That year, when I was twenty, Hayes Holdings plunged into a severe financial crisis. Noah Hayes’s parents tragically died in a car accident on their way to seek help. Everyone was circling Hayes Holdings like vultures, pressuring Noah to hand over all his shares. But it was then, without a second thought, that I broke up with him. “Do you still think you’re the untouchable heir of Hayes Holdings?” Right in front of him, I kissed another man, trampling on his dignity. I even threw the ring he’d lovingly made for me into the sewer. He was utterly heartbroken, devastated beyond words, vowing that I was the one person he’d hate most in this life. Five years later, he climbed back to the top, becoming the driving force behind Hayes Holdings. I saw him at a high-end party, being humiliated. He gripped my face, a sneer on his lips. “Regret it now?” I touched the cancer diagnosis in my pocket, a cold laugh bubbling in my heart. No, no regrets. **1.** To scrape together enough money for surgeries, both for my mom and me, I took every odd job I could find. Today, I was working as a server at a fancy business reception. I was pushing a cart when a woman walking towards me crashed right into it. Red wine splashed all over her dress, and she let out a shriek. “Are you blind, you incompetent server? What are you spilling all over me?” “Do you have any idea how expensive this dress is? You couldn’t pay it off in a lifetime of work!” A sharp, cutting voice pierced through the air. Everyone here was super wealthy, so I couldn’t afford to mess up. I just kept my head down, mumbling apologies. Suddenly, the woman stopped talking. She seemed to recognize me. “Well, well, isn’t it Chloe Davis, the famous campus beauty from college? Look at you now, what a mess you’ve become!” I looked up and finally recognized her face. It was Scarlett Vance. I thought our paths had ended five years ago, never imagining I’d see her again. She crossed her arms, sizing me up from head to toe. “Chloe Davis, look at you now, all broken down. If Noah Hayes saw you, he’d probably be ecstatic, wouldn’t he?” “You know, he absolutely despises you for dumping him for money back then.” Five years later, hearing his name again, my heart still ached. Five years ago, Hayes Holdings faced an unprecedented financial crisis. Noah’s parents died in a car accident, and the company was hanging by a thread. But I, heartlessly, broke up with him. It was pouring rain that day. He knelt downstairs outside my apartment building all night. “Chloe, why are you breaking up with me? We loved each other so much.” I held another man’s hand, leaving Noah to brave the storm. “Noah Hayes, get real. I was only with you because you were the Hayes heir, because you could give me what I wanted.” “But now? You’re nothing. Why are you clinging to me?” He trembled, pulling a bank card from his pocket and pressing it into my hand. I knew it was his last bit of savings, a huge sum he’d meant for our life together. “Chloe, please don’t leave me, okay? Trust me, I’ll give you the happiness you want.” I pulled off the plain band he’d personally crafted for me, throwing it into the sewer right in front of him. “A powerless orphan with nothing, why would I ever trust you?” I kissed another man right in front of him, and then I took that man back home. The lights glowed through the window, revealing two bodies intertwined, moving all night long. Noah screamed in agony downstairs, his grief reaching a breaking point. Finally, he passed out. Later, I heard Scarlett had stayed by his side day and night, helping him through those dark times. With his own efforts and Scarlett’s family’s support, Noah Hayes once again became the head of Hayes Holdings. As Scarlett kept pushing, I couldn’t help but snap back. “If he knew that you were the one who used money to force me away, threatening his future and my mother’s life, who do you think he’d hate then?” At my words, Scarlett’s face instantly darkened. Her eyes turned cold and grim as she squeezed my wrist tightly. “Chloe Davis, if you dare to say anything, I’ll use all my connections to make sure your short-lived mother dies. You know I’m capable of it, you’ve seen my methods.” Oh, I’d definitely seen her methods. Five years ago, she’d had my mom thrown out of the operating room, forcing me to leave Noah. If I hadn’t agreed, my mom probably wouldn’t be alive today. **2.** I turned to leave, but she blocked my way. A glass of icy cold red wine was poured over my head, and then she smashed the glass violently, sending shards scattering. I was a total mess, and everyone around seemed to be enjoying the show. “Trying to run off? Did I say you could leave? Is this how impolite your event staff are?” The manager rushed over, and as a leader, he immediately sided with the customer. Before I could even react, I was forcefully pushed to the ground. My knees landed on the glass shards, instantly turning crimson with blood. “Chloe Davis, apologize to Ms. Vance right now! Do you have a death wish?” The person pushing me down was incredibly strong, and the pain was searing. Then, Noah Hayes walked through the crowd, his voice chilling. “What are you doing?” The moment Noah appeared, my gaze was completely drawn to him. His cold, commanding aura was still so captivating. The man who first made my heart flutter still had that power over me. Noah’s eyes landed on me too, but his expression was terrifyingly cold. Noticing some wine on Scarlett’s dress, he carefully draped his jacket over her shoulders. “Don’t catch a cold.” Scarlett clung to Noah’s arm, her voice sweet and petulant. “Noah, this woman hurt you so much back then, and just now she spilled wine all over me. You don’t mind if I punish her a bit, do you?” Noah’s eyes were icy. He just said, “Whatever makes you happy.” Scarlett seemed to take it as a command. She clapped her hands, and instantly, two cases of red wine were brought out. Then, with a smug smirk, she walked up to me, arms crossed. “Chloe Davis, you service staff, isn’t it all about money for you? I’ll give you a chance. Drink this wine. One glass, I’ll give you ten thousand. However many glasses you drink, that’s how much you get.” Then she pulled a wad of cash from her bag and threw it hard in front of me. I desperately needed the money, but I was allergic to alcohol. Once, I accidentally drank some, and I broke out in a rash all over, ending up in the hospital. Back then, Noah had stayed by my bedside, taking care of me for a full day and night. Scarlett wrapped her arm around Noah’s waist, acting all cozy. “Brother Noah, what do you think of this idea?” Not a trace of concern flickered in Noah’s eyes. “Well, then, Yao Yao, you’d better prepare more money. After all, this woman will do anything for money, let alone drink.” I expected a hint of pain in Noah’s eyes, but there was nothing. But then again, I had hurt him so deeply back then. He probably wished I would die; how could he feel any tenderness for me now? Amidst the cheers of the crowd, someone handed me an opened bottle. My eyes were red. Thinking of my mom’s surgery fees and the next round of chemotherapy, I felt a strange flicker of happiness. Even though I had cancer too, being able to treat my mom’s illness made me happy. I raised the bottle, closed my eyes, and prepared to chug it down. Noah’s handsome, chiseled face flashed before my eyes. He gripped the bottle tightly, his eyes radiating a coldness that sent shivers down my spine. Was he feeling sorry for me? “If you kneel down and beg me, maybe I’ll reconsider.” No, he wasn’t feeling sorry for me. He was just thinking of an even crueler way to humiliate me. I pushed away his hand, which was gripping the bottle, and a faint smile touched my lips. “Thank you, Mr. Hayes, I appreciate your kindness. But I can’t miss this opportunity to make money.” I closed my eyes and forcefully poured the wine down my throat. The liquid burned as it flowed down, my stomach churning as if a storm raged inside. It was a fiery, stinging pain. After just two glasses, I threw up. Every organ in my body felt like it was spasming. But I didn’t stop. I picked up another bottle, my eyes bloodshot. Anyway, I was a dying person. My mom’s treatment still needed money. Mixing tears with wine, I chugged glass after glass. Noah grabbed the bottle again and smashed it violently to the ground, letting out an enraged roar. “Enough!” He squeezed my chin hard. Some of the wine from my stomach came back up, spilling onto his hand. “Chloe Davis, you’re still the same as before. You’ll do anything for money. Take this cash and get out!” A rash instantly spread from my neck. I slumped to the ground, carefully stacking the scattered bills one by one. The glass shards dug into my knees, causing excruciating pain, but I ignored it, limping away from the party. Just then, my phone rang. It was the hospital. **3.** “Ms. Davis, your mother just woke up and is looking for you.” I ignored the pain in my knees and the discomfort in my body. I hailed a cab directly to the hospital. The doctors had been saying my mom wasn’t taking her medicine on time lately, so I was worried and rushed over. Seeing my mom still peacefully lying in bed, I breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as I entered the room, she noticed the blood-stained pants around my knees. Her eyes filled with unconcealed heartache. “Chloe, what happened? Why are you covered in injuries?” I shook my head, assuring her I was fine. But thinking of everything that had just happened, my body began to tremble uncontrollably. A tear plopped onto my mom’s hand. This was the first time I’d ever shown such vulnerability in front of her; I was even stunned myself. I hated myself for being so weak. I thought five years would be enough to make me forget Noah, but it wasn’t. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears, like a broken dam, streamed from my eyes. My throat constricted, and I buried my face by my mom’s bedside, afraid to look into her eyes. “Mom, Noah’s back, and he hates me so much. I’m so miserable.” “He has a girlfriend now, and they’re getting married. He really doesn’t want me anymore.” My mom gently patted my back, her voice soft and full of sorrow. “Chloe, don’t be sad. Some things we just can’t force.” “From the beginning, you two were from different worlds. Now, he’s just returned to his own path.” Yes, she was right. Noah and I were never from the same world. When Hayes Holdings faced turmoil, I could only watch, powerless. The only one who could truly help him was Scarlett. And I was dying soon anyway. A broken, failing body, what right did I have to tell him I loved him? After tucking my mom into bed, I got up to buy her some dinner. The moment I stood, a gush of bright red liquid streamed from my nose. I frantically wiped it away with the back of my hand, terrified my mom would see and her condition would worsen. The doctor walked in with my medical chart, carefully calling me out to the stairwell. “Ms. Davis, your mother’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. If she doesn’t undergo a third surgery soon, I’m afraid her life may be limited.” I took the chart and thanked the doctor. My goal now was to earn money as quickly as possible for my mom’s surgery. I turned to leave, but the doctor called out again. “Ms. Davis, about your own health…” I cut him off, my face calm. “Doctor, I know my own body. No matter what, save my mom first.” “Oh, and please keep this a secret for me. I don’t want my mom to know about this for now.” I knew that with my current financial situation, I couldn’t possibly afford two surgeries. My mom had raised me single-handedly since I was three; she had gone through so much. If she knew about my condition, she would definitely give up on herself and insist on treating me first. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. By the time I finished everything, it was late at night. I dragged my exhausted body towards home. As I walked under a dim streetlamp, a large hand suddenly grabbed me, pulling me into a car. It was too dark to see the person’s face, and an unprecedented fear surged through me. I was terrified, helplessly flailing my arms, trying to push him away. Then, a forceful, yet soft, pair of lips covered mine. When that long, slender hand turned on the interior light, I saw that chiseled, handsome face. It was him? **4.** Noah Hayes. How was he here? Five years had passed, and this kiss felt both familiar and strangely new. My hands were clamped tightly in his, and I couldn’t break free. “Noah Hayes, let go of me, you’re hurting me.” I almost choked out those words. He finally stopped, his bloodshot eyes terrifying. I could feel the hatred radiating from him. My eyes welled up with tears as I stared at him blankly. And I could see the glistening tears in his own bloodshot eyes. He contemptuously pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and slapped it hard against my face. “Still scream when you’re hurt? What, seeing this money makes the pain go away?” So, in Noah’s mind, I was just someone who’d do anything for money. Fine. I was dying anyway. Rather than him feeling guilty and carrying painful memories for the rest of his life, it was better for me to be the villain, for him to hate me forever. I looped my arms around his neck and initiated a kiss. He didn’t refuse, cupping the back of my head, deepening the kiss. His kiss was forceful and dominant, leaving me breathless, yet I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. Just as I was lost in that bittersweet memory, he bit down hard on my lip, drawing a trace of blood. I flinched in pain, pulling my body away from his. There was no love in his eyes, only pure hatred for me. “Chloe Davis, you’re still such a bitch. You’ll do anything for money.” Yeah, what else could I do? I couldn’t bear to watch the mother who raised me die. He balled his fist and punched the car window, with such force that the glass shattered. Seeing him like that, I still stammered out, “Um, can I have the money? My ‘service’ must have been satisfactory, right?” He pulled out another stack of bills and threw it hard at my face. “Get out!” While he was in such pain, my heart ached too. I ignored the throbbing pain from my cancer, carefully stacking the money one bill at a time. But then he noticed the necklace around my neck. He grabbed it, and his eyes suddenly lit up. “Chloe Davis, what’s this? Why do you still have the necklace I gave you?” “Do you… do you still love me? Is there something you can’t tell me?” “Just say yes, and I can forgive everything that happened in the past five years. Or just nod, please?” **5.** As he spoke, his voice cracked with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes. He gripped my shoulders tightly, his gaze full of desperate hope. I gently moved his hands from me, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “Mr. Hayes, you’ve got it wrong. This was a gift from my boyfriend, not from you. My boyfriend is waiting for me at home, so I won’t invite you up.” I scrambled out of his car and ran. The moment I turned away, my tears fell like broken beads. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I didn’t dare look back, afraid that one glance would make me soft. Noah Hayes, please leave. I, Chloe Davis, don’t deserve you. You deserve so much better. **6.** The next day, I got a call from my best friend, Maya. We’d been inseparable since childhood, so she knew my family situation pretty well. She felt incredibly sorry for me, and as soon as she heard about an art competition, she immediately told me.
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