Category: English

Everyone in the family was waiting for me to frame the real daughter, claiming she stole Grandma’s jade pendant, but I calmly admitted in front of them all that I had slipped it into my own pocket by accident. The room froze. In the original script, I should have cried, yelled, and dragged her down with me. But I’m not the original girl—I transmigrated into her body. From the moment I changed that line, no one in this house could control me again. I was reborn in a novel as Sophia Davis, the adopted daughter of the head of Davis Enterprises. I was kept in the family because I had a rare blood type, which meant I served as a “mobile blood bank” for my brother, James Davis. Not long after, the real daughter, Lily Davis, was found. She was the true protagonist of this world, unlike me, the “villainous” adopted daughter. And she had the special ability that allowed others to hear her thoughts. According to the storyline, I was supposed to constantly frame her in front of my parents, making them believe she was bullying me, and trying to make them dislike her. But with her “God’s perspective” from the storyline, Lily could always predict my actions and words, causing my family to lose trust in me again and again. On the very first day Lily returned, my parents asked me to show her the room upstairs that had been prepared for her. I remembered from the plot that at this point, everyone in the family should have already heard Lily’s thoughts. They were waiting to see if things would unfold the way she said they would. I was about to try to break the plot and do something unexpected, but suddenly, my body slipped, and I found myself tumbling down the stairs uncontrollably. As I rolled down the stairs and hit the floor, I noticed the look in my parents’ and James’ eyes. There was a clear trace of disappointment there. They were all waiting for me to say something, but no one came to help me. I had to slowly stand up on my own. Feeling embarrassed, I weakly apologized, “It’s OK. I didn’t eat enough this morning. Just low blood sugar.” Lily, looking surprised, asked, “You’re trying to say I pushed you, aren’t you? You don’t even know why, and you just want Mom and Dad not to be mad, right?” My parents and James looked at me with suspicion in their eyes, and I just leaned against the wall, weakly retorting, “Did you not hear me or what? It was the low blood sugar.” Then, I looked at James pitifully, “I’ll get better soon. I don’t want to be unable to provide blood when you need it.” James and my parents, hearing this, immediately came over to help me up, their faces filled with concern. Lily had taken my room, but in exchange, my parents gave me a luxurious suite. Eighteen years ago, Lily, their biological daughter, was kidnapped by bad people, and my parents were devastated. To cope with the grief, they adopted me from an orphanage, since I also had a rare blood type. For the past eighteen years, they had treated me like their own daughter, nurturing and pampering me. But their love for me wasn’t without an ulterior motive. First, they wanted me to help run Davis Enterprises, and second, I was meant to be James’ personal blood donor. James loved racing, and as a professional driver, he often got injured during his races. Whenever he needed a blood transfusion, it was always me who provided it. That was why my parents doted on me so much, and why James treated me like his own sister.

Mom gently pulled me aside, “Sophia, your health isn’t great. You can have the suite on the first floor from now on.” In the original plot, when Lily was first brought back, the family hadn’t had time to prepare her room yet. The original Sophia, wanting to show her family how considerate and generous she was, offered her own room to Lily, even though she planned to stay in the storage room to play the martyr and gain their sympathy. But this time, instead of offering my room, Mom gave me the largest room, the suite, on the first floor, the one where they used to read and write. Lily could already feel the drama unfolding in her mind. “She’s definitely going to refuse,” Lily thought. “She’ll insist she’s just an outsider and keep pretending to be the victim, staying in the storage room.” Hearing Lily’s thoughts, my parents and James all looked awkward, waiting for my reaction. I hugged Mom happily, acting like a spoiled child. “Mom, you’re the best! I love you the most! I’ll take the suite downstairs. It’s more convenient, and it’ll be closer to James!” My parents’ and James’ rooms were on the first floor, so now I was moving down too. Lily would be the only one left upstairs. She seemed confused that I hadn’t followed the script. Grabbing my arm, she demanded, “You were supposed to refuse and insist on staying in the storage room. Why the sudden change of heart?” She couldn’t understand why I wasn’t sticking to the expected lines. I had realized something too. When it came to crucial plot points, my actions would be uncontrollable and follow the script, but what I said was entirely under my control. “Stay in the storage room?” I replied, leaning back. “Why would I want to stay there when I have a perfectly good suite?” Everyone looked at Lily with confusion. Unable to handle the pressure, she angrily shoved me. From Lily’s thoughts, I could tell my family was starting to get suspicious of me. “This doesn’t make sense,” she thought. “You’re not even their real child. Why have you lived as me for the past ten years? I come back, and suddenly you get the suite? Are you trying to humiliate me? Why did you even bring me back?” She lashed out at my parents and James, venting all the grievances she’d carried for years. But the fact that she went missing had nothing to do with me. I was just adopted later, after all. James, feeling sorry for me, helped me up from the floor and snapped at Lily, “Don’t take it too far. You can’t just throw tantrums and push people around. Where’s your manners? I bet you did push Sophia just now.” Lily, having grown up in a small town with poor manners, wasn’t about to let James’ words slide. She started cursing him out in response. It was all becoming too much for my parents, especially Dad. “Enough!” he shouted. “The most important thing is that Sophia gets better. She’ll stay on the first floor. The entire second floor is yours, Lily. You can design it however you like. Is that fair now?” James snorted in disbelief, and Mom wiped away her tears. When Lily heard that the entire second floor was hers, the space was several times bigger than my own, she had nothing left to say. The house would soon be undergoing renovations, and my suite would just be rearranged as it was. But Lily’s second floor was going to be a huge project. She insisted on a walk-in closet, a study, and a separate bathroom. The noise from the construction made the entire house uneasy. Aside from a few arguments with James, no one really called her out on it. It took over half a month before the renovations were finally done.

Lily now had her room, but her closet was still empty, so Mom gave her a card with her allowance for the year. “Lily,” she said softly, “I’ve been giving Sophia and James one million a year as pocket money. We’ve missed out on those 18 years with you, so we want to make it right. There is 20 million, and you can spend it however you like.” Lily refused the card, her voice cold. “Lost affection can’t be replaced with money. I don’t want your money.” James, who had been looking at his phone, snorted. “How high and mighty. If she doesn’t want it, just give it to Sophia.” Lily’s thoughts turned bitter. “Give it to her, go ahead, give it all to her. You think Sophia’s some kind of good person? She’s about to sabotage James in his next race. When he’s fighting for his life after a crash, she’ll pull some pity play and donate blood, gaining all your trust. Then, once you’ve given her all of Davis Enterprises’ assets, she’ll ditch you. You’ll be left begging on the streets.” Hearing her thoughts, James hesitated as he handed me the card. Mom and Dad exchanged a wary glance. The story forced me into a situation where I had to steal something and set Lily up, and when I was caught, I could feel the cold sweat running down my back. But I remained calm. I pulled out the card Mom and Dad had previously given me and handed it to Lily. “You said I’ve been living in your place for the past ten years. If you won’t take what they gave you, how about you take this card from me?” Lily shot me a glare and then snatched the card from my hand without hesitation. “It’s mine to begin with. You should’ve given it back.” Mom and Dad’s wariness began to fade. James realized how close he’d come to believing Lily’s words and, feeling guilty, pulled out his own card. “Sophia, don’t let her get to you. If you need money, use my card. We can share.” I smiled and accepted his offer. I couldn’t understand why the original Sophia would go out of her way to hurt this brother who was so partial to her. Why couldn’t she just live a happy, normal life like any ordinary person? Why did she have to stir up trouble?

The next day, Mom took Lily and me to the mall. According to the plot, I would initially eagerly pick out all kinds of expensive clothes and jewelry for Lily. But just as we were leaving the store, I would secretly hide something in Lily’s bag to embarrass her. As the story forced me into a certain action, I found myself unable to control my body as it quietly slipped a beautiful, pricey watch into Lily’s bag. I wanted to head to the counter to pay, but I couldn’t move a muscle. Lily, noticing something was off, started to think to herself, “Sophia just looks down on me for growing up in a small town. She’s trying to plant stolen goods in my bag to make me look bad and accuse me of being unrefined.” Mom saw the strange expression on my face and started to suspect something was wrong. Lily, now aware of the situation, grabbed her bag and said, “Let’s go.” She dragged both me and Mom toward the store’s exit, and sure enough, the alarm went off as we passed through the door. Mom looked at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. The store clerks quickly blocked our way. “Excuse me, but could you please stop and check if there are any unpaid items in your bags?” I could feel the cold sweat on my forehead, my heart pounding in my chest. Lily smirked, looking at me with a wicked gleam in her eyes. “I don’t know. Why don’t we check our bags?” The clerk first searched her bag, and sure enough, found the expensive watch tucked into a hidden compartment, with the price tag still attached. Mom, stunned, pointed at the watch with trembling hands. “This watch isn’t…” Before she could finish, the clerk cut her off. “Oh, this watch doesn’t belong to our store. I’ll put it back. Could you please open your bags so we can inspect them?” The clerk handed Lily her bag back, but Lily stared at the watch in shock. Why would they return it to her if it was stolen? When they searched my bag, however, they found a diamond brooch. It turned out I was the one who had stolen the item. The clerk looked at me in disbelief and said sternly, “Miss, your actions suggest theft. We may need to call the police.” I lowered my head in shame. Mom stepped forward to defend me. “My daughter’s been unwell lately, and she must’ve forgotten to pay. We don’t steal jewelry. We can afford it.” We had often shopped at this store, and the staff knew us well. They couldn’t believe we would be involved in a theft. The clerk, sensing the tension, spoke sympathetically. “Probably just a mistake. Sophia must’ve absentmindedly put it in her bag. I’ll go ahead and print the invoice, please give me just a moment.” Just when I thought the situation was about to resolve, Lily interrupted. She grabbed the clerk’s arm, blocking her from leaving, and pointed at me. “She did steal. She was trying to plant them in my bag to frame me! I don’t know why she hid them in her own bag, though. Don’t be fooled.” The clerk looked at our mom, clearly uncomfortable. Mom, already fed up, snapped, “Enough, Lily.” But Lily refused to stop. She pulled the watch out of her bag, still with the price tag on it. “This is clearly the watch she stole from another store. She tried to plant it in my bag earlier!” As she spoke, the people around us began to look at me with disdain. Lily grabbed my arm. “Are you trying to accuse me now? Are you going to say it’s my fault? Speak up!” I could hear whispers in the crowd. Who would’ve thought two rich girls would steal from a store? Both our reputations were at stake, and Mom finally snapped. “Enough!” I couldn’t hold back any longer and started crying. “I’m sorry, Mom. I took the brooch. I didn’t have the money to buy it. I just wanted to give it to Lily as a gift.” Lily and Mom suddenly remembered that earlier in the morning, I had given Lily my card. Lily scoffed, “Sophia, you’re really something else. You stole the brooch to give it to me as a gift, but what about the watch? Isn’t that your attempt to frame me?” Mom couldn’t take it anymore. She slapped Lily across the face. “Stop it! The watch was a birthday gift from our entire family to Sophia. She never even wore it and still hadn’t removed the tag. She probably meant to give it to you secretly, and you’ve completely misjudged her!” Lily stared at me in disbelief before throwing the watch to the ground and running off in tears. The whole time, I had been wearing the watch when I left the house. But once the plot triggered, I had no control over my actions. Since I was destined to take the fall for the theft, I decided to accept the blame myself. When we got home and explained everything, Mom and Dad, along with James, didn’t hold it against me. They quietly gave me the card Lily had refused earlier. “Sophia, no matter the reason, stealing is not right. It’s bad for your reputation. Do you understand? Since Lily didn’t want it, you can use this card.” I happily accepted the card. There was 20 million in it. I was over the moon!

Lily began to question why things weren’t going according to the original plot. She found me alone and confronted me. “You’re trying to make it look like I pushed you down the stairs, aren’t you? And in the mall, you deliberately stole something to frame me, right? What changed? Why did you suddenly change your mind?” I met her furious gaze and calmly poured myself a cup of coffee. “Let me ask you. Why do you always think I’m the bad guy?” She opened her mouth but couldn’t come up with a response. According to the plot, I was supposed to be the evil adopted one, eventually taking all of the family’s wealth for myself. Meanwhile, Lily, whose thoughts could be heard by everyone and who knew the plot, would be loved by everyone and would stop all of it from happening. “You say you’re not a bad person. Fine. Tomorrow, when I go to school, prove it to me.” After Lily left, I started to feel a headache coming on. I had almost forgotten…that the original Sophia was two-faced. At home, she bullied Lily with fake sympathy, but at school, she openly isolated and ostracized her. What was I supposed to do now? The next day, at school… The teacher introduced Lily to the class as a new transfer student. As soon as she sat down, Lily started mentally complaining.

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Vanessa threw away the ten thousand blessings she once demanded as the price for marrying her the moment Damon returned. That single action confirmed that the five years I spent with her carried no weight and that I was never more than a temporary stand-in. I did not argue, negotiate, or wait for an explanation. I submitted my resignation, closed every point of contact between us, and chose to leave the city and the life she controlled. After my visa was approved, I went home to pack. The moment I opened my closet, Vanessa popped out, startling me. “Adrian! I’m the hunter, and I’ve caught my prey!” She was beaming, her cheeks flushed, laughing heartily. I knew she’d used a “business trip” as an excuse these past two days, but she was really just traveling with Damon to avoid me. In the past, I would have greeted her with a warm smile, asking about her trip. Now, I just pulled her aside and started rummaging for my clothes. Vanessa stood there, looking a bit lost. After a long moment, she poked my arm. “Adrian, what’s wrong? Are you still mad about me not lending you money that day? I was trying to complete Damon’s dare. We’re friends, and he was about to lose in fifteen minutes. I didn’t have time to transfer money. Didn’t I soften up later and have the finance department give you an advance?” I gave a bitter laugh, suppressing the sting in my nose, and kept stuffing clothes into my suitcase. That day, Mom had just arrived from out of town when she saw her future daughter-in-law on a giant screen, holding another man’s hand and making their relationship official. She collapsed on the spot. I rushed to the scene, falling to my knees in front of Vanessa, pleading with her to give me back my savings for Mom’s medical bills. It would have taken less than three seconds to pull out her bank card from her bag. But she just coldly kicked me aside, telling me to figure it out myself. Then, she used every last cent from my card to buy Damon a luxury car. Later, when I went to the finance department for an advance, the finance officer rolled her eyes at me. “Adrian, who do you think you are, dreaming about someone like her? Mr. Damon and CEO Vanessa are the golden couple.” She deliberately dragged out the process. I ran around the company, completing eighteen different procedures, which took three hours, just to get a $200 advance. The finance officer said it was Vanessa’s order, and they couldn’t do anything about it. By the time I rushed to the hospital, Mom had already passed away. Vanessa saw I wasn’t speaking, snatched the clothes from my hands, and threw them onto the bed. “That’s what I dislike about you small-town guys. You’re so petty. You hand over a few hundred thousand, and then you try every trick to get it back. Honestly, I bought Damon that sports car just to cut off your idea of getting into my pockets!” My heart felt like it was squeezed hard. I took a deep breath. I thought if I just poured my heart out and gave her all my earnings, Vanessa would eventually let go of her suspicions. But I never imagined she still thought I was after her money. Damon and she had broken up and gotten back together three times. Each time, it was her winning him back with luxury cars and lavish homes. So why was it suddenly me who was being petty? I finished packing, picked up my suitcase, and curled my lips into a sarcastic smile. “It won’t happen again. Keep your money for Damon to spend.” Vanessa’s eyes widened. She grabbed me. CRASH! A storage box was knocked over, sending countless paper slips covered with blessings fluttering to the ground like snow. These were all the blessing messages I had pleaded with anyone and everyone I met on the street to write for me. She had said she’d had enough heartbreak. Unless I collected ten thousand blessings from strangers to prove my sincerity, she wouldn’t marry me. The ten thousandth blessing was from a passenger sitting next to my mom on the train ride into the city. When Mom handed it to me, she wished Vanessa and me a long and happy life together. But Vanessa still announced her relationship with Damon just because of one sentence from him. All my boundaries, all my efforts, were a joke. Vanessa picked up a slip of paper. Her beautiful brows relaxed, and she sighed. “Alright, Adrian, stop sulking. I’ll give you another three hundred. Take your mom to get some nice clothes and good food. Later, I’ll take her on a trip. I’ll do my duty as a daughter-in-law.” In the past, I would have taken the out and praised her as a good wife. But now, the bitterness in my heart wouldn’t let up. I just couldn’t swallow it. I covered her transfer screen with my hand and said coldly, “No need. You’re not her daughter-in-law. We’re over.” My words were swallowed by the sound of a key in the lock. “Vanessa, I’m here to pick you up! Didn’t we say we’d treat everyone to dinner to celebrate?” Damon walked in, looking surprised. “Assistant Adrian, why are you at Vanessa’s place?” Vanessa coughed, putting distance between us. “Adrian’s mom needed money, he just asked if he could get an advance on his salary.” We’d been in a secret relationship for five years. She always kept me at arm’s length, and I couldn’t even post about her on Ins. I thought it was because she didn’t want an office romance. Turns out, keeping it from everyone was just about keeping it from *him*. Damon looked righteous and reprimanded me sharply. “Assistant Adrian, don’t go too far. I didn’t even say anything about you causing a scene at the announcement, but you have hands and feet. You can’t just take advantage of Vanessa’s kindness and demand money from her!” Vanessa frowned, about to speak. I curled my lips. “You’re right, that’s exactly what I think. So I’m leaving now.” With that, I picked up my suitcase and walked past Vanessa, heading downstairs. She took a step as if to follow, glanced at Damon, then calmly said, “Be careful on your way.” As I walked out of the building, Vanessa sent me a SnapChat message: “Adrian, don’t worry. This is the last time I’ll help Damon out. I’ll make time in a couple of days to take your aunt out, and we can discuss our wedding plans and get married soon.” I scoffed. I just opened my chat with William, the HR from the overseas company. “William, my visa is done. Flight’s tomorrow afternoon. See you there.”

I hailed a cab to the company to pick up my files, but the HR officer looked impatient. “CEO Vanessa has been holding up your resignation application. Come back next Monday to ask again.” I called Vanessa, but it just rang busy. It was always like this when she was with Damon. I should have waited for her to approve my resignation before rushing off earlier. Frustrated, I frowned and left the company. Behind me, a burst of laughter erupted. “When Mr. Damon and CEO Vanessa made their relationship official, he was there singing and dancing, even kneeling and begging Vanessa for money! So embarrassing!” “Didn’t you see how awful his face looked when he couldn’t get through to CEO Vanessa just now? If I were her, I’d block a leech like that too!” I was used to these mocking words by now. My phone pinged with a notification – a taunting message from Damon. The photo showed the blessing slips stuffed into a reeking, greasy trash can. “Vanessa threw away all ten thousand blessings just because I said so. I heard you spent a year collecting them, so much effort, how sad.” “So what if you dated for five years? The moment I came back, you were kicked to the curb. She’s eating with me right now, peeling shrimp for me, her hands covered in sauce. You’ve never seen that, have you? If you’re curious, come to the restaurant’s private room, I’ll let you see all you want.” My hand tightened around my phone. Since he’d returned, I’d seen too many messages like this. Vanessa, who was a clean freak and so proud, would wash his clothes, cook for him, and even wash his feet and make his bed. Before, I used to dread Damon’s messages, yet I’d self-torture myself by watching Vanessa’s special treatment of him. I even tried to tell myself it was all Photoshopped, telling him not to stir up trouble, thinking if I didn’t see the truth, I could keep lying to myself. This time, I went. Not out of jealousy, but to get Vanessa to sign my resignation and sever all ties with her. Half an hour later, I arrived at the restaurant, only to hear Vanessa arguing with someone in the stairwell. I instinctively hid around the corner. “Vanessa, are you out of your mind?! Damon dumped you three times, each time worse than the last! He even tricked you to a cliff and almost broke your leg! And you’re making it official with him?! Adrian has been with you for five years, and you never gave him a title. Don’t forget he risked his life to save you before!” It was Sasha, Vanessa’s best friend. I touched the uneven scar on my forehead. A year ago, Vanessa and I were in a car accident during a business trip. To protect her, I was impaled by the windshield. I had a dozen steel plates implanted in my body, and a scar above my left eyebrow disfigured me, making my formerly gentle eyes look fierce. Colleagues secretly called me ‘Scarface,’ kept their distance, and even spread rumors that I was beaten by loan sharks. Vanessa, however, never clarified anything to avoid suspicion. The next second, Vanessa’s reply struck me like a lightning bolt. “It’s because he had the car accident. He has a scar over his eye. He doesn’t look like Damon anymore.” Sasha was furious. “So you were still treating him as a substitute! No wonder when he proposed, you made him do an impossible task. Ten thousand blessings? Even if he asked thirty people a day, it would take a year! If you didn’t want to marry him, you didn’t have to string him along! What kind of spell did a scumbag like Damon put on you?!” “Enough!” Vanessa snapped, her voice sharp. “Don’t you dare slander Damon like that! He said he’s turned over a new leaf. I’m just trying to make up for past regrets. Give me two more days, and I’ll break it off with him.” Sasha was speechless. “Aren’t you afraid Adrian will truly give up?” Vanessa seemed relaxed, in control. “Adrian’s job came from me, he lives in my apartment. He has nothing without me. I’ll take responsibility for him. We’ve been out too long, Damon will get impatient. Let’s head back.” Watching their retreating figures, I stood there for a long time, then sank to the floor, holding myself. When Mom got sick, I brought her to the city for treatment. When I was desperate because we had no money, Vanessa was the one who approached me, inviting me to work at her company. She was gentle and compassionate, like a goddess, and I fell for her. Now, looking back, I was wearing a mask then, only my eyes visible. And her eyes were filled with the joy of finding something she’d lost. Whenever she mentioned her ex, Vanessa would gnash her teeth, full of love and hate. Then she’d bury her head against my chest, sighing how lucky she was to have me. After Damon returned to the country, she deliberately ‘ran into’ him several times, clashing with him, but their ‘arguments’ were just her way of flirting and showing how much she missed him. No wonder Vanessa suddenly became distant after the car accident. I was foolishly thinking it was because Damon was back, and she was just conflicted. Turns out, the original was back, and I, the substitute, was useless, which was why she made me collect ten thousand blessings to politely reject me. After a while, I took a deep breath and pushed open the private room door. Inside, everyone was already tipsy, clapping and cheering. “Their dramatic reunion, their intense, complicated love – I’m totally hooked! Vanessa, you have to kiss Damon!” Vanessa openly kissed Damon on the lips. Her long lashes trembled, and her ears turned crimson, betraying her racing heart. She didn’t know how long it had been until the cheering died down. She opened her eyes in confusion. She saw me, standing behind Damon, my face emotionless. She shot up, her face pale. “Adrian, I can explain everything! It’s not what you think!” Her attempt to cover it up just made her look incredibly guilty. “Vanessa, we’re done.”

The next second, I pulled out my resignation application. “Also, please sign this so I can leave the company.” Vanessa was flustered. Everyone in the room looked on with mixed expressions, some hesitating, wanting to advise me. But then, whoosh! Damon swept the drinks and fruit bowls off the table, looking utterly humiliated. “You two are a couple?!” “Vanessa, I told you, the love I want is one where only I exist in your eyes. If you had a boyfriend, you should have just said so. There was no need to take revenge on me like this!” He stormed out. Vanessa snapped back to reality and, losing all composure, slapped me. “How dare you make a scene in front of Damon? Why did you expose our relationship? He’s sensitive and can’t handle shocks, don’t you know that?” My head was snapped sideways from the blow, my eyes cold. The fierce fire in her eyes suddenly died, replaced by a flicker of distress. The hand that hit me trembled violently. She turned her head away and said sharply, “You just want to force me into marriage, but your plan failed. I’d like to see how you’re going to cause trouble for Damon without the job I gave you!” She snatched my resignation application and signed it. The next second, she shouted “Damon!” and ran off, chasing him. I rubbed the crumpled paper, and with a sense of relief, I left amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd. Now, there was only one thing left to do. After Mom passed, I decided to take her ashes abroad, so I had only arranged a simple memorial. Tomorrow, I needed to pick up Mom’s ashes and belongings from the hospital. The next morning, I timed my arrival at the hospital perfectly, intending to leave straight for the airport afterward. As I passed a department, I overheard a doctor calling out Vanessa’s name. “You young people are crazy in love! Your eyes are inflamed, ulcerated, and bleeding. You could go blind permanently! You can’t keep doing this!” I unconsciously slowed my steps. Then I heard Damon’s whining voice. “Vanessa, I was just being dramatic yesterday when I said I’d only forgive you if you had eyes only for me! Why did you actually tattoo my name all over your eyeballs?!” Vanessa’s voice was full of deep affection. “For you, it’s nothing.” I turned my head and saw Vanessa’s eyes. Her eyelids were swollen, blood vessels burst, and they were hazy with blood. I could faintly see her eyeballs were dark, densely covered with Damon’s name. Yet, before, when I had just bought a pair of matching couple’s rings, she had cursed me out, saying I was deliberately claiming ownership and trying to tie her down, restricting her freedom. Turns out, in the face of love, everyone is equally desperate. I continued toward the morgue. Damon had already spotted me and deliberately picked a fight. “Adrian, Vanessa said you’re just a persistent admirer who won’t give up. What do you want now?” Vanessa, surprisingly, wasn’t angry at all. She quickly put on her sunglasses, adjusted her hair, and her lips curved upward. “Adrian, I know you came here looking for me on purpose. As long as you swear not to do anything out of line again, I can still let you come back to the company. I heard your mom is in our city recently. I could be generous and take her on a trip.” My eyes were full of sarcasm. What “out of line” things? Should I continue to be her secret lover, smilingly bless her and Damon, and then, after she’s had her fun and decided to settle down, gratefully marry her? To this day, she still didn’t know that Mom had already died, her last wish being for me to find someone who loved me. The nurse, however, couldn’t wait. She rushed out to find me, handing me Mom’s ashes and belongings. “Adrian, I have other families to attend to. Just sign here, and you can take your mother’s ashes.”

Vanessa’s triumphant expression froze. “What ashes?” The medical staff looked at her, surprised. “Adrian’s mother passed away two days ago because she couldn’t afford the medical fees.” Vanessa was speechless. It took her a moment to find her voice. “How is that possible? Adrian, you didn’t use the money I gave you for your mom?!” I bent down to sign the ash collection form. Damon frowned, then suddenly spoke. “Vanessa, I suddenly feel a little discomfort in my heart. Could you please ask the doctor to check me? Adrian and I are both men, maybe I can comfort him properly.” Vanessa hesitated, then finally called out to me. “Adrian, you stay here. Don’t move. Once I call the doctor, we can talk properly!” As soon as she left, Damon’s eyes filled with malice, and he deliberately knocked over my mother’s ashes. He whispered mockingly, “Adrian, you’re truly a persistent ghost. I deliberately told finance not to give you the funds. Your mom died because you didn’t know your place. And Vanessa even said she’s giving your vacant position to me. If you’re smart, you’ll get lost!” My pupils contracted. So Damon was behind my mom’s death! Furious, I didn’t hesitate to slap him. But he immediately collapsed, curled up in the corner, looking pained and begging, “Adrian, don’t kill me! I’m so sad your mother died too!” Passersby, not knowing the full story, all assumed I was just venting my anger. They had all seen Vanessa and Damon’s official announcement video and were now righteously indignant. “His own mom died, and he’s bullying another patient to vent?! Where’s security? Get this guy out of the hospital!” “Don’t you know that’s CEO Vanessa’s husband? The Sterling family has immense wealth, you just messed with the wrong person! It’s not too late to beg for forgiveness now!” My face was numb. I knelt down to pick up the shattered ceramic urn holding my mother’s ashes. The sharp edges of the fragments cut my fingers, leaving streaks of blood, but I didn’t seem to feel the pain. As everyone condemned me, Vanessa finally arrived with the doctor. They vied to speak, as if taking credit. “CEO Vanessa, your husband is being bullied! Aren’t you going to stand up for him?” Damon, looking triumphant, weakly cried out, “Vanessa, I’m fine. I was just kindly helping Adrian with his mother’s ashes, and I accidentally broke them. He didn’t mean to push me or slap me. I’m okay, I don’t think anything’s broken.” Vanessa took three swift steps towards me. I didn’t even lift my head, gathering my mother’s ashes. I figured she’d just say a few words to me. But to my surprise, the next second, she knelt directly in front of me, carefully cradling my hands and asking, “Does it hurt?” She held my bloody hands, her eyes filled with heartache. Everyone present stared at each other, stunned. Damon was dumbfounded, even forgetting to feign illness, his eyes wide. In the past, if he pretended to be sick, Vanessa would fuss like a chicken with its head cut off. But now, she was concerned about me, the ‘unreasonable’ one.

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My husband treats me as if I do not exist unless he needs someone to blame. My son has learned to follow his lead and sees my boundaries as hostility. I work alone, parent alone, and fight alone. When I discover Dan drinking with other women while claiming he is the victim, I understand the dynamic fully. This marriage no longer protects me or my child. It only drains me. Filing for divorce becomes the first decision I make for myself in years. Sunday nights are the hardest. Tyler is dragging his feet, crying over homework that’s due tomorrow, while Dan is lost in his own world, gaming with his headphones on, utterly indifferent. No one wants anything to do with me. Tyler is glaring at me, teary-eyed from my scolding; Dan is pretending not to notice, clearly annoyed by my presence. I’m left standing by the table, clearing up their plates, whispering to myself that it’s all my own fault. But my heart aches. Late at night, Dan slips away to the study, Tyler falls asleep, tear stains on his cheeks, and I find myself in the bathroom, looking at my own weary reflection. This is the third month of Dan’s silent treatment. Three long months—I can hardly remember why we’re fighting. Under the same roof, he hasn’t said a word to me. I refuse to give in; I’m convinced he’s at fault. But sleeplessness nags at me. I walk to Tyler’s room to tidy up his backpack. And there, on his desk, I see the new journal I got him. Under “Rewards,” written in that innocent, clumsy handwriting, I see: “I wish Mom would just disappear.”

I blink, thinking I’ve read it wrong. I pick up the journal and take it to the living room, reading that line again. “I wish Mom would just disappear. “She’s so scary when she yells at Dad; she chased him away.” I collapse on the couch, numb, feeling an overwhelming, dull ache settle in. The study light flips off as Dan emerges, grinning. The moment he sees me, his usual icy expression returns. He doesn’t say a word, just picks up his car keys from the coffee table. As he walks past, I catch a whiff of his cologne—Vanilla Musk. It’s the same scent I picked out for him in college when we started dating. Back then, he was a tech geek, always in black-framed glasses and a white T-shirt, hopelessly oblivious to style. I remember teasing him, “A little cologne goes a long way with girls.” He promised he’d keep it because I liked it. And he’s used it ever since. The familiar scent stirs memories of who he was, of our better times, and of the family I desperately want to keep whole for Tyler’s sake. The pain my son caused me rushes back, and without thinking, I stand up and grab Dan’s arm. “Dan, please, can we talk?” Tears silently slip down my face as I stand behind him. He jerks his arm away. I notice his phone screen: he’s on a call. Who is he talking to this late at night, wearing cologne? “Dan, are you coming down? I’ve been craving BBQ all week!” A girl’s voice comes through, laughing flirtatiously. That soft, sweet tone brings back all the reasons we’re in this fight. I turn to leave, but Dan grabs my arm again. With a smirk, he says, “Beg me, and I’ll stay with you and Tyler tonight.” Dan has always reveled in the moment I give in, that satisfaction of seeing me break, especially now that some young girl is competing for his attention. The way he stays—like he’s doing us a favor.

I laughed, but not in amusement. “Beg you? As if I made Tyler all by myself. You’re his father, too, aren’t you? “Am I the only one responsible for him? Don’t you care at all? “Do you even realize the toll this is taking on him?” Dan’s expression hardened, his mouth a thin line. Like I was some madwoman, he grabbed his jacket and slammed the door behind him. Tyler’s journal, with its wish for my disappearance, was still lying on the couch. Dan had left his study lights on as usual. He never bothers with issues—either saying something sharp to rile me up or storming out the door, leaving me to pick up the pieces. The slam of the door woke Tyler. Barefoot, he padded out of his room, staring at the direction his dad left. He came over, picked up his journal from the couch, frowning. “Mom, why do you always make Dad so mad?” I didn’t answer. Downstairs, the sound of Dan’s car engine roared, and the car drove off. Guess I’ll be biking Tyler to school again tomorrow. I looked at the journal clenched in his little hand, at the eyes he inherited from his father. For the first time, I realized just how trapped I’ve been all these years.

I managed to make it to my bedroom, collapsed onto the bed. Closing my eyes, I kept seeing, “Mom would just disappear.” Those four words. Honestly, I’d never screamed at him hysterically. In fact, I went out of my way to avoid conflict, humbling myself to keep Dan around for Tyler’s sake. I pleaded with Dan to come home, to spend time with his own son. Sleep was impossible. My phone lit up on the nightstand; it was a message from Linda. “I heard Dan storm out again. Did you two argue? Are you okay?” I met Linda through Craigslist, where I sold handmade crafts after Dan cut off my access to our joint account during one of his silent treatments. I had no income, so I took on small jobs to make ends meet. Eventually, we discovered we were neighbors. She even bought from me, supporting my small business and showing care. As I heard Tyler’s door close, I texted back: “Thanks, Linda. I’m fine.” The next morning, I woke up completely drained, my eyes swollen. Dan had returned. The scent of Vanilla Musk was barely there, drowned in alcohol. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, then shifted away. This wasn’t the silent treatment. This time, he muttered from the bathroom doorway, scornfully. “Don’t you think this look is a bit dramatic?” He expected me to lash out, to scream and cry so he could leave, feeling justified. But I’d grown tired. I didn’t react. He seemed surprised, watching me with something like uncertainty. He walked into Tyler’s room and spoke in that bright, affectionate tone. “Hey, buddy, Daddy’s taking you to school today.” The two of them left hand in hand, happily chatting, his kindness for Tyler a sharp contrast to his coldness with me. Neither of them thought to ask how I was doing. It felt like two knives twisting in my chest.

Taking out the trash, I ran into Linda. She noticed my eyes and took me inside, rolling a cold spoon over the bruises under my eyes. She looked at me, her own eyes brimming with tears. “Does it hurt?” Her kindness brought back memories of Dan from when we were first married. Back then, Dan and I had nothing. Living in San Francisco was expensive, and we could only afford a tiny basement apartment on the outskirts. Our bathroom and kitchen were communal, and we slept on a small twin bed. One day, after cooking in the shared kitchen, I accidentally ran into someone in the hall. In my reflex to avoid them, I burned the back of my hand with hot food. When Dan came home, I wore gloves to hide it, not wanting him to worry, but he noticed immediately. I tried to laugh it off, saying it didn’t hurt. Dan, frantic, rushed to get me first aid. He cried so hard, his tears wouldn’t stop. I teased him, saying, “What kind of man cries so much?” He replied through sobs, “Evely, I’ll make sure you never suffer again!” That night, he held me close, promising all the beautiful things we’d do together. “Evely, I won’t ever let you get hurt again.” I believed then he truly loved me. But when did he change? Now, it feels like we’re two ticking time bombs, bound together, ready to explode at the slightest friction. Except Dan is a dud—no noise, just a silent smoke that fills every corner, choking me in fear, making me scream. Returning home, I found the place empty. The kitchen was cold, Tyler’s dirty clothes scattered across the wet bathroom floor, muddy footprints tracked through the living room. I sank onto the couch and opened my laptop. I started drafting the divorce papers. I didn’t lack qualifications compared to Dan. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a college grad, passed the bar, and worked as an attorney for two years. I once earned a good salary, winning cases and thriving in my career. Then, I got pregnant. Dan convinced me to quit and focus on raising Tyler. At first, he’d said: “When your maternity leave’s over and Tyler’s a little older, we can hire a nanny. You can get back to work whenever you’re ready.” Later, he changed it to: “Tyler’s used to you now, and I’m in a career upswing. Going back would mean hiring a nanny, and her salary would eat up yours. It just doesn’t make sense for us financially. “Let’s wait until Tyler’s a bit older.” My son hugged mine and babbled for mommy. I went soft. Blame me for not insisting. Thinking about it now, Dan’s cold violence appeared a little bit from that time. Having finished drafting the divorce agreement, I noticed it was almost evening. Dan still hadn’t come home with Tyler.

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The city remained, but we were strangers. The tenth time I found Julian cheating in our bed, his reaction wasn’t as intense as before. He glanced at his watch, then gently draped a coat over the young woman in his arms. Turning to me, he said, “Your prenatal appointment isn’t until this afternoon, is it? Why are you back so early?” When I didn’t answer, he gently stroked her head. “If you want to argue, argue with me! Don’t hurt her!” He thought I’d throw another huge tantrum, just like always. But what he didn’t know was that our ten-year pact was almost up. I was finally going to be free of him. On our wedding photo by the bed, two clear handprints stood out. One on my face, one on Julian’s. It was easy to imagine exactly what they’d been doing moments before. I took a deep breath and turned to Julian. “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t bring anyone home?” “Do you even remember what day it is today?” Julian scoffed, unfazed. He lit a cigarette, blowing the smoke right into my face. “Had too much to drink, how could I remember so many things?” The young woman beside him, Chelsea, flinched. She scrambled to put on her clothes, nervously glancing at me. “Mrs. Sterling, I didn’t mean to.” “It was last night…” Seeing her fumbling, I walked closer and zipped up the back of her dress. “It’s fine. You can go.” “I know exactly what kind of man Julian is.” This wasn’t the first time this had happened in all these years. Drunk, in a bad mood, bored, looking for fun. Anything could be an excuse for him to cheat. As for this young woman, I couldn’t even keep track of how many there had been. Why bother getting angry at her? Chelsea scurried away, terrified. I called Maria, our housekeeper, to clean up the room. The messy room, the scattered contraceptives on the floor. It was sickening to look at. I covered my nose and mouth, spraying disinfectant everywhere. Julian came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His head, fuzzy from sleep, nuzzled into my neck. “Honey, when did you become so understanding?” “Are you worried I won’t come back, or have you finally learned how to be a proper socialite?” He squeezed my cheek, smirking. “This is so much better.” “As long as you’re obedient, I’ll never let anyone take your place as Mrs. Sterling.” With that, Julian expertly pulled a pair of earrings from a pile of gift boxes and put them on me. “This is your reward.” “Alright, don’t be mad. I know today is our tenth wedding anniversary.” “Wipe your tears, I’ll take you out to celebrate.” He said it so casually. But he didn’t know that in these ten years, my tears had long since run dry. I avoided Julian’s touch, holding out the divorce papers I’d already prepared. “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” He froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aurora.” “You know we can’t divorce.” He pinched my cheek, his hand trailing down my body, stopping at my lower abdomen. “Go pack your things. I’ll take you to your prenatal appointment.” “Don’t cause trouble for yourself.” Years ago, to be with Julian, I broke ties with my family. My father declared I was never to set foot in our home again. To punish my willfulness, he pulled some strings, binding Julian and me together. No breakups, no divorce. For life, whether in love or hate, we were to remain with each other. Back then, Julian knelt before me, swearing he’d love me for life, promising I’d never regret my choice. But in the second year of our marriage, he betrayed us. Julian, arm-in-arm with his mistress, looked at me defiantly. “Yes, I cheated. What can you do about it?” “Aurora, you have nowhere to go.” “For the rest of your life, you’re stuck with me!” I cried, calling my family, saying I regretted everything. My father coldly hung up. My mother stood by, doing nothing. They said it was the path I chose, and I had to walk it till the end, even if I was crying. And so, knowing I couldn’t leave, Julian grew more brazen, more reckless. He had endless affairs, his scandals constantly in the tabloids. Now, he was openly bringing women into our home. But what he didn’t know was that when I left, I made a ten-year pact with my father. A gamble on how long our love would last. If I won, he would do everything to support our marriage. If I lost, I would return and accept the family’s arranged marriage. Because of Julian, this marriage, this gamble—I lost everything spectacularly. While Julian was driving, I dialed that familiar number. “Dad, I lost.” “A bet’s a bet. I’ll be back in three days to marry him.”

My father had never lost a bet. Facing this expected outcome, he showed no surprise. He simply hummed in acknowledgment, giving a few brief instructions. “Aurora, you are my eldest daughter. This empire still needs you to inherit it.” “What’s past is past. I won’t argue with you, but there’s one thing you must remember.” “Don’t take what shouldn’t be taken, and don’t leave what shouldn’t be left behind.” What shouldn’t be taken was the child in my womb. What shouldn’t be left was the fortune I’d built for Julian. These ten years of pain were the lesson he wanted me to remember. “I understand, Dad.” After I hung up, Julian was already honking the horn downstairs, urging me to hurry. I got into the passenger seat—the one that had another woman’s name written all over it. On the way, neither of us spoke. He pretended not to notice the distance on my face. I pretended not to notice the suffocating perfume in the car. When we got out, Julian instinctively reached for my arm to steady me. His rolled-up sleeve revealed a long, jagged scar. For a moment, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy. To be with me, Julian had once taken eighteen knife wounds, barely clinging to life. The man who had once loved me enough to risk his life… how had he become this? Before I could ponder it further, a woman linked her arm through Julian’s. “Julian, you haven’t visited me in so long!” “What brings you here today? Did you argue with your old hag at home, or couldn’t your new fling satisfy you?” It was Chelsea. The most favored of Julian’s many mistresses, and the one who had been with him the longest. Chelsea intimately snuggled up to Julian, her ample chest rubbing against him. Julian beamed, ignoring me completely. He magically pulled out a ruby necklace to appease her. “What are you talking about? I’d forget anyone before I forgot my little darling!” “I saw how fair your skin is, so I specifically bought you this necklace.” “Alright, go entertain yourself for a bit. I still need to take my wife to her prenatal appointment. I’ll come find you when I’m done.” He even gave Chelsea’s backside a pat before he finished. Looking at the sparkling necklace, I almost laughed out loud. A man who clawed his way up from nothing truly knows how to be frugal. A single jewelry set, split and given to so many different women. The earrings in my ears burned, stinging my heart. I casually took them off and tossed them into a nearby trash can. As I turned, I overheard some passersby gossiping about us. They were curious about our tangled relationship. One person leaned in to listen closer, but a friend pulled her back. “Are you crazy? Didn’t you see the woman next to him? She’s the group’s heiress.” Before I could react, Chelsea scoffed. She shot me a disdainful look, her face full of scorn. “What heiress? She’s just a useless nobody, kicked out of her family, clinging to the Sterling name!” “An old, fading wife, only getting a second glance from her husband because of the baby in her belly.” “What’s there to be afraid of? I despise parasitic old women like her!” A parasite? So what did that make Julian, who had built his empire on my back? And what about Chelsea, Julian’s kept woman? When did they hook up? Was it the first time I miscarried? Was it when I drank myself to stomach bleeding to help Julian secure a deal? Or when Julian was being hunted by his enemies, and I took a bullet for him, falling into a coma? It had been too long; I couldn’t remember. I only remembered Julian getting involved with this nurse during my hospital stay. Their passion was a raging inferno, their love a whirlwind. During that time, I often received texts from Chelsea. I lay in my hospital bed, pale and alone. Chelsea lay on a different bed, flushed with passion, my husband wrapped around her. All these years, Chelsea was still this arrogant. It was clear how much Julian had spoiled her. But it didn’t matter. Once I left, they could be together openly and without shame.

I ignored the bickering couple and walked into the operating room. The doctor regretfully told me, “I’m so sorry, your body is too fragile, and your emotions are unstable. We couldn’t save the baby.” I gave a bitter laugh. “It’s fine.” The doctor looked startled. “You’re still young, you’ll have other chances…” Would I really have other chances? This wasn’t my first miscarriage. The first time was when I was 20. Back then, we were both dirt poor, squeezed into a basement apartment, unable to afford a warm coat in winter. I collapsed from the cold on my way to deliver food to Julian. When I woke up, the baby was gone. And my body was damaged. I was young then, and with proper care, I could have recovered. But we were too poor. Busy making money, busy surviving. By the time our business finally showed some promise, I was busy catching him cheating, busy fighting off mistresses. In and out, it dragged on until now. In the beginning, Julian had nothing. He knelt by my bed and said, “Aurora, I will definitely make something of myself and make up for all your suffering.” Later, Julian became successful. He held his mistress, looking at me. “Aurora, I know everything you’ve done for me.” “I promise you, I won’t let any woman take your place, and I won’t let them have a child before you do.” “Everything I have will only be for our flesh and blood.” Now… I looked out the window at the two of them, tightly embracing. I shook my head, a bitter smile on my face. “Forget it. I’m leaving soon, and a child would be inconvenient.” “Besides, Julian smokes, drinks, and has a chaotic private life. How could a child born in such circumstances be healthy?” My father also built his empire with my mother’s help. After he became successful, he had a string of mistresses. Because of this, I yearned for a genuine connection even more. But the first time I caught him cheating, Julian showed no remorse. Instead, he righteously told me, “Aurora, what’s your problem?” “Your dad has more than one lover; what’s wrong with me occasionally having some fun outside?” “Think about what your mother did!” “You grew up around them, immersed in that world, how have you still not learned how to be a socialite?” He used my most private pain as a weapon to hurt me. At that moment, I knew. Our love had reached its end. But because of that ten-year pact, I couldn’t leave Julian. I could only watch him shamelessly insult my dignity and trample my feelings. The wedding I had fought so hard for became a cage. The love that once ran so deep became Julian’s weapon against me. I had eaten enough of the bitter fruit of family and love. Looking at the city gradually being swallowed by darkness, I couldn’t help but wonder. Julian and I, why did we end up like this? Was it because of Chelsea? Or was it… that incident?

It didn’t matter anymore. Whatever the reason, betrayal and hurt were undeniable facts. I hailed a cab, intending to go home and pack. While waiting, I saw Julian at the crossroads. He and Chelsea were strolling hand-in-hand down the bustling street, looking like a couple deeply in love, sweet and charming. Chelsea kissed Julian’s cheek and giggled. “I had my check-up today, and the baby is very healthy.” “The doctor says it’s a boy! In five more months, you’ll have a son!” Julian smiled. He thoughtfully took off his coat and draped it over Chelsea. “You silly girl, you’re pregnant and still don’t take care of yourself.” “I bought you a villa in Bali. Move in with me. Winter here is too cold; I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear it.” Then Julian prattled on about many other things. He spoke of pregnancy precautions. He spoke of postpartum care methods. He said he would do everything he could to protect this child. Those words, mixed with the cold wind of winter, slowly tore my heart apart, piece by piece. Finally, Julian took Chelsea’s hand. He fastened the lucky charm I had once bought for our child around Chelsea’s neck. “I’ve named our baby Lucky. Lucky and prosperous.” That was the name I had chosen for my first child. That was the eternal wound in my life. I remembered Julian and I, once truly in love. But now, Julian was giving that gift to another woman. He was making up for his failings to me and our child by showering his mistress and illegitimate son with attention. How absurd and tragic. I took a deep breath, trying to pretend I didn’t care. But Chelsea, sharp-eyed, spotted me. “Julian, your old hag is here to check up on you again.” “Honestly, some people just need to stop seeking attention, okay?” She fiddled with the lucky charm, scornfully adding, “Your useless dead child, how could he compare to the baby in my belly?” “Instead of crying here, why don’t you go home and rest? You’re old enough, even if you manage to get pregnant with a second child, it’s not certain you’ll carry it to term.” “If you lose this baby, Julian won’t even look at you!” She was trying to provoke me, hoping I’d miscarry again and lose my child. But what she didn’t know was that the child was already gone. And I no longer needed Julian’s love. When morning came, I would leave this place. By then, Julian and I would both return to our original paths. He would become that penniless nobody again. I took one last look at Julian, completely without attachment. “Julian, you will regret this.” “Because you forgot who gave you everything you have.” Julian tried to say something, but Chelsea held him back. He looked back again and again but ultimately didn’t follow. Moonlight streamed down, casting silver-grey light everywhere. I dragged my weary body away, alone. In the last few hours, I paid off the housekeeper, Maria, and asked her to dispose of all my old things with Julian. Then, I waited alone at the airport for dawn. As the sun began to rise, a private jet landed before me. “Miss Sterling, I’ve come to take you home.” The plane flew over the city, letting all the past condense into nothingness. From now on, Julian and I would be separated by an ocean, never to meet again in this life. *** Julian woke suddenly from a nightmare. He remembered that sorrowful look in my eyes from last night, and a sudden unease settled in his heart. He picked up his phone, intending to make a call. But the breaking news headline caught his attention— “Heiress to Fortune Weds Shipping Tycoon.” “Numerous corporations announce divestment, Sterling Group faces severe repercussions.”

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Everyone believed Spencer loved me to death. Little did they know, for four years he hid another woman in a private hospital suite. His “business trips” were nights in her arms. Now, I couldn’t wait to see his face when he got the news. News of my “death”… on our wedding day. Hayley POV “Ms. Hayley, your Digital Ghost Protocol is activated. The execution date is set on the day of your wedding with Mr. Spencer. We stage an accident and erase you. Please authorize with an iris scan here.” I leaned into the scanner. A cold red light swept over my pupils. On the screen, my digital signature instantly appeared. I left the unmarked building and vanished into the crowd. At a newsstand, a magazine cover stopped me cold: Spencer and me. The headline screamed: BILLIONAIRE HEIR: A DECADE OF DEVOTION, ALL FOR HAYLEY. I remembered that photo. It was taken after Spencer successfully proposed. He knelt on a mountaintop covered in white tulips, his hands, usually so steady, trembled uncontrollably as he placed the ring on my finger. When I said yes, tears streamed down his face. Beside me, two girls at the bus stop were huddled over the magazine. “Oh my god, the way Spencer looks at Hayley, it’s absolutely melting!” “I know,” the other said. ” Did you hear about when she got hurt climbing? The blood bank was empty, so Mr. Spencer chartered a private jet to Europe for blood.He stayed by the ICU door for three days. And that observatory Spencer built for Hayley? It’s still one of the hottest dating spots around! This isn’t a romance novel. It’s better!” I looked away, a ghost of a smile touching my lips. Everyone believed Spencer loved me to death. So, no one would believe it. For four entire years, he’d hidden another woman in a private hospital’s VIP suite. I discovered the truth. Those countless “business trips” were nights spent in her arms. The betrayal didn’t crush me all at once. It was a slow freeze, my heart fracturing into a thousand cold, silent pieces. I opened the encrypted cloud drive, filled with that woman’s diaries and recordings. Closing my eyes, my thoughts drifted back. Back then, my family had just gone bankrupt, and relatives were all scrambling to get a piece of the pie. It was Spencer who directly called in his legal team. He signed the guardianship transfer agreement for me. His voice wasn’t loud, but every word carried immense weight. “From now on, her problems are my problems. I am responsible for her future.” From that day on, he gave me the world. He’d drank until he was hospitalized in my stead. He knew all my food allergies. His social media was practically a shrine dedicated to me. To everyone, he was “Hayley’s Knight.” When he proposed, he kissed my hand, his voice hoarse, pleading, saying he only wanted me for the rest of his long life, and if I left, he would completely lose control. He was the one who first said he couldn’t live without me, and he was also the one who betrayed me first. So be it. I would give him a staged death. I would make sure he could never find any trace of me, ever again. A black Bentley glided silently to my side. The car door opened, revealing Spencer’s sharply defined profile. “Get in.” He said concisely. I got into the car. He didn’t ask any questions, just turned up the heat a few degrees and handed me his still-warm coffee. “Your hands are freezing. Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” His voice held a hint of concern. Spencer squeezed my hand, then pulled me into his embrace, trying to warm me with his body heat. “You’re so cold… And you didn’t even dress warmly. Are you trying to break my heart?” I said nothing, just looked up at him. The concern in his eyes was so genuine, so flawless. And precisely because of that, I found it even more chilling. Just then, a financial reporter with a camera hurried over, eyes gleaming, peering in through the window. “Mr. Spencer, Ms. Hayley! I’m a reporter from the Capital Frontier. It’s such a thrill to meet you both! Your love story inspires so many people. Could you spare a minute for a photo?” I initially wanted to refuse, but after a moment’s hesitation, I nodded. Spencer, who usually disliked cameras, still obediently pulled me closer and smiled for the lens. After the photo, the reporter thanked us, her face flushed, her words full of blessings. She wished us a fairytale ending, living happily ever after. Happily ever after? I turned my head to look at Spencer. He happened to be looking down at me too, his eyes filled with a tenderness that could drown a person. As if he, too, believed in this fairytale ending. Only I knew, our road had reached its end.

Hayley POV The wedding reception was to be held on a private island Spencer had bought specifically for me. As soon as we landed, the wedding planning director and her team greeted us, their voices respectful and envious. “Ms. Hayley, as Mr. Spencer instructed, we’ve prepared a thousand varieties of Dutch tulips, air-freighted here for your selection. Would you like to visit the flower house now?” I didn’t speak, my gaze sweeping past everyone to Spencer, who stood a short distance away. He was looking down at his phone, his eyes filled with that raw, undisguised desire. I’d only ever seen that look in his eyes when he viewed photos attached to that woman’s audio diaries. Noticing my gaze, Spencer immediately put away his phone and hurried over, his face etched with apology. “Hayley, there’s a glitch at the company. A document needs my immediate signature in person. It can’t wait; I have to leave right away.” With that, he pressed a kiss to my forehead and rushed towards another helicopter, which was already preparing for takeoff, leaving me alone on this island that was meant for me. The planning director cautiously stepped forward. “Ms. Hayley, shall we-” I cut him off with a shake of my head. “No need. I don’t want any of this.” After all, the star of this grand wedding would be a “missing” bride. In the car back to the city, my burner phone pinged to life. An encrypted message came, sender unknown. An audio file. Only seconds long. In the background, the rhythmic drip-drip of an IV machine. A fragile female voice, tinged with sobs, spoke haltingly. “The medicine…it’s so bitter. And my hand…it hurts. But just thinking of you…I can…I can stand it.” Immediately after, a message from Spencer’s black profile picture appeared. “Be a good girl. I’ll be there soon.” I turned off the screen, closed my eyes, and tried to suppress the gut-wrenching pain in my heart. I thought I’d become numb after reading so many explicit diary entries and listening to so many intimate recordings. But that bone-deep agony still easily swept over me. Finally, I forced myself to lean back against the seat and set my phone to silent. Late at night, I curled up in bed, my eyes red and sleepless. The phone beside my pillow pinged with encrypted message notifications every hour. I didn’t open them until dawn. The number periodically sent photos-sometimes a hand hooked up to an IV, sometimes a half-finished cup of warm milk, sometimes the breaking dawn outside a window. The last photo was accompanied by a line of text. “He says he only finds peace with me.” I lay motionless, just like that, my eyes red, staring at those photos again and again. When Spencer returned, I hadn’t changed my position. He seemed to pause for a moment, then lunged forward, pulling me into his arms, his voice tight. “Hayley, who hurt you?” Had I cried? I only then snapped back to reality, belatedly touching my cheeks. They were cold and wet. After a long time, I managed a faint smile. But the smile couldn’t hide the lifeless gaze in my eyes. “Nothing, I just saw a really touching set of photos.” Spencer kissed my face, dotingly saying, “What photos made you cry like that? Babe, are you trying to give your husband a heart attack?” Just as I was about to speak, the butler respectfully knocked on the door from outside. “Sir, the car is ready.” He hummed in response, then turned to kiss me again, still in his arms. “Hayley, it was my fault for leaving you alone on the island yesterday. As compensation, at tonight’s charity auction, whatever you want, I’ll bid on it for you, okay?” I didn’t answer. He took my silence as consent, sweeping me into his arms and personally choosing my gown and jewelry.

Hayley POV At the auction. To win a smile from me, Spencer bought every single item in the entire first half of the auction, even though I didn’t spare a single glance for any of them. During the intermission, a few of Spencer’s childhood friends came over to chat. “I was wondering who was being so possessive. Of course, it’s you, Spencer.” “You totally swiped that antique I wanted to get for my mom’s birthday right from under my nose. Guess I missed my chance.” “Hey, Spencer, give us a break for the second half, okay? We just want to buy one thing!” Spencer barely bothered with them, focused instead on peeling a blood orange for me. Only after they finished complaining did he slowly lift his eyes and say nonchalantly, “What’s the rush? My fiancée hasn’t even started picking yet.” The group let out a chorus of dramatic complaints but could only reluctantly accept defeat. Spencer’s lips curved upwards as he held a perfect segment of orange to my mouth. I turned my head away, my expression cold. “No appetite.” The second half began. Just then, the side door of the venue opened. A slender woman in a simple white dress, guided by a staff member, walked in. I felt Spencer’s body beside me instantly stiffen. I looked up, and Mia’s pale yet fragile face drifted into my line of sight. Mia softly thanked the staff member, declined the empty seats in the front row, and chose to sit alone in the least conspicuous corner at the very back. Everyone in the room cast curious glances, whispering to each other. “Isn’t that Mia, the famous artist from social media? I heard she has really poor health and rarely makes public appearances.” “Why would she be at a place like this?” “Shh, don’t you know? She has a mysterious patron, rumored to be incredibly powerful. Looking at her, she’s probably here to bid on something for her patron.” I was about to look away when I saw Mia take out her phone, snap a photo of a painting about to be auctioned, and then send a message. Almost simultaneously, Spencer’s phone lit up. He quickly glanced at it, then put it back in his pocket, but his posture unconsciously straightened. My heart sank. Throughout the second half, I remained distracted until the final item, the grand finale, was presented. It was a yellowed manuscript of poetry, said to be the sole surviving copy left by a deceased niche poet-my favorite poet. The auctioneer passionately described the manuscript’s rarity and uniqueness. Perhaps sensing a flicker of interest in my eyes, Spencer didn’t hesitate to raise his paddle. “One million!” A cool female voice rang out from the back row. “Two million, one thousand.” It was Mia. Her voice was soft but carried a stubborn edge. Spencer’s brows furrowed, “Five million!” “Five million, one thousand.” “Ten million!” “Ten million, one thousand.” Mia’s voice trembled slightly, as if she was exerting all her strength. … Finally, Spencer, expressionless, made a gesture to his assistant. The assistant immediately stepped forward and whispered to the auctioneer. The auctioneer excitedly struck his hammer. “Ladies and gentlemen! Mr. Spencer has exercised his right of first refusal and has just completed a full acquisition of the auction house’s parent company! This manuscript, and all items auctioned today, now belong to Mr. Spencer!” The room erupted in applause. Spencer gently squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear. “Stay here, I’ll go handle the transfer paperwork.” I watched him stand and leave. At the other end of the room, Mia also stood up, giving me a deep, unreadable look. After everyone had left, I slowly uncurled my tightly clenched hand, my nails leaving deep, bloody marks in my palm. I didn’t feel the pain. I just stood up and walked towards the exit. My phone screen was still on the message I had just received. “Underground parking.”

Hayley POV The parking garage was so empty you could hear echoes. Only a Maybach sat in a corner. Spencer’s driver stood nearby, politely redirecting anyone who tried to approach. Therefore, no one noticed the faint mist covering the car’s rear window. A woman’s low sobs and a man’s suppressed gasps drifted out intermittently. I instantly lost all strength, leaning against a cold pillar, staring intently at the scene unfolding before me. The car window wasn’t completely closed, revealing glimpses of the interior. Mia was pressed against the window by him, the precious manuscript tossed aside, its pages crushed and distorted. “Spencer, please… the manuscript will be ruined.” Spencer’s voice was hoarse and thick, “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? Now, along with me, all of this is yours.” With that, he thrust deeper. I clamped a hand over my mouth, turned, and fled in shame. I don’t know how long I ran, finally collapsing on the steps of the fire escape, gasping for breath, tears streaming down my face. I thought everything at the auction had already hardened my heart, but that scene in the car completely suffocated me. When Spencer and I first started dating, he was as innocent as a schoolboy. The first time we held hands, his palms were slick with sweat. The first time we kissed, his lips trembled. Our first time truly being intimate was the night he successfully proposed. I used to often tease him about his restraint, but he would just hold me tight, his voice hoarse. “Babe, no man can hold back when he’s with the woman he loves. It’s just that I love you too much; I wanted to wait until everything was settled, to give you the utmost respect.” He cherished me so deeply. But now, reality had slapped me across the face with the harshest truth. I buried my face in my knees, shaking uncontrollably as I cried. After what felt like an eternity, I numbly got up and walked towards the restroom. My phone vibrated in my hand. It was from Mia. A photo. The back seat of the car was a mess, the manuscript casually tossed in a corner, its cover damaged. “This car is filled with our scent. And, Spencer promised to give me this manuscript. Now, this unique love is mine.” I didn’t look again, just turned off my phone. By the time I’d touched up my makeup and emerged from the restroom, I ran into Spencer, who had returned to look for me. His hands, sure enough, were empty. The next second, I was enveloped in an embrace, carrying a faint, unfamiliar perfume scent. Just as I was about to push him away, his apologetic voice sounded above my head. “Hayley, the author’s family for the manuscript changed their mind at the last minute and demanded an exorbitant price, refusing to sell. I promise I’ll find you an even better one next time, okay?” I took a deep breath, looked up, my voice carrying an almost imperceptible choke. “What if I just want that one?” Spencer softly cajoled. “Babe, don’t cry. That one actually had a lot of flaws. I won’t allow my girl to own anything imperfect. I’ll send people to search the world for it right now, okay?” Hearing this, I smiled. In the past, whatever I wanted, he would immediately place before me. Now, for another woman, he had a thousand excuses. Just as he was about to say something more, I pushed him away, my voice weary. “Forget it, I don’t want it anymore.” I turned and walked away. “Hayley!” Spencer called my name from behind, his hurried footsteps following me. I didn’t stop until, at the corner of the corridor ahead, a figure slowly emerged. It was Mia. She was clutching the manuscript tightly, the creases on its cover clearly visible. The footsteps behind me abruptly stopped. I paused and glanced back. Spencer’s face instantly turned ashen. He froze, his gaze fixed on the item in Mia’s arms, utterly flustered and at a loss. I turned back around, expressionless, and walked past Mia as if I hadn’t seen her. From behind me came Spencer’s low growl, filled with suppressed fury. “Are you insane? I told you not to appear in front of her!” I didn’t look back, just slowed my pace, listening to this absurd drama unfold. Mia’s voice was weak and innocent. “I’m sorry… I just wanted to say thank you to her. She didn’t even notice, did she? I won’t do it again…” Immediately followed by a pained gasp. “Spencer, I feel so dizzy… I think I have a fever again…” The next second, I heard the rustling of fabric-the sound of a man frantically steadying a woman. “Why are you so hot?” Spencer’s voice, the anger that had flared just moments before, instantly vanished, replaced only by undisguised urgency and concern. He didn’t chase after me. In that long corridor, he stopped pursuing me, turning instead to embrace the “feverish” woman. I looked at the empty exit ahead, a sarcastic curve to my lips. No need to look back now.

Hayley POV Spencer didn’t come home that night. He only said the company had an urgent merger. I didn’t question him, didn’t argue. If I was going to disappear completely, I had to erase every trace of myself from this world. I categorized, packed, donated, and destroyed all my belongings. Finally, I opened the safe in the study. Inside were all the design sketches Spencer had given me over the past ten years. At ten, my first dress drawn with a boy’s unsteady hand. At fifteen, a pair of high heels he designed. A note beside it read, “Let me walk every path with you.” At seventeen, the blueprints for The Hayley Observatory, his tribute to Halley’s Comet calling me his eternal miracle. At eighteen,a wedding ring of his own design, with a vow to propose anew each year until I was ready, until I said yes. … Without hesitation, I scanned the artworks, packaged them, and anonymously shipped the entire collection to one of the nation’s largest art charity foundations. Note: Unrestricted donation for public auction. All proceeds to fund art education in underserved regions. News of the priceless, exclusive manuscripts being donated without compensation instantly went viral online. I finished everything and was about to rest when the front door burst open. Spencer rushed in, bringing with him the biting night wind. He grabbed my hand, his voice trembling. “Hayley, you donated all those manuscripts. What does that mean?” I looked up at him. He looked like he’d rushed back as fast as possible, his expensive coat still damp from outside, his face etched with unconcealed panic. I asked softly, “How did you know?” “It’s already a trending topic on social media!” Before I could speak, he pulled me into a fierce embrace, his trembling words filled with terror. “Hayley, tell me why? Those are our memories, how could you…?” “What did I do wrong? Tell me, I’ll fix it. I’ll change everything. Just don’t leave me, okay?” Finally, he almost cried. But I just gazed calmly into the empty space before me, my expression utterly indifferent. If he was so afraid of me leaving, why was he keeping another woman outside? Was he too confident, or did he think I was too foolish? Now, with just the tip of the iceberg, he was already panicking. Well, I eagerly awaited the look on his face when he received news of my “death” on our wedding day. I slowly pushed him away, my face calm. “You’re overthinking it. Those things were just taking up space. Ideally, they should serve a meaningful purpose, helping those in need. Wouldn’t that be better? Why are you so nervous… do you think I should cling to the past?” At my last question, his expression shifted slightly, but he immediately gripped my hand tightly. “That’s not what I mean, Hayley.” He said decisively. “You know how much I love you! We’re getting married soon, nothing will go wrong.” I pulled at the corner of my mouth, “If nothing’s wrong, what are you worried about? It’s late, I’m tired.” With that, I turned and walked away.

Hayley POV Because of my recent, consecutive strange behaviors, Spencer changed. For several days straight, he was like a shadow, clinging to me every step of the way. Until one morning, his phone vibrated. He opened the message, and the sleepiness in his eyes vanished instantly. He glanced at me, “asleep” beside him, pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, then silently slipped out of bed and left the room. The moment he left, I opened my eyes. I checked my phone. The “Digital Ghost” agency had sent a message. my new identity’s biometric data collection was complete, requiring only a final in-person confirmation. In a covert biological laboratory. I stared at the newly generated digital identity on the screen. From gene sequence to iris data, it was completely different from my own. The entire process went smoothly. It seemed Spencer would never suspect a thing. Everything was ready. As I finished my business and was about to leave, the person in charge called me back and handed me a file. It was the final report from the investigation I had commissioned into Mia’s background. I opened the folder. The first page was a medical scan. Under the “Diagnosis” section, it read. “Pregnancy, 12 weeks.” And under “Emergency Contact,” two words were signed. Spencer. They had a child? I don’t remember how I left, or how I got home. In the dark room, my phone screen emitted a faint glow. Just as the screen was about to dim, a notification popped up. Mia was live-streaming. I tapped it open. Mia glowed in her maternity dress, sharing her pregnancy bliss with an adoring stream. The chat flooded with congratulations. Then a man’s hand entered the frame. Long fingers, a distinctive scar. Ice flooded my veins. I knew that hand. It had held my face, wiped away my tears, and put a ring on my finger. But now, this hand was gently caressing Mia’s swollen belly. “Doctor’s orders, love. Time to rest.” As this deep, magnetic voice spoke, the chat went wild. “Wait…is that Spencer Corp’s CEO?” But the comment was quickly drowned out. Mia smiled shyly, letting his hand hold hers. “He’s very private. He doesn’t want to show his face.” Fans began to tease, asking about their love story. Mia glanced beside her, smiling. “Him? He once loved me so much. In high school, he wrote me love letters, but he was too nervous to say anything, afraid I’d reject him. Finally, I had to snatch his letter and tell him I would…” My grip on the phone tightened abruptly. That was our story. “Plink.” Tears splattered onto the screen. In the live stream, Mia suddenly announced she was going offline. Facing her fans’ protests, she playfully complained. “It’s not me who wants to stop streaming. It’s the baby’s dad, he’s pestering me, saying he wants to start teaching the baby in utero.” No sooner had she spoken than Spencer reached out and cut off the video feed. But he forgot to turn off the microphone. A gasp was heard. “Oh, what are you doing…” Then came the man’s low chuckle and the woman’s suppressed moans. “Shh. The doctor said, be gentle, it’s good for the baby…” I couldn’t listen anymore. I slammed the power button. Soon. Soon, I would be free.

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I watched, utterly detached, as my childhood friend, her eyes hazy with unnatural desire, was led into the storage room by my closest friend. I turned away. In my past life, I had rushed in to stop the horror. But that act of heroism only served to frame me. When the police arrived, all they found in that storage room was me and my drugged childhood friend. “He’s no academic star; he’s a violent criminal!” My reputation was shattered, and I was expelled. To salvage her name, my childhood friend was forced to marry me. But marriage was my real hell. I sank into severe depression, my mind fractured, even losing my ability as a man. Rumors spread that I was promiscuous, that I’d contracted a disease from my wild ways. My parents, desperate to compensate her, poured all their efforts into propping her up. Yet, the first thing she did after gaining control of our family company was to frame my father for financial fraud. My father went to prison, dying there from a broken heart, consumed by rage. My mother couldn’t bear the shock; she had a car accident while driving and died on the spot. The news broke me. I was inconsolable. But then, my childhood sweetheart of ten years appeared before me, wrapped around my best friend: “You bastard, if you hadn’t interfered back then, we would have been together already. But I still have to thank you for raising our child all these years.” I coughed up a mouthful of blood, my eyes wide with an unyielding fury as I died. I opened my eyes again, back to the very day she was drugged.

After school, the hallways were mostly empty. I gulped down the fresh air. To be yanked back from the edge of death, from that cauldron of hatred and terror, left my emotions raw and volatile. Mason was handing Chloe a bottle of water. A bottle laced with a potent, illicit drug designed to cloud her mind and steal her will. In my previous life, I had accidentally discovered Mason pouring unknown white powder into that water. I exposed him on the spot. But my childhood sweetheart didn’t believe me. She insisted on drinking the water. She even asked if I was just jealous that Mason was more popular than her, always trying to undermine him. This time, I wouldn’t interfere. Chloe took the water, her gaze flickering to me. “Are you really going to tell me what I can and can’t drink now?” “Suit yourself.” I waved a hand dismissively. Mason, ever quick to twist things, immediately jumped in: “Alex, you’re way too controlling with Chloe. Doesn’t she even have the freedom to make friends?” At his words, the few classmates still lingering in the room shot me weird glances, full of suspicion. Chloe’s face hardened further. “Who does he think he is? Just an arrogant jerk.” I tightened my grip on the pen in my hand, my eyes burning with hatred. “Are you two ever going to stop? From beginning to end, have I said a single word?” Chloe paused, her face stiff, then fell silent. Mason continued to stir up trouble. “You didn’t say anything, but your face is terrifying. The way you look at me and Chloe just talking, it’s like you’re about to hit someone.” Chloe shot me an irritated glare. As if to spite me, she chugged the entire bottle of water. In my last life, I had knocked the bottle away, so she only took a single sip. But even that one sip was enough to make her mind hazy. I couldn’t even imagine what consuming the whole bottle would do to her. A dark anticipation stirred within me. Watching her finish the water, Mason couldn’t hide his triumphant glee. He took Chloe’s hand. “Chloe, I’ll walk you home. You don’t look so good.” Chloe didn’t resist. Still in a daze, she let him lead her out of the classroom. Ten minutes later, Daniel, the class monitor, burst into the classroom, his face ghost-white and frantic. At that moment, I was the only one left in the room. Daniel stammered, clearly struggling to speak, as if it was something terribly embarrassing. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to Chloe and Mason?” I asked, feigning concern. Daniel grabbed my arm. “Yes, it’s them… they…” “What exactly happened?” I met Daniel’s eyes, pretending to know nothing. I used to trust Daniel deeply. He wasn’t just the class monitor; he’d been my deskmate for all three years of high school. I thought we were close enough to talk about anything. But after the incident, he’d kick me when I was down. He spread rumors that I had drugged Chloe out of love-turned-hate. He even live-streamed, exposing my “true nature.” “I was his deskmate for three years! I always knew he was emotionally volatile, and that he liked Chloe, but I never thought he’d actually do something like this.” “Alex has a violent temper. He once hospitalized someone from outside school over a minor issue.” “I tried to warn him, but he wouldn’t listen. Even his elderly neighbor, who lives alone, said she always felt like he was stalking her, and she was terrified…” That live stream pushed the situation to a terrifying climax. My life was utterly destroyed, and the school expelled me. Later, I ran into him once. He held a high-ranking position then. “Thank you, you know. If it weren’t for your downfall, I wouldn’t have gotten your Ivy League scholarship and made it into a top-tier university.” Memories flooded back. I glared at Daniel. In my previous life, it was he and I who discovered Chloe being half-carried, half-dragged by Mason into an abandoned storage room in the old building. I rushed to stop them, while Daniel, claiming he’d go get help, instead hid and watched, recording the whole thing. Seeing my lack of urgency, Daniel stammered, completely incoherent. “Mason took Chloe into the abandoned storage room in the old building! Chloe was crying and pushing him away… Mason, Mason looks like he’s going to do something terrible to her!” “But aren’t they dating? How do you know Chloe isn’t going along with it?” At my words, Daniel froze. Everyone knew Mason was after Chloe, and she seemed to reciprocate his feelings. Daniel grabbed my wrist frantically. “But Chloe doesn’t look conscious at all! This isn’t right!” “Come on, let’s go check! We can’t just ignore this!”

The calculation in Daniel’s eyes was almost palpable. He just wanted to ruin me, to get his hands on that Ivy League scholarship. I didn’t say anything more, just followed him downstairs. On the way, I discreetly sent a pre-drafted emergency text to Principal Bennett and a few senior faculty members, and reached out to a few influencers who happened to be live-streaming nearby. Chloe was the principal’s daughter. In my last life, when she expelled me, Principal Bennett utterly humiliated me, calling me a criminal in the making, rotten to the core. This time, I was going to let her see this “spectacle” unfold for herself. As we neared the old storage room, we heard sounds of struggle and muffled whimpers, along with the crude jeers of several men. “This chick’s a looker, alright…” “What’s with this guy? He egged us on then ran off himself?” “Who cares? No sense in letting a good opportunity go to waste…” Daniel’s eyes darted around. “Alex, you’re strong. You go in first and stop them. I’ll go get help!” “No, there seem to be more than one person inside. We should wait here and call the teachers.” I hunched my shoulders, trying to look terrified. Daniel shot me an angry glare. He reined in his temper, lowering his voice. “If you don’t go in now, Chloe will really be in trouble! Can you bear to see her get hurt?” The storage room door wasn’t fully closed. Through the crack, I saw Chloe, her clothes disheveled, being held down by two rough-looking men in work clothes. Her eyes were unfocused, and she struggled and cried weakly. Mason was huddled in a corner, his face pale and bruised, as if he’d tried to run but was cornered. I pressed my lips together, feigning reluctance. “Alright, you’re right. I’ll go in and see.” Just as I was about to push the door open, I turned back to Daniel. “Go find a teacher quickly. I… I don’t think I can hold them off for long.” Daniel readily agreed. He turned and ran, then made a quick turn, coming back around. A look of excitement on his face, he pulled out his phone, started recording, and carefully wedged it into the door crack. The chaotic sounds from inside spilled out, completely unfiltered. Having done all this, Daniel finally ran off, seemingly satisfied, to find teachers and school security. By the time a group of people rushed down to the old building, the sounds of struggle and crying were still coming from inside. Daniel, his voice thick with tears, covered his face and stopped Principal Bennett. “I… I don’t know how this could have happened…” Principal Bennett’s face was grim. She had no idea her daughter, Chloe, was inside. Daniel hadn’t specified who was involved. Daniel wasn’t just out to destroy me; he wanted to ruin Chloe’s reputation too. After all, in his eyes, we were both his competitors for that Ivy League scholarship. And it just so happened that several district officials were here for an inspection today. Now, a group of local government officials were following Principal Bennett to “handle an emergency,” and the situation was incredibly awkward. Principal Bennett was trembling with fury. With government officials watching, her career path was likely over. She probably wished she could just make everyone involved disappear at that moment. Principal Bennett tried to move forward. Daniel blocked her again, crying and wailing. “Principal, inside is… is…” He feigned reluctance. Principal Bennett gripped his shoulders. “Who is it?!” Daniel, looking terrified, sniffled and stammered. “It’s Alex… I, I saw him creeping around…” Principal Bennett recognized me, of course. My grades were the best in the school, and I was the most likely to be admitted to a top-tier university. Her eyes blazed with fury. The angry curse died on her lips. The Education Department officials were still watching; Principal Bennett couldn’t afford to say anything too harsh right now. The chaotic sounds from inside grew clearer. Daniel clutched his chest, speaking to the officials with a pained expression. “Alex, what have you done?! How could you do such a thing! I knew you were hot-headed and prone to drastic actions!” At his words, the Education Department officials’ faces were grim. They prided themselves on being dignified and couldn’t just barge in at this moment. A group of them waited downstairs, exchanging uneasy glances, their expressions varied. “Me? What about me?” I finally emerged from the shadows where I’d been hiding.

“What are you doing here?!” Daniel shrieked, his face instantly draining of color. Principal Bennett eyed me suspiciously. “Not you? Then who’s in there?” I shrugged, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know. Daniel called me over; I just got here and haven’t seen inside yet.” Since Daniel was deliberately hiding the truth, there was no need for me to expose him. Just then, several influencers, having gotten the news, pushed past the school security and burst in. “Whoa, what’s happening at your school? Sounds like a big commotion!” “Principal, has some serious incident occurred?” “Principal, can you explain the situation to our live audience?” Principal Bennett’s face was chalk-white, her jaw tight, but she said nothing. Daniel glared at me, finally losing his composure. He gripped my arm. “Didn’t you go in? Then who was it that went in just now?!” “I… I got to the door, and the sounds from inside… there were so many men’s voices, I got scared. I didn’t dare go in…” I tried to look as panicked and helpless as possible. Daniel was so furious he raised his hand, clearly intending to push me. But just as his hand was about to make contact, he stopped himself just in time, giving me a vicious glare. The influencers’ cameras turned to us. The live chat exploded. “There’s a girl crying! Are they bullying a female student?!” “What are the school security guards doing?!” “Streamer, call the police now!” The streamer’s face turned serious. “Folks, this situation might be very serious. I’ve already called the police.” Stepping out of the camera’s view, a faint, cold smirk touched my lips towards Daniel. He gasped, his eyes widening in shock. “You…” “Daniel, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice laced with ‘innocence’. The Education Department officials’ faces were like thunder. One pointed towards the storage room. “Principal Bennett, no matter who’s in there, you must stop it immediately! Student safety is paramount!” This incident could no longer be kept under wraps. Principal Bennett’s face twisted in fury. “Alright, alright, this is just fantastic!” As Principal Bennett was about to rush towards the storage room, I moved to block her path. “Principal, the situation inside is unclear, it might be dangerous! You should wait for the police and more security to arrive!” Principal Bennett tried to push me away forcefully. “Get out of the way! Now you’re talking about danger? What were you doing before?!” The onlookers frowned, watching our exchange. Daniel, by now, had recovered his wits. He retreated behind the crowd, glaring at me. Then, he seemed to have a sudden thought and jogged over, donning a mask of urgent concern. “Alex, don’t block her! I know you and Chloe are close, but what if… what if there really are criminals inside? Let the teachers handle it!” He pretended to care about me and the school’s reputation, trying to pull me away. Seeing me still resisting, Principal Bennett shoved me aside forcefully. I, however, turned to the live cameras, feigning extreme anxiety and worry: “But it sounds like there’s more than one person in there! If we just rush in, what if we provoke them and they hurt our classmate?” In front of the cameras, I had to appear concerned and thoughtful. This time, I had to be the one standing on the moral high ground. At my words, Principal Bennett and the officials paused. If they acted rashly in front of the cameras and made the situation worse, they would bear greater responsibility. So, a group of people waited anxiously, hesitating about fifty yards from the old building’s storage room. The screams and struggles from inside seemed to have weakened, but that only made the situation more unsettling. An influencer tried to get closer to film, but was stopped by security and the stern gazes from the officials, whose faces were ashen. And so, everyone waited in agonizing suspense. After nearly half an hour, the violent commotion inside gradually subsided, replaced by some faint whimpers and men’s muffled curses. The storage room door was abruptly pulled open from the inside. But to everyone’s surprise, out walked several cursing, disheveled construction workers, two of whom had scratch marks on their faces. “What are you looking at? Get lost!” growled a fierce-looking man at the front. Seeing they were just rough-looking strangers, Principal Bennett’s face went ashen, and she knew instantly that something terrible had happened. Then, someone shrieked— “Oh my God! Inside…”

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I married an idiot. For three years, I spoon-fed him, bathed him, and gave him my entire world. Then, one day, he woke up. He was the CEO of a major company. He spent millions to propose to me publicly, across the entire city. After we married, I became the envy of everyone. He declared his love for me at every turn. But the moment his “true love,” Cassandra, appeared, he instantly kicked me out, leaving me with nothing, just to make space for her. With nowhere to go, I swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills. I had been in this world for twenty-five years, painstakingly trying to win over four different men, only to lose everything in the end. The system told me that if this body died, I could go home. But just before my consciousness faded, I heard someone desperately begging me to live. “Skylar, I know you’re awake. Couldn’t you have chosen any other time to off yourself? You just had to do it on the happy day Cassie returned?” “What, are you trying to fake your death to frame Cassie?” A cold voice sliced through the air. I opened my eyes to see Julian’s icy gaze, brimming with hatred. Julian, one of my targets, had once been the husband who loved me more than anything. When we first met, he was battling for his family’s inheritance and had been ambushed, leaving him mentally impaired. He clung to me, insisting we get married. For three years, I bathed him, did his laundry, took care of his every need, and truly gave him my whole world. Yet, when the family heirs had all but eliminated each other, he suddenly snapped back to his senses, becoming the sole successor. Turns out, he’d been faking his condition all along to avoid danger. And I was the real fool, the one he’d tricked. I turned to leave, but he knelt, begging me not to. He spent millions on a lavish, city-wide proposal. “Skylar, please don’t go. I can’t live without you, not really. I was faking it, but I genuinely fell for you.” Amidst a shower of rose petals, looking at the familiar face I’d woken up to every day, I said yes. But then Cassandra appeared, and his feelings changed. He started staying out for long periods, using work as an excuse. “Why can’t you be more understanding?” he’d say. “If I don’t work hard, where would your food and clothes come from?” I believed him. But soon after, I found him and Cassandra intimately tangled in his office. Used condoms lay scattered on the floor. When I confronted him, he demanded I leave the house with nothing. I refused. So Cassandra faked her own death, jumping into the ocean. She then posted a ten-thousand-word accusation against me on Ins, claiming I had been tormenting and abusing her, driving her to suicide. I was relentlessly cyberbullied. Julian took the opportunity to throw me out of the house. Even Finn, my own brother, wanted to disown me, calling me a wicked sister. No matter how I tried to explain, no one believed my innocence. I still didn’t know why Julian had brought me back to life, but his eyes were blazing with hatred. I forced out the last bit of air from my lungs, speaking with immense difficulty: “Kill… me.” Julian instantly let go of me, his eyes full of rage, and slapped me hard. “If you want to die, go somewhere else! Don’t you dare dirty my hands!” The blow left me dizzy and disoriented. When I finally regained my senses, his bodyguards had already dragged me out and dumped me on the road outside the villa. Julian stood with his arms crossed, his expression utterly cold, looking at me like I was trash. “If you hadn’t bullied and tormented Cassie, she never would have been driven to jump into the ocean. If you’re going to kill yourself, do it far away from me. Just looking at you makes me sick to my stomach.” I let out a bitter laugh. They were the ones slandering me, yet I was the one in the wrong! Did power and wealth really mean they could turn black into white? But he probably forgot that without me, he wouldn’t be where he was today! Fine then, I wouldn’t bother his sight anymore! I stumbled away, reaching a busy street. Watching the relentless traffic, I took a leap. Once this body died, I could finally go home. The next second, a screech of tires and a blaring horn filled the air. Someone grabbed my hair, dragging me back to the curb. “Skylar, what the hell are you doing?!” I looked at Julian, his face twisted in shock and anger, and quietly asked, “Why? I already stayed far away from you.” Despite his harsh words, I saw his body trembling. He used to tremble like that, shrinking behind me, whenever he was scared, back when he was my silly husband. What was he scared of now? Scared I’d die? But wasn’t I just giving him and Cassandra what they wanted? Julian slapped me again, harder this time. “What are you playing at? This is the only way for Cassie to get home! What if you die here and dirty her eyes?” I lowered my gaze, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. So that’s what it was. I walked obediently towards the river. Here, it wouldn’t dirty his precious Cassie’s eyes, would it?

I walked step by step into the river. The next moment, another hand grabbed me. I turned, confused, and saw Finn, my younger brother. He was holding a cake with Cassandra’s initials on it. It must have been a cake to celebrate Cassandra’s return after faking her death. Finn’s eyes were blazing with anger and hatred. “What are you doing here? Did you know I was bringing Cassie a cake, so you came to stop me?!” “Skylar, have you forgotten? I’ve already cut ties with you!” In this world, if anyone hated me more than Julian, it would be my own brother. But he wasn’t always like this. We lost our parents young, and I raised him alone, naming him Finn, hoping he’d be as resilient and free as a maple leaf. He dreamed of studying music, so I dropped out early, working three jobs to send him to the best training programs. Once, when our house caught fire, he ran barefoot into the flames, crying that if I died, he wouldn’t live either. We were each other’s only support in this world, the closest blood relatives. But everything changed after he met Cassandra. Just because Cassandra said she wanted something good to eat, he forced me, even when I was seriously ill, to cook a table full of dishes for her. When she didn’t eat, I couldn’t help but ask why, and he snapped back: “Your cooking is awful! How dare you yell at her!” With that, he dumped my hard-earned meal into the trash. Later, Cassandra and Julian conspired to frame me, faking her death by jumping into the ocean. Finn hated me to his core because of it, disowning me, watching coldly as I suffered, even pushing me deeper into despair himself. Thinking of this, I didn’t answer him. I slowly pulled my wrist from his grasp, inch by inch. Julian saw this and immediately sneered. “Cassie’s back. She was kicked out with nothing, so she probably can’t accept it and wants to kill herself.” Finn frowned, a cold laugh escaping his lips. “Someone as afraid of death as Skylar? She wouldn’t really kill herself. She’s probably just putting on a show.” “Great minds think alike,” Julian chuckled. “She just put on two shows for me.” After his mocking laugh, Finn looked at me with renewed hatred. “Skylar, a vile person like you? Even if you really died, no one would care!” “Now get out of the way. Don’t block me from finding Cassie.” I slowly lowered my eyes. “Fine, I’ll go.” The words were barely out before I plummeted into the rushing river. Finn’s face went white. The river was swift, and in the blink of an eye, I was swept over ten yards away. A sense of relief washed over me. This time, I really could die, couldn’t I? But then, with a splash, I was pulled out by Finn and thrown onto the muddy grass, disheveled and covered in grime. He was soaked, kicking me like a madman. “Skylar, are you trying to make everyone think I forced you to die, and ruin me?!” “You sicken me!” “You… when did you learn to swim?” I coughed violently, bitter water spewing from my mouth. Finn kicked me hard again, then sneered. “After Cassie jumped into the ocean, I went and learned to swim.” “What? Disappointed your plan didn’t work?” I couldn’t help but scoff. Love truly was amazing. I had tried countless times to teach him to swim. But each time, Cassandra stopped me. “With me around, Finn doesn’t need to learn to swim. I’ll always be with him, to save him if he’s ever in danger.” Finn would also coldly dismiss me: “Skylar, that’s the difference between you and Cassie. You only force me to do things I don’t want to. You don’t deserve to be my sister!” Later, Finn accidentally drowned, but Cassandra just watched coldly. It was me who jumped in and saved him. Yet he thought Cassandra had saved him, giving her all the credit, and even accused me of being heartless, watching my own brother drown without moving. Now, Finn, who had always been terrified of water, had learned to swim for Cassandra. “What does my taking my life have to do with you? You’re nothing but a stranger to me.” Hearing this, Finn’s face turned beet red. He swung his hand and slapped me. “If it weren’t for the vow I made after Cassie died, to accumulate good karma for her, do you think I’d save you, my biological sister whom I’ve disowned?” “Today, I’d save even a dog if it fell into the water!” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Biological sister? That’s a fresh one. What about Cassandra? Your ‘good sister’? But she’s marrying Julian.” Finn’s hand froze. The cake in his hand dropped to the ground as he stared at Julian. “Marrying?! Julian?” I was about to speak when another target, Dr. Beckett, rushed over, his words like a thunderclap: “Cassie’s gone missing!” “Skylar, did you hide Cassie?! Hand her over right now!”

Julian, who had been unperturbed until now, showed a hint of panic for the first time. “Cassie’s missing?” “Skylar! No wonder you’re acting so strangely today. You must have done something bad and are trying to fake your death to clear your name! Tell us, where did you take Cassie?!” Finn’s eyes instantly turned red. He slapped me hard. “Cassie just returned after so much hardship, and you dared to harm her! I should have just let you drown in the river earlier!” “Give her back to me right now! If she dies, I won’t live either!” The taste of iron filled my mouth. I parted my lips, and a few drops of blood trickled out. Cassandra had disappeared again. She truly couldn’t stand to see me have even a moment of peace. If that’s the case, I might as well grant her wish. I was about to speak when Dr. Beckett, who once claimed I was his only salvation, pressed a scalpel to my throat. “Talk! Where did you hide my Cassandra!” Dr. Beckett, one of my four targets, was a renowned surgical authority. Initially, someone tried to steal his family’s medical patent, leading to the murder of his entire family. I was the one who risked my life to save him. Perhaps it was witnessing his family’s murder. Dr. Beckett became extremely resistant to anyone getting close. I still have a scar on the web of my left hand, a bite mark from when he lashed out in panic. But I never abandoned him, staying by his side through that difficult period. Finally, Dr. Beckett recovered his sanity, determined to refine his medical skills and find evidence to avenge his family. Through countless silent struggles, I faced numerous life-or-death moments, personally helping him rise to power and take down all his enemies. That day, he cried, saying I would forever be his sister, his kin without blood. That day, I cried too, because he really reminded me of my brother from my other world. I missed my brother. But later, after Cassandra appeared, he gradually distanced himself from me. All because Cassandra said she didn’t like me calling him “brother.” He even declared that if I came within three yards of him, he would use a scalpel to slice my throat. The day he learned Cassandra had faked her death and jumped into the ocean, Dr. Beckett went mad. He used various medical procedures on me, making me suffer unimaginable torment, all to avenge Cassandra. “Cassie must have been tormented by you to such an extent to take her own life.” “If that’s the case, then every day from now on, you will suffer a hundred times worse than she did!” Seeing my silence, blood vessels popped in Dr. Beckett’s eyes. The sharp blade pressed against my throat, drawing a thin line of blood. “Not talking? It seems a few days without torment has made you forget our methods!” Dr. Beckett advanced with a chilling expression, knocked me unconscious, and took me to the dark room in Julian’s villa. He injected me with drugs that heightened nerve sensitivity, using various torture instruments to amplify the pain to an unbearable extreme. Julian and Finn didn’t stop him. Instead, they gnashed their teeth, glaring at me with furious hatred. I struggled ceaselessly, a dense, stinging pain spreading through my body, reaching deep into my bones, forcing a scream from my throat. But Dr. Beckett backhanded me, his voice sharp: “You can’t even handle this much pain? Don’t forget how you tormented Cassie!” “If you don’t tell me her whereabouts, I’ll return every single thing you did to her, one by one!” Hearing that, my eyes widened, as if I’d seen a glimmer of hope. I didn’t want to be tortured by them; I just wanted to die quickly. I just wanted to go home, to finally get some sleep! I cried, whimpering and screaming: “Your Cassandra is dead! I chopped her into pieces with a knife!” “Come on! Kill me!! Let her keep me company in death!” “Come on!!!” I screamed at them wildly. Dr. Beckett was probably too enraged. How dare I be so defiant even now? “Do you really think I won’t kill you? Cassie is dead, and you trash deserve to be buried with her!” He suddenly grabbed a scalpel and lunged, stabbing towards me. He used all his strength, probably expecting me to resist, but I just stood there, watching the tip of the blade plunge into my heart. Dr. Beckett froze, staring at the blood gushing from my chest, as if he couldn’t believe it. But I stretched my lips into a smile. Was I finally going to die?! As my consciousness began to fade. Cassandra’s voice suddenly came from the doorway: “Oh, why is everyone here? I’ve been looking for you all…”

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My name is Ashley Easterlin. As a recognized top student, I took the SAT twice. The first time, I got accepted into Harvard University. The second time, I got accepted into Yale University. Though I’ve consistently scored above 1500 on the SAT in every exam, both acceptance offers were revoked without exception as soon as the admissions offices saw my name. I thought it was because of background checks that both schools revoked the admissions. But my parents, Gideon Easterlin and Lydia Easterlin, are honest farm workers who live quietly and responsibly. Until my third SAT attempt, I still scored over 1500. I applied to Stanford University, thinking this time it was a sure thing. But the interviewer, who was initially excited to conduct my final interview, froze upon seeing my name and immediately decided that Stanford University couldn’t accept me. I just couldn’t figure it out—what’s wrong with my name? Why, despite my excellent grades, do all universities refuse to admit me as soon as they see my name? ***** “You are this year’s top scorer, Ashley Easterlin.” “Stanford University will not admit you. We can’t take a student like you!” The interviewer checked my application materials right in front of me and finally shook his head. My joy turned to disappointment, and a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me. I desperately wanted to know the reason and couldn’t help but ask him, “Why can’t you admit me? I clearly have the best grades!” “At least let me know the reason!” In response to my question, the interviewer just gave me a faint glance. He said, “A student like you won’t be accepted by any school!” I tried hard to figure out the meaning of this sentence. But no matter how hard I racked my brains, I couldn’t find the answer. Devastated, I collapsed to the ground, trembling and holding my head as I sobbed uncontrollably. My mind was filled with confusion. Why did I achieve nearly perfect scores three times, yet no school was willing to accept me? The first time, my SAT score was 1500, and I got into Harvard University. Just when I was eagerly waiting for the admission letter, I was informed that my acceptance had been revoked. I couldn’t believe it and immediately called the admissions office. But when they heard my name, Ashley Easterlin, they didn’t investigate further and simply said Harvard University wouldn’t admit me. The second time, my SAT score was 1540, and I got accepted into Yale University. I thought Yale University would definitely accept me. But the result was the same, I still wasn’t admitted. When I called again to inquire, they didn’t admit me after hearing my name. I couldn’t figure it out. My scores kept improving, so why wouldn’t Harvard University and Yale University admit me? I thought it was because of a background check issue, so I specifically looked into whether Gideon and Lydia had committed any crimes. But the result showed that our family has been clean for generations. Besides, Gideon and Lydia are honest farm workers who usually keep to themselves. I couldn’t find the truth and refused to accept fate, so I resolutely took the SAT for the third time and reapplied to schools. This time, I still achieved an almost perfect score. Thinking about my previous experiences, I didn’t choose to apply to the schools I had applied to before but instead applied to Stanford University. With this score, I can easily get into Stanford University. When I met the interviewer for the final interview, I confidently thought that this time I would definitely get into college. Unfortunately, the interviewer rejected me once again. When he saw my name, he was certain on the spot that Stanford University wouldn’t admit me. I still wasn’t admitted. After being rejected three times, I was utterly desperate. Gideon and Lydia, seeing me sobbing uncontrollably, also shed tears. “How could this happen?” “Ashley has such good grades, how could no university accept her?” They couldn’t believe the result either.

Lydia, with red eyes, knelt directly in front of the interviewer. She pleaded cautiously, “Please, let my daughter go to school. We’ll find a way to gather whatever amount it takes!” The interviewer ignored her. Lydia simply started kowtowing. Her forehead was bruised, and she grabbed the interviewer’s pant leg. Her voice choked, “My daughter is waiting to go to college! Her father and I have worked on the farm all our lives. Our biggest wish is to support her education so she can have a better life and not suffer like us. Please!” Gideon also knelt down. He hunched over, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and handed one to the interviewer. He said, “I may not be educated, but I know my daughter’s grades are top-notch, and she will definitely get into college. “If she doesn’t go to college, her future will be ruined. I’m begging you to help!” Gideon smokes only the cheapest cigarettes to support my education. Watching Gideon and Lydia, who had never bowed to anyone, humble themselves like this for me, my heart ached deeply. Although our family is ordinary, Gideon and Lydia had never endured such humiliation despite all their hardships. At this moment, he was kneeling and pleading for me to go to college. Unfortunately, none of this worked. The interviewer was not moved at all. He said, “Don’t do this, we will not admit Ashley.” Gideon thought his sincerity wasn’t enough and even grabbed a sleeve to shine the interviewer’s shoes. He polished the shoes while begging, even kowtowing again. Even so, the interviewer remained unmoved. “Stop pretending to be pitiful here, it’s useless. We won’t admit a student like Ashley.” The interviewer’s tone was firm. But no matter how much Gideon and Lydia pleaded, the interviewer refused to pay us any attention. After the interviewer left, Stanford University revoked my admission. I, the person involved, was completely baffled. I desperately searched for reasons within myself. What do you mean by a student like me? What exactly did I do wrong? In my memory, I never did anything wrong. Since childhood, my grades have been good, my conduct upright, and I’ve been a role model for other students. Gideon and Lydia saw me looking dazed and came over to comfort me. Gideon patted my head and said, “Ashley, it’s okay. If this school doesn’t want you, you can apply to another one. There are so many universities in the country; one will definitely accept you.” Lydia wiped away my tears and agreed, “Ashley, your grades are so good, how could you not get into college? No matter what, we’ll do our best to help you fight for it!” They’ve gone quite gray because I failed to get into college three times. After the first rejection, they willingly paid for my tutoring. They told me not to worry, they would always have my back. After the second rejection, they hired a tutor for me at a high cost. They worked multiple jobs, trying every way to earn money to support me. They have always given to me unconditionally. The reason my SAT scores kept improving was all thanks to their dedication. But the third chance our family waited for still fell through. At this moment, I feel deeply indebted to them. I looked at their aging faces and rough hands, choking up as I apologized, “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for letting you down again.” “I’m the burden, I’ve been holding you back.” They, of course, didn’t blame me and just told me not to overthink. That night, I tossed and turned in bed, replaying every detail in my mind. Stanford University has already rejected me, so I can only rely on the other schools on my application list. The first two times I applied, I was too confident about Harvard University and Yale University, so I didn’t apply to any safety schools, and they both rejected me. This time, I also applied to other universities. Although my grades are enough to easily get into Stanford University, I also applied to other lower-ranked universities. I was so afraid of being rejected by even these that I applied to the universities with the lowest requirements. I thought, if the Ivy League and top schools don’t want me, maybe regular universities will, after all, I’ve always been top of my class. Sure enough, I still found hope. When a regular university sent out admission notices, my name appeared on the provisional admission list. The school heard that the top student in the city applied to them, and the next day they sent people to my home with great fanfare to welcome me. We looked at the crowd at the door, and smiles finally appeared on our faces. The school leader warmly approached, shook Gideon’s hand, and said, “Having a top student like your daughter at our school is truly a great honor!” “You two have truly raised a wonderful child. Rest assured, once your daughter joins our school, she will be a priority, with resources tilted in her favor.” Hearing these words, Gideon and Lydia’s eyes lit up. Lydia tightly held my hand and happily said that I had finally succeeded. Gideon also straightened his back, his face full of pride. The atmosphere was harmonious and joyful. The school leader quickly took out the prepared admission letter for me and even asked us to take a group photo together. He opened the admission letter with a beaming smile. “Ashley Easterlin, upon approval, you are granted…” He was reading and suddenly paused.

He stared at the admission letter, completely frozen. Two minutes later, he looked up at me, his voice trembling slightly, “Ashley Easterlin? Are you sure your name is Ashley Easterlin?” I looked at his expression, and my heart sank with a bad feeling. Just as I was about to answer, Gideon responded first. The school leader staggered upon hearing that. He suddenly raised his hand, silencing the crowd, and the room instantly fell quiet. Seeing this, Gideon and Lydia panicked a little. The two turned to look at me, but I didn’t look at them. My eyes were fixed on the school leader’s lips. The next second, he coldly said, “Sorry, our school cannot admit you. I will immediately report to the admissions office to revoke your application.” In an instant, I felt dizzy. Fortunately, Gideon and Lydia caught me in time. I looked at the school leader and asked him calmly, “Sir, please give me a clear reason.” “Your school has already admitted me, so what gives you the right to revoke it now?” My hanging hand clenched tightly, my nails digging painfully into my skin. I swore to myself that no matter what, I would uncover the truth today. Gideon and Lydia chimed in, “Exactly! You’ve already admitted our daughter, how can you just change it like that?” “Even though we haven’t had much education, you can’t do this. You must give us an explanation!” The neighbors watching nearby whispered among themselves. They all knew about my high SAT scores but no school was willing to admit me. They were indignant, suspecting if I had offended someone. Otherwise, with my grades, every school would be competing to admit me. Facing our questioning, the school leaders still said little. He would only say, “No school would be willing to admit a student like you.” I kept asking, but got nothing. As soon as the school leaders left, my family became the village’s gossip, mocked and ridiculed. “Ashley is just a money-waster, right? She tried for three years, but no school wants to admit her. It’s a total waste of money!” “You should give up on her going to college. Let her work and earn money! She’s just a girl and will get married sooner or later.” “Exactly, let her work and earn back the money spent on her all these years!” Hearing what everyone said, Gideon and Lydia were so angry they almost rushed up to fight them. Lydia grabbed a broom and started chasing people out, her voice sharp. “Get out now! Stop being an eyesore to our family!” “Our family matters are none of your business. If you dare talk nonsense again, I’ll tear your mouths apart!” Gideon said with a cold face, “Even if I have to work several jobs, I will make sure my daughter goes to college!” Seeing our family’s firm stance, those people had no choice but to leave while cursing. I looked at the returned file again, unable to figure out what was wrong with my name. Why did the schools that admitted me revoke it after seeing my name? I can’t figure it out, and I’ve pulled out quite a bit of my hair. Gideon and Lydia looked at me squatting on the ground with bloodshot eyes, feeling both heartbroken and anxious for me. Gideon smoked, helpless and frustrated. Lydia was afraid I might hurt myself and kept trying to comfort me. But at this moment, my mind is filled with failure after failure. Could it be that Gideon and Lydia worked hard for me most of their lives, only to end up with nothing? Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head—I thought of vocational colleges. I suddenly looked up. “Dad, Mom, I still have one last chance!” “One week later, the vocational college admission results will be out. Maybe I can get in.” Hearing this, Gideon and Lydia also breathed a sigh of relief. I thought to myself, vocational colleges are the most basic schools, even the lowest scorers can get in. Besides, I got the highest score—there’s no way I won’t get in, right? Our whole family pinned all our hopes on the vocational college. After all, my grades are good. As long as I get into vocational college, I can continue to improve my education later. Our family anxiously waited for a week, and finally, the admission letter arrived. We held the admission letter, hugged tightly, and cried tears of joy. Early the next morning, Gideon went to the street to buy some treats to celebrate. Lydia bought me two new outfits, saying I couldn’t look shabby when I went to college. Our family sat together, happily eating and celebrating. I said with great anticipation, “Dad, Mom, when I start working in the future, I’ll definitely buy a big house and bring you to live there so you can enjoy life!” Gideon and Lydia smiled with joy. Lydia said, “Our biggest wish is for you to be safe and sound, and not to endure hardships like us in the future.” “I believe you will achieve great things in the future.” But I never expected the principal of the vocational school to personally come to my house and ask for the admission letter. Thinking of the previous ordeal, my face turned pale instantly, and my legs went weak. I instinctively wanted to hide the admission letter on the table. But he was faster, and when he opened the admission letter, I cried. When he saw “Ashley Easterlin,” his face instantly darkened, and he took back the admission letter right in front of us. He said, “Ashley, sorry, this admission letter is void. You can’t attend our school.” I don’t understand why it’s still like this. After the principal left, I locked myself in the room, devastated. “Ashley? Ashley?” I murmured my name as if entranced. Then, I rummaged through the entire room, frantically searching for my ID card. I need to see for myself, what curse is on my name? I pulled out my ID card and saw the name on it. In that moment, I suddenly understood something!

My name is Jane Petrov. Our whole family can hear my mom Fiona Petrov’s thoughts. I found a new job with good pay and benefits. But she worried deeply, thinking, “My daughter has low education and lacks ability. How could she get a new job by selling her body?” My dad, Ivan Petrov, heard it and firmly refused to let me work. He went to the company and caused a scene, getting me fired right after I started. Furious, I decided to move out and temporarily stay at my boyfriend Nash Fowler’s place. Fiona outwardly supported but secretly tried to stop me. “What should I do? Her boyfriend has been married for years and even has kids. Is she trying to be a mistress? If she really moves in, she’ll definitely get beaten to death, and she’ll disgrace our entire family.” To stop me, my brother Alex Petrov even broke my legs with a stick and locked me at home, leaving me to fend for myself. My wounds became infected and inflamed, and I wanted to go to the hospital. Fiona sighed inwardly, “This child is so rebellious, insisting on leaving this home. Her legs aren’t even that serious. If she goes to the hospital, she’ll definitely climb the wall and escape.” Now, no one was willing to care about me, leaving me to die in pain in the room. Even until my death, I never knew who was the one that killed me. When I opened my eyes again, I realized I could hear Fiona’s inner thoughts too. “Congratulations, you can come to complete the onboarding formalities tomorrow.” On the other end of the phone, the HR’s voice was crisp and cheerful. I stared blankly at the phone screen, checking the date—I had actually been reborn. “That’s awesome! It’s so hard to get into this company. You have to treat me to a meal today to celebrate.” My good friend Anna Sanchez held my arm, her face full of excitement. She was right. This company truly offers excellent benefits. I went through five rounds of interviews and took a whole month to get the offer. But I just couldn’t feel happy now. Because in my previous life, when I shared this news with my family, before I could even celebrate, their expressions suddenly changed. They scolded me for being shameless for money and firmly refused to let me work at that company. Faced with the hard-earned opportunity, I chose to secretly report to work. But Alex actually came to the company, caused a huge scene, and took me back. I was also fired. Now that this opportunity has come back to me, I must seize it no matter what. Thinking of this, I immediately said, “I have something to do today, so I need to leave first. Please don’t tell anyone about my new job, especially my family. I want to surprise them.” Anna saw my serious expression and understood the importance of the matter, so she immediately agreed. After parting with her, I went straight home. As soon as I walked in, Alex came up and said, “Did you find a new job? How long have you been unemployed? You can’t keep relying on Mom and Dad forever.” I sneered and said, “I’ve only been unemployed for two weeks, and you can’t stand it? What about you living off Mom and Dad’s pension and playing video games at home for two years after graduating college?” After graduating from college, Alex didn’t find a job and stayed home playing games for two years. It wasn’t until last year that he joined a gaming company. He couldn’t argue with me. Just then, Fiona came over. He started complaining to her, “Mom, her words are so hurtful.” Fiona has always treated everyone fairly at home, never showing favoritism. Just when I thought this time would be no different, I heard a familiar voice.

“She’s already this age, got fired from her job, and still can’t find a new one. Might as well get married early.” I looked at the owner of the voice, Fiona, but her lips were tightly closed, and she said nothing. “My $8,000 monthly pension isn’t even enough for my son to spend. She must have savings, and she needs to bring it out.” I was startled, realizing that this voice was actually Fiona’s inner thoughts. I thought, “How can I hear her inner thoughts? And wasn’t her pension $4,000? When did it become $8,000?” All along, she kept complaining to me about being broke, saying her pension was all spent by Alex, leaving her without even grocery money. Feeling sorry for her, I transferred her several thousand dollars every month. Now it seems she was lying to me. “Jane is just resting at home for a few days, what are you talking about? Apologize to her right now,” Fiona said to Alex. Alex seemed to hear her inner thoughts too and obediently lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Jane. I’m just worried about you. What if you still can’t find a job?” Fiona comforted me, “Don’t listen to him. Even if you can’t find a job, the family will support you. I’m heading to buy groceries now. The supermarket has discounts at this time. Though I have to compete with a bunch of old folks, it’s worth it for the deals.” If it were before, hearing this would have softened my heart, and I would have transferred money to her right away. But now, I want to test her a bit more. So, I nodded. “Then hurry up, or the groceries will be gone soon.” Fiona’s inner voice sounded again, “What’s wrong with this girl today? It’s so hot, I really don’t want to go out.” I pretended not to hear and went back to my room. Now I can be sure, in my past life, it was her inner voice that spread rumors about me, causing me to lose my job and even my life. But this time, I can hear her inner voice too. At dinner, Fiona asked again if there were any new job offers contacting me. I nodded. “I just got an email, I can start work tomorrow.” Fiona said, “So soon? Didn’t you say there was no news this afternoon?” I said, “I was going to tell you, but I got interrupted.” Ivan nodded with satisfaction. “That’s good. Work hard at the new company, get along with your boss and colleagues, and don’t get fired again.” In my previous job, I was harassed by a partner during a business dinner. I angrily scolded that creepy guy on the spot, but the company demanded I apologize. I refused, so I was fired. I told them what happened, but they only cared about what I would do after losing my job, not whether I was hurt or felt wronged. Fiona’s inner voice sounded again, “Ah, what should I do? Jane has low education and lacks skills. How could she find a job so quickly? She probably used improper means.” “After all, at her last company, she was fired by the boss for fooling around.” Sure enough, the next second, Alex and Ivan’s expressions turned a bit strange. “What kind of company is that? I heard it’s really hard to find a job nowadays. You found one so quickly, are you sure you weren’t scammed?” Alex asked. I clicked my tongue impatiently. “When I didn’t have a job, you complained about me staying home all the time. Now that I found a job, you’re saying I got scammed? What exactly do you want me to do?” Ivan said, “I also think it’s not very reliable. You should reconsider and find another one.” Although he said I should reconsider, he actually meant he didn’t want me to go. Luckily, I was prepared and directly took out the materials I had ready. I said, “This is my new company’s information. See for yourselves, they even collaborate on several national-level projects. Such a great opportunity, once missed, it’s gone.” “And Dad, don’t you always talk about your friend’s kid working in a public institution? My company is way better than that.” Ivan took the materials and carefully flipped through them, his frown gradually easing. What he cares about most is his pride, and now that I’ve joined the new company, he can show off to his friends. He finally nodded. “Hmm, not bad. Do your best.” He glared at Fiona. She lowered her head, not daring to speak. I pretended not to notice, smiled, and said, “Definitely, this time I definitely won’t get fired.”

No matter what you do, you need money first. Now that my job is finally settled, everything else will be easier. The next morning, afraid something might go wrong, I got up at dawn, changed clothes, and left home straight away, waiting outside the company early. I didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until I finished the onboarding process. In the following days, using “too busy with work” as an excuse, I didn’t go home for several days and took the chance to quietly rent a place, preparing to move out. This time, I didn’t alert anyone and moved little by little each day, like a hamster. During this time, Nash was also helping. In my previous life, I was confined at home with broken legs, and he couldn’t reach me. He asked around for news about me and even considered reporting to the police to find me. But I didn’t live to see him rescue me; I was already dead. I didn’t tell him about what happened in my previous life, only said that I had fallen out with my family and needed his help. I only told them I was moving out after I had almost finished moving everything. This time, I deliberately didn’t mention Nash, only said it was because home was too far from the company and commuting was inconvenient, so I rented a place near work. Fiona thought, “She doesn’t have to say it, I already know. She’s probably moving out to live with her boyfriend. So shameless.” Her boyfriend already has a wife and kids, yet she’s sunk so low as to become the other woman. Absolutely shameless. If the wife comes knocking, our family’s reputation will be completely ruined.” Ivan and Alex instantly glared at me, their eyes almost burning two holes in my face. Fiona continued in her heart, “Having a daughter who’s a mistress, what’s the point of living? I might as well be dead. It’s so humiliating!” Fiona kept badmouthing me in her heart, making up lies about me. Hearing it, I just wanted her to shut up. I really can’t understand why she’s so fixated on spreading dirty rumors about me. I even doubt if I’m really her biological child. Ivan, furious with veins bulging on his forehead, raised his hand and slapped me. He shouted angrily, “You shameless thing! Are you moving out just to mess around with men outside?” I covered my face and said incredulously, “Dad, what are you talking about? Don’t you know what kind of person I am?” “There are barely any people of the opposite sex in my WhatsApp. Who could I possibly mess around with?” I handed my phone directly to him, letting him check it freely. Fiona sneered inwardly, “I don’t even need to guess; she must have already deleted all the chat records. There’s nothing to find.” “Anyone with eyes can see the necklace on her neck. Such a big diamond, I’ve only seen it on TV. How could she afford it? It must have been given by another man.” Ivan yanked off my necklace and angrily questioned, “Did you buy this yourself? How can you be so shameless? How have I been teaching you all this time?” I retorted, “This was a gift from my boyfriend! How does accepting a gift make me shameless?” “Boyfriend? Well, you admitted it yourself! Don’t blame us for accusing you now!” Alex said eagerly. I pretended to look utterly confused and said, “What are you even talking about? You all knew I was dating someone. Dad, he even asked me to give you a fishing rod. Alex, that game console you wanted before, he gave it to you too. Have you forgotten?”

My dad loves orchids. So, when he retired, I bought him a beautiful manor perfect for his passion. But the moment he stepped inside, the security guards brutally beat him until his head bled. “Leo, you said this place was mine. They’re calling me a scammer. A trespasser.” My dad’s voice trembled through the FaceTime call. I was about to explain when another man walked into the video frame. The guards’ attitude flipped instantly. They fell over themselves fawning, muttering to each other. “The CEO’s husband is here! Get this old con artist out of here!” It hit me like a truck. My wife was having an affair. And she’d given the manor I bought for my dad to her lover. I called the research institute immediately. “I’ll publicly release all my smart chip data and research. For free.” Let’s see if Seraphina Thorne’s company can survive without me! After authorizing the data release with the institute, I drove straight to Willow Creek Manor. I had been married to Seraphina for seven years. In that time, she rose from nothing to become the formidable CEO, all thanks to my research and data support. The world saw a self-made genius. I saw the ghostwriter standing in her shadow. As I arrived at Willow Creek Manor, I saw a frail figure lying on the ground. It was my father. Beaten. Discarded. He was covered in dirt, and his eyes were bloodshot from the beating. A crowd of staff stood around my dad, watching. No one helped. They kept kicking his body. “Hasn’t the old fraud had enough? Want more?” “This estate belongs to Seraphina Thorne’s family. Who do these losers think they are?” They jeered, slapping my dad’s face. Rage boiled within me. I shoved through the crowd and rushed to him. Seeing me, my dad let out a long sigh of relief. “Leo, explain quickly. It must be a misunderstanding.” The estate manager, Gordon, scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. “Have you no shame? This property belongs to Ms. Thorne. And you two… what is this? A pathetic attempt at cosplay?” Gordon wasn’t done. He eyed my cheap beat-up car. “That junk can’t even buy a tire on her husband’s ride. And you dare pretend to be him?” Just then, the “CEO’s husband” they spoke of sauntered out of a luxury car. As he got closer, I realized it was Blake Harrison, Seraphina’s sweetheart. After Seraphina and I married, someone casually mentioned Blake’s, but I never cared. Now, Blake was brazenly claiming to be Seraphina’s husband. Blake met my gaze and walked towards me. “Blake, how dare you steal our Willow Creek Manor?” I confronted him. Blake showed no hint of guilt, just a smirk. “Well, well, isn’t it the pathetic leech trying to latch onto my wife?” “Still obsessed, huh? Chasing her all the way here?” “If you want to see my wife, you can. Get on your knees and kowtow a few times, and maybe I’ll be charitable enough to let you have a glimpse.” As if that wasn’t enough, Blake pointed at me, addressing the Willow Creek Manor staff loudly. “This gold-digger wants to score big, constantly hounding my wife. “Can you believe he’d even follow us to our love nest? What a psycho!” The surrounding staff looked at me with disgust after hearing Blake’s words. “A homewrecker, trying to break up someone else’s family, actually has the nerve to show up here?” “Ugh, what a disgrace. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, especially when the tree’s rotten. The old one’s a fraud, and the young one’s a complete bastard.” “Blake is truly exceptional, driving a luxury car and wearing designer watches. That’s a real success story.” Gordon, feeling emboldened, grabbed my dad’s collar, ready to throw him out. “I smelled the stench of these two low-lifes from a mile away. They actually dared to impersonate Seraphina Thorne’s husband? You’ve got a death wish. Today, I’m going to rip you father and son apart.” My dad’s whole body trembled with anger at their taunts. “You can’t distinguish right from wrong! My son bought Willow Creek Manor for me!” Blake spat at my dad. “You pathetic old man, there’s a limit to your daydreams.” “Seraphina bought this estate for my father. This is Seraphina’s gift to her father-in-law, got it?” I was speechless with fury. This woman, who only managed to establish her company by leveraging my research. Not only did she cheat on me, but she also let her ‘old flame’ seize my dad’s estate. This surreal world was utterly ridiculous. I pulled out my phone, found the purchase receipt for Willow Creek Manor, and showed it to everyone. “I bought Willow Creek Manor! I paid for it!” “Now! Apologize to my dad!”

Gordon burst out laughing. “Showing a doctored image and thinking the estate is yours? I could Photoshop a receipt for the White House and claim it’s mine too.” “You con artist just won’t give up, will you? You won’t believe it until I show you the proof, then you’ll finally scram, right?” A staff member, sensing Gordon’s mood, brought out Willow Creek Manor’s order information and projected it for everyone to see. The order clearly stated: Purchaser, Blake Harrison! My mind went blank. Every step of buying Willow Creek Manor was correct. The payment was deducted from my card. How could someone else’s name appear on the order now? Then I remembered that two nights ago, Seraphina, who was usually cold and distant, uncharacteristically urged me to rest early. Seeing my phone on the bedside table, Seraphina even deliberately put it away. Seraphina knew my payment password. Was she encouraging me to sleep early just to change the payment details? Damn it, that bitch! I grabbed my phone and called Seraphina. Her voice on the other end was filled with annoyed impatience. “I’m busy. Don’t call me if it’s not important. Not everyone is as idle as you, a jobless bum!” “Seraphina, who gave you the guts to give away my Dad’s estate? And why is Blake Harrison telling everyone he’s your husband?” Seraphina frantically hung up the call. I knew Seraphina was completely panicking. After all, without my technical support, Seraphina’s massive tech company was nothing but a house of cards. Blake clearly realized the consequences too; his face turned ashen with fear. I walked past Blake and headed straight for the luxury car behind him. I found the owner’s information inside, and Blake Harrison’s name was prominently displayed. That scumbag Seraphina truly spared no expense. She even gave Blake the Rolls-Royce I bought her when we got married. Blake saw my actions and instantly regained his confidence. “You pathetic loser, not content with trying to scam my estate, now you’re eyeing my car too?” I was so consumed by anger that I lost all sense of reason. I just wanted to clench my fists and punch him hard. Blake, seeing my intent, immediately ducked behind the estate’s security personnel. “Look, everyone, the gold-digger couldn’t scam his way in, so now he wants to resort to violence! Shameless!” Gordon immediately rallied all the security guards, surrounding us. “Damn it, I knew it! These two low-lifes are no good. Get these two bastards out of here before they dirty our estate.” Punches rained down on us from the security guards. I could only hold my dad close, shielding him. Just then, a screech of tires pierced the air. I looked up. Seraphina had parked her car and was frantically running towards us. I expected a tearful apology, filled with remorse. Instead, I was met with a torrent of scathing accusations. “Leo Sterling, you pathetic excuse for a man, how dare you cause trouble outside!”

Blake immediately pointed at me, reporting to Seraphina. “Seraphina, this gold-digger who’s always been harassing you is back.” “For money, he even brought the old fraud along. Shameless!” Seraphina looked at me with utter contempt. “Leo Sterling, I warned you long ago, I’m beyond your reach.” “Now you’re not just stalking me every day; you’ve brought your dad along to stalk me too. Can you not have some decency?” I looked at the woman I had spent seven years with, and a chill ran through me. For seven years, I’d turned down countless high-paying job offers. I had selflessly given Seraphina the smart chip data I had developed over many years, all because she said she wanted to become a successful entrepreneur. I thought we were building a beautiful future together, but I now realized I was just setting her and her lover up for success. My dad was utterly furious. Clutching his chest, he challenged Seraphina. “How can you say that? Leo paid for this estate himself! How can you talk such nonsense?” Seraphina sneered dismissively. “He paid for it? Does he even have money? A jobless bum!” “You pathetic old man, get out of the way!” “I bought this estate for my father-in-law. It has nothing to do with you or your pathetic son!” Her words pierced my heart like a sharp blade. I held my father, who was clutching his painful chest, and stared intently at Seraphina. “Seraphina, dare you repeat what you just said? Who is your father-in-law?” “Who is your husband?” Seraphina froze, clearly not expecting me to challenge her when I was so isolated and vulnerable. But she quickly recovered. This was her turf; what did she have to fear? Seraphina swiftly grabbed Blake’s arm, intertwining with him sweetly. “My father-in-law will only ever be Blake’s father.” “And my husband will always and only be Blake Harrison.” Seraphina’s eyes swept over me from head to toe, full of disdain. “As for you, you’re just a gold-digger, a perverted version of one who wants to scam people when he can’t get what he wants!” Blake beamed, pulling Seraphina into his embrace. After a loving gaze, they shared a kiss. “Honey, I’ve seen plenty of these gold-diggers wanting to latch onto wealthy people. Let’s head inside quickly; let’s not let this ruin our vacation!” As soon as Blake said that, the estate staff began to whisper amongst themselves. “So, he’s just a desperate gigolo wanting to climb up the ladder. Seriously messed up. Blake and Seraphina are a perfect match!” “This pretty boy looks decent enough, but who knew he had such a malicious heart? Constantly harassing a married couple and trying to scam their luxury car and estate?” Blake looked at me with utter contempt. “You bastard, hear that? Seraphina only has one husband, and she only loves me!” My dad gasped for air, clutching his heart. He exerted all his strength, blocking the estate gate, and loudly explained. “My son bought this for me! You won’t take it from us!” Blake’s face darkened. He grabbed a security guard’s baton nearby and swung it at my dad’s head! “You old bastard, if I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll think your buddy Blake is easy to mess with!” Seraphina stood with her arms crossed, watching indifferently as if it had nothing to do with her. I struggled against the security guards, desperate to reach my dad, but Seraphina’s bodyguards held me down firmly. The baton landed squarely on my dad’s head. Blood immediately gushed from his forehead. Blake still wasn’t satisfied. He yelled at the bodyguards around him, “Get me the taser gun!” With one shot, my dad’s body convulsed. “You old bastard, today Blake’s going to show you what’s what.” The taser gun was set to maximum power. After another shot, the surrounding skin was charred black. I struggled wildly, my eyes fixed on Seraphina. “Seraphina, he’s your father-in-law! You know he’s always had a weak heart!” Seven years! Even if she didn’t care about our marriage, didn’t years of companionship mean anything? Even a pet cat or dog wouldn’t be treated with such heartlessness! Seraphina showed no trace of compassion. She lifted the hem of her dress, stepping back, afraid my dad’s blood would stain her new outfit. “The old man constantly causes trouble. Let Blake beat him up, blow off some steam. Maybe then we’ll let you off the hook.” Blake’s confidence swelled after hearing Seraphina’s words. He ordered the bodyguards to tie my dad to the back of Seraphina’s luxury car and started driving onto the paved road. “So, the old man likes the estate, does he? I’ll have the bodyguards give you a tour of the estate.” With a roar of the engine, my father was dragged alongside the car, leaving a long trail of blood. Blake still wasn’t satisfied. “Can’t you go faster? Let this old geezer bleed a bit more.” Watching the blood stream from my dad, I felt my world sway. Then, the massive outdoor screen of the estate lit up with a national news bulletin. “BREAKING: Scientist Leo Sterling has just released his entire smart chip research database to the public, free of charge. Experts say the move will instantly revolutionize the field of AI.” Seraphina stared at me in disbelief. Her triumphant, arrogant expression instantly crumbled into ash.

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