quickly covered Luna’s eyes. “Ah—” A guttural cry of pain echoed across the beach. The next second, five sleek black helicopters, each painted with a shark head emblem, descended from the sky!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392727”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel