Ashton Vance and I had been locked in a vicious dance for six long years. He drove my mother to a fall that left her paralyzed, and I leaked classified info, watching his empire crumble. Everyone believed we were destined to torment each other for an eternity. When we met again, he had already risen from the ashes, effortlessly fielding questions from reporters. “Remember back in college, we all said we’d find love by 18, marry by 25, and have a kid before 28? Ashton, which step are you on now?” “I’m almost engaged.” “Wow, you’re the fastest one here then!” I twirled the ring on my left hand. Actually, I’d completed all three steps. The girl who walked in was Ashton’s fiancée. She was young, beautiful, and incredibly polite. After nodding to each of us, she settled into the seat beside Ashton. He didn’t spare her a glance, his eyes fixated on me instead. I could feel the probing gazes from everyone around us. A few years back, the drama between Ashton and me had been public knowledge. I picked up my bag, ready to leave. The two people beside me, though, clearly thought I was about to storm the stage and claw that girl’s face off. They instinctively held me back. I raised an eyebrow at them. “Uh, haha, Anya, where are you going?” “Restroom.” “Oh, haha, okay.” They forced out awkward laughs and sat back down. As I left, I could still hear their hushed whispers. “Two years, and Anya’s mellowed out a lot.” “Seriously, she almost scared me to death. With her old temper, she would’ve totally scratched his little fiancée’s face, right?” “Still can’t get over it after two years, huh? Saw his fiancée and had to bolt.” “Since there’s no trouble, tell them to dismiss the security guards.” It wasn’t until I stepped outside that I saw the two rows of bodyguards standing at the door. They looked a little tense when they saw me. The one in charge touched his earpiece, then led the others away. I sat on the outdoor lawn, calling my daughter. She was telling me a new story she’d learned that day. Ashton’s interview also moved outside. We always found each other in a crowd, instantly. “Mr. Vance, what would you like to say to the person who caused your bankruptcy back then?” He let out a light chuckle, looking at the camera. “I saw her today. Her eyes are still as beautiful as ever. If I get the chance, I’d love to personally gouge them out and make them into a necklace for my fiancée.” Everyone present was shocked by his words. It was just another brutal jab, barely a ripple in the ocean of hatred we’d swam in for six years. “Did you take any revenge back then?” “Does crippling her mother count?” I swirled my wine glass, watching a children’s story on my phone, calmly coaxing my daughter. My indifferent attitude clearly infuriated Ashton. Or perhaps, between us, no reason was needed; we simply wished each other dead. Ashton sat beside me, one finger pressing down on my phone. He glanced at it and snickered. “Maybe some zen meditation music would suit you better.” Ashton turned to the person behind him, introducing her. “Willow, this is Anya, our class president from college.” Willow Reed smiled sweetly, extending her hand to me. “Anya, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Willow Reed, Ashton’s fiancée.” Just as they were all expecting a dramatic scene from me, I simply said, light as a feather, “Hello.”
Ashton narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see straight through me. Then he sneered dismissively, thinking I was overacting. Ashton went off for his interview, and Willow took my hand. “You’re so beautiful, Anya. I heard Ashton’s ex-girlfriend of six years is here today too. Do you know who it is?” I didn’t bother to guess if she was being genuine or not. I pulled my hand away, wiping it on a napkin with a hint of my usual fastidiousness. “Sorry, I’m a bit of a germaphobe.” Willow lowered her head, her face flushing with embarrassment. “Anya, who are you trying to fool? You’ve been trash since college, and two years later, you’re still putting on the same act.” Zachary Vance sprawled carelessly in the seat opposite me. “Zachary, don’t say that. Anya isn’t that kind of person.” “Willow, you’ve only met her once, and she’s already fooled you. I’ve known her for six years! If it wasn’t for her, how would my brother have gone bankrupt?” “What do you mean?” “Willow, you still don’t get it? She’s my brother’s trashy ex-girlfriend.” Zachary provocatively blew a bubble of gum in my direction. I blocked it with my bag, then stood up and slammed the bag into Zachary’s face. “Anya! What the hell was that for! Do you think I’m like you? I’m Zachary Vance, the second young master of the Vance family! Who are you to lay a hand on me? Believe it or not, my brother will chop off your fingers!” “Your Vance family means nothing to me. If I can make him go bankrupt once, I can make him go bankrupt twice.” The sudden confrontation completely derailed their interview. Ashton rushed back. I looked down at the gum stain on my white bag. I have a germaphobia. I held up the bag, looking at the person in front of me. “One hundred thousand.” “You’re still asking my brother for such a small amount of money? Are you doing this on purpose? Looks like you haven’t been doing so well these past two years, but your flirting skills have definitely improved.” I picked up the bag to hit him again, but Ashton grabbed my wrist. “What was the last thing you said?” “One hundred thousand.” “The one before that.” I thought for a moment. I wasn’t sure if that was the line he wanted. But since he wanted to hear it, fine. “If I can make him go bankrupt once, I can make him go bankrupt twice.” Ashton smiled. It was the first genuine smile he’d shown all evening. “I like you better when you’re not pretending.” I yanked my hand free, my arm frozen mid-swing. But he actually leaned his face closer. “If that hand lands, I’ll make sure your mother is paralyzed from the waist up too.” I found it disgusting and hadn’t intended to hit him, but as soon as he said that, my palm connected firmly with his face. Zachary charged forward first. “You actually hit him! Are you f*cking insane?” He squeezed my neck, and I yanked his hair. A clear glass stool smashed against Zachary, blood streaming from his head. I picked up a glass shard and slashed Ashton’s arm. Ashton, with sheer brute force, shoved me into the pool. We fought, disgracefully, in a tangled mess. “I heard you’ve been taking care of your mother these past two years. Must be tough, right? How about I help you stage an accident? That way, you won’t have to be tired anymore.” “Your eyes are truly beautiful. Gouging them out to propose to Willow would be magnificent.” I didn’t have as much to say as him. My gaze fixed on his chest, and I plunged the knife in. I wanted to see him squirm, to stubbornly try and act tough. Then tremble and beg me to push harder. But the imagined scene didn’t happen. Willow stepped in front of him. Blood bloomed on her white dress. “Vent your rage on me if you’re crazy, but why hurt her! Don’t you know she has a bleeding disorder?” I twisted the knife harder. “Now I do.” “Anya! Don’t you dare involve family!” “Oh, so my mother deserved to be paralyzed?”
I mercilessly shoved Willow into the pool. Then I wiped the blood from the knife onto Ashton’s shirt. The sudden turn of events stunned everyone; no one dared to intervene. Ashton called me a lunatic, but in his eyes, there was clearly more than just anger—there was a flicker of excitement. “Crazy?” “Isn’t this what you wanted?” From the moment I stepped into this gathering, he had been provoking me. Ashton and I had been fighting for so long, I’d even forgotten what it was like when we loved each other. On the day Ashton proposed, I sold his company’s confidential documents. On the day I agreed to marry him, he had someone disconnect my mother’s oxygen tank. On the day of the car accident, when he was being flown overseas for treatment. He was hooked up to countless tubes. Seeing me arrive, he tore off his oxygen mask and savagely bit my lips. “Anya, if I die, in our next life, will you marry me? Let’s not torture each other anymore, okay?” He slowly collapsed from lack of oxygen, and I watched his hopeful eyes as I shook my head. “There is no next life for us.” At the hospital, Ashton rolled up his sleeves. “Our blood types match. Take mine. If it’s not enough, take it all.” By the time he emerged from the blood donation room, he was swaying. He pressed on my shoulders, desperate to prove himself. “Anya, did you see? I know how to love someone.” “Bro, you’ve given too much blood, you’re not thinking straight. Bro, let me help you.” Ashton pushed Zachary away. “Get lost!” “I’m perfectly clear-headed.” He looked at me again. “Did you see? I’ve learned how to love. I can pick anyone and love them deeply! Don’t you understand?” Red and blue police lights flashed across our faces. I pushed him towards Zachary. I’m a germaphobe, so I patted down the spot where he’d touched me. “The police are here. Time for statements. I’ll pay for her medical expenses.” “Anya, I’m begging you first. Let’s just let each other go.” I didn’t answer him. I had already let him go two years ago. At the police station, we were put in separate interrogation rooms. After giving my statement, I just sat there. The murmuring from the room next door grew louder. “Bro, you can fool others, but you can’t fool me, right? This is another one of your new tricks, isn’t it? You know she won’t marry you, so you insist on marrying her just to spite her.” “What about Willow then? Oh, right, Willow is so obedient, she’d be willing to be your mistress.” “I’m serious. But until she agrees, I won’t break up with Willow. She’s young; telling her suddenly would be too much for her to handle.” “Bro, what if Anya hears us?” After a long silence, Ashton’s voice finally came through. “If she heard, she’d storm in and slap each of us without hesitation. Since she hasn’t, it means she can’t hear.” I found it amusing. I lowered my head and made a call. “Hey, come pick me up.” Within ten minutes, a police officer called my name. “Anya, your family is here to pick you up.” “Okay, thank you.” “You can leave after signing these.” I walked out of the room, passing theirs. Zachary chuckled and asked, “Family? Doesn’t she only have her mother? And isn’t her mother paralyzed?” “Must be a friend.” Zachary suddenly couldn’t resist, opening the door with a laugh. “Officer, who came to pick up Anya just now?”
“What’s it to you? Get back in.” “Oh, come on, Officer, don’t be like that~” Zachary stood on his tiptoes, peering around the corridor corner. “Huh, I don’t see Anya, but I do see a kid.” “Bro, Dad’s here to pick us up. Should we go out and take a look?” “Besides friends, what other family does she have in this city? Let’s just go home. We have a meeting with the Hayes family tomorrow about a collaboration.” Leaving the police station, Dominic Hayes opened the car door for me. “How did a gathering turn into a trip to the police station?” My daughter, in the backseat, flailed her arms excitedly. “Fighting bad guys, of course! Ha! Mommy is super awesome!” I reached back and ruffled her hair. “I’ll tell you all about it when we get home.” Dominic glanced at me. “I knew you couldn’t keep your temper in check. I should have gone with you.” “It’s fine.” Dominic suddenly remembered something. “Will Ashton be at the Hayes family dinner tomorrow?” “Probably. Didn’t Jocelyn say you have a project to discuss?” Dominic tapped his control panel and called Jocelyn Day. “Mr. Hayes.” “Is the Hayes family collaborating with the Vance family?” “Yes, Ashton Vance’s main purpose for returning to the country this time was to connect with the Hayes family. It was a small project, so I didn’t report it to you.” “From now on, I want all updates on Ashton Vance immediately. And reschedule my appointments for tomorrow to the dinner.” “Understood, Mr. Hayes.” I sighed. “You focus on your work.” “He’s still an ex-boyfriend, after all. I’m actually quite interested in meeting him.” “Alright. Did you see the message I sent you earlier?” “Yes. I had Jocelyn contact the hospital for the bill, but the person has already been discharged.” “Discharged?” I knew how deep that knife went. Even on an adult man, it would have been severe. Let alone a frail young girl. But it was her choice; no one could stop her. I didn’t dwell on it. Dominic also handled the news scandal from the daytime. I slept soundly that night. The next day, Jocelyn picked up Daisy for a photoshoot. Dominic had an emergency at the office. I stayed home, changing clothes. These past two years, to manage my emotions, I’d been doing calming activities at home. Like painting, flower arranging, brewing tea. Or playing piano, doing some design work. So I rarely went out. If Dominic was coming today, it would be our first public outing together. So I dressed a little more elegantly. I wore a bright red mermaid-style dress. Upon arriving at the venue, Dominic Hayes’ imposing bodyguards finally reacted. “Madam.” “Tell Mr. Hayes to find me when he arrives.” “Yes, Madam. Please watch your step.” The moment I entered, I attracted a lot of attention. “Who is that? What a grand entrance. Even Old Mr. Thompson’s bodyguards wouldn’t bat an eye when he arrived at the Hayes mansion, so why are they holding an umbrella and opening doors for *her*?” “I’m always in the wives’ circle, and she’s certainly pretty, but I’ve never seen her before.” “Look, not a single drop of rain on her, and I’m wearing ten-centimeter heels and my feet are soaked.” “Looks like Dominic’s security plays favorites based on appearances!” It was raining quite heavily outside. The wives and gentlemen all watched me, complaining with dissatisfaction. They didn’t know that if even a single drop touched my dress, they would face severe consequences. “Ms. Anya, Mr. Vance requests your presence.” I glanced at Ashton Vance in the corner table; he raised his glass to me. Several bodyguards, hands clasped behind their backs, stood before me, blocking my path. They didn’t know that this simple act of blocking the door nearly triggered a level-one security alert. I gave a reassuring look to the bodyguard captains on the second floor. Then I sat on the sofa opposite Ashton. “You look beautiful today.” Willow Reed was beside him. She’d been discharged from the hospital, still looking pale and sickly. “What an entrance you made. To be here, it seems I underestimated you these past two years.” “Do I really need your approval?” He smiled, pouring me a drink. “Dressing so beautifully and heading straight to the second floor… what, trying to land a big fish? The second floor… let me guess your target: The Thompsons? The Montgomerys?” Ashton was sharp, quick to read the room. “Neither? Tsk. Then it must be the Hayes family, right?” When I remained silent, he overfilled the glass, spilling wine. Willow winced in pain, raising her hand to take the bottle from him, reminding him, “Ashton.” Ashton slammed the bottle heavily onto the table. “How many lives do you have to try and catch such a big fish? Forget the Hayes family; just one of The Thompsons could kill you nine times over. If you don’t have an access pass, going up there could end very badly for you.” “There’s an access pass?” Ashton chuckled contemptuously. “I advise you to stay put and not try anything suicidal in this place.” I crooked a finger at a bodyguard. “Do I need a card to go to the second floor?” The section of bodyguards I pointed at instantly tensed, then bowed in unison towards me. “Wherever you wish to go, no one will dare to stop you.” I waved my hand, motioning for them to return to their duties. I turned back to Ashton’s darkened face. “What exactly is your identity?” “Someone will tell you soon enough.” I picked up my bag and headed to the second floor. As soon as I got upstairs, various executives came forward to toast me. I casually picked up a cup of tea. “My apologies, everyone. I’m not feeling well today, so I can only toast with tea.”
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