On our third anniversary, Liam booked the most exclusive cruise ship in Seattle and proposed to my adopted sister, Rachel Snow, in a live broadcast streamed across the entire internet. My phone still held a message he had sent half an hour earlier: “I love you, go to bed early.” On the screen, he knelt on one knee, holding a pink diamond, his eyes filled with a tenderness I had never seen directed at me. “Rachel, from today forward, you are my only wife.” The comments section went wild. Everyone called it a match made in heaven. I stood at the cruise ship’s entrance, looking at the plain wedding band he had slipped onto my ring finger three years ago. Half an hour earlier, after sending that message, he had added another. “Chloe, the three years are up. Tomorrow, I’ll give you what you are owed.” I raised my hand, wiggled the ring, and let out a laugh. “Liam, I have received your ‘settlement.’” From today on, I will return every bit of humiliation you inflicted upon me, inch by inch. Chapter One It was the third year of my secret marriage to Liam Caldwell. He had booked Seattle’s most luxurious cruise ship to propose to Rachel Snow, live-streaming it across the entire internet. Liam, CEO of Caldwell Enterprises, a man usually so cold and reserved, was now on one knee. He held a dazzling pink diamond, his eyes filled with profound emotion. “Rachel, from today on, I will let everyone know that you are my only wife.” The comments section was flooded with envy. Everyone was exclaiming it was perfect love. My phone screen was still paused on the message Liam had sent half an hour ago: “Still busy tonight, I’ll be staying home. Go to bed early, don’t wait up for me.” Watching the deeply affectionate man on the screen, a wave of nausea churned in my stomach. We had registered our marriage three years ago. That very night, he suddenly told me that the Caldwell family’s rules were strict; to inherit the company, he had to maintain a single image for three years, or all his assets would revert to the family. “Chloe, I’m sorry to put you through this for three years. Once I inherit Caldwell Enterprises, I promise to give you the most spectacular wedding imaginable.” His tender whispers felt like yesterday, but today marked the end of those three years. He did indeed hold the city’s most spectacular ceremony, but the bride wasn’t me. It was Rachel Snow, my adopted sister. I turned off the live stream and changed into a simple black dress. Pulling open a drawer, I found our marriage certificate, neatly placed there from three years ago. I didn’t cry. My hands didn’t even tremble. Half an hour later, I arrived at the cruise ship dock. Tonight was a socialite gala for the city’s elite. Using my identity as the heir to Hayes Group, I slipped past security unnoticed and walked into the ballroom, which was adorned with white roses. On stage, Rachel was in tears, nestled in Liam’s arms, letting him slip the priceless ring onto her ring finger. I stood in the center of the ballroom, my expression calm, and clapped my hands. The sharp sound was strikingly out of place amidst the romantic music. Everyone’s gaze instantly focused on me. The smile on Liam’s face froze. Rachel flinched, instinctively burrowing deeper into Liam’s embrace, and spoke with a sniffle, “Chloe Hayes, why are you here? Today is Liam’s and my happy day. Are you still mad at me?” Liam pulled her closer, and the tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness as he looked at me. Before he could speak, I directly pulled out my marriage certificate and handed it to several uniformed police officers who were already waiting nearby. “Hello, I’d like to report someone for bigamy.” Police sirens, I realized, had started wailing from the dock. The romantic, beautiful proposal scene instantly plunged into dead silence and chaos the moment the police rushed in. Chapter Two The police officers took my marriage certificate, verified it, and then looked sharply at the man on stage. “Mr. Caldwell, this lady has presented a valid marriage certificate, accusing you of bigamy. Please cooperate with us and return to the station to assist with the investigation.” The surroundings immediately erupted in whispers. The guests’ murmurs surged like a tide. “Chloe Hayes must be crazy, right? How could she have Mr. Caldwell’s marriage certificate?” “It must be fake, right? How could Mr. Caldwell marry her?” Rachel clutched Liam’s suit lapel, sobbing, “Liam, I’m scared… How could Chloe do this to us?” Liam patted her back, then turned to stare at me, his tone flat, as if looking at a stranger. “Officers, this lady is my wife’s sister. She’s been working long hours and hasn’t been mentally well, suffering from severe delusions.” He pointed to the certificate in my hand. “This marriage certificate is one she fabricated herself. You can easily verify it with the official system.” He said it so confidently, so calmly. His cold words felt like a blunt knife tearing at my heart. I looked at the man I had loved for three years, and a chill ran from my toes to the top of my head. “Liam, look me in the eyes and say that again.” I dug my nails into my palms, determined not to show any weakness. “Our three-year marriage was just a delusion?” “Enough! You disgraceful spectacle!” A furious roar rang out. A sharp pain shot across my cheek. My biological father, Martin Hayes, had rushed over at some point and slapped me hard. The force of it made my head snap to the side, and a trickle of blood immediately seeped from the corner of my mouth. “Today is Rachel’s engagement ceremony. Why do you have to choose today to cause a scene? Are you only satisfied if you ruin your sister’s happiness?” Martin Hayes pointed a trembling finger at my nose, red with rage. Wiping sweat from his brow, he handed his business card to the police officers, forcing a smile. “I apologize, officers, this is all a misunderstanding. We’ll take her home now and discipline her strictly. We won’t waste public resources.” Before I could react, two Hayes Group security guards rushed forward, roughly twisted my arms behind my back. A sickening pop as my shoulder dislocated, and excruciating pain shot through me. I bit down hard, refusing to utter a sound. Martin Hayes snatched my marriage certificate from the police officer’s hand and, in front of everyone, ripped it to shreds with a loud riiiip. Red paper confetti scattered across the floor, looking like an absurd funeral. All this time, Liam merely watched, cold-eyed. He didn’t even say a single word on my behalf. Instead, he meticulously wiped away Rachel’s tears and gently cooed, “Be good, Rachel. I’ll take you to the hospital for a check-up first. Don’t hurt yourself.” The Maybach sped off. Martin Hayes shot me a look of disgust and waved his hand. “Drag her home. Unless she’s taught a lesson, she won’t know who’s really in charge of Hayes Group.” Chapter Three The air in the house was thick with the damp smell of incense and the musty scent of rotting wood. The sound of the belt whipping against my back grew heavier with each strike. I bit down hard, my nails digging into the flesh of my palms, refusing to make a single sound. Cold sweat mixed with blood quickly soaked through the back of my black dress. It wasn’t until he had broken the second belt that Martin Hayes finally stopped, breathing heavily. He threw the belt to the ground in disgust, taking a hot towel from the maid to wipe his hands. “Stubborn and disobedient, no amount of beating seems to get through to her.” He spat. “Lock the door. No water, no medicine for her. Let her reflect properly in here.” The door slammed shut, plunging the house into a deathly silence. I slumped weakly onto the cold stone floor, my back burning as if on fire, my consciousness beginning to dim. I don’t know how much time passed before the heavy door was pushed open again. A faint beam of light shone in, and the sound of footsteps on the floor grew closer. I struggled to open my eyes and saw Liam standing over me. He had changed into casual clothes and carried a white medical kit. He knelt, and his long fingers reached for my bloodied back, his brow slightly furrowed. I managed to gather my strength and abruptly shifted backward, avoiding his touch. “Does it hurt?” He sighed, a rare trace of tenderness in his voice. “Chloe, you were too impulsive. What good did causing a scene at an event like that do you?” I forced a smile. My throat was as dry as if I’d been swallowing sand. “So, Mr. Caldwell himself has come to play peacemaker. I suppose this beating was worth it.” Liam’s eyes darkened. He took a document from his briefcase and handed it to me. Hayes Group Share Voluntary Waiver and Transfer Agreement. “Sign this,” Liam’s tone was unequivocal. “Rachel’s heart isn’t well; she was startled on the cruise ship today and almost fainted at the hospital just now.” I looked at the agreement, feeling nothing but absurdity. “She almost fainted, so you want to take away the Hayes Group shares my mother left me, just to make her happy?” “Chloe, you’re capable. Even if you lose everything, you can still make your mark in the industry.” Liam tried to persuade me earnestly. “But Rachel, without me and without Hayes Group, she can’t survive. If you give her the shares, she can secure her position at Hayes Group.” “This is also for your own good. If you sign, I guarantee you’ll live comfortably for the rest of your life. We can… still be like before.” He even tried to take my hand. Looking at his handsome but utterly hypocritical face, tears finally streamed down my face, mixing with the bloodstains. “Liam, for three years, you said we were secretly married for the inheritance, and I believed you. You said you wanted me to be your invisible strategist behind the scenes, and I did it.” “And what’s the result? You’re taking my achievements to elevate Rachel, and now you want to strip me of my last possession to provide for the love of your life?” I laughed, a desolate, piercing sound. “What if I don’t sign?” Liam stood up, looking down at me. The fleeting tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by the cold ruthlessness of a businessman. “Chloe, in this family, no one will stand by you.” He turned and left, the door slamming shut. The deafening sound of the closing door shattered my last illusions about him. Chapter Four The next morning, the door was roughly pushed open by a maid. I was dragged out of the house. When I returned to my second-floor bedroom, the hallway was piled high with my books and clothes. Inside the room, several workers were busy. Liam stood in the center of the room, directing the workers, “Paint this wall pink. Replace the bed with a custom soft mattress. Rachel has a bad back; she can’t handle hard surfaces.” I endured the searing pain in my back and rushed to block the workers. “Liam! This is my room!” Liam blocked me with one hand, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with impatience. “Rachel just got out of the hospital. The doctor said she needs the room with the best lighting, and yours is the only south-facing one in the villa. Be good, don’t always argue with her over such trivial matters.” “Trivial matters?” I pointed to the mess on the floor. “This is my home! Am I to be thrown out like a dog the moment she returns?” “Take Chloe Hayes away. Don’t let her hold up the workers.” Liam didn’t even bother to spare me another glance. Two burly men easily hoisted me up and threw me out the villa’s front gate. I walked the streets, feeling completely lost. The cold wind blew, and the scabs on my back wounds, which had started to heal, re-opened as they stuck to my clothes, making me tremble uncontrollably. When I came to my senses, I was standing downstairs from the investment company I had founded myself. But when I tried to use my employee badge to open the access gate, the turnstile flashed red frantically. The receptionist, a young woman, walked over awkwardly, gulping nervously. “Miss Hayes, Mr. Caldwell issued a notice this morning under the board’s name. You’ve been suspended.” “What’s the reason?” I stared intently at her. “The reason is… leaking commercial secrets, and unstable mental state, making you unsuitable to continue in a management position.” I pushed her aside and, ignoring their protests, rushed towards the general manager’s office. Through the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw Rachel, dressed in a designer power suit, sitting in what used to be my chair. Liam stood behind her, gently holding her hand as she signed a document. Rachel seemed to sense something and turned, seeing me standing outside the door. Her hand trembled, and the hot coffee she was holding instantly spilled onto the desk, splashing her hand. “Ah! So hot!” she cried out. Liam’s expression changed drastically. He immediately grabbed her hand, blew on it, then sharply turned, his eyes like daggers through the glass, piercing me. I pushed the door open, a cold laugh escaping my lips. “Liam, you’re putting someone who can’t even read a financial report in this position. Are you trying to ruin Hayes Group, or are you trying to destroy my life’s work?” Liam continued to meticulously wipe Rachel’s hand with a wet wipe, then spoke coldly, “Rachel has great talent. She just needs a chance to prove herself. Chloe, have you forgotten even the most basic rules now?” Rachel huddled in Liam’s arms, her eyes red, her voice as fragile as a small white flower in a storm. “Chloe Hayes, I know you look down on me. But I’ll try hard to learn… Liam says I’m smart, I won’t disappoint him…” Just then, Martin Hayes entered the office with several security guards. “Enough! Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment? Throw her out! Don’t let her step foot in this building again!” The security personnel roughly grabbed my arms and dragged me out. In the struggle, my bag fell to the floor, its contents scattering everywhere. A delicate blue velvet box rolled out, conspicuously gleaming on the polished marble floor. Inside it was the engagement ring Liam had given me three years ago. Liam’s gaze lingered on the box for a moment, his expression complex, but in the end, he said nothing, merely holding Rachel tighter. Under everyone’s gaze, I was thrown out of the Hayes Group building like a madwoman. My knees scraped against the hard concrete, instantly drawing blood. I propped myself up, looking up just in time to see the Hayes Group news conference being broadcast live on the giant LED screen outside the building. On the screen, Liam, with Rachel in his arms, faced countless flashing lights, his spirits high. “I am proud to announce that Miss Rachel Snow will officially assume the role of Executive President of Hayes Tech. The highly anticipated AI project was, in fact, Rachel’s original idea; she is the true soul behind our team.” I looked at Rachel’s bashful face on the screen, and in my chest, it felt as if the last flicker of warmth in my heart died out. That project, it was a plan I had devised after researching countless documents. Now, it had become her stepping stone to success. Chapter Five Dragging my injured leg, I walked through half a block of hotels, only to be met with apologetic glances from the front desk staff. “I’m sorry, Miss Hayes, your ID shows it’s been suspended in the system, so we can’t process your check-in.” “All your bank cards have been frozen. The system indicates you are a high-risk credit client.” I clutched the invalidated cards in my hand and sat down on a street bench. The cold rain soon soaked my hair. I couldn’t help but let out a low laugh, tears streaming uncontrollably. Liam, ever so thorough. He didn’t need to physically break my leg; he just needed to sever all my financial resources and identity from society. He was sure that once I had nowhere left to turn, I would eventually come back begging him. A black Maybach slowly pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Liam’s handsome, yet nauseating, face. “Get in,” he uttered, two cold words. I didn’t move. Liam pushed open the car door and, without a word, shoved me into the passenger seat, locking the door. The car sped away, driving into a high-end, secluded private apartment complex. Inside, he poured a glass of hot water and placed it in front of me, his tone finally softening a bit. “Chloe, as long as you don’t appear in front of Rachel and upset her, this will be your home from now on. I’ll transfer money to your account annually, enough for you to live very comfortably.” He sat beside me, reaching out to stroke my cold, damp cheek, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. “We had something special, Chloe. Besides the title, I can give you anything.” The nausea in my stomach surged to the top of my head in that instant. I violently grabbed his hand and, with all my strength, bit down hard! My teeth sank into his flesh, blood instantly spread, and my mouth was filled with the metallic taste of blood. Liam cried out in pain and instinctively threw me off. I crashed into the hard stone table, hitting my forehead hard, and blood streamed down my temple. “Liam, you sicken me.” I spat out the blood, staring intently at him. “Don’t forget, those project proposals, they all contain my…” Liam clutched his bleeding hand, his eyes turning stone cold in an instant. “Chloe Hayes, are you threatening me?” Seizing the opportunity while he turned to the bathroom to tend to his injury, I grabbed my bag and, fighting off dizziness, rushed out of the apartment. I ran wildly into the nearest all-night internet cafe, my hands trembling as I opened a computer and logged into my private cloud. However, before I could send the backup of my original proposal to the industry regulatory authorities, the screen suddenly went black without warning. Immediately after, my phone vibrated, and I received a text message from an unknown number: “Don’t waste your effort.” A bottomless despair swallowed me whole. Before I could catch my breath, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded from the internet cafe entrance. Several uniformed police officers walked in, and cold silver handcuffs were directly clasped onto my wrists. “Chloe Hayes, you are suspected of embezzling Hayes Group’s commercial secrets and misappropriating five million dollars. Please come with us to assist with the investigation.” Chapter Six In the interview room. Liam watched me through the thick bulletproof glass, his expression indifferent. “Rachel is currently negotiating a major project with a top European venture capital firm; it’s crucial for her to secure her position as CEO of Hayes Group.” His voice came through the intercom, cold and ruthless. “At this critical juncture, neither Hayes Group nor Caldwell Enterprises can afford any scandals.” “Chloe, if you sign this voluntary confession, admitting that the five million was a personal misappropriation unrelated to the company, I will arrange for legal counsel to get you a suspended sentence. You won’t actually go to jail.” I clutched the phone tightly, my nails almost digging marks into it, tears streaming down my face. “For her future, for her reputation, you want to completely destroy my life?” “Liam, in your eyes, am I just meant to be a stepping stone?” Liam avoided my gaze. He looked at my disheveled appearance, and a fleeting struggle flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by coldness. “Rachel is fragile and can’t handle stress. You’ve always been strong, Chloe. You can get through this setback.” I’m strong, so I deserve to suffer. She’s fragile, so she can climb to success on my blood and bones. “I won’t confess to something I didn’t do!” I gritted my teeth, enunciating each word. Liam said nothing, merely pulled a photograph from his pocket and pressed it against the glass. In the photo was my best friend, Sarah Miller. She stood in front of her flower shop, while several uniformed fire and tax officials were posting eviction notices. “I know you’re not afraid of anything, Chloe.” Liam’s voice was devoid of emotion. “But I also know that Sarah’s flower shop is her family’s entire livelihood. I hear the fire department and tax office have been very strict lately. If they find any problems, not only will the shop be shut down, but people might also go to jail for a few years.” “And that old villa your grandmother left you, I hear it’s scheduled for demolition soon…” All my strength drained out of me in that instant. I slowly slid down the glass, kneeling clumsily on the floor. I could gamble with my own life, but I couldn’t bear the thought of the only person who was good to me having her life ruined because of my persistence. I closed my eyes, letting the warm tears flow into my mouth, bitter and astringent. “I’ll confess. I’ll do whatever you say.” A flicker of satisfaction crossed Liam’s face. “Tomorrow night is Hayes Group’s charity gala. You need to publicly apologize to Rachel and admit that you did these foolish things out of jealousy.” The next evening, I was bailed out of jail and taken directly to the event. I wore dirty, somewhat torn clothes, my hair disheveled, my face as pale as a ghost. On stage, Rachel, in a white designer gown adorned with tiny diamonds, looked like an untouched angel, holding Liam’s arm, basking in everyone’s admiration. A spotlight suddenly shone on me without warning. Whispers erupted, surging like a tidal wave. “Is that the older sister who embezzled money?” “I heard she was jealous of her sister and even made a false police report on the cruise ship.” “How shameless, she looks so scheming.” Martin Hayes walked onto the stage, his face filled with sorrow. “It’s a family disgrace, having such a disobedient daughter. But after all, she is blood. If she is willing to sincerely repent today, we are willing to give her one last chance.” Liam walked up to me and handed me a pre-written confession. I took the paper with trembling hands. Every word on it was designed to crush my dignity, my backbone, beneath the heel of a shoe. “I am a sinner. I was jealous of my sister. I coveted wealth.” I numbly read the last word, and the ballroom fell silent. Liam looked down at me, an almost imperceptible hint of coercion in his eyes. “An apology requires the right attitude.” Everyone’s gaze pierced me like needles. Rachel’s eyes held a triumphant gleam, and Martin Hayes’ face was cold. I looked at the man I had loved for ten years, feeling as if a hideous monster stood before me. Thump. My knees hit the cold, hard marble floor with a heavy thud. I knelt before Rachel. In that moment, I heard the sound of my backbone breaking. But in my heart, I also etched their names, stroke by stroke. Every single one of you who made me kneel, in the future, I will make you kneel and return it all.
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