“Ma’am, if we terminate the technology license, Hayes Enterprises might… go bankrupt.” I paused, applying lipstick, and scoffed. “It’s getting cold. Use Hayes Enterprises’ money to buy winter clothes for all the orphans in the country.” Assistant Liam was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the usually sweet little philanthropist, the ‘innocent do-gooder’ he knew, to suddenly go dark, aiming straight for their total ruin. “Hayes Enterprises lacks morality. Helping them do good deeds and balance the scales, that’s incredibly generous of you, Ma’am!” I touched the necklace at my throat, my eyes icy. “I want to see him go from Brighton’s wealthiest man to a beggar within a month.” Just yesterday, I was happily decorating our wedding home. But a message from my father hit me like a bucket of cold water, dousing my sweet dreams. “That playboy hasn’t changed for you, sweetheart. Brandon Hayes has fooled you! He bought the Wildwood Estate as a wedding home for another woman. Go see for yourself.” At the time, I thought Dad was lying. My emotion-detecting necklace around my neck had been glowing steadily. The data showed Brandon Hayes liked me. To prove Dad wrong, I went anyway. But what I saw shattered my innocence. I saw Brandon Hayes, the man who was supposed to become my husband in a month, with his arm around a beautiful woman’s waist, intimately discussing their love nest. “Serena, all the furniture is in your favorite style. I personally oversaw the selection. Are you happy?” Serena King snuggled into his arms. “You came to check in daily, of course it’s exactly to my liking.” Tears instantly welled up in my eyes. Brandon had never once visited the wedding home he was supposed to share with me. He’d only sent a designer, telling me to decorate it however I liked. It turned out he felt his plan was nearing completion, and he couldn’t even bothered to pretend anymore. Serena suddenly sighed. “Brandon, do you think we can get past your mom?” Brandon’s voice was doting. “My mom dislikes you because you’re a celebrity. She thinks you’re marrying me for money.” “Now I’m marrying an orphan who lives off odd jobs. In comparison, you instantly become the ideal candidate in my mom’s eyes.” Serena rolled her eyes playfully in annoyance. “Only a month left. Why don’t you tell your mom now?” Brandon lowered his head and kissed her. “No rush. It’ll be safer to wait until the wedding day, when my mom has no other choice.” Serena sounded a little uneasy. “But what if that woman causes a scene at the wedding?” Brandon chuckled dismissively. “Aubrey is just an orphan girl. I can just pay her off with a bit of money.” “What if… she doesn’t want the money?” Serena pressed. “Then I have leverage on her. She won’t be able to cause any trouble.” Leverage? I remembered a few days ago, in the bathroom. Brandon had held me by the waist from behind. I’d glimpsed him holding his phone in the mirror… It felt like a lightning strike. My heart was repeatedly pierced by countless fine needles, a pain that left me breathless. I thought I had tamed Brighton’s notorious playboy, making countless people envious. It turned out this love miracle was nothing but a meticulously staged act by Brandon to pave the way for his beloved. I peered closer. Brandon was still wearing the “True Love Ring” on his hand. That smart ring, capable of detecting true emotional fluctuations, was a pair with the True Heart Necklace around my neck. I had spent two years developing it, designed to determine if someone was truly falling for another. Tens of thousands of couples had passed its True Heart Test, and the data showed Brandon liked me. Or rather, he liked my fake identity: Aubrey, the orphan girl. But what was all this in front of me? I never imagined that in Brandon’s heart, I wasn’t even a stand-in. At most, I was just cannon fodder. … “And Liam, put the True Heart project on hold.” Assistant Liam grew anxious. “Ma’am, this is two years of your hard work! The marketing department estimates it could reach hundreds of millions in scale once launched.” “Even if we don’t give it to Hayes Enterprises, we can sell it ourselves!” I unclasped the still-glowing necklace, scoffed, and pressed the power button. “It can’t even accurately measure the feelings of its own developer. Should we sell it and let people laugh at us?” The physiological detection of technology, how could it truly measure the human heart? I had been foolishly optimistic. From the 70th-floor window, the bright sunlight couldn’t penetrate my gloomy heart. I vaguely recalled my first encounter with Brandon three years ago. It was also a day of perfect sunshine. Fresh out of college, I came to Brighton to meet up with my pen pals from the orphanage. A little girl ran into the middle of the road. I rushed to scoop her up. Suddenly, a large truck sped toward us. I, holding the child, was completely frozen with fear. By the time I came to my senses, I was already back at the orphanage, carried by someone. It was Brandon Hayes who saved me. He was kneeling, carefully applying ointment to the little girl’s scrapes. He teased the little girl for being clumsy, his sharp, chiseled features breaking into a wild, uninhibited smile, exuding a playful swagger, yet inadvertently revealing a hint of tenderness. After treating the little girl’s wound, Brandon pulled a lollipop from his pocket and offered it to her, ruffling her hair. “Don’t run off like that again.” He noticed my gaze, walked up to me, and conjured another lollipop, handing it over. “What, big girl, do you want me to put ointment on your scrapes too? That’ll cost you, you know~” My gaze followed the lollipop upwards. The man’s rugged, sharp features looked especially tender and lingering in the twilight glow. In that moment, my heart was struck by Cupid’s arrow. I wanted to stay in Brighton. When my father found out, he strongly objected. He investigated Brandon Hayes, saying he was Brighton’s notorious playboy, constantly partying and surrounded by countless women. But I deeply believed that the Brandon Hayes who would selflessly save someone at the orphanage was his true self.
It took three days of begging on my knees for my father to relent, setting a three-year pact. If, within three years, I could make Brandon Hayes “a changed man,” he wouldn’t interfere anymore. But Mr. Harrington required me to hide my true identity while dating Brandon Hayes. I gave up the opportunity to study with a global top-tier research team, betting everything on this life-altering game. When Brandon Hayes proposed to ‘Aubrey,’ the orphan, I thought I had won. Little did I know, my experience was more bizarre than a fairytale. I was just Cinderella’s cannon fodder stand-in. My phone vibrated. It was Dad calling. I hesitated, then answered. “Dad, I lost.” His steady voice came through. “Aubrey, why don’t you consider Julian Thorne?” I froze. I was a tech geek, not skilled in business operations, and an only child. Dad had always wanted a capable and reputable son-in-law to take over the Harrington family empire. Julian Thorne, whose leg was injured in a car accident at twenty, and whose family went bankrupt, had, over ten years, single-handedly led the Thorne family back from the brink to its former glory, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Harringtons. He was the ideal son-in-law in Dad’s eyes. “I agree to the arranged marriage with Julian Thorne, but after the wedding, I want to join a top-secret research institute.” I never wanted to experience any more of this bullshit love. I just wanted to have a baby to inherit Harrington Corp. With a capable team managing the Harrington Group, I could focus entirely on my research. That afternoon, at the Harrington subsidiary, I signed the documents to terminate the technology license with Hayes Enterprises. These were all Harrington Corp projects Brandon’s company had won because I, unbeknownst to him, ghostwrote their proposals as a favor to his business department. In two years, these projects had boosted Hayes Enterprises’ wealth from the third tier in Brighton to the very top. I had meticulously planned a future where Brandon would stand beside me, yet he trampled my true feelings into the mud. Just then, Brandon called, asking why I hadn’t gone to the bridal shop. He didn’t give me time to react, ordering me to be there in twenty minutes. I wanted to get back the smart ring I had made with my own hands and end things definitively. I rushed to the bridal shop. I immediately saw Serena King with her arm around Brandon’s shoulder, chatting intimately. I thought of leaving and coming back another day, but a sales assistant spotted me and called out, “Welcome!” Brandon heard it and turned to look at me, his voice tinged with impatience. “How could you forget something as important as trying on wedding dresses?” He knew how important a wedding dress was to a woman, yet he brought Serena along at the same time? Was he trying to flaunt his multiple relationships? Never mind. A wave of heat rushed to my eyes. I turned to leave, but Brandon grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards a display. He gestured for me to look at the dresses, unaware that his subtle wave to Serena, signaling her to go to another section, did not escape my notice. “Aubrey, I was too harsh just now. I’m sorry.” Brandon lowered his head, whispering in my ear and kissing my earlobe ambiguously. “Which one do you like? Don’t worry, money’s no object.” “But don’t pick anything too revealing. I don’t want my darling seen by others.” I looked at Brandon, whose eyes held an unsettling depth of affection, and just thought, his acting really is good. Before we dated, he was a wild playboy, racing cars, chasing women, drinking, and getting into trouble. After we started dating, he transformed into the perfect doting husband, even helping me care for my intellectually disabled sister. He taught her games, patiently repeating instructions even if she didn’t understand the first time. The three of us explored every scenic spot around Brighton, creating countless warm memories and photos. Any friend who wanted to invite him out first had to donate to the Brighton Kindergarten, the place where we first met. Behind his back, I don’t know how many people ridiculed Brandon, calling him ‘Charity Casanova.’ Later, to marry me, he pleaded on his knees for a day and a night for his mother’s consent, his knees raw from the cold… That’s why I had never doubted his sincerity before. My initial motivation for developing the True Love Ring was to understand Brandon better, to know the true joys and sorrows beneath his wild, uninhibited exterior. I had originally planned to license the “True Heart” project’s technology to Brandon after the wedding, to help him start anew and break free from his mother’s control… “Brandon, is this your… fiancée?” As Serena walked over, Brandon’s body stiffened for a second, and he pulled his hand away from mine. That unconscious action pierced my heart. “Hello, I’m Serena King. Brandon’s friend.” Serena’s eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Brandon. “I’m also getting married soon. What a coincidence to run into you two today.” “Beyond coincidence, it’s premeditated.” I blinked innocently. “Just kidding! You’re Brandon’s friend? So you’re also over thirty, like him?” Serena’s smile froze. “I’m younger than him. Just turned thirty.” I smiled innocently. “Oh, so you’re still three years older than me. Nice to meet you, Ms. Serena. I’m Aubrey.” Playing games? I can too.
I asked, as if casually, “What’s your husband’s name, Ms. Serena? Do I know him?” “He…” Serena stammered. She’d just made up a reason to be there and hadn’t prepared a coherent story. Brandon, displeased, said, “Enough, Aubrey. When did you get so gossipy? He’s not someone you need to know.” Right. As an orphan girl, how could I possibly be acquainted with anyone in his social circle? I reined in my smile, my shattered heart bleeding anew. Serena’s expression was odd. She hesitated. “My boyfriend had an urgent matter and couldn’t make it. I have a rather brazen request, Brandon. Could you try on a groom’s suit and help me pick out a wedding dress?” I was about to ask for the ring and leave, but Brandon had already turned and headed to the changing rooms. For the next hour, Serena would change into a dress, link arms with Brandon, and pose in front of the mirror, treating me like I was invisible. The sales assistant kept giving me strange looks. Even outsiders could tell something fishy was going on between them. I felt like a fool, standing there watching their public display of affection. I turned to leave, but a familiar-looking wedding dress caught my attention. I had just pulled up the hem of the wedding dress when Serena appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the other end. “You like this one too? I was just about to try it…” I was about to let go when I heard Brandon say, “Let Serena try it first.” Serena smugly raised an eyebrow at me, then feigned politeness. “Oh, that won’t do. Why don’t we get another one, and we can both try them on at the same time?” I found it ridiculous. “No need. It’s not a beauty pageant or some royal audition. Let’s not make it complicated.” Brandon’s face turned cold. “We’re here to try on wedding dresses. I don’t have time to come a second time.” Even though I was mentally prepared, his sudden cold attitude still stung. He had always spoken to me gently, coaxing me. Was he unable to keep up the pretense now that Serena, his darling, was here? The sales assistant, sensing the tense atmosphere, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “This pure lace style is the only one we have in the store, but we also have a limited edition, fully diamond-encrusted luxury version.” I pulled open a nearby cabinet. A vast array of diamonds sparkled dazzlingly under the lights. “The design is the same. This one is covered in 3S-grade diamonds, costing two million, while the plain one is two hundred thousand.” “This…” Serena looked hesitant, but her feet moved to stand beside the luxury version. Brandon gave the sales assistant a meaningful look. The assistant, recalling the previous scene, immediately understood. “Ms. King has a more striking, sophisticated look, and an elegant demeanor. She suits this diamond wedding dress.” “Ms. Aubrey’s demeanor… would be better suited for this pure lace style.” I didn’t want to make things difficult for the employee, and remembering the video on Brandon’s phone, I decided to try on the dress. When the two of us reappeared before Brandon, he froze. The same cut of wedding dress, on me, looked custom-made, highlighting my clean, innocent aura to the extreme. In contrast, Serena, with her heavy makeup, looked rather gaudy against the backdrop of all those diamonds. “Brandon, who do you think wears it better?” Brandon looked at me, innocent yet seductive, his throat working. “Both are beautiful.” “Don’t just humor us,” Serena continued to act coyly in front of the mirror, completely oblivious to his gaze being fixed on me. I turned my body, avoiding Brandon’s burning gaze. I would never again be moved by his attention. Serena continued to whine. “Tell us honestly, we won’t get mad.” “Naturally, the expensive one is better.” Brandon finished, then turned to me, as if to add something. “It’s okay.” I cut him off. “But we won’t be taking either of these dresses.” The sales assistant grew anxious. “Ms. King, this limited edition luxury version is the best and most expensive wedding dress in all of Brighton.” “I’m so sorry, Aubrey, but I’m a celebrity. Wearing something cheap would be ridiculed.” Serena pulled out her card from her bag. “I love this one. Sales assistant, how much is the deposit? I’ll swipe my card.” “Ms. King, you have excellent taste. The deposit is two hundred thousand.” The sales assistant swiftly brought the card machine. Serena had just finished entering her PIN when Brandon’s phone chimed. Only a few of us were in the store, and the timing of the sound was too perfectly coincidental. Brandon seemed to realize something. “My assistant needs me for something. Aubrey, keep looking.” As soon as he left, Serena’s demeanor completely changed. “Aubrey, I heard you’re an orphan. No wonder you picked the one without diamonds earlier. Honestly, being so petty and unsophisticated will make Brandon lose face.” “Hayes Enterprises is one of the top families in Brighton, you know.” Someone seemed to forget that it was she who had just been fighting for the pure lace dress. I was completely unfazed. “Alright, since Ms. Serena has already paid, I won’t say anything more.” Despite her cruelty, I had initially intended to point out that both dresses were knock-offs. The authentic one was a custom design my mother had commissioned for twenty million. Since I had been in Brighton, that dress was still with the designer abroad. It seemed poor handling had led to it being copied. If an ordinary person wore a pirated version, no one would care. But Serena was a celebrity. Wearing a copied design to her wedding would make her a laughingstock across the internet. And then, it would be *her* who made Brandon lose face. We changed back into our clothes, and Brandon returned. “Aubrey, have you made your choice? I promised Dad I’d buy a new gaming console. Afterwards, we…” Serena stepped forward. “Brandon, weren’t you hoping to meet the Harrington heir?” “Tonight, I arranged to meet Mr. Thompson, the manager of the Harrington subsidiary. He’s a relative of mine.”
Brandon immediately changed his tune. “Aubrey, the technology license Harrington Corp granted Hayes Enterprises is almost expiring. I need to go negotiate the renewal first.” I reached out, expressionless. “Brandon Hayes, give me that ring first.” Brandon frowned. “Don’t make a scene, I…” “Aubrey, you’re being so unreasonable. Hayes Enterprises signed a high-stakes performance agreement this year, and Harrington Corp’s technology is crucial.” “Mr. Thompson is only meeting us because of my friendship with his relative.” Serena directly linked her arm through Brandon’s. “Brandon, let’s go pick out a gift for Mr. Thompson first.” She raised a hand and beckoned the sales assistant. “But we shouldn’t let Aubrey’s trip be in vain. Just confirm the plain wedding dress for her.” “This…” The sales assistant looked confused. Who was Mr. Hayes’s fiancée, exactly? Even my gentle nature was provoked. “Ms. Serena, you sound so much like my mother-in-law, so concerned about Brandon and me.” “You!” Serena choked, her eyes red with feigned hurt. “Brandon…” Brandon, caught in the middle, looked increasingly impatient. “Alright, Aubrey, just take that one. You can go home now.” With that, he pulled Serena and turned to leave, without a single explanation. The sharp thorns I had put up collapsed. I had been sheltered under my parents’ wings since childhood, always kind, believing in love and light in the world. But when I shed the aura of the heiress and walked alone as an orphan, I witnessed more facets of this world. Greed, indifference, and even cruel harm for personal gain. Less than half an hour after I left the bridal shop, Mrs. Hayes called. “Aubrey! What kind of trash did you pick out?! Get your ass over here right now!” Mrs. Hayes’s shrill voice pierced through the phone, almost shattering my eardrums. I remembered I still had a significant program saved on the Hayes family computer. It was a smart drone program I had designed for Brandon’s and my wedding. One hundred thousand drones would patrol the city skies all day long. Letting everyone know they were married, and letting them know that ‘Aubrey’ and Brandon Hayes were a match made in heaven. Now, none of that was needed. Brandon Hayes simply wasn’t worthy of me! I needed to delete that program, just as I was deleting Brandon Hayes from my life. I arrived at the Hayes mansion. As soon as I stepped inside, a strong, cloying perfume hit me, making me cough repeatedly. Mrs. Hayes liked to use expensive perfumes as air fresheners, to flaunt the Hayes’ wealth. “Mrs. Hayes.” “Look at you, cowering. You have no air of a wealthy socialite whatsoever!” My covering my nose only fueled Mrs. Hayes’s anger. I picked up a teacup, raised my hand, and the slightly warm tea splashed onto me. “Ah!” I only managed to turn sideways. A red mark instantly appeared on my neck, burning painfully. “You have the nerve to complain.” Mrs. Hayes snapped, without an ounce of apology. “Aubrey, you chose a wedding dress without a single diamond. Are you trying to make everyone in Brighton laugh at how poor Hayes Enterprises is?” I thought to myself, I had specifically asked for that. My original plan was to reveal my identity to Brandon on the day we picked the wedding dress. Then I would tell him that my mother had already prepared my wedding dress. Even the diamond-free authentic version cost twenty million. If it were fully diamond-encrusted, I was afraid Brandon would feel the gap between us was too vast. “I’ve had someone buy a wedding dress from abroad. This one is a million.” Mrs. Hayes pointed to a magazine showing a dress adorned with diamonds and crystals, then added, “Time is tight. Don’t eat lunch or dinner for the next few days, so you’ll fit into it.” I glanced at it. Another knock-off. A relative had worn something similar five years ago. The authentic one cost ten million. Mrs. Hayes and I were always on different wavelengths, and I didn’t want to waste my breath. “I’ll go change first.” I changed my clothes, deleted the program, and as I opened the door, I heard voices in the hallway. “Aubrey is an orphan. Why didn’t Mrs. Hayes choose Ms. King? She’s a celebrity, after all.” “My own husband ran off with a celebrity. How could Mrs. Hayes accept a celebrity as a daughter-in-law?” “But she clearly doesn’t like Aubrey. Why didn’t she keep objecting?” “If Ms. King hadn’t been pestering Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes probably wouldn’t have agreed so quickly.” “Good thing the water wasn’t too hot just now, or the poor girl would have been disfigured. What a sin.” “I think Mr. Hayes prefers… otherwise…” The two women chatted as they walked away. My hand on the doorknob trembled. I felt like all my past patience with Mrs. Hayes had been a joke. Ever since Mrs. Hayes learned that Brandon and I were dating, she tormented me in every conceivable way, every single day. Daily ‘routine’ scolding, from my background to my taste, even small things, a single gesture, could become a point of attack. If I didn’t come to the Hayes mansion, Mrs. Hayes would bombard me with messages on SnapChat, her words even more scathing. I had never heard so much vitriol. In just one week, Mrs. Hayes almost drove me to depression. When Brandon found out, he had a huge fight with his mother, and her attacks on me finally subsided a bit. After that, she switched to physically exhausting me. “I want the mung bean cake from King’s in Southside. Go get it for me.” “I heard a new French dessert shop opened in Eastside. Go queue up and buy their signature item.” “I suddenly want the Osmanthus cake from South City. You…” I was like a delivery person, sent running around by Mrs. Hayes. Some of the shops were even in other cities. I ran back and forth, utterly exhausted, yet I couldn’t refuse to buy food for my boyfriend’s mother.
I used to believe that if I was patient enough, compromised enough, I could earn Mrs. Hayes’s approval. But now I understood that it was all just my fantasy. Later, when Brandon and I were about to get married, Mrs. Hayes, fearing I would embarrass myself at the wedding, hired an etiquette teacher for me. To keep my orphan persona intact, I had to pretend I had never learned such things. And how could Mrs. Hayes pass up such a perfect opportunity to pick fault? “Aubrey, look at her posture, her demeanor! Then look at you, no proper way of standing, no proper way of sitting!” “Aubrey, why are you so slow to learn? You can’t even master such simple movements. How will you ever be Mrs. Hayes?” … During that time, I looked at myself in the mirror, haggard and tired, the sparkle in my eyes gone. I also questioned whether my decision had been correct. For Brandon, I had hidden my identity, endured humiliation. Was it really worth it? It was also then that Brandon was hit by a car while saving my sister. I rushed to the hospital, terrified to see Brandon’s clothes covered in blood. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Just a scratch on my leg. The blood gushed a bit, but it’s actually not serious.” Pale from blood loss, the man, to comfort me, even got out of bed and danced. I was pulled along, frantic. “Brandon Hayes, do you want to lose your leg?! Get back in bed!” “Don’t worry, Aubrey. How could I bear to be crippled and make you lose your happiness for the rest of your life?” His strong arm wrapped around me, and with his incredibly alluring eyes, he coaxed me into his playful antics. I couldn’t help but ask, “You rushed out to save my sister. Weren’t you afraid of being crippled, or… dying?” Brandon lazily lowered his gaze, casually playing with my hand as he replied, “I didn’t think that much at the time. I just had one thought: I can’t let my Aubrey lose her only family.” He took my wrist, pressing a slow, light kiss there. My pulse could feel the tenderness and deep affection within it. “I want to take little Aubrey home and take care of her for life. How about it?” It was also then that Brandon got a long scar on his leg, which dispelled all my hesitation. I looked back at the room, filled with memories. A silent tear fell. Brandon Hayes, if you were going to deceive me, why didn’t you deceive me forever? As soon as I went downstairs, I heard Mrs. Hayes’s furious shout: “Bitch!” I didn’t know who had angered Mrs. Hayes this time. As I walked towards the sofa to grab my bag, Mrs. Hayes suddenly grabbed a stack of photos from the coffee table and hurled them at me. The sharp photos flew like blades. I raised my hands to block them, but my cheek was still scratched. Mrs. Hayes’s words came like a machine gun: “I told you a long time ago, you need to keep a close eye on your man! But you, all you do is go out and work odd jobs!” “What’s your measly pride worth? Look, Brandon’s heart has been completely stolen by that vixen!” I covered my wound, looking down at the photos scattered on the floor. They were all of Brandon and Serena. In various dating spots: the movie theater, the golf course, holding hands, kissing in restaurants… Those intimate gestures were like sharp knives, stabbing at me. I tilted my head back, forcing the tears back, suppressing the roiling emotions in my mind. Among Mrs. Hayes’s stack of photos, there were even pictures of Brandon and Serena, arm-in-arm in their wedding attire at the bridal shop, from just an hour ago. I used to naively believe that Mrs. Hayes, as chairman of Hayes Enterprises, and Brandon, often had differing opinions on company management, so he had to listen to her. I never thought Mrs. Hayes hired people to constantly watch Brandon. It was a good thing I wouldn’t be her daughter-in-law anymore. Otherwise, having a mother-in-law like that, being controlled all the time, would be suffocating. Mrs. Hayes saw my silence and her rage escalated. “I’m talking to you! Are you deaf or mute?!” “Aubrey, you have no family background, no abilities, and now you can’t even hold onto a man! What good are you?!” Mrs. Hayes grew more and more agitated. “And that Serena King! The shameless vixen! The bitch! I should have ruined her reputation back then!” I didn’t want to get involved in Brandon’s affairs anymore and planned to make things clear to Mrs. Hayes. “Mrs. Hayes, I…” “You shut up! I don’t want to hear your excuses!” Mrs. Hayes grew even more agitated, picked up the vase from the table, and smashed it forcefully onto the floor. “Ah!” I couldn’t dodge in time. A shard of the vase hit my foot, tearing my stockings and leaving a bloody scratch on my skin. It stung painfully. I hastily retreated, looking in horror at the frenzied Mrs. Hayes, her face contorted, terrifying like a demon. “Mrs. Hayes, calm down!” Mrs. Hayes was not yet appeased, and swept other items off the table. Soon, the floor was a mess. I had a bad feeling and wanted to leave. “Stop her for me!” Mrs. Hayes shrieked. Two bodyguards rushed forward, grabbing my arms, one on each side, holding me firmly. I struggled fiercely. “Let me go! What are you doing?” Mrs. Hayes didn’t listen at all. “Drag her into the bathroom! Douse her with cold water! Wash out that idiotic brain of hers!” The bodyguards, without a word, dragged me into the bathroom and roughly pushed me into the bathtub. “Splash—” The icy water rushed over me. A bone-chilling cold seeped into every pore. I shivered uncontrollably, my teeth chattering. “No… please…” I curled my body, covering my head with my hands, trying to avoid it. “So cold… stop spraying…” “Cold? This is nothing! Keep spraying her!” Mrs. Hayes stood at the bathroom door, looking at me, drenched, a twisted delight on her face, but her eyes were empty. “Ah…” I don’t know how long they sprayed me. My body grew colder and colder, my consciousness blurring.
Finally, the cold water stopped, but Mrs. Hayes wasn’t finished with me. She ordered the bodyguards again: “Tie her up and lock her in the room!” The bodyguards mercilessly dragged me from the bathtub, like a dead dog, into a room, and roughly tied me to a chair. “Let me go… I won’t marry him…” I murmured weakly. Mrs. Hayes grabbed my hair, forcing my head up. “I’m doing this to help you keep your husband!” “Look…” Mrs. Hayes then pulled at my collar, her eyes softening, tinged with ‘motherly love’. “This Chanel dress you’re wearing must be at least thirty thousand. It’s so beautiful. Brandon bought it for you, didn’t he?” “No…” That was my own purchase, a fifty-thousand limited edition. My consciousness was drifting. I couldn’t even speak properly. Mrs. Hayes took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped my face. “Think about it, if Brandon abandoned you, how could you wear such beautiful clothes?” “Those orphanage kids, and your cognitively impaired sister, they all need a lot of money to support.” Mrs. Hayes finished wiping, tidied my hair, then used her hard acrylic nails to rub my lips, making them crack. “That actress must have used a lot of tricks too.” She surveyed her handiwork on my face, a satisfied expression appearing. “Brandon, like you, is a very loving, good boy. Listen to me, necessary self-harm will make him pity you.” The mentally unstable Mrs. Hayes made me suddenly feel very pathetic. She wasn’t helping me; she was projecting her own past pain and resentment onto me. Like how she couldn’t win back her own husband back then, Mrs. Hayes hoped I could ‘win back’ Brandon, making up for her own regrets. Mrs. Hayes had someone set up a phone in front of me, then she and her people left. On the other end of the phone, someone was secretly filming Brandon. “In my heart, you’ll always be beautiful. If I’ve loved you, I have no regrets. No matter how much pain, I’m willing to bear it…” The song drifted from the phone’s earpiece, carrying the distinct echo of a KTV private room. I didn’t need to see the screen to know it was Brandon’s voice. When he sang, his voice habitually rose slightly at the end, with a touch of unruliness, and a hint of coaxing. This song, which once made my heart flutter, now sounded like a blunt knife, slowly grinding away at my heart. I remembered it. After Brandon injured his leg saving my sister, Mrs. Hayes came to the hospital and slapped me. I endured it then. Brandon, after angrily driving his mother away, apologized to me. I poured out all the grievances I’d bottled up for days. “Brandon, your mom doesn’t like me. We…” “Wait!” Brandon frantically pulled out his phone, found this song, and sang it to me, word for word. He wasn’t a good singer then, his pitch fluctuating wildly, going off-key absurdly several times. The man who usually sported a cool expression and walked with a swagger was now like a clumsy high schooler, fumbling to keep the girl he loved. The nurses and patients in the ward couldn’t help but laugh. His naturally handsome face flushed crimson, but he stubbornly kept going, looking at me with such focus, as if the world only contained the two of them. But now? My gaze slowly shifted to the phone screen. Brandon was embracing Serena, their heads together, intimately singing into the microphone, radiating sweet affection. Meanwhile, I was trapped in a chair by his mother, wearing cold, drenched clothes, like an abandoned doll. Outside, thunder rumbled, and torrential rain poured down, drowning out those joyous sounds. Loneliness, helplessness, and despair also drowned me in darkness. Three hours later, Brandon stood on the balcony, dialing my phone for the tenth time. It was still the busy tone, unanswered. He frustratingly prepared to dial for the eleventh time when Serena’s voice came from behind him. “If you keep calling, your phone will start smoking.” Brandon put away his phone, fatigue evident in his brows. “Serena, why are you out here?” “You hadn’t come back, and Mr. Thompson was asking where you’d gone.” Serena stared intently at Brandon’s expression. “Were you calling Aubrey?” Brandon avoided my gaze. “Yeah, she had something to ask me.” “What’s so urgent?” Serena’s tone held a barely detectable hint of probing. “Could it be… you missed me?” “How could that be?” Brandon instinctively denied it. “Don’t overthink things.” Serena’s eyes darkened. “I leaned against the railing and said, feigning casualness, ‘Just now Chloe asked if you were falling for Aubrey.’” “What are you talking about?” Brandon frowned, his tone a little stiff. “That’s what I said too,” Serena smiled. “I said there’s no way Brandon could like some unsophisticated orphan. It’s just an act.” Brandon’s fingers tightened slightly, but he didn’t refute. “But…” Serena turned sideways, looking directly into Brandon’s eyes. “You were quite devoted to her before. I was even a little jealous.” Brandon took Serena’s hand. “Don’t overthink it. I just didn’t want her to suspect anything and ruin our plan.” “Really?” A flicker of uncertainty crossed Serena’s eyes. “Of course.” Brandon immediately confirmed. “I only love you, and that hasn’t changed since high school.” Serena’s expression softened. I stepped forward, leaning into Brandon’s embrace. “I knew it. You only have me in your heart.” Brandon wrapped his arms around me, but his gaze drifted towards the rain-blurred darkness outside the window, his eyes lost. The next morning, Brandon woke up with a hangover, finding himself in a hotel room with Serena. He immediately panicked, jumping out of bed and hurriedly getting dressed. No, Brandon paused. Soon Serena would be his wife. Having a physical relationship was perfectly normal. Why was he feeling so guilty, so afraid? Brandon changed and went into the hallway to call Aubrey, but she never answered.
Aubrey had always been sensible and well-behaved, never failing to answer his calls without reason. A nameless unease swelled in his heart. He drove to the Harrington family’s old residence. In the old residential building, the Harrington door was tightly shut. After knocking for a long time, there was no response. A neighboring elderly woman poked her head out and told Brandon, “Little Aubrey didn’t come home very late last night. I think I saw Daisy run out looking for her.” “We couldn’t stop her. Daisy doesn’t know her way around. She hasn’t come back yet. She might be lost.” “Thank you, I’ll go find them right away.” Brandon’s heart sank. He was about to go search when his mother’s call came in. “Brandon, get back here now! Aubrey’s sick, she has a high fever.” Brandon immediately rushed back to the Hayes mansion. He saw me lying on the bed, my face pale, my body burning hot, mumbling incoherently. Mrs. Hayes said coldly, “Where were you last night? Your wife has a high fever. The housekeeper called me for dinner and that’s when I found her. She took medicine, but the fever hasn’t gone down.” “Aubrey!” Brandon gently scooped me up, his heart aching. “I’m taking you to the hospital right now.” The doctor’s preliminary diagnosis was pneumonia caused by a high fever, requiring hospitalization for observation. Serena, waking up early and not finding Brandon, had a vague bad feeling. Upon learning his whereabouts, she also rushed to the hospital. I pushed open the hospital room door and saw Brandon leaning in to kiss me. Serena’s heart tightened. Just as she was about to go in, I woke up. I tried to sit up abruptly, but Brandon gently pushed me back onto the bed. “Don’t move, you’re still running a fever.” I said urgently, “I’m in the hospital? I need to go back, my dad…” Brandon softly soothed. “Aubrey, Daisy is missing, but don’t worry, I’ll go find her right away.” “Brandon!” Serena pretended to have just arrived. “Mr. Thompson woke up and said he wants to continue discussing the renewal.” “No, find my dad first. He doesn’t know his way home…” Calling the police would only deploy a few officers. In Brighton, only Hayes Enterprises could mobilize so many people during the critical window for searching. I weakly clutched Brandon’s sleeve. “I can renew the contract for you. Brandon, please go find my dad….” “You can renew it?” Serena scoffed dismissively. “Aubrey, you don’t even have a steady job. How can you claim to be in charge of Harrington Corp, the richest family in the country?” I sighed. “Brandon, I’m feverish and delirious. I thought I was the Harrington family’s eldest daughter. Little did I know, the Harringtons only have a son.” Serena’s eyes looked at me as if I were a ridiculous clown. “Even if you’re going to impersonate, at least do your research first.” I anxiously explained, “No, it’s not that. My dad did it to protect me…” Serena interrupted me. “Alright, we didn’t say we wouldn’t help you look.” “Brandon, you can just have your assistant handle this. Mr. Thompson is waiting for you.” Serena continued to persuade. “This contract is very important to you. Think about that high-stakes performance agreement.” Brandon hesitated for a moment. “Aubrey, I’ll send more people to look for Daisy. You rest first. I’ll let you know as soon as there’s news.” He said, releasing me. I hastily clutched him. “Truly, I am Aubrey Harrington…” “Enough, Aubrey, stop making a scene. Brandon has very important matters to attend to right now. It’s the same if his assistant goes.” Serena forcefully pulled my hand away, dragging Brandon out. “Brandon, let’s go. That cognitively impaired girl probably just got lost. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, she’ll be found eventually.” “Brandon Hayes!” I watched Brandon’s resolute departing back, tears streaming down my face. Aubrey, you need to wake up! To him, you’re nothing but a tool. I borrowed a phone from the nurse and was about to call Liam to hire people when an unexpected person entered the room. “Aubrey.” The man stood against the light, his silhouette perfect, his face exuding an aura of control, slowly emerging from the halo. Even though he was in a wheelchair, he lost none of his dignity and composure. A man of transcendent grace, as if descended from the heavens. Julian Thorne, my intended fiancé in the arranged marriage. “Julian…” I uttered the name I hadn’t used in a long time. “Aubrey, I’ve come to take you back to King’s Landing.” Julian’s deep voice seemed to carry a magic that instantly brought tears to my eyes. “I can’t go back yet!” I skipped the pleasantries, speaking urgently. “Julian, my sister is missing. Can you—” I briefly explained what had happened. Julian listened, then, without a moment’s hesitation, made a call. “Immediately contact all private investigators and security companies in Brighton. Hire ten thousand people to conduct a carpet search of every corner of the city.” After hanging up, he turned his gaze back to me. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.” My nose stung. Brandon’s indifference and deception had left me physically and emotionally drained. Julian’s appearance now was like a lighthouse in a vast sea, bringing me hope and guidance. “Thank you, Julian.” I looked at him gratefully. Julian’s eyes, as calm as the sea, were filled with starlight. “Silly girl, what’s with the thanks? We’re…” He paused, his long fingers gently caressing my burning forehead. “How did you get yourself into such a state?” Our skin touched. Though the warmth was faint, I felt an inexplicable heat scorching me. I awkwardly leaned back against the pillow, stammering, “I… I accidentally caught a cold.” Julian saw the little girl’s earlobes flushed red, looking shy and timid. The corners of his lips curved slightly. He withdrew his hand and picked up the medical chart from the bedside table, flipping through it. I secretly observed Julian. Three years had passed, but time seemed to have left no trace on his face. Instead, it had only added to his composed and reserved demeanor.
Julian and I were ten years apart. I had always revered him as an elder brother, even a senior. The thought of marrying this man, whom I once respected like a god, made me feel a bit flustered. “What’s wrong?” Julian’s voice was very low, as if he feared startling me. I bit my lower lip, feeling I should tell him about Brandon first. It wouldn’t be fair to him if we went through with the arranged marriage without him knowing. Because of the video Brandon took, I already had a mental block about such things. Julian watched me quietly, his gaze filled with calm and understanding. “I… would you mind if I…” I felt like an elementary school student confessing to her parents, making it difficult for me to speak. “Aubrey, it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.” “Julian, that…” Should I say I didn’t want to fulfill a wife’s duties? I couldn’t bring myself to say it. So I tactfully said, “Do you… are you open to having children… through other means?” The air in the hospital room seemed to solidify for a moment. The chirping of cicadas outside the window was clearly audible. Julian paused slightly, then understood my meaning. “Yes.” He reached out and gently patted my hand. “Aubrey, as long as you live happily every day, nothing else will be a constraint for you.” I blinked, a wave of warmth flowing through my heart. “Thank you, Julian.” Julian smiled reassuringly, holding a thousand words in his eyes. He had worked so hard on his rehabilitation for so long, timing his proposal for my graduation. He hadn’t protected his little princess well enough. He knew I needed time to heal, and he would always be by my side, letting me slowly accept him. Two hours later, Julian’s assistant rushed back, his face grave. “Mr. Thorne, Daisy has been found. She was hit by a car and is currently in critical condition at City Hospital.” My vision blurred, and I almost fainted. Julian quickly caught me, his voice deep as he instructed his assistant, “Get the car ready. To the hospital.” When they arrived at the hospital, Daisy’s surgery had just ended. The doctor emerged and said, “The patient has severe intracranial hemorrhage. Although the surgery was successful, her family should prepare themselves. She might not wake up and could remain in a vegetative state.” “Vegetative state…” My legs buckled. I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing. I choked out, “Why… why do disasters always strike the poor and unfortunate…” When I first arrived in Brighton, I fabricated an orphan identity and rented a place near the orphanage. One time, when I encountered thugs, it was Daisy, naturally cognitively impaired, who rushed to protect me. Seeing that Daisy had no one to care for her, I took her in as my sister. Daisy, with the mental age of a three-year-old, always tried her best to be good to me. Every day when I came home, Daisy would clumsily make me a bowl of mixed rice, overflowing with side dishes, while she herself just ate plain white rice. Daisy didn’t understand I wasn’t short on clothes. In winter, she would wrap layers of salvaged padded jackets around me, unwilling to wear them herself. When I was sad from being bullied by Mrs. Hayes, Daisy would gently pat my back, soothing me repeatedly: “Sister, don’t cry. Daisy will be with you.” Those warm memories were unforgettable. If Mrs. Hayes hadn’t gone crazy and confined me, how would Daisy have gotten into a car accident trying to find me?! My heart ached, and my vision blurred. I fainted. “Aubrey!” Julian swiftly caught me, half-rising from his chair. He gritted his teeth and gently lifted me into his arms. The assistant nervously stepped forward. “Mr. Thorne, let me. Your leg…” Julian’s leg, after more than ten years of rehabilitation, could stand, but it caused him intense pain. In just that short time, Julian’s forehead was already beaded with fine sweat. “No need.” He held me tighter. “If I can’t even hold my own wife, how can I be a husband?” “I already missed one chance because of my leg. I will not let anyone else take advantage this time.” When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed, Julian sitting by my side, holding my hand. “My sister, she…” “She’s still in a coma. Her vital signs are stable for now.” Julian gently soothed, “I’ve arranged everything. Your sister will be transferred to the best hospital in King’s Landing, where the best doctors will treat her.” “Thank you, Julian.” Julian murmured, “We are family. Your sister is my family too.” I shyly avoided his deep gaze, softly humming in response. Just then, my phone vibrated. I looked down. It was Brandon. I immediately hung up. He called again. After I hung up on him five times in a row, Brandon finally gave up. A few minutes later, an unknown number sent a text message. [Aubrey, Brandon will marry me in the end. If you are sensible enough to gracefully withdraw, I will give you a hundred thousand.] [Image], [Image]. I looked at the intimate photos of Brandon and me that Serena had sent, a cold laugh escaping my lips. Julian heard it and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?” I sneered, “Nothing. Someone wants to buy me off for a hundred thousand.” A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. “A hundred thousand isn’t even enough to buy you a handbag.” Julian didn’t ask any more questions. He just quietly picked up his phone, his long fingers tapping a few times on the screen. Almost instantly, my phone screen lit up, displaying a bank transfer notification. I tapped it open. It was a transfer from Julian. [Transferring 50,000,000 to Aubrey for parts] *Ding!* Brandon’s message came through at the same time. [Transferring 50,000. Text: Don’t be angry, sweetheart.] I first looked at Julian, perplexed. “Julian, I have money.” “I saw a machine you were working on in one of your SnapChat photos.” He continued, “I heard Mr. Harrington was mad you came to Brighton and only gave you five hundred thousand a month. Has that machine been delayed for a long time?” My hand, poised to decline the transfer, froze. Looking at the two vastly different messages, I suddenly remembered what my father said when we made the bet: “Gold and copper, easily distinguished; true heart and false intent, revealed by time.”
t wasn’t like I hadn’t written code or built small machines in front of Brandon. He had never once asked about it. But Julian, from a background detail in a photo, saw something I cared about. Perhaps in Brandon’s heart, I was just an accessory, a tool, so he never cared about my abilities or what I loved to do… Just then, the TV was broadcasting entertainment news. The volume was low, but clear enough for both of us to hear. “Celebrity Serena King is rumored to be getting married soon to a wealthy scion.” The screen flashed with photos of Serena at a bridal shop. The host, her face full of knowing ambiguity, said, “According to insiders, Serena King has been dating the wealthy scion for quite some time, and their relationship is stable. Last night, the two were even photographed checking into a luxury hotel together, spending the night, and leaving together the next morning…” The man with his arm around Serena’s waist in the picture was only shown from the back, but I still recognized him as Brandon Hayes. My heart lurched, and I felt a wave of nausea. While I was bound to a chair in wet clothes, enduring bone-chilling cold and terrifying darkness, Brandon was having a grand old time with someone else in a hotel. Julian saw my pale face and glistening eyes. He struggled to sit on the edge of the bed and gently pulled me into his embrace. “Crying will make you feel better.” He awkwardly stroked my hair, like he was comforting a child. I cried harder in his arms, as if to release all the grievances and fears I had bottled up. Julian silently held me, letting me cry until I slowly calmed down. “Julian…” I choked out. “Am I really that foolish? Fooled so easily…” “How could you be?” Julian cupped my face, gently wiping away my tears. “At ten, you designed a smart robot program and won an international award.” “Harrington Corp’s success in the tech world is all thanks to you. Who wouldn’t envy Mr. Harrington?” Julian then reached out and began peeling a pomegranate. The red juice stained his fingers, a sight utterly at odds with his suited, ready-for-a-meeting appearance. Just then, Brandon continued to send messages: [Aubrey, are you feeling better? I don’t have time to come over today. I ordered food for you, eat well.] [I have to go on a business trip. I’ve already sent people to look for Daisy, don’t worry.] [Also, about the wedding dress, I re-ordered you a three-million-dollar diamond wedding dress.] I looked at Brandon’s message, unable to fathom why he would spend an extra three million on a wedding dress for a tool. Had he gotten addicted to playing the ‘Charity Casanova’ role? Never mind. Whatever he did, I wouldn’t believe him again. [No need. My dad has already found her.] Julian handed me the plate full of pomegranate seeds. “What’s wrong? Is that person trying to extort you again? Or should I take care of it?” I shook my head, taking the plate. I loved pomegranates, but I hated the hassle of peeling them. Brandon knew that, but he only ever bought them unpeeled. I called my assistant. “Liam, I’m returning to King’s Landing soon. You stay here a bit longer.” “Don’t tell Mr. Thompson about terminating Hayes Enterprises’ license.” Since Brandon wanted to drag this out and use me until the very end, I would also wait until the last moment to reveal everything. Let them fall from the heights when they were most triumphant. It would be a fitting revenge for my sister. The next day, Daisy’s condition stabilized. Julian arranged a private jet to take them back to King’s Landing. As I walked through the airport terminal, I saw Brandon waiting for his assistant to check in their boarding passes. Serena had her arms wrapped around his waist, kissing his face. Julian saw the scene too. He put his arm around my shoulder. “Aubrey, let’s go. Mr. Harrington and the others are waiting for you.” I nodded, calmly withdrew my gaze, and stepped into the VIP channel. Brandon Hayes, everything I gave you, I will take back. Back in King’s Landing, after settling Daisy, my father asked me to quickly prepare for the wedding with Julian. I also wanted to get it over with so I could focus on my research.
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